Riviera, Taormina > Reviews (1)

After visiting Italy before (Lake Garda) I was charmed and desperate to return again. This time however the trip was designed slightly less for sight seeing, but rather a tranquil Mediterranean treat.

If your budget isn't the largest but still craves luxury, then Hotel Riviera certainly obliges. With distant views of the picturesque coastline, enjoy a day by the pool or without committing yourself, bask in the sights and chilled atmosphere of Sicily's most enthralling town, Taoromina.

The first aspect noticed upon arrival was the private car park available for all of the Hotel guests. This certainly was useful as the ever increasing popularity in the area and Sicily itself, can cause struggles in terms of traffic and congestion if you have rented a car. A clean spacious room fits the bill, complete with a generous sized bathroom and the added incentive, the balcony. The staff was extremely helpful and was happy to sort any inconvenience or queries that we had. Breakfast was the only meal we ate at the Hotel, which was fine. The typical European platter on offer such as croissants, ham, jams, and cheese. Accompanied by a coffee was my preference, combining to make the light meal that had you ready to start the day.

Day trips I recommend include seeing Etna, as you will regret it otherwise and is only a 20 minuted drive away. The staff would supply you with directions if needed. Note: wear good shoes as there is a lot of walking. And just genereally sampling the famous Sicillian culture by visiting the villages and surrounding towns - there are some great views and characters. I would strongly recommend sampling a variety of the ice creams - or geletti as the natives would call it - available in the vast amount of ice cream parlours. Partake in a cruise around the surrounding islands and visit places like Stromboli.