Sicily Gets Sexy With Its Taormina Cliffside Resort

When many people think of Sicily mobsters come to mind.

That’s unfortunate. Especially when there’s the drop dead gorgeous cliffside resort city of Taormina, a place that brings to mind Capri and Cannes, especially the latter as it has its own emerging international film festival in mid-June. Last year the movie Transformers (VIA) premiered there, with a glam visit from star Shia LeBouef and director Michael Bay. We can’t wait to see who is dropping by this year.

But today’s Hollywood stars aren’t the only famous people to have a thing for Taormina. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton really dug it—well at least until she got in a jealous rage and broke a guitar over his head, but whatever—and old school writers J.W. Goethe and DH Lawrence spilled some ink about how fabulous the place is. Lawrence even (supposedly) wrote Lady Chatterley’s Lover there. Sultry!

The backdrop features the very active (!) volcano, Mt. Etna, accessorized by grape vines and olive trees. Factor in the lots of pedestrian streets and alleyways and secret passageways leading to shady courtyard lounges, and you’ve got yourself one sexy vacation! (Just try not to think about where the dollar is against the euro.)

If you want to do a quick trip, we’ve got your perfect three day itinerary right here:

Day One

One of Europe's more affordable island gateways, Sicily is best accessed from mainland Europe via Catania or Palermo. Arrive to a newly refurbished Catania airport via British Airways' nonstop service from London Stansted.