A Travel Guide for Taormina, Sicily

My adventure started from the Grand Harbor in Malta, deep in the center of the Mediterranean, where I boarded the daily hydrofoil to Sicily. If my memory serves me well the cost was under $100.00 for the day trip including transfers, coach and lunch at Mt. Etna.

A strange twist of fate seated me in the front seat on the upper deck of the coach that was to be our home for the next 6 or so hours. As a photographer I'm sure I don't have to tell you what a lucky break this proved to be. I am sorry that this media doesn't allow more than 5 pictures as the photographs I was able to take from my prime vantage point are outstanding. Please take the time however to view the ones I have been able to include.

First stop on the journey and certainly the one most publicized was at the world's most famous active volcano. Here I must make a confession; I did not climb to the rim like most of my fellow travelers. This was not my first volcano and to quote an old saying "once you have seen one volcano, you've seen them all!" - I jest of course. Etna is the largest active Volcano in Europe and the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps. Unfortunately my declining years somewhat restrict my physical activities now that I am approaching my late 70's and prevented me from climbing to the peak of this 10,922 ft. mountain.

I sat at the roadside café and enjoyed my lunch watching my accompanying day-trippers make their way to the summit and return. I duly purchased my volcanic rock artifacts from the gift shop and repositioned myself atop my coach for the next stage of the journey.

Out trip across the Sicilian countryside was pleasant but gave no hint of what lay ahead. The amazing city of Taormina, situated on the peak of Mt. Taurus. Certainly one of the most picturesque cities this writer has had the opportunity to visit.

Every street corner was filled with art and artists, beautiful open air café's were on every corner and yet an air of make-believe prevailed, giving me at least the impression that I had just walked into a painting.

I followed the signs to the ancient Greek - Roman Theatre! Certainly the most important monument in this ancient city. This one time pride of the Greeks and Romans is still to this day a sight to see. Presenting spectacular views of the neighboring country side and the arriving cruise ships below, it still today provides a venue for visiting artists and concerts. Records show that many of the columns and much of the original marble was removed by the Taorminians in the construction of their principal church.

I will long cherish my memories of this quaint city and of the most pleasant few hours my day trip permitted me to enjoy. Health and the good Lord willing I hope one day to return for a more leisurely dose of this precious piece of history which has seen the Romans, Byzantines, the Saracenes, the Muslims and eventually the Turks all place their marks until the arrival of the Normans in 1078.

Enjoy your travels and never cease to explore.

Dr. Peter J. Shield PhD. (Http://picturethedifference.com )