Buy a street map as soon as you can. There is a newsagent’s near the Porta Messina - approximately fifteen minutes away from apartment. It will help you make quick sense of the warren of streets which comprise the historic centre of Taormina and identify where the historical monuments are situated.

The Bonnicis are attentive hosts. Ernesto, Claudio’s son, will provide a taxi service from Catania airport to the apartment at very competitive rates. Ernesto speaks very good English and talks about Italy, and particularly Sicily, knowledgably and with charm, humour and passion - and will provide local information.

For bread, water, wine, milk, yoghurt, cheese, olives, salami, fresh fruits and vegetables etc. five minutes away on the Via Timeo is the Alimentari da Melania e Giulia and ten minutes away, for a much more extensive range of foodstuffs etc. and also household items, is the Etna Mini-Market in Via Cappucini.

Rubbish disposal containers are sited just down the main road, the Via Circonvallazione, behind the Archo Di Cappucini - the same street as Etna Market.

Taormina is built into the side of a mountain. The vertical streets, as it were, are all at a gradient - some so steep that, in order to be manageable, they are stepped. Taormina is therefore not a resort for the infirm of whatever age.

The description on the site is accurate and comprehensive. It does, perhaps, undersell the views from the balcony and the bedroom windows, which are both unbelievably breathtaking and truly inspiring.

All the holidays we have taken are memorable - this one is particularly so.