Mazzarò Sea Palace Taormina, Sicily Few places conjure up ‘la dolce vita’ vibes as effortlessly as Taormina – perched high above the sparkling Mediterranean, its dramatic location and spectacular views have attracted well-heeled travellers for centuries. With a prime location on one of Taormina’s most sought-after beaches, and only steps from the cable car up to the town’s medieval centre, the Mazzarò Sea Palace is the perfect Sicilian escape. Overlooking the picturesque bay of Mazzarò, the hotel’s 70 rooms and suites all come with a spacious balcony or terrace offering exquisite sea views – some even have private pools with Jacuzzis. There’s also a lovely spa, but for us, the real star of the show is the beautiful private beach – the perfect place to relax and enjoy a dip in the Med. Above that, you’ll find the swimming pool as well as Almarè bar and Armònia restaurant, while the outstanding new gourmet restaurant BLUM is described by the Michelin Guide as ‘’having few equals”. taormina & Mount Etna Monaci delle Terre Nere A Relais & Chateaux member Zafferana Etnea, Near Catania, Sicily Nestled in the heart of the Etna National Park, Monaci delle Terre Nere estate is composed of an 18th-century aristocratic villa and several private houses spread over 25 hectares, a part of which includes a vineyard. This exceptional hotel celebrates the rural charm of a bygone Sicily by combining it with timeless architectural style. Furthermore, it embraces an eco-responsible ethos that is perfectly reflected in its gourmet restaurant Locanda Nerello, where each dish is a triumph of Sicilian cuisine using local and organic produce in line with their membership of the Slow Food movement, and enhanced all the more by the Etna wines produced on the estate. Atlantis Bay Taormina, Sicily With a dramatic cliffside setting overlooking the Baia della Sirene and some of Sicily’s most beautiful coastline, Atlantis Bay is the place to stay for those seeking a glamorous bolthole by the sea combined with easy access to the enchanting centre of Taormina (again, the cable car is just minutes away). Inspired by the colours of the Mediterranean waters, the hotel’s 71 rooms and suites feature chic, luxe interiors with spacious balconies or terraces, all of which enjoy spectacular views of the sea. As well as a spa and a fitness centre, there’s also a stunning pool carved out of a natural terrace on the rocks, and below that, the waterfront Beach Bar for drinks and snacks throughout the day. The Kori Bar offers wines of Etna as well as cocktails using local herbs while Ristorante Nui offers a modern take on traditional Sicilian cuisine. 45
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