Taormina

Osteria da Rita

Osteria da Rita is a small family-run inn, the cuisine is typically Sicilian. Here you can taste the best dishes of the local cuisine made with fresh and genuine products.

Saro

Taormina, Sicily

Why it's great: Taormina has so many beautiful and authentic shops (all the assortments are colorful and vibrant, straight out of a Dolce and Gabbana color palette). I loved Saro, an ivy-covered shop that's known for its antique handmade laces, Sicilian ceramics, and straw bags—everything is made by Sicilian artisans.

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The Trattoria Don Ciccio in Taormina is located near the Cathedral in the heart of the city. It offers its customers fresh dishes of the best Sicilian tradition. Pasta, fish, meat freshly cooked and the best Sicilian wines and international.

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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

You’d never expect from his kind eyes and easygoing demeanor that he’s one of the most renowned pastry chefs in the world. Even if you don’t recognize the name Corrado Assenza (though you will if you watched Chef’s Table Pastry; he’s the star of Episode 2), you’ve absolutely heard of that bakery in Sicily. Caffè Sicilia has reached legendary... See more

Where do you find yourself dining most often during this off-season time?

I love dining at Nunziatina's, a retro-looking restaurant decorated with vintage armchairs, lamps, and pillows. For me, choosing a restaurant goes beyond eating well—it must also be a nice place. My eyes are always seeking strange and fascinating things, and I find them... See more

Greek-Roman theatre

Explore the town's ancient Greek-Roman theatre, a marvel of architectural ingenuity, and discover the remnants of Roman temples, a gymnasium, and a stunningly preserved swimming pool. Taormina's timeless beauty and rich cultural tapestry ensure a truly unforgettable experience.

My favorite place was Cefalu. I mean, I love Taormina—I think that'll always actually have my heart just because it was the place that we spent the most time. But from a tourist’s perspective, Cefalu was probably my favorite of all of the stops. I just love being close to the water. The beach clubs are amazing.

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.