Monday 2nd – Taormina

View from Greek Theatre

Greek Theatre

An odd start to the day as our included breakfast was meant to be at a bar below, but he was closed. He had spoken to Diana, the landlady, on the phone to say he was always closed on Mondays, but she can’t hear him. After sorting our own breakfast we went to the Greek Theatre for which Taormina is rightly known. It is in a stunning spot as good as Delphi for those that know that. High on a hill with superb views back to Taormina, out to Mt Aetna (in cloud today) and along the coast below. Yet again we have missed a performance in an ancient setting by a day as there was a free concert in the theatre on Saturday night, which we could have seen if the weather hadn’t messed up sailings.

I’m afraid I am going to describe what we got for lunch, if I can stop myself drooling for long enough.

• ·       Two huge slices of candied orange peel joined by being half dipped in dark chocolate
• ·         An orange strudel – like thick marmalade in a short pastry case

• 

  Sicilian Pastries

• ·         An almond topped, almond paste filled cupcake sized pastry
• ·         A double-ended sweet crunchy cone filled with the most impossibly delicious sweetened creamed ricotta

The latter in particular would make a trip to Sicily worthwhile for no other reason. When we first arrived here we thought it might be awful with so many people, but it turned out to be fun, and the town itself copes well with the tourists.