On the coast of the Ionian Sea, the ancient city of Taormina sits in Sicily’s eastern region – a place where dramatic shorelines, bustling towns, and luxurious homes live in harmony. At the curve of this striking bay, Isola Bella Beach is the most beautiful spot for a picnic on the sands while you admire the scenery. But just an eighteen-minute walk from here, we know of an even better viewpoint.

This home is a true example of luxury. While the exterior looks like a monument of old-world Italy that you might see in the guidebook, this castle-like, stone tower is your apartment. Set over three lofty levels, the elegant, modern interiors are only made more tasteful by the generous welcome hamper from your host. Full of local goodies, you can take something out to nibble while you explore your new surroundings.

You can’t help but immediately be drawn to the panoramic balcony and roof terrace. Views out to Isola Bella are simply unmatched, especially when you’re perched on the tower’s ramparts with a glass of Sicilian wine, reclining on a sun lounger, or soaking in the outdoor hot tub under the stars.

Home truths:
*This home is set over three floors, so you'll need to navigate stairs to get around
*The hot tub only has two seats and it will be heated to a minimum of 26 degrees celsius
*Included in your stay, you'll get a welcome basket containing local items, a mid-week clean, bed linen changes once a week, and towel changes twice a week (pool and bath towels)
*You'll need a car in this location, as there isn't much to do in walking distance – Private parking is not available, but a bus stop is ten minutes away on foot or you can find parking on nearby streets
*This host does not accept bookings with children
*There's no dedicated workspace, but laptop-friendly spots like the dining table
*The main building entrance is not private to your home