The entrance belies the wonderful light and spacious apartment beyond the door in a long dark alleyway. We throughly enjoyed a week in Il Navigante and Carmine’s hostess, Natalina couldn’t be more helpful. The living quarters face the public/communal gardens and provides beautiful scenery and a lively view of people walking dogs, tourists walking the gardens and locals enjoying the gardens. But the terrace upstairs is the gem, large and with gorgeous almost 360 degree views of Mt Etna, the sea and surrounding towns. The only downside is that there’s not a lot of comfortable furniture to enjoy the views with two comfy chairs in the living room and a couch that needs new springs or replacement! The terrace could really use a few chaise loungers or more comfy chairs. I’ve mentioned his to the owner and hopefully he will make a few changes. Don’t expect to cook very much as the kitchen has very little in amenities ( there were no wine glasses ) but with so many great restaurants who needs to cook! We were two artists who enjoyed beautiful Taormina!