Contorni | Activities

Map with event locations and personal recs

Stroll Through Taormina

Wander the streets of this charming hilltop town. Take in the views from lookout points and restaurant balconies. Explore small local shops. Appreciate the (often centuries-old) architecture. Discover hidden-gem restaurants (and gelaterias). And if you have time, consider checking out the 2,300-year-old Greek theater, a one-minute walk from the main entrance of the Belmond Grand Hotel.

Eat Constantly

In our humble (and hungry) opinion, Sicily is best enjoyed with your stomach first. The island is particularly renowned for the following: - Seafood, cooked: swordfish (spada), lobster, prawns - Seafood, raw: red shrimp and prawns (gamberi rosso and scampi, crudo) - Granite: flavored shaved ice, often served with a brioche bun - Paccheri: a thick, tubular type of pasta - Pistachios: served in sweet and savory dishes - Arancini: fried balls of risotto with various fiillings - Cannoli & Cassata - Gelato (pistachio and hazelnut are our favorites, but don’t let that limit you!) In our experience, being a bit adventurous pays off, so if you've never been to Italy, make sure to explore a little outside of your comfort zone. You won't regret it! For specific restaurant recommendations, please see our Google map linked below:

Fun In The Sun

Guests of the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo will have complimentary shuttle service and private beach access at its sister hotel, Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea, as well as complimentary boat tours. Many other beachfront hotels have exclusive beaches, and a number of beautiful beaches are open to the public. Private boat tours are also widely available, and can be arranged through a number of guides online, through AirBnb experiences, or with the assistance of your hotel's concierge.

Visit Mount Etna

Mount Etna, an active volcano approximately 1.5 hours inland from Taormina, is a popular attraction with climbing tours available for those who want to work off a few pasta dinners. Alternatively, Mount Etna wine tours are also available, for those looking for a less physically exerting, but still highly unique volcano experience. Lava-flows permitting (seriously), half-day and full-day tours are available from different tour companies with pick-ups and drop-offs in Taormina. If you are interested in learning more, we recommend that you speak with your hotel concierge to coordinate a tour as an individual, or within groups.

Explore Siracusa & Ortigia

Sicily boasts a number of beautiful towns, each with its own history and charm. Siracusa, which lies approximately 2 hours south of Taormina by train, is as rich in history as it is in beauty. The Neapolis Archaeological Park holds a 3rd century Roman amphitheater, which visitors can climb and explore, before visiting the Ear of Dionysus, an impressive naturally formed cave with unique, highly amplified acoustics. Ortigia, an island connected by a foot bridge, is a charming tourist hub full of restaurants, shops, coastlines, and historical sites. Anyone looking to explore Sicily should very seriously consider spending a night or two in Ortigia, and exploring Siracusa if time permits.

Leave The Gun. Take The Cannoli.

Follow in the footsteps of silver screen mobsters in a Fiat 500 on a tour arranged by the Belmond. Stop at Coppola’s favorite Bar Vitelli for a lemon granita; admire St Lucia church, where Apollonia and Michael Corleone were married; then head across the island in a classic vintage car to the medieval village of Forza D’Agrò.