Our Honeymoon in Taormina, Sicily — A Dream Come True

My husband and I decided that for our honeymoon, we would go back to my roots and visit Sicily for one leg of the trip. It had been years since I’d been back, but fun fact — I was born in Palermo, Sicily! I grew up in Florida, but when I was younger (college and before), every few years we would head to Italy to see family and friends. It had been over a decade since I’d set foot on Sicilian soil, but the moment we arrived, that nostalgic feeling came crawling right back. There is just something undeniably special about that island.

Sicily has a truly unique blend of ancient Greek and Roman ruins woven together with diverse Mediterranean architecture that you genuinely cannot find anywhere else in the world. Every corner you turn feels like a history lesson you actually want to be in. And don’t even get me started on the food — it tastes better in Sicily than in other parts of Italy, and there’s actually a really cool reason for that. The island is home to Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and all that volcanic activity makes the soil incredibly fertile. The tomatoes, the citrus, the pistachios, the eggplant — everything just hits differently. You’ll understand what I mean the moment you take your first bite. I highly suggest you try the famous Sicilian pistachio pesto 😉

Getting to Sicily

Getting to Sicily was surprisingly not as hard as I expected! They actually have direct flights from JFK to Palermo or JFK to Catania, which is amazing. We took the slightly more complicated route, but all in all it wasn’t bad. We flew JetBlue from Tampa to Boston, then Boston to Paris, and then had to switch airports in Paris before hopping on a flight to Catania. A little chaotic? Sure. Worth it? Absolutely.

We spent two days in Catania first — a city packed with rich history, incredible Baroque architecture, and some of the best street food you’ll ever try. But I’ll save all of that for another blog post because Catania deserves its own spotlight!

UNAHOTELS Capotaormina — Yes, the White Lotus Hotel

Once we made our way to Taormina, we checked into the hotel that made me do a full double-take when we first booked it: UNAHOTELS Capotaormina. Sound familiar? If you watched White Lotus Season 2, you’ll recognize it immediately — the iconic beach club scenes were filmed right here. And let me tell you, this hotel did not disappoint.

The views were absolutely phenomenal. From our large balcony, we had unobstructed views of the Naxos Bay and Mount Etna — yes, you could literally see an active volcano from our room. We spent so much time just lounging out there, completely in awe. The view was so amazing our first day we had to enjoy our breakfast from our balcony. It genuinely never got old.

The property itself is stunning. They have a beach lounge area right at the water’s edge that is nothing short of mesmerizing, but my personal favorite spot was the pool that overlooks the ocean. It’s one of those pools where you feel like you’re swimming in the sky. There were also a few spots around the property where you could take a quick plunge directly into the crystal-clear water below — and by crystal clear, I mean you could see straight to the bottom. The views from this hotel were truly heaven on Earth, and I mean that without a single ounce of exaggeration.

One thing to know is that while the hotel isn’t located directly in the town of Taormina itself, that is actually not a problem at all. The hotel runs a convenient shuttle service that takes you back and forth between the property and the town. Taormina sits up on the hill and can get pretty packed with tourists (especially in the summer months), but it’s only about a 10-minute ride away. Some people do choose to stay up in the town itself — that’s where you’ll find the Four Seasons and the Belmond, which are also stunning properties — but the trade-off is that you won’t have direct beach access. For us, waking up steps away from the water every single morning was non-negotiable on our honeymoon, so Capotaormina was the perfect choice.

The hotel also has a fantastic restaurant called Le Grand Bleu, which has a breathtaking view of the Naxos Bay. My biggest tip: make a reservation for sunset. We did, and it was one of the most romantic dinners of my life — the sky turned shades of pink, orange, and purple right over the water and we just sat there completely speechless. They also had some more casual dining spots on the property serving paninis and pizza, and even those came with an amazing view of the bay. Honestly, every single meal felt like a special occasion here.

More Fun Things to Do in Taormina

Taormina the town itself is extremely fun and beautiful — trust me, you will not run out of things to do or see. Strolling through the pedestrian-only Corso Umberto, window shopping the high-end boutiques, grabbing a granita and a brioche at a sidewalk café, watching the sun set from the ancient Greek Theatre — it’s all pure magic. The Teatro Antico di Taormina is a must-visit. Built by the Greeks and later expanded by the Romans, it sits on a hillside with a jaw-dropping view of the coastline and Mount Etna in the background. Seeing a concert there in the evening is supposed to be an unforgettable experience, and honestly, just visiting during the day is impressive enough.

That said, there are also some nearby towns that are absolutely worth a day trip or two.

Giardini-Naxos

I strongly suggest taking some time to explore the charming beachside town of Giardini-Naxos, situated right on the shores of the Ionian Sea. It’s only about a 10-minute Uber ride from Taormina, or you can hop on the local bus for a more authentic experience. Along the coast, you’ll find a great stretch of restaurants and shops that are perfect for an afternoon of exploring. Once you’ve had your fill of wandering, you can find a beach club, rent some chairs and an umbrella, and just melt into the Mediterranean for a few hours. Absolute bliss.

What struck me most about Giardini-Naxos was the vibe — it’s full of young locals just enjoying their lives, and the energy is infectious. It’s the kind of town where everyone is laughing, music is drifting from the restaurants, and the evenings are long and warm. It was also lovely how kind and welcoming all the locals were once they realized we were visiting. Even with my rusty Italian, people were patient, warm, and genuinely happy to chat. That genuine Sicilian hospitality is something that never changes, no matter how many years go by.

Savoca

If you want to step even further back in time (and are a Godfather fan), you absolutely cannot skip the tiny hilltop village of Savoca. This is where parts of The Godfather were filmed, including the famous scene at Bar Vitelli where Michael Corleone asks for Apollonia’s hand in marriage. The bar is still there, still run by the same family, and still serves the best granita you’ll ever have in your life. The village itself is ancient and hauntingly beautiful — narrow cobblestone streets, stone archways, a little church, and sweeping views of the valley below. It’s only about a 20-minute drive from Taormina and is well worth the detour.

Final Thoughts on Taormina

If you’ve ever thought about visiting Sicily, let this be your sign: go. Taormina in particular is one of those places that lives up to — and honestly exceeds — every expectation. Between the dramatic coastline, the volcano on the horizon, the ancient ruins, the incredible food, and the warmth of the people, it’s a destination that stays with you long after you leave.

For me, it was more than just a vacation. It was coming home to a piece of myself I hadn’t visited in over a decade. And sharing that with my husband on our honeymoon made it all the more unforgettable.

Stay tuned — Catania is up next, and trust me, you’ll want to read that one! 🇮🇹