Hotel Villa Schuler

Transfers and excursions from Taormina

DELIVERING GREAT SICILIAN EXPERIENCES

Customized Sicily Tours & Private transfers from/to Taormina.

We at Villa Schuler have a long and positive experience and cooperation with the local company “Sicily Life”, which organises transfers and excursions to the surroundings of Taormina and also to all other major destinations and attractions in Sicily.

Wether you are a single traveller, a couple or a group of friends, wether you need a transfer to/from the airports of Catania, Comiso, Palermo or Trapani, or if you wish to make an excursion to Mt. Etna, a trip on the tracks of the movie “The Godfather”, a winery tour, to get to any other attractions in Sicily or to a special getaway following your own ideas: the 12 friendly, experienced and multilingual drivers and guides of “Sicily Life” offer all this at reasonable rates.
Above all, they are absolutely 100% reliable and punctual.

Transfers are best to be booked via our Hotel Villa Schuler, along with your room reservation.

The airport transfer from Catania CTA to Taormina costs Euro 105 (one way) in a Mercedes limousine for up to 3 persons (night rate: Euro 125).
For 4 or more passengers our transfers will be organized with Mercedes minivans such as the Mercedes Viano or the Mercedes Vito (rates on request).

The local excursions can also be reserved short-termed at our hotel, once you are here in Taormina.

Some of the most popular day tours are (rates beleow are for 1 to 3 persons, rates for 4 and up to 8 persons on request):

  • Classic Etna experience tour, half day appox. 4 hours, Euro 240
  • Etna Grand Tour, full day approx. 7 hours, Euro 320
  • Etna Grand Tour, full day approx. 7 hours, wine tasting-lunch included, Euro 380 (1 person) – Euro 420 (2 persons) – Euro 460 (3 persons)
  • Afternoon Panoramic Etna experience, full day approx. 6/7 hours, wine and food tasting included, Euro 380 (1 person) – Euro 420 (2 persons) – Euro 460 (3 persons)
  • Eno-Gastronomic Tour on the Slopes of Mt. Etna, full day approx. 7 hours, Euro 410 (1 person), Euro 490 (2 persons) Euro 560 (3 persons), two wine and food tastings included
  • Godfather Tour – Medieval charming villages, half day approx. 4 hours, Euro 240
  • Godfather Tour – Medieval charming villages, full day approx. 7 hours, Euro 320
  • Syracuse Tour, full day approx. 7 hours, Euro 320
  • Syracuse Tour adding Noto, full day approx. 9 hours, Euro 420
  • Agrigento tour, full day approx. 8 hours, Euro 420
  • Agrigento, adding visit of the Roman Villa del Casale (Piazza Armerina), full (long) day approx. 11 hours, Euro 570
  • Catania and Cyclopes Bay Villages, (lunch optional at own expense) full day approx. 7 hours