Taormina is located in Sicily and the town is perched on top of a cliff and overlooks the beautiful Ionian Sea. It is also known as the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea and boasts many beautiful views from all over the town. It has a wide variety of old churches such as the Santuario Madonna della Rocca church as well as lively bars, fine restaurants, and antique shops. One of the best-known sights in Taormina is the horseshoe-shaped Teatro Greco, a Greek theatre that has a view of the coast and Mount Etna. It dates back to the 3rd century BC and it is probably the most dramatically situated amphitheater anywhere in the world. The region is also home to many independent designers and family-owned restaurants, some of which have been running for more than 3 generations and feature recipes that have been perfected through the years.