Taormina Travel Answers

I very much doubt that 'many' homes do not have a heat source (I have not yet seen an Italian home or hotel etc which does not). I suppose it is possible that some holiday homes/apartments do not, given that they are primarily for use in the warmer months (January is definitely low season). Here's the climate info for Taormina: world66.com/europe/italy/sic... holidaycheck.com/climate-wet... January may not be warm, but it is certainly a great deal more pleasant than e.g. the UK in January! Your choice as you whether it will suit you. It would certainly suit me, as there will be far fewer people and you will be able to explore without crowds. But you will need to take clothes you can layer and rainwear. Whilst you are waiting for any specific recommendations for hotels, do look at www.venere.com It lists almost all Italian hotels and is a reliable site used by many Vt-ers, with honest guest reviews (you can't post a review until you have completed a stay booked through the site) and good mapping. Again whilst you are waiting for more replies (and there will be more replies0 put 'Taormina' into the searchbox top right of this page. You will find lots of information photos and tips about what to see/do, where to eat etc etc, all written by Vt locals and visitors.

Thank you Leics I will do as you advise? Any thoughts on the Almafi cost instead?? Will it be warmer or about the same up there? I may post a somilar question on that board. We were there last May and it is beautiful but have some time off in January and love Italy!! thanks again

Well, I doubt the weather will be much different. I've been to the Amalfi coast more than once in mid-Feb, and have had days with bright sunshione and t-shirts and days with sleet and several layers! The weather should not be a problem if you pack accordingly....and it certainly is not bad enough to stop you doing anything in the way of visits etc. Sorrento climate here: wordtravels.com/Resorts/Ital...

Sicily is a lot like California. January weather is going to be cooler than summer, which is hot. Around 50 degrees would be the average and some days even a tee-shirt is all you would need in the daytime. It cools off at night and of course, the rain may fall and the snow on the higher elevations like Mt. Etna and Piano Battaglia is to be expected. Many tourists stay in the Giardini Naxos area that has many hotels and all have heat. Public transportation is available from Naxos to Taormina. As for attractions in Taromina, being such a closed hill town, you should have no problem seeing everything there is to offer. Nearby is Messina to the north and Catania and Siracusa, south. See the VT pages for all tips on Taormina, Messina, Catania and Siracusa for some great ideas and hotels, restaurants, and the not to miss attractions.

Hope I'm not coming in too late on this! Homes, hotels and apartments all have central heating unless they are really old and haven't been renovated. Restaurants and bars however, will rarely have heating. You don't say from which part of the States you come from. California, Texas, Florida, Georgia and the mainly southern states are all much warmer than Taormina in the winter months. In recent years we are seeing more wind and rain....... Giardini-Naxos is off-limits in the winter as everything (and I mean everything) is closed. Several hotels and B&B's remain open in Taormina during the winter but check with your choice either by phone or email, don't take it for granted. Local sightseeing in Taormina can be done on foot, but further afield will probably necessitate a car rental since organised bus tours cannot be undertaken for a few people. You will need to visit a local agency to see if they have enough requests to run an excursion with a guide.... Mount Etna will be heavily snow covered so going to the top is not an option unless you go skiing! Cars need chains on tyres if you wish to drive there. The food and wine is delicious and the people very hospitable. All the best and enjoy your stay.

The area called Giardini Naxos is not closed tight in winter. Yes, many hotels and even stores do close for winter, but not tight. The Hilton Giardini Naxos is one hotel that stays open year round among others and the rates are much lower than in the crazy tourist summers. Right in Taormina is the Hotel Taodomus with good rates that is open in winter. There will be many hotels closed and beaches as well, but the sites in Taormina will be there to see and some stores are closed for winter as well, but still a couple of days in Taormina can be well spent. The history of weather in January is that it is cool in the day 57F and at night 49F, still not freezing. The rain could be your only real problem as when it rains, it pours.