After two nights in Catania it was time for the next stop of our trip. The destination: Taormina. Even before the trip we had heard a lot about the place and were correspondingly excited. One thing became clear already upon arrival though – Taormina is beautiful, but anyone driving here needs above all one thing: patience.

The parking search initially turned into a small adventure. At some point though we did find something. At 30 euros the parking spot was far from cheap, but since we wanted to spend the whole day there and could even use clean toilets at the associated café, the price at least put itself somewhat into perspective. Split between four people it was bearable in the end.

Barely had we entered the old town when it became quickly clear why Taormina is among the most popular places in Sicily. The narrow alleys were well-visited but exuded a very special charm. Behind every corner a new photo motif awaited, small boutiques invited browsing and again and again dreamlike views opened up – above all of the majestic Etna (see banner), which showed itself from its best side on this day.

Of course an ice cream couldn't be missing either. While Seb and Kati treated themselves to a pistachio soft serve, I was drawn into a small shop with pure cotton clothes.

We already knew the shop from Bali. I actually just wanted to have a look. As these things go. In the end I left the shop with a beautiful white pullover and an equally white skirt. Sometimes you find something exactly when you're not looking for it.

In Taormina by the way the running gag was also born that would accompany us for the entire rest of the trip. At one of the numerous viewpoints we got the idea to recreate the completely over-the-top Instagram poses of many influencers around us. With serious expressions, perfect hand movements and the most artificial gaze into the distance possible. The result was so silly every time that we regularly broke into roaring laughter. From then on at nearly every beautiful photo spot at least one such fun photo simply belonged to it.

In the afternoon we took the cable car down to Spiaggia di Isola Bella. Already the ride offered fantastic views of the coast, and once down we spent a few relaxed hours at the beach. At least three of us. Seb had had enough of the sun after a while and retreated to the café right on the beach instead, while the rest of us bravely continued to sizzle in the Sicilian sun.

In the late afternoon we finally made our way to Roccalumera, where we had booked two holiday apartments at the Bed & Breakfast Brezza Marina for the night. The house extended over several floors and the apartments had obviously been renovated only recently. Modern furnishings, spotlessly clean and with much attention to detail – we felt comfortable immediately.

For dinner our paths separated. KaDa headed to their favorite restaurant, which they already knew well from their many Sicily trips. Since the menu had rather little to offer for Seb and me however, we set off on our own through the town and eventually discovered the restaurant +39. The decision turned out to be a real lucky find. While I went for a chicken burger, Seb ordered a pizza with pistachio pesto and burrata – and at the latest that evening it was clear: He had found, besides burrata, a new favorite.

The next morning a very special highlight awaited us. The owner of the Brezza Marina lived practically directly above the holiday apartments and prepared an incredibly loving breakfast for us in his own kitchen. While we enjoyed our breakfast, Davide and our host quickly got into conversation. Or rather: into a very long conversation.

Kati said at some point just laughing that Italians, once they start talking, don't stop anytime soon – and in the end have probably told each other their entire life stories. The longer we listened to the two of them, the more I had the feeling that there was actually something to that statement.

So if you're ever in the area of Roccalumera, we can really recommend the Brezza Marina Bed & Breakfast. It was one of the most warm-hearted accommodations of our entire trip and has absolutely earned its excellent reviews.

And before anyone yells "advertising and taking advantage" again, NO we have absolutely no benefits from writing about this accommodation here. This is solely our own experience and opinion.