If you’d told me a year ago I’d be sipping a freshly made lemonade on a rooftop in Sicily, watching the sun dip behind Mount Etna — alone!! — I would’ve laughed and think that’s mission impossible at this stage in my life. Not in a ‘yeah right’ kind of way, but in the way only a tired mum of three can! You know the laugh, somewhere between ‘I wish’ and ‘maybe when they’re all in university’. But somehow, I made it happen! Or my friend’s 40th did come as an excellent excuse for some unexpected me-time 🙂
Nonetheless Taormina, with its lemon trees, cobbled streets, and dreamy Mediterranean rhythm, gave me something I didn’t even realise I was craving: space. Space to breathe, to move slowly, to remember who I am when I’m not rushing around packing lunches, sorting out uniforms, and refereeing arguments over who ate the last sweet. Although this trip started on a left foot, I missed my first plane and the anxiety was crawling in, I didn’t give up and I was right on the first flight available the day after my initial flight!
Getting There: From Chaos to Calm (Eventually)
Flying solo from London felt surreal. No snacks to pack, no “Muuuum, I’m bored!” echoing down the aisles. Just me, a book I hadn’t read in months, and three hours of peaceful silence en route to Catania Airport. From there, it was a scenic hour’s drive to Taormina, the jewel of Sicily perched between the sea and sky. You can get the train or a coach and on my way back to the airport my friends and I shared a cab and it was even better, more comfortable and faster. The hotel can also arrange a luxury ride for the extra peace of mind.
Where I Stayed: Palazzo Vecchio (and Yes, I Felt Like Royalty)
I stayed at a hidden gem called Palazzo Vecchio, a 5-star boutique hotel in the heart of Taormina, with a stunning rooftop terrace that practically begged for longer journal sessions…Only 13 bedrooms, all differently decorated – I stayed in a Moroccan style junior suit OF dreams! For me it was my camera which became my journal on this trip as it ended up documenting every single corner!
The Blue Sky Bar became my daily ritual — as if devouring the views of Mount Etna rising in the distance from my bedroom window wasn’t enough, I had to make it here every evening, for an aperitivo, while excited as the sky turned lavender.
…and then you enter the bedroom…The most restful sleep I had in a long time!!
Built on a 16th-century city wall, Palazzo Vecchio stands out with its Gothic-Catalan facade and crenelated tower among the winding streets of Taormina’s historic center. Even the glass lift is there to make sure you don’t miss any of those lovely view details!
Mount Etna — I need to pause here — isn’t just a volcano. It’s alive. Seeing it from afar is awe-inspiring, but up close? It’s like walking on the edge of the earth…One of the most surreal hotel room views of my travels so far!
There is so much to explore in Taormina, from cute little restaurants usually with a unique story behind, to beautiful beaches and terraces to keep you busy. Here’s my top 10 of things to do in Taormina as I didn’t want this piece to become to lengthy and it would be easier to follow 🙂
If shopping is your thing, this place is a heaven experience! Art, fashion, souvenirs, it’s all there for you…
Some nights I ate out, but my absolute favourite was dinner in Palazzo Vecchio after a drink at the Blue Sky Bar. With Etna glowing in the distance and the lamp light, it felt like a scene from a film. Then going back for a surreal dinner experience…Dei Monsù – a colonial-style orangery with rattan furnishings and a menu that reintroduces the ancient Sicilian culinary tradition of the Monsùs (French chefs who moved to Sicility with aristocratic families). The restaurant’s Mediterranean cuisine will tempt you with traditional dishes, reinvented in a way I can hardly put into words here! The truly talented chef Giuseppe Privitera came out after main course and I’m thrilled I got the chance to put a face to the name!
Bonus? The Four Seasons San Domenico Palace (aka the White Lotus hotel!) was just around the corner, only 3 minutes walking. I wandered by with a grin, half-expecting Jennifer Coolidge to appear with a glass of prosecco, but if you fancy a drink in the very spot the second season of this brilliant series was shot, make an early reservation! I haven’t so I couldn’t see the entire place, so here’s another excellent excuse to make it back to Taormina! 😉
Why This Trip Mattered: Rediscovering Myself in a Town That Knows Slowing down…
This was my first solo trip ever, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel. I love travelling with my family, but I’d forgotten what it’s like to be alone without being needed every second. Taormina held me gently. It reminded me that I’m not just ‘mum’. I’m also a girl who loves art, loooves wandering, quiet mornings, and wild laughter over dinner with friends. Because yes, while I came alone, I met up with a few girlfriends and wow. The energy of strong, soulful women coming together? Pure magic. We talked for hours, we shared stories we hadn’t told in years, with a few of us who dived deep into motherhood raw topics. It was healing in every way!
What I Took Home (Besides Too Many Ceramic Souvenirs)
This wasn’t just a holiday. It was a reset. A love letter to myself after years of giving, loving, and pouring into everyone else. I came back fuller — not just with memories or photos, but with me again.
If you’re a mum reading this, wondering if you can (or should) take time for yourself: do it. Even a few days can be transformative.
And Taormina? She’ll take care of you…
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to book the flight 😉
