It was our first visit to Sicily. We stayed 8 nights at Elsa’s with our 6-year old and had the most wonderful time in Letojanni.
The Apartment
If you want a clean, basic apartment and facilities in a laid back, friendly local neighbourhood then Elsa’s place is for you. We enjoyed the view of the sea from the living room and bathroom and found the washing machine and ice packs in the deep freezer useful. Access to Wi-fi would be good in the future.
The Hosts
Elsa and her parents were kind, helpful and on hand to help if necessary. They were also very quick in responding to queries during our stay which was brilliant. We managed fine despite neither being fluent in the other’s language. Google translate app came in handy!
If Elsa offers to pick you up from Catania airport it’s really worth doing. Otherwise the train station is a minute’s walk from the apartment.
The Area
Letojanni is a little gem to spend time peacefully. Literally everything is a minute or so walk away from Elsa’s. The bus service is brilliant to Taormina and beyond.
When you walk out into the main beach road in front of the apartment, Via Nazionale, turn left, walk about 5 -7 minutes and you’ll come to the lovely Piazza Durante - the heart of the town. It has an excellent Pizzeria Tavalo Calda Cucina Vegeteriano. Food is freshly cooked with daily changing menus and Angela, the lovely lady who runs it cooked us unforgettable seasonal fresh zucchini pasta at our request one day. The piazza also has bars such as Niny Bar and Blue Sky which does a great Aperol Spritz with antipasti, and of course Sicilian breakfast of granita and brioche. We thought theirs equalled those of Bam Bar in Taormina. There’s a good supermarket behind the piazza for your supplies. Try the Mmm Gelataria Artigianale opposite the Sei Nodi lido. Their coconut flavour is divine and better than ones we tried elsewhere on the island. Any meal at the seafront Ciao Ciao will not disappoint. All very reasonably priced, excellent service and delicious. Apparently Greta Garbo lived in the town for some time.
We very much hope to return here again one day!