Guide to Calatabiano

'A genuine Medieval hilltop town, Calatabiano is an all-Sicilian holiday hideaway with plenty of charm.'

Teetering on a hilltop above the Taormina coast of Sicily, Calatabiano is very different to its seaside sibling. It's mountainous even compared to Taormina's clifftop perch. Quiet to Taormina's beehive buzz. And rural where Taormina's all town. Think tall Medieval town houses, churches and old-world charm – wrapped in a blanket of citrus orchards, vineyards and olive groves. It's small, seductive and authentically Sicilian. But that's not to say there's nothing to do here. For starters there's a traditional restaurant and a handful of shops perfect for passing the time and people-watching. Then there's a couple of castles – one a relic of the Middle Ages and the other, the Castello Di San Marco, now an upmarket hotel – both worth unpacking your camera for. And slightly further afield you've got the gorges of Alcantara. It's a series of deep rocky valleys splashed with waterfalls and decorated in glassy-surfaced, prismatic rocks. It's enchanting to say the least. That's not to mention Sicily's big hitters. The beautiful beaches of Giardini Naxos are within easy driving distance. The Greek theatre above Taormina is a mere seven kilometres away. And last, but by no means least, there's the island's most famous must-see sight – majestic Mount Etna. In fact, it's safe to say there's a Kodak moment round every corner in these parts. So whether you capture it on digital, canvas or just as a memory snapshot, make sure you do it justice.

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