This attico panoramico is indeed, as the name implies, a penthouse with a panoramic view that extends to include the main piazza of Taormina, the Roman amphitheatre further in the distance to the northeast, 180 degrees of Ionian Sea horizon to the east and south, and Mt. Etna to the southwest. It is surrounded by a huge 270-degree wrap-around deck with views that include Etna, the nearby town buildings sloping up to the west and north and the piazza and amphitheatre to the northeast, with a large table for outdoor dining, a decktop washing machine, facilities for hanging clothes to dry and a large retractable canvas roof for when shade is desired. The location is excellent, the equivalent of a city block away from the main pedestrian avenue of Taormina via pedestrian alleys, but sufficiently elevated to be quiet.

The interior of the penthouse includes a kitchen, modest living/dining area with a couch that could be used as a pull-out bed and a small foldable table that could accommodate up to four, a bathroom, an entrance hall with desk, and a somewhat secluded separate bedroom with a commanding view of Etna.

Reaching the penthouse from the street entrance requires 3 storeys worth of stairs, without the option of an elevator. No inconvenience for us, but this could be a consideration for those who have difficulty with stairs.

The check-in and check-out procedures were smooth and simple, but were conducted entirely in Italian with Ms Lombardo's brother, who lives in another apartment in the same building; it was comforting knowing he was available for any problem, but there was no problem and were left entirely to our own devices. The penthouse apartment itself is furnished and stocked as if you were just looking after it for the week while Ms Lombardo was away. The cupboards contain all the kitchenware you might need and many items of non-perishable food; the bookshelves are full; the bathroom is even overflowing with personal care items.

The shower is of the type that you occasionally encounter in small bathrooms in Italy, in which the water is contained only by a wrap-around shower curtain and falls directly onto the tile bathroom floor and into a central drain in the floor. It requires squeegeeing up the floor before using the bathroom for another purpose. Again, this was no inconvenience for us, but could be difficult for someone with impaired mobility.

Overall, the attico panoramico was of outstanding value - a very comfortable facility with great views in an excellent location for an unexpectedly reasonable price. Once we were esconced in it, we hardly wanted to leave for other activities. Whenever I plan to return to Taormina, I would feel very fortunate if it were available to return to.