Giardino Del Sole

Getting around by car took some planning. You can't drive a rental car into Taormina's center, and from the parking we chose on the far side, we had to carry our luggage on foot. There may be a closer option. The flat sits in a little courtyard behind the main street. Its garden terrace is lovely and well cared for, with plenty of chairs and a table. Since it's shared visually with the small courtyard, it doesn't feel very private, though a large tree blocks some of the view. The apartment also looked bigger in the photos than it was in person. I misunderstood the sleeping arrangement when booking. There's one bedroom with a double bed and another bed in the living room, separated from it only by a sliding door, so there's very little privacy between the two. The listing did say one room and a sofa bed, so I can see how it's debatable, but I mainly relied on the pictures and would've chosen somewhere else if I'd understood the layout. Everything was clean and tidy. The sheets didn't have a top blanket, which I've encountered elsewhere in Italy and found acceptable. They had left us an extra throw, much appreciated on our December visit. Communication with the owner was easy, even though we confirmed our arrival time quite late. They're reliable, let us pay at the end, welcomed us with a drink, and shared lots of suggestions for things to see and do. They'd also thought to leave mosquito repellent, a considerate touch. The location is perfect for visiting Taormina.