\nThey are Savoca and Castemola<\/strong>, in the province of Messina.<\/p>\n
Castemola, Taormina\u2019s acropolis<\/h2>\n![\"Castelmola,](\"https:\/\/sb.ecobnb.net\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/06\/15327767020_2ba3fb4fd6_b-870x490.jpg\")
Castemola<\/div><\/div>\n <\/p>\n
The easiest way to reach this location is the highway<\/strong> A18 Catania-Messina. You will be driving up to the Strait City<\/strong>, then take exit Taormina and follow the signs for Castemola. The small town is only a few turns away from where you are, but it is definitely worth the visit. It is 500 meters above sea level and nowadays only 1100 people are currently living here.<\/p>\nYou will leave the car in a parking lot and you will have to go on foot. What is now coming for you? A stroll in its small alleys<\/strong>, full of stone houses, artisan workshops, and shops selling local typical products. The millennial history of the village has always been a debate for experts. It certainly was used as a point of sighting<\/strong> to prevent hostile invasions from enemies, whoever they wanted to be, as Sicily<\/strong> was the witness of numerous dominations<\/strong>.<\/p>\nNot to be missed:<\/strong> The Cathedral<\/strong>, a little church (if compared to other Cathedrals of the city) located on a small square in the village, with a marvelous view of the Ionian Sea and Taormina. Do not forget to go visit the ruins of the ancient castle<\/strong>, from which the town derives its name: there, you are going to have the opportunity to take a guided tour through the history of Castemola<\/strong> and the Houses that ruled the territory.<\/p>\n![\"Ruins](\"https:\/\/sb.ecobnb.net\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/06\/untitledvgc-870x490.png\")
Ruins in Castemola<\/div><\/div>\nTo taste<\/strong>: you cannot miss the opportunity to drink the most authentic wine of the town: \u201cvino alla mandorla\u201d<\/strong> (almond wine). And if you are up to a heavy meal, you must taste homemade maccheroni.<\/em>
\nWhere you can go and sleep in a \u201cgreenly\u201d way:<\/strong> you will not have a large number of choice, so that we do suggest you go to \u201cHotel Villa Schuler<\/strong>\u201d<\/a>, which can be found in the city center of Taormina<\/strong>: a period residence\u00a0for adding a bit of luxury in your journey back in time<\/strong> among the wonders of the Ionian Sea.<\/p>\n![\"Vista](\"https:\/\/sb.ecobnb.net\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/06\/4251377571_7162d47076_b-870x490.jpg\")
View on the square of Castemola<\/div><\/div>\nTwo stopovers which you cannot miss<\/h2>\n
Castemola and Savona are less than 30 km<\/strong> from each other. We suggest\u00a0two stopovers<\/strong> along the way. The first one is the famous Ionian Pearl<\/strong>, Taormina.<\/strong> You can see it from above when in Castemola where you can easily detect the Greek Ancient Theatre<\/strong> and the Isola Bella<\/strong>, a few meters away from the coastline. You ought to take advantage of your visit to Taormina and go for a walk through the old city: and yeah, it is kind of expensive and crowded but it is a timeless wonder<\/strong>!
\nVisiting these crowded places may sometimes go against the idea of sustainable tourism: the most important thing is to respect them, their customs and the inhabitants.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Isola](\"https:\/\/sb.ecobnb.net\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/06\/3811721526_1f696a46e4_b-870x490.jpg\")
Isola Bella, Taormina. Picture from gnuckx via Flickr<\/div><\/div>\nOnce left Taormina you can follow the signs for another small town<\/strong>, Forza d\u2019Agr\u00f2<\/strong>. The village -hidden between the mountains- is one of the favorite destinations<\/strong> for every single Sicilian on the island who wants to enjoy fresh seafood.<\/strong> Just over 800 inhabitants but tens of excellent trattorias and restaurants that are always full, especially from April to October, so that we do suggest you book a table before going there. Your palate and your stomach will thank you for this stopover and don\u2019t worry<\/strong> about your wallets, it is not expensive at all.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Forza](\"https:\/\/sb.ecobnb.net\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/06\/Forza_dAgr%C3%B2-870x490.jpg\")
Forza d’Agr\u00f2<\/div><\/div>\nSavoca and the seven panoramas<\/h2>\n
Leave Forza d\u2019Agr\u00f2 and go on to Savoca<\/strong>, for about 20 minutes. The most beautiful village in Italy is located 330 meters above sea level and only 1700 people live there. There is an old saying that defines the town as the city with 7 faces<\/strong>: what this means is that you will have seven different and amazing views of the horizon depending on from where you look at it. The history of this village faced tough moments over the centuries, but the traditions<\/strong> that passed down are fascinating<\/strong>. One of the most famous is the\u00a0feast of the patron Saint<\/strong>, Santa Lucia: in August, a religious but folkloric event takes place in Savoca\u2019s streets, keeping traditions alive.<\/p>\n![\"Uno](\"https:\/\/sb.ecobnb.net\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/06\/5343162429_9421034394_b-870x490.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
