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The Magic of an Empty Beach
Yesterday I showed you how romantic the Isola Bella beach in Taormina can be at night. Today I’ll show you the sunrise, because it’s absolutely breathtaking!
The beach is quiet and peaceful. You hear only the sea lapping against the pebbles, while the sky turns rainbow-colored and fishermen head out to sea. It’s a beautiful moment you shouldn’t miss. It’s worth getting up early.
Isola Bella beach is crowded with tourists during the day. Everyone wants their selfies for social media. But at 6 a.m. it’s your private paradise. Everyone is still asleep, so you can enjoy the natural beauty of the soft, pastel colors on the horizon and the silence. It was an incredibly precious moment for me. A wonderful memory right in my heart. I sat on the rocks and just looked at the beauty. We even noticed a swimmer in the water, which I understand, because the entrance to the sea on Isola Bella is shallow, so it warms up in the sun during the day, and the water is very pleasant for swimming. I completely understand that the man went for a swim. At dawn, alone on a beach that will turn into a tourist hell in a few hours. But not yet. Now is the time.
Why is the sunrise in Taormina more interesting than the sunset
Taormina faces east; therefore, every morning, you can see a beautifully colored sky full of subtle shades. When the sun rises, Isola Bella has a wonderful view of the sea. If you turn west at that moment, the rays of the morning sun fall on the rock city. In the morning, this view is also breathtaking, but at sunset, the view of the rock city is less interesting. Only when the sun sets can you enjoy the vibrant life and beautiful lighting on the island of Isola Bella. That's why I think Isola Bella beach is the best place to watch the sunrise in Taormina.
Morning meditation on the pebbles
When you stand on the morning of Isola Bella, and the sun's rays begin to caress your face, it will be a very rare moment. Enjoy it. You stand there on the cooled pebbles, and slowly, beautiful thoughts begin to flow through you. How many thousands of years have those stones stood here? Who all stepped onto that beautiful island? How many romantic stories have already happened here, and how many couples have said their "I DO" here? How many men have expressed their feelings here in the morning or at night, and how many women have cried with happiness here? I am standing here on the pebbles in the clear water, looking at the gentle waves. A little further away sits a wonderful man with a pure character, whom I trust and whom I love. Yes, the sunrise on Isola Bella has a magical quality. It is a truly beautiful place, and I would very much like you to experience those wonderful moments of stopping. You come to see a beautiful sunrise, and suddenly you're standing in the water on pebbles and with an inner sense of peace. Some places have this power.
A paradise for photographers
If you come at dawn, you will have the opportunity to photograph real natural gems. Nature will show you several options for what kind of pictures to take. It doesn't really matter if you take pictures with a camera because you are a professional photographer, or if you want romantic photos for social networks. The spectacle is worth it. When leaving, a very pretty lady in an interesting beach dress came with photographers. Obviously, because of the view. But that was only an hour after we moved to the beach. In the morning, Isola Bella is truly yours; just get up, and you will have unforgettable memories.
The Legend of the “Lady of the Island”
There is a very interesting story attached to the island of Isola Bella (translation: beautiful island). It was bought from the city of Taormina in 1890 by a woman named Florence Trevelyan. She was a noblewoman from the British court who supposedly loved to travel and had a great passion for botany. She moved to Italy after being expelled from court for an alleged love affair with the then-future King Edward VII, Prince of Wales. However, some modern historians claim that she was depressed after the death of her mother, so she simply left the court alone. These are two different opinions, but what is important is that after buying the island, she was the first to build a small house on it and plant exotic plants. This step was very important for Taormina, because thanks to Florence, new flora arrived in Sicily.
Later, in the 1950s, the island was bought by two brothers from a wealthy family, and they renovated the house into a luxurious villa for the “chosen ones”. Later, after the family's financial collapse, the island was returned to Taormina, who built a museum in the villa. But when I look at Florence's work, she must have been an amazing woman and animal protector. Throughout her life, she had Mediterranean flora and exotic trees imported onto the island, built gardens in Taormina, and helped protect local animals. That was one of the reasons why she bought the island at the time. It was supposed to be a safe haven, and hunting was even prohibited there. Thanks to her care, which she started at that time, the island is now protected by the WWF as a nature reserve.
Practical information
In my opinion, the sunrise or sunset in Taormina varies depending on the month in which you arrive. Therefore, you can follow the current sunrises or sunsets with the exact calculated time on sunrisesunset.io. This will help you plan your arrival more effectively so you are there at the right time.
Parking and entrance to the beach
The beach entrance is right next to La Baia restaurant. During the day, you have no chance to park your car there. Moreover, on this street, like most others in Taormina, there are no sidewalks. But in the morning and at night, you will find a place. However, be aware that it may not be right at the entrance, so if you are driving, it is better to leave a little earlier to allow time to find parking. If you are riding a motorbike, you will park without any problems. There are stairs leading down from the La Baia restaurant to the beach. There are approximately 130 of them, and you need at least another 5 minutes to reach the tip of the island, from which you can take beautiful photos, which you can see in the article. So if you want to catch the sunrise in Taormina on Isola Bella in peace, count on a reserve of +15 minutes for parking (just in case) and approximately 10 minutes before you go down the stairs and reach the island from which you can take beautiful pictures.
Sunrise happened? Where to have a morning coffee
Sunrise on Isola Bella is a beautiful and unforgettable moment. Such a memory deserves to be enjoyed additionally, for example, over a morning coffee. But where to have a morning coffee when some cafes are not open yet? If you are by car or motorbike, you can drive a little further. Approximately 10 minutes from Isola Bella. You can practically just drive to the other side of the cliff; it's the IL CHIOSCO cafe with a beautiful view of the cliff. They open early in the morning and are open late into the night. In addition to the sunrise, you can enjoy a "Caffè freddo con panna," iced coffee with coffee grounds and chilled, whipped cream, or try the "Granita caffè con panna" for iced coffee grounds with chilled, whipped cream. You will absolutely love this. My partner and I could consume it from morning to evening.
Take the light with you
Wherever you sit for your coffee, by the time you finish your last sip, the sun will be long over the horizon and the magic of the morning's quiet moment will have faded into the background. A busy day is coming, full of tourists and vendors selling their hats, glasses, fans, and dresses on the 130 steps you walked in silence a moment ago. But keep your memory in your heart. Take that beautiful, gentle touch of an Italian morning in a place that knows how to stop, wherever you go.
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Have a beautiful day
Dana
