On Location: Tales From Taormina and the Sicilian Set of ‘The White Lotus’

White Lotus showcased one of the most stunning spots in Sicily when it sent Harper and Daphne on a day trip to Noto. In the province of Syracuse, a two-hour drive from Taormina on the southern tip of Sicily, it’s an exquisite example of Baroque-era architecture with its warm limestone buildings, dramatic scalinata and grand Cathedral. And if it loo... See more

VILLA TASCA

The gloriously opulent neoclassical villa that Harper and Daphne escape to on their spontaneous girls trip is not in fact located in Noto, as the show suggests, but closer to Palermo, on the edge of the historic town of Monreale. Owned by one of the most important aristocratic families on the island, it’s filled with beautiful frescoes,... See more

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Isola Bella, Taormina

Known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea (and for its starring role in the second season of The White Lotus), Isola Bella is a semicircular pebble beach just minutes from the hilltop town of Taormina (via cable car). Rent a sunbed here (neatly lined up, as is often the norm in Sicily), and bring a snorkel for ... See more

I often go to Catania, a vibrant, young city half an hour from Taormina. My destination is always Via Santa Filomena, a pedestrian street of breweries, and restaurants. My go-tos for drinks are Gloriole, Vermut, and Pamochã, which serves an irresistible combo of bread, mortadella, and champagne.