TAORMINA and CEFALU'

A major destination along the Tyrrhenian coast is the former fishing village of Cefalu'. The town is most noted as being captured in the Oscar -winning film Cinema Paradiso. The Greeks thought the crag evoked a head, so they named the village Kephalos, which in time became Cefalu'

The town is  not only in possession of a great beach but it is also blessed with a Romanesque cathedral. Cefalu' is a town of mediveal streets and small squares. Above the town is La Rocca, the massive much photographed crag

Looking down from my hotel I could overlook all of Taormina as well as the Greek Theater with the sea in the background.

The Teatro Greco was hewed out of the rocky slope of Mt Tauro. The Romans remodeled and modified it. The Arabs who were intent on devastating the town, slashed away at the theater in the 10th century, which is why it is a rather sparse and dusty ruin. Below are the streets of Taormina both at day and evening.

The smoldering Mt Etna in the background of Taormina. At the top is actual smoke coming out since it is active.

Above Taormina is the town of Castlemola. This is one of the most beautiful places in eastern Sicily with a panoramic view of Mt Etna. Below is a typical side street and a tratoria where I dined.