First off, if you're driving to Taormina, ensure that your directions to your hotel are spot-on perfect: the twisting hills are confusing. The Michelin Guide directions (online) are extremely detailed.

I liked the Bel Soggiorno: great location and some character. But I hated my room. Book a perimeter room with a balcony/view.

Another tip: be careful of crime. I'm pretty sure that I was targeted while I was there.

The Palazzo San Domenico hotel is an atmospheric place: sneak in and roam the halls at night.

I regret not having visted Castelmola, the village on the cliff overlooking Taormina. I've since heard that there's a phallic-themed bar (Bar Turrisi).

Michelin Guide:
www.michelinguide.com/us/index.html

Hotel Bel Soggiorno:
www.belsoggiorno.com/uk/

Bar Turrisi:
www.barturrisi.com/

My Sicily trip report:
www.travelmusings.net/sicily-2009/

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A wine bar with fantastic locally sourced food and a very enthusiastic owner. We had an excellent meal, great guidance on the wine we'd like and a lot of impromptu tastings of things that he thought we really should try. Welcoming, relaxing and a good introduction into the more interesting Sicilian dishes. Probably the best meal that we had on the island and one of the cheapest. It is in Ortigia which is the picturesque old town of Syracuse.

Via Cavour,8 (near Piazza Archimede), Ortigia, Siracusa
Tel: 340-0602428

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Beautiful old town that's perfect for mooching around and seeing the sights. Grab a limoncello or three at one of a strip of waterside bars as the sun sets and go for a stroll amongst the locals. Clear your head the next day by exploring the ancient ampitheatre at the edge of town (catch a bus from the central station).

South-east Sicily. Rent a car for max flexibility when touring the island.

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Stunning mountainside location about 40 minutes drive inland from Taormina, where Francis Ford Coppola shot the wedding scenes for Godfather Part II. Take your home-made granita di limone from the bar inside and sit in the shade of the matted ivy pergola.

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