Morning Coastal Views and Heading North
After fueling up with a superb breakfast at the Grand Hotel Baia Verde, we boarded the bus for a highly anticipated day trip to Taormina, one of Sicily’s most dazzling clifftop jewels.
As we drove along the coastline, our guide, Valentino, kept us entertained and informed with a rich history of the region. Frame after frame, Mount Etna continued to steal the show in the background, offering incredible views as we made our way north.
Breathtaking Panoramas & The Ancient Theater of Taormina
The moment we stepped off the bus, the panoramic views of the Ionian Sea were nothing short of spectacular. We walked through the charming, cobblestone pedestrian streets toward the center of town.
Midway through our walk, we stopped at Belvedere Piazza IX Aprile—a lively, iconic square where the balcony opens up to sweeping views of the coastline below and Etna in the distance. From there, we continued on to the famous Teatro Antico di Taormina, the ancient Greek-Roman theater built directly into the hillside. Standing among those centuries-old stone columns with the sea behind them is an unforgettable experience.
Arancini & A Leisurely Stroll
After taking in the history and views at the theater, we enjoyed a slow, leisurely stroll back through town. Halfway back to the bus station, we finally paused for a long-awaited moment: grabbing a fresh, piping-hot Arancina! Crisp on the outside and rich on the inside, it was everything a Sicilian street food break should be.
We made time for a little more souvenir and local shop browsing along Corso Umberto before ascending back to the bus.
An Evening Tour of Catania & The Legend of Sant’Agata
Back at the hotel, we had a quick 30-minute rest stop to refresh and kick off our walking shoes before boarding the bus once again—this time bound for the heart of Catania center for a guided walking tour.
We visited the imposing Cathedral of Sant’Agata (Duomo di Catania), dedicated to Catania’s deeply revered patron saint. Sant’Agata was a young 3rd-century noblewoman whose unwavering faith led to her martyrdom under Roman rule. According to local legend, her miraculous veil protected Catania from destructive eruptions of Mount Etna and plagues on numerous occasions, making her a symbol of protection for the entire city.
During the tour, we also visited the historic Castello Ursino—the old Norman fort built in the 13th century by Emperor Frederick II—and paused at the famous Fontana dell’Amenano, a marble fountain fed by the subterranean Amenano River that flows directly underneath Catania’s volcanic streets.
A Sicilian Feast in the Wine Cellar at Piazza Scammacca
We wrapped up our tenth day at Piazza Scammacca, gathering inside their atmospheric underground wine cellar for an incredible, multi-course meal highlighting local Catanese specialties:
Fixed Starter Selection:
Ricotta cheese meatballs & Sicilian arancinetti (mini rice balls)
Crostini topped with sweet peppers, anchovies, and creamy stracciatella
Crunchy focaccia layered with pistachio, mortadella, and stracciatella
Classic panelle (Sicilian chickpea fritters) & fried tuna cheese bites
Main Course Choices:
Rigatoni with pistachio pesto & guanciale
Casarecce pasta with black Sicilian pork ragù & Ragusano cheese cream
Traditional Catanese horse meat meatballs served with roasted potatoes & salad
Vegan biodynamic whole-grain rice platter featuring seasonal vegetables, stuffed tomatoes, tenerumi (squash leaves), caponata with toasted almonds, and chickpea meatballs
Dessert:
Small glass of refreshing granita or a classic ricotta-filled cannolo
It was a perfect end to an action-packed day balancing clifftop views, ancient drama, deep local history, and unforgettable Sicilian dining. Tomorrow, we head south to historic Siracusa!
Have you ever traveled somewhere to trace your family history? Let me know in the comments below!
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