Francesca responded very quickly before and during our trip. Even though she was out of town during our stay, she was still an amazing hostess! The cozy seaside apartment was exactly as described and shown in the photos. What a wonderful spot! Street parking was easy in June (be sure to park in the spots outlined in white directly across from the apartment, and not in the spots outlined in blue one block to the north). Taormina, Isola Bella, and the Saracen fortress were all a short drive. The first night we drove to the Saracen fortress and Madonna della Rocca where we enjoyed amazing views along the coast. We then walked to Al Saraceno Ristorante (Via Madonna della Rocca, 18) where we ate on a rooftop terrace while watching lava flows on Mount Etna. It's a beautiful spot with easy parking (in June) and spectacular 360-degree views -- a great way to get your bearings before further exploration.