We anchored “under” Taormina and Mount Etna on another drop dead gorgeous morning. Notice the first, old fortified town perched right up top left. (… and the fort to the right of it.)

Here’s a better look.

We had decided to take it a bit easier this day and got a taxi up to the main old town. The road up had more tight hairpins than any I’d ever seen.

In the distance, Mount Etna blowing a bit of steam. It last erupted 5 months ago.

And notice the Autostrada bridges … just before it enters a tunnel that goes right under the middle of town …

The taxi dropped us just outside the town walls.

The main street is just wall to wall shops: some of them very fancy and expensive.

We ventured along to a square with the inevitable fountain and church.

… past some very narrow side “streets” (some of our fellow passengers would struggle here, even if they walked single file!!)

… and thence to the main square

… with superb views over the sea (preferred views for some fancy hotels)

This poor thing was trying to take a selfie. I couldn’t resist offering to take a proper photo of her: at which time Jan took this. Chivalry is not dead!

We pushed on further up the main street …

… and to the ancient Greek theatre overlooking the sea and Mount Etna. As you can see they still use it …

The views from here are pretty special … south over the gardens and the town and Mount Etna

… and north up the coast