Sicily: La Dolce Vita, With a Side of Lava

Aug 1

5 min read

There are some places you visit that you know you’ll remember for years afterwards. Sicily was one of those places for me.

In August 2026, I flew to Catania for eight days, splitting my time between five days in the beautiful hilltop town of Taormina and three days exploring Catania itself. From turquoise seas and dramatic mountain views to ancient ruins, cinematic villages and some unforgettable food, Sicily had a little bit of everything.

And, of course, there was Mount Etna.

Unfortunately, I didn't quite get the Etna experience I'd planned as she decided to erupt when I was there!

Arriving in Sicily

I flew into Catania and made my way towards Taormina, which would be my base for the first five days.

Taormina is one of those places that almost doesn't seem real. Perched high above the Ionian Sea, the town has incredible views in almost every direction, with colourful streets, historic buildings, restaurants, cafés and little shops around almost every corner.

My Airbnb was in an amazing location, directly opposite Isola Bella, one of Sicily's most famous little islands.

Waking up with that view was something special.

The combination of the crystal-clear Mediterranean water, the lush coastline and the mountains in the distance made it very easy to understand why Taormina has attracted visitors for generations.

Taormina and Isola Bella

One of the things I loved most about staying in Taormina was how easy it was to explore.

I used the cable car several times, travelling between the town and the coastline below. It's a brilliant way to get around, but it's also an experience in itself. As the cable car rises, you get increasingly spectacular views over the sea and coastline. It's 10 Euros for a return journey.

And then there was Isola Bella.

Having it practically on my doorstep meant I could spend plenty of time around the beach and coastline, mostly in the morning before the crowds arrived, taking in the views and enjoying the atmosphere. It's one of those places where you don't necessarily need a plan — sometimes just sitting there and looking out over the water is enough.

Exploring Taormina

Of course, no trip to Taormina would be complete without properly exploring the town itself.

I spent time wandering through the historic streets, discovering the main sights and taking in the atmosphere. The Ancient Theatre of Taormina was one of the highlights. The setting alone makes it extraordinary, with the ancient ruins framed by the sea and mountains.

Taormina has a wonderful mix of history and glamour. One minute you're walking through an ancient archaeological site and the next you're surrounded by stylish restaurants, boutiques and busy little piazzas.

It can be busy in August, but there's something enjoyable about seeing the town full of life.

Dinner at the Four Seasons

For one of my evenings in Taormina, I headed to the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace, made famous around the world by The White Lotus season 2.

Even before visiting, I recognised the hotel from the series, but seeing it in person was something else.

I went there for dinner and it was a really memorable evening. There's something quite surreal about sitting somewhere you've seen on screen and suddenly finding yourself actually there.

The hotel itself is stunning, with its dramatic setting overlooking Taormina and the Mediterranean. For anyone who enjoyed The White Lotus, it's particularly fun to recognise the locations from the show.

Castelmola

I also made the trip up to Castelmola, a small village sitting high above Taormina.

The journey up is worth it for the views alone. From Castelmola, you can look down towards Taormina, the coastline and the surrounding mountains.

It's a completely different atmosphere from Taormina — quieter, smaller and more traditional.

Walking around the village and taking in the panoramic views was one of those simple travel moments that stays with you.

Mount Etna — the trip that didn't happen

One of the things I had been most excited about before travelling to Sicily was visiting Mount Etna.

Unfortunately, I never made it to the summit as the hike tour I had booked got cancelled.

Etna started erupting while I was there, meaning it simply wasn't safe to make the trip.

Obviously, it was disappointing. I had been looking forward to experiencing Europe's famous active volcano up close, and it would have been one of the highlights of the trip.

But there was a pretty spectacular consolation prize.

The views of Etna from the balcony of my Airbnb were incredible.

Rather than seeing the volcano from the ground, I found myself watching it from above the coastline, with the mountain dominating the landscape. Seeing an active volcano erupting in the distance was something I hadn't expected to experience, and in its own way it became one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

Sometimes the things you don't plan for end up being the things you remember most!

Forza d'Agrò and Savoca

Another highlight was taking a tour into the Sicilian countryside, visiting Forza d'Agrò and Savoca.

Both villages are beautiful, historic places in their own right, but they're also particularly famous because of their connections to The Godfather films.

Walking through these villages, it was fascinating to see the locations used in the films and learn about the history of the area.

Savoca in particular has become closely associated with The Godfather, with several locations from the films still attracting visitors today.

The tour also gave me the chance to see a side of Sicily that felt very different from the busy streets of Taormina. The villages, mountain scenery and historic buildings offered a glimpse into a more traditional side of the island.

Three Days in Catania

After five days in Taormina, I headed back to Catania for the final three days of the trip.

Catania has a completely different personality.

Where Taormina feels elegant and picturesque, Catania feels energetic, gritty and unmistakably Sicilian.

I spent my time exploring the city and visiting the main sights, wandering through its historic streets and taking in the architecture.

The city is dominated by its relationship with Mount Etna, which has played an enormous role in Catania's history. The volcanic influence can be seen throughout the city, particularly in its distinctive dark stone architecture.

I enjoyed simply walking around and taking everything in — the squares, churches, markets, cafés and busy streets.

Eight Days in Sicily

Looking back, eight days gave me a brilliant introduction to Sicily, although it was nowhere near enough time to see everything.

Taormina was probably the visual highlight of the trip — waking up opposite Isola Bella, travelling by cable car, exploring the historic town and looking out across the Mediterranean.

Catania offered something different, with its lively streets and fascinating history.

And then there were the unexpected moments: watching Mount Etna erupting from my Airbnb balcony, visiting the villages made famous by The Godfather, and having dinner at the Four Seasons, one of the locations from The White Lotus.

I went to Sicily expecting beautiful scenery, good food and plenty of history.

What I didn't expect was just how cinematic the whole trip would feel.

From ancient Greek ruins overlooking the sea to villages perched high in the mountains, Sicily seemed to provide a backdrop everywhere I went.

And although I didn't get to climb Mount Etna, perhaps that just gives me a reason to go back.

Sicily, I'll definitely be back to climb Etna and see the west side of the island!