ITALY WEEK: TAORMINA

Our weeklong trip to the historic "boot" of Italy continues with a step off the mainland and onto the massive island of Sicily. Taormina, to be specific. This wonderful and vibrant city sits high atop the coast, hugging the cliffside with spectacular views of the Mediterranean and the massive cone of Mount Etna.

During our visit Etna was in a restive but (fortunately) not explosive mood.

TAORMINA, SICILY - ON THE PIAZZA

Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina, Sicily.

Essentially the town square, the Piazza IX Aprile serves as a centerpoint for the town's activities, tourism and a wonderful setting from which to keep an eye on Taormina's feisty neighbor, Mt Etna.

Pic of the Day: Room with a View

Much of the mood of photography is based upon the environment. We look for visuals that convey a sense of place, but overwhelm with a sense of "location". Here, this little scenic is part of a much greater whole. A mosaic of balconies, if you will, in the town of Toarmina. Sicily.

Pic of the Day: Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli

It's no secret I love food. To date, this was the absolutely very best most-incredibly-tasting cannoli I've ever eaten. Anywhere. Anywhen. If I'm not clear: it was delicious. 

The other three people present at the table will testify on my behalf. We started out with two of the pastries split four ways and finished with four of them, if that tells you anything.

Enthusiastically consumed at the Ristorante Le Quattro Fontane in Taormina, Sicily.