notes from taormina, sicily

We had just arrived after a long car ride.

We people watched, as people watched the sunset over the sea. The smell of cigarettes and the arrival of summer filled the cool evening air.

We had pasta and Aperol for dinner. The cobblestone streets were busy, people quietly celebrating the brighter days ahead. It started to rain out of nowhere.

We could not care less, caught in the middle of a cool rain. Warm skin, we were running through the night. The water made everything sparkle under the light of stars and the tall and yellow lamp posts.

Spring morning. The balcony was open, the wind carried the scent of the sea.

Due caffè e un cornetto, per favore.

We got lost in another conversation, and my thoughts wandered again to how lucky I feel, to how these days would also go to the special and the not-forgettable pile, that is filling up so fast I am a bit worried memories can get overlapped and forgotten. Maybe that is where the need to document comes from.

The street was filling up. From our table, the noise of the sea could not be heard anymore. Honks, loud conversations and the noise of old cool-looking cars buzzing by took all the space that the air could hold.

The sparkling sea was still cold. The sea can always hold more. That is where the feeling of peace comes from.

I let the cold waters hold my body and my thoughts for a while.

April, 2025 | Taormina

on film by Wam Ornelas

A few notes & tips!

Where to stay

I really recommend staying somewhere by the sea, so you can enjoy slow and quiet mornings by the water before it starts getting too busy. Bonus points if you are around the cable car that takes you up the hill.

Cute spots!

Take a walk through Vila Comunale, it has amazing views of the sea and Mount Etna.

The Piazza IX Aprile is a great spot to people watch & catch the sunset before dinner.

And of course, this is a non-negotiable. You must go for a swim at Isola Bella, it is magical!

Stroll & explore the ancient theater, I guess the even better option would be to catch a play or event there, especially during sunset.

Food

If it is your first time in Sicily, pleaaase go for a Cannolo!

We did not end up trying, but everyone swears about the granita & brioche from BamBar.

Other notes

The city itself is on top of a hill, so if you want to come & go to the beach, you have two options. The stairs or the cable car. To be honest, the stairs were super fine, it was around a 30 min walk, but I imagine that during summer, under the hot Sicilian sun, that would be another experience. So, remember to check the cable car opening and closing times!