The first hotel founded in Taormina is ideal for a stay, but also simply for a cocktail (or a glass of Krug) on ​​the terrace.

A pergola that is a triumph of jasmine and bougainvillea that even cover the tall cypresses, right next to the entrance to the Greek Theatre. Arriving at Timeo, the first hotel opened in <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/travel/home-away-from-home-4-dream-villas-for-rent-in-sicily-this-summer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taormina</a> in 1873, now belonging to the Belmond group, is always a moment of pure joy. The first stop is on the large terrace , where the eye flows from the gardens below to the bay of Naxos, up to Etna in the distance. A view so breathtaking that no one wanted to believe that the paintings exhibited in Paris in 1874 by the Prussian painter Otto Gelleng reproduced a real landscape. Legend has it that the artist bought a newspaper page to challenge his critics to go to Taormina to verify for themselves that Guy de Maupassant was among the journalists who took up the challenge, and that the author of "Bel Ami" he wrote about it in such enthusiastic terms that he transformed the Sicilian town into one of the unmissable destinations of the Grand Tour .

The entrance pergola

tiramisu

Le Jardin de Reves, the Dior spa, ph Pierre Mouton

Granitas with cream for breakfast

The 1 Michelin star <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/food/indigo-a-culinary-journey-in-the-elegance-of-the-island-of-ischia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">restaurant</a> is named after Otto Gelleng, who convinced his host family to open the first hotel in Taormina in 1873, which would later become the Grand Hotel Timeo, with its eight tables positioned on the terrace. which looks directly onto the volcano, the kingdom of Executive Chef Roberto Toro, a Sicilian trained in Northern Europe, author of a book, &ldquo;Piac&igrave;ri&rdquo;, a guide to discovering the aromas and flavors of the island. Where to enjoy fiery sunsets and the velvety blue of the night, exploring an apparently simple Mediterranean cuisine, in a set of white embroidered tablecloths and baroque-style silver cutlery by Christofle. Ambassade Krug , the restaurant offers perfect pairings with the Maison's Vintage and Grande Cuv&eacute;e, proposed by Head Sommelier Veronica Bonelli. On the other side of the terrace, the Timeo restaurant offers tasty, Mediterranean cuisine: shellfish, pasta alla Norma, fish from Acitrezza, cannoli, over 400 wine labels. And an ultra-delicious breakfast, including cannoli and mini granitas with decidedly Instaworthy brioche and cream on Ginori's green rose-patterned saucers.

The terrace

The pool

The rooms and suites are dominated by white interrupted by touches of gold, are pervaded by the mood enhancer scent of flowers and citrus fruits from the line that Acqua di Parma created for Belmond, and have balconies from which to enjoy the rose gold light of the morning , of the chirping of birds, of the vegetation of cacti, banana trees, roses, as well as of the darkness of the night, sipping Malvasia and cheerfully forgetting any diet plans with exquisite almond and pistachio sweets. The day passes all too quickly, being able to choose between relaxing by the pool and in the beautiful gardens designed at the end of the 19th century by the English aristocrat Florence Trevelyan, purchasing a caftan or a patterned bikini in the internal Pucci boutique, the beach of the Sant'Andrea , the other Belmond hotel overlooking the Bay of Mazzar&ograve;, a facial or a Dior massage (or better yet the combination of the 2 in the signature Sicilian Harmony treatment), in the two cabins among the cypresses, real tree fantasies houses, made unmistakable by touches of green Toile de Jouy. The treatments combine Eastern and Western beauty rituals, from the anti-aging Dior Prestige Haute Pr&eacute;cision, with regenerative masks, creams and serums formulated from the Granville rose, to Constellation, a holistic body massage that instantly dissolves all tension.
And then there is Taormina to explore, with its bars (an institution, for the granita with cream, is the Bam Bar), the little churches, the luxury boutiques that occupy ancient buildings such as Dior, Vuitton, La Double J, the traditional shops, such as the Russotti antique jewelery shop, with its aquamarine cocktail rings, the vintage Bulgari necklaces, the large bracelets that bring to mind the Taormina divas of the golden years of the Film Festival, from Elizabeth Taylor to Audrey Hepburn. And the period of the Festival, this year directed by Marco Muller , is certainly one of the best times to enjoy the Timeo, with its private terrace which traditionally hosts events linked to the festival. Noto , with its sandstone buildings and famous baroque wrought iron balconies rounded to allow ladies in crinolines to enjoy walking from above, is just over an hour away. Timeo also organizes private excursions to Etna .

Terrace overlooking Etna: the Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina.

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