What to do in and around Taormina: history, fashion, shows, striking views of the Ionian Sea.
Palazzo Vecchio Taormina

The 5-star boutique hotel Palazzo Vecchio invites you to discover Taormina from a new perspective, aboard an APE Calesse. This quaint, vintage-looking three-wheeled vehicle represents one of the icons of Sicily.

The APE Calesse will transport you on a romantic and fun journey through the coolest streets of Taormina, to follow the steps of national and international personalities from the world of culture and entertainment who have traveled them and been inspired by the magical atmosphere of the village. From David Herbert Lawrence author of the novel "Lady Chatterlay's Lover" to the "Divine" Greta Garbo, a film diva of the 1930s, from the bohemian writer Oscar Wilde to the photographer Wilhelm Von Gloeden, famous for his photographs with an Arcadian flavor, to Roberto Benigni and Carlo Verdone, contemporary actors of Italian cinema, appreciated worldwide. Many illustrious names have fallen under the spell of Taormina.

During the Ape Calesse tour of Palazzo Vecchio, you will discover some anecdotes about their stay in town and the main places that preserve memories of their passage. The two-hour tour will include among its stops: Casa Cuseni, the Sicilian home of the English painter Kitson with its marvelous gardens and its view of the sea and Mount Etna; the old casino, the only one in Sicily until its closure in 1965; and Villa Caronia with its dense Mediterranean scrub vegetation and an enchanting viewpoint over the bay of Giardini Naxos. The route will end with a stop at a panoramic area on Isola Bella.

The Etna Jeep Tour, organized by Palazzo Vecchio Taormina, will take you on a fascinating journey to discover the mysteries of Europe's highest volcano.
Leaving from the Palazzo Vecchio Hotel in a 4x4 vehicle, an expert guide will take you up to an altitude of 3,000 meters to discover lava caves and craters in an impervious but evocative environment where endemic flora and fauna have evolved uniquely, adapting to even the most extreme living conditions.
Upon request, the tour can be accompanied by tastings of fine local food and wine products in one of the renowned wineries along Etna's slopes.

The 5-star boutique hotel Palazzo Vecchio Taormina takes you to discover the "Wine Roads" on the Etna territory, aboard a FIAT 500, an icon of the Italian "Dolce Vita" with a charming vintage look.

The half-day tour, for a maximum of two people, is a romantic and evocative experience that will take you to Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northern slope of the volcano, where two of Etna's DOC wines are produced in historic vineyards: the Nerello Mascalese, with fruity and spicy aromas and a rich and persistent flavor, and the Carricante, fresh and rich with floral notes.

The winery tastings will be paired with a light lunch made with local products. You will continue by visiting the ancient castle of Lauria, with architecture from the Norman-Swabian period. From here you will be able to admire the splendid views of the Alcantara Valley with its Gurne, natural pools created by the erosion of the Alcantara River, immersed in dense native vegetation. The experience is recommended for curious couples about the history of the area, starting with its typical flavors.

Palazzo Vecchio Taormina takes you on a tour to discover Syracuse, the most important and most beautiful Greek colony in Sicily, according to Cicero, home of Archimedes and the site of the oldest Greek Theater in the West.

Its unique historic center is developed on the islet of Ortigia, where it is possible to recognize significant traces of its Greek past in the Arethusa Spring, a small lake where the only papyrus specimens in Europe grow, and in the Temple of Apollo.
On the island, it is also possible to admire some examples of medieval and Renaissance palaces, such as Palazzo Bellomo and Palazzo Migliaccio, as well as more recent Baroque-style buildings such as the Cathedral, built on the remains of a 5th-century B.C.E. Doric temple, and Palazzo del Vermexio, whose facade is made of the typical white or beige stone of the Iblei.

The historic center is also the area where the city's evening movida takes place, with pubs and lounge bars enlivening its alleys until late at night, and from where it is possible to access the small beach of Cala Rossa, for unforgettable sunsets over the small bay.

Catania is a multifaceted city built on Mount Etna’s feet. You can discover it leaving from Palazzo Vecchio, a 5-star boutique hotel in Taormina.
In the streets of Catania, vibrant with life until late at night, you will encounter art and Baroque architecture characterized by the typical dark gray color of the lava stone, tracing the city's multiethnic history. You can also taste food and wine products influenced by this mixture of cultures and the proximity of the volcano.

Passing through the alleys of its historic center, a few meters from the Baroque cathedral and the black basalt Elephant fountain, also called "U Liotru" in the local dialect, you will reach "A Piscaria," the city's ancient fish market that stands under the walls of the Palazzo dei Chierici.
"A Piscaria" of Catania has maintained its ancient Arab souk appearance and the authenticity of typical Sicilian smells, tastes, and sounds over the centuries.
On the stalls, every morning fresh fish is displayed, but also local fruits and vegetables. Moreover, it is possible to taste Sicilian street food delicacies amidst the hubbub and folkloric tales of the vendors.

The Caltagirone and Piazza Armerina tour will take you from Palazzo Vecchio Taormina to discover two of Sicily's inland UNESCO World Heritage treasures, aboard a private Mercedes Benz transfer.
Caltagirone's worldwide fame is due to its ceramics, probably of Arab influence, which adorn the city's landmarks with their characteristic yellow, blue, and green colors and geometric or floral shapes. One example is the scenic staircase of the Baroque Church of Santa Maria del Monte, adorned with Caltagirone-style majolica made by local artisans, whose beauty is enhanced every year at the end of July during the traditional Infiorata.

A few kilometers from Caltagirone, Piazza Armerina preserves a supreme example of an ancient Roman aristocratic villa, famous for the rich polychrome, figurative, and geometric mosaics, perfectly preserved, that decorate its floors for more than 3,500 square meters. Scenes of daily life and the hunting of exotic animals used in venationes or exhibited in private zoos. The most famous representations are "The Girls in Bikinis" in the Sala dell'Otium, young women intent on the play, in skimpy outfits reminiscent of modern swimsuits.