Since the end of the nineteenth
century Taormina has become a world famous international resort whose visitors
are, time and time again, enraptured by its charming atmosphere, its natural
unspoilt beauty, its all-year-round mild climate, its preservation of local
culture and ancient history, the friendly attitudine of its citizens and
its perfect modern organization of touristic services.
As soon as you arrive in Taormina,
you will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere spread all around which has
enchanted visitors from all over the world for years and years. Settled
on a hill of the Monte Tauro, Taormina dominates two grand, sweeping bays
below and on the southern side, the top of Mount Etna, the european highest
active volcano, often capped with snow, offering to the visitors a breathtaking,
dramatic and memorable view over almost one hundred miles of Mediterranean
sea.
Taormina really seems to be born
as a touristic resort since past times, when ancient people like the Sicels,
Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards chose
it as their residential site thank to its favourable position, mild climate
and magic atmosphere. Nowadays visitors can still find fine examples of
Taormina’s golden times : the splendid Greek Thetre, the Roman "Naumachiae",
the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Nicolò, the 14th century Palazzo
Corvaja, the 16th century Palace of the Dukes of Saint.Stefano, the public
gardens, the "Badia Vecchia" (Ancient Abbey) and many others.
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The resort was first publicised by a trio of german artists : in 1787
J.W.Goethe discovered the beauties of Sicily and, in particular, of Taormina.
He wrote the world known novel "Italian Journey", in which he
describes the beauties of this land and its people and pronounced Taormina
a "patch of paradise". The german painter Otto Geleng rose intereset
in parisan art galleries exibiting his paintings about this magical landscapes.
His contemporary, the young prussian photographer Wilhelm von Gloeden
settled down in 1880 and made Taormina famous to all conservative european
cultural clubs with his artistic portraits of nude sheperd boys with the
volcano Etna on the backstage.
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Since then many important celebrities visited Taormina, electing it as
their "escapade place " from chaotic city life. Patrik Brydone
D.H. Lawrence, Truman Capote, Alexander Dumas, Anatole France, Andrè
Gide, Paul Klee, Guy de Maupassant, Luigi Pirandello, John Steinbeck,
Gustav Klimt, Elio Vittorini, Oscar Wilde, Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms
spent happy moments here. In more recent times movie, theatre and music
celebrities such as Ingmar Bergmann, Francis Ford Coppola, Leonard Bergman,
Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Federico Fellini, Cary Grant, Tyrone Power,
Gregory Peck, Marcello Mastroianni, Elisabeth Taylor, Woody Allen have
spent pleasant and memorable holidays in the Mediterranean pearl.
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Since the opening of the first
hotel in 1874, Taormina has become one of the world top touristic destinations
where visitors can experience a perfect combination of old times charming
atmosphere, preservation of history and culture, an elegant and lively
way of life to be enjoyed in relaxing walks through the old town pedestrian
areas.
The tourist has a lot to do and see : top level art performances at the
Greek theatre, several painting exhibitions held in local palazzi and
churces, fine elegant shopping along the famous "Corso Umberto"
with its classical music cafès and pastry shops. Or visiting local
art museums, taking naturalistic walks in the surounding countryside,
golfing at the nearby 18-holes green, enjoying the fantastic beaches at
easy reach, where the mild mediterranean climate allows to practise all
water sports as swimming, scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, or just
sunbathing for nearly eight months a year and even more. |
