We loved everything about our stay at Nelly's Guest House. Taormina is beautiful. Giuseppe's home is just a few short blocks from the Corso Umberto, which is a lovely and lengthy pedestrian street in Taormina that is filled with little shops and restaurants. Our room was beautiful and sparkling clean. It had a balcony with a view of Mt. Etna and Calabria (the Italian mainland). Giuseppe is a wonderful host. We were going to take a bus to Taormina from Catania (about 30 mi.), but he offered to come get us, since he had to be in Catania for another reason. Giuseppe also drove us to the train station the day we left.
So far, being in Sicily during winter is delightful. Mid to high 60s (F) during the day, sunny, with only a few light showers.
There is a good train service between Taormina and Catania and Siracusa--$10 (U.S.) from Taormina to Siracusa, about 75 mi.