What a wonderful experience it was to stay at Cettina!
Communication was easy & smooth. Cettina was really responsive and easy to reach.
As we didn't have a car, we used the bus from the airport to get to Taormina - Giardini train station then we got a taxi from there (€15). If you do not have a car, this is the best option!
Cettina was kindly waiting for us to show us the house which was AMAZING! Her garden is a paradise, it is quiet, yet so close to amenities: restaurants, mid-market, pharmacy, the famous funicular that takes you to the centre of Taormina.
The house is so clean, spacious and opens onto the garden with the view of the mountains and the sea. It has one large balcony and one large terrace from which you can watch the sunrise!
There is all you need to cook too!
Cettina was incredibly kind, warm, and made sure we were okay. She warned us of new hosts in the other apartments so we would not worry about the noise.
It felt like arriving in the home of a long lost relative!
A few tips if you have never been to Taormina:
- bring cash: many taxis do not have a card machine (or say they don't as there is a fee on their end for card payment) and all 3 local ATMs were out of order!
- taxis are EXPENSIVE €15 for a 10 min journey!
- in the summer, the funicular gets VERY BUSY, especially in the late afternoon (6pm or so) onwards. Expect to queue in the baking sun for about 1h (for a 5 mins ride up to town!). Cost: €3 each trip.
- you can walk to Taormina, there are stairs as you to Isola Bella. It takes about 30 mins if you are in good physical shape. The view you get from there is so worth it!
- Isola Bella: as per its name, it is beautiful but if you want to go, go SUPER early- 7:30-8am!
- the beach right next to the house is tiny but if you walk left and around La Caravella restaurant there is a strip of sandy beach that is for the public. Go a little early (10am or so) and you will get a good spot! We were in Taormina at the peak of the season (15th - 30th august all the Sicilians go there on holiday!) And we still managed a lovely spot and it never got too crowded. It is only a few more minutes walk from the house too!
Taormina is incredibly beautiful and we are so grateful to Cettina for her hospitality and warmth. My 10 year old son didn't want to leave!
Grazia per tutti Cettina! Alla prossima volta! ♥️