An Enchanting Trip to Reggio Calabria and Sicily
Last week, I had the most incredible adventure with my best friend, Laura, in the beautiful regions of Reggio Calabria and Sicily. From stunning views to delicious food and the joy of exploring ancient ruins, every moment felt like a dream. Here's the story of our unforgettable journey, from the moment we landed to our final spritz.
Arrival in Reggio Calabria
We arrived in Reggio Calabria late on Wednesday night, exhausted but excited. Our first home base was the Hotel Continental, where we were lucky enough to stay in the penthouse. The views were breathtaking—180 degrees of the port, mountains, and even Sicily across the water. We couldn’t have asked for a better view to wake up to the next morning.
Ferry to Sicily and Taormina
The next morning, we set off on a ferry to Messina, just a 30-minute ride from Reggio Calabria. The weather was perfect as we sailed across the Strait of Messina, and in no time, we arrived at the bustling port town of Messina. From there, it was just a 10-minute walk to the train station-Messina Centrale -where we hopped on a clean and comfortable train that took us to Taormina.
But as we exited the train station, we faced the daunting challenge of the steep, winding hill to our hotel. With our heavy wheely suitcases in tow, there was no way we were walking up that zig-zag path! So, we took a cab, a thrilling ride up narrow, windy roads that led us to the top of the hill, to the stunning Eurostars Monte Tauro Hotel.
Our balcony suite was beyond gorgeous—views stretching across the sparkling sea to Mount Etna, with a glimpse of the pool below. We settled in, then ventured out to explore the town. Taormina’s quaint streets, lined with ceramic shops, jewellery boutiques, and cosy restaurants, gave off an enchanting vibe.
The relaxed pace of life here was palpable, and we couldn’t wait to see more.
Exploring Taormina
We strolled through the town’s charming streets, stopping at the Greek Theatre, a massive amphitheater dating back to third century BC. It was even more impressive with the stunning views of Mount Etna in the background.
Our love for prickly pear cacti grew as we wandered the streets and saw more and more of them around town.
For lunch, we had our first taste of arancini, the delicious Sicilian fried rice balls, followed by some light shopping.
As the evening approached, we headed to Ristorante al Paladino, a cosy fish restaurant, where Laura had a seafood pasta and I had a flavourful tuna steak with olives, capers, and tomato, paired with a glass of Mt Etna red wine. It was the perfect end to our first day in Sicily.
A Traditional Sicilian Breakfast and the Greek Theatre
The next morning, we woke up to the warm sunshine and ventured out for a traditional Sicilian breakfast of pistachio cornetto and cappuccino- the sun was shining, and life felt so good. We sat, talked, and laughed like old times, savouring every moment of this magical escape.
After breakfast, we made our way back to the Greek Theatre, where we spent the morning exploring the ruins. It’s the second-largest amphitheater in this part of the world, and the views over Mount Etna were absolutely breathtaking.
We took lots of photos with more cacti, as we couldn’t get enough of them!
For lunch, we stopped at Ristorante Kuttigghiu, a quaint courtyard eatery, where Laura had her very first Italian pizza —mozzarella and basil—along with her first gin and tonic. I had melon and prosciutto with an Aperol Spritz.
It was the perfect laid-back lunch before we indulged in gelato and headed to Ristorante La Grotte Di Ulisse for an amazing dinner. I had seafood linguine, and Laura had the most incredible grouper and salmon ravioli—delicious!
Bam Bar and Farewell to Taormina
The next morning, we headed straight to Bam Bar for breakfast, known for its granite and warm brioche. It wasn’t my ideal breakfast, but it was definitely an experience! In fact, even Russell Crowe has visited Bam Bar during filming for Gladiator.
After breakfast, we did a bit more shopping and bought a famous cannoli from Laboratorio Pasticceria Roberto to take on the train. We checked out of the hotel and took a winding taxi ride back down to the station. Before leaving, we explored the Lady Florence Trevallyn park, which offered beautiful views of Mount Etna and had an abundance of wild and exotic plants.
We then took the train back to Messina for the return journey, stopping for lunch—pasta and meatballs—before catching the ferry back to Reggio Calabria. The ferry ride was a bit rough, but we survived and walked along the promenade back to our next home, B&B Pellicano. which was another penthouse with two bedrooms and a roof courtyard. It was the perfect place to unwind after our busy days in Sicily.
Scilla and Our Final Adventure
That afternoon, we visited Scilla, a quaint fishing village famous for swordfish. Laura’s family friend is from here, so it was nice to see the place where she has so many fond memories.
We wandered the narrow streets, walked down to the beach, and enjoyed a quick bite—a swordfish sandwich with olives and chilli and a Messina beer. It was simple, but-so satisfying.
After a short wait for the train, we headed back to Reggio Calabria for the night.
Final Day in Reggio Calabria
On our last morning, we had breakfast by the castle—more pastries and lukewarm coffee—but the atmosphere was perfect as we reflected on our amazing trip.
We wandered the main streets, stopping for arancini ragu and taking one last stroll through the pedestrianised areas. Finally, we sat at a nice bar for a farewell spritz and chatted about all the memories we’d made in these magical places.
It was the perfect end to a fantastic trip in Italy. From the ancient ruins to the delicious food and the stunning views, this was a journey I’ll never forget, and I’m already looking forward to the next adventure with Laura.
Until next time, Italy! 🇮🇹✨