One of the 7 panoramas<\/em><\/p>\nNot to be missed<\/strong>: start your visit from Bar Vitelli<\/strong>, which is going to look familiar to you as it was the set in The Godfather\u2019s films. The shootings were made in the whole village, chosen by the director because- as opposed to Corleone- it was keeping the \u2018900s atmosphere. From there, you will find indications for a guided tour that includes a 360-degree panorama<\/strong> of the city, lots of churches<\/strong>, numerous magnificent pieces of architecture and frescoes, picturesque streets and the countryside all around the town, characterized by\u00a0typical Italian figs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The easiest way to reach this location is the highway<\/strong> A18 Catania-Messina. You will be driving up to the Strait City<\/strong>, then take exit Taormina and follow the signs for Castemola. The small town is only a few turns away from where you are, but it is definitely worth the visit. It is 500 meters above sea level and nowadays only 1100 people are currently living here.<\/p>\n You will leave the car in a parking lot and you will have to go on foot. What is now coming for you? A stroll in its small alleys<\/strong>, full of stone houses, artisan workshops, and shops selling local typical products. The millennial history of the village has always been a debate for experts. It certainly was used as a point of sighting<\/strong> to prevent hostile invasions from enemies, whoever they wanted to be, as Sicily<\/strong> was the witness of numerous dominations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Not to be missed:<\/strong> The Cathedral<\/strong>, a little church (if compared to other Cathedrals of the city) located on a small square in the village, with a marvelous view of the Ionian Sea and Taormina. Do not forget to go visit the ruins of the ancient castle<\/strong>, from which the town derives its name: there, you are going to have the opportunity to take a guided tour through the history of Castemola<\/strong> and the Houses that ruled the territory.<\/p>\n To taste<\/strong>: you cannot miss the opportunity to drink the most authentic wine of the town: \u201cvino alla mandorla\u201d<\/strong> (almond wine). And if you are up to a heavy meal, you must taste homemade maccheroni.<\/em> Castemola and Savona are less than 30 km<\/strong> from each other. We suggest\u00a0two stopovers<\/strong> along the way. The first one is the famous Ionian Pearl<\/strong>, Taormina.<\/strong> You can see it from above when in Castemola where you can easily detect the Greek Ancient Theatre<\/strong> and the Isola Bella<\/strong>, a few meters away from the coastline. You ought to take advantage of your visit to Taormina and go for a walk through the old city: and yeah, it is kind of expensive and crowded but it is a timeless wonder<\/strong>! Once left Taormina you can follow the signs for another small town<\/strong>, Forza d\u2019Agr\u00f2<\/strong>. The village -hidden between the mountains- is one of the favorite destinations<\/strong> for every single Sicilian on the island who wants to enjoy fresh seafood.<\/strong> Just over 800 inhabitants but tens of excellent trattorias and restaurants that are always full, especially from April to October, so that we do suggest you book a table before going there. Your palate and your stomach will thank you for this stopover and don\u2019t worry<\/strong> about your wallets, it is not expensive at all.<\/strong><\/p>\n Leave Forza d\u2019Agr\u00f2 and go on to Savoca<\/strong>, for about 20 minutes. The most beautiful village in Italy is located 330 meters above sea level and only 1700 people live there. There is an old saying that defines the town as the city with 7 faces<\/strong>: what this means is that you will have seven different and amazing views of the horizon depending on from where you look at it. The history of this village faced tough moments over the centuries, but the traditions<\/strong> that passed down are fascinating<\/strong>. One of the most famous is the\u00a0feast of the patron Saint<\/strong>, Santa Lucia: in August, a religious but folkloric event takes place in Savoca\u2019s streets, keeping traditions alive.<\/p>\n One of the 7 panoramas<\/em><\/p>\n Not to be missed<\/strong>: start your visit from Bar Vitelli<\/strong>, which is going to look familiar to you as it was the set in The Godfather\u2019s films. The shootings were made in the whole village, chosen by the director because- as opposed to Corleone- it was keeping the \u2018900s atmosphere. From there, you will find indications for a guided tour that includes a 360-degree panorama<\/strong> of the city, lots of churches<\/strong>, numerous magnificent pieces of architecture and frescoes, picturesque streets and the countryside all around the town, characterized by\u00a0typical Italian figs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nWhere you can go and sleep in a \u201cgreenly\u201d way:<\/strong> you will not have a large number of choice, so that we do suggest you go to \u201cHotel Villa Schuler<\/strong>\u201d<\/a>, which can be found in the city center of Taormina<\/strong>: a period residence\u00a0for adding a bit of luxury in your journey back in time<\/strong> among the wonders of the Ionian Sea.<\/p>\nTwo stopovers which you cannot miss<\/h2>\n
\nVisiting these crowded places may sometimes go against the idea of sustainable tourism: the most important thing is to respect them, their customs and the inhabitants.<\/strong><\/p>\nSavoca and the seven panoramas<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/sb.ecobnb.net\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/06\/Church_San_Nicol%C3%B2_in_Savoca-e1561453994608-870x490.jpg\")
![\"famous](\"https:\/\/sb.ecobnb.net\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/06\/12408754085_2780af467b_b-870x490.jpg\")
<\/p>\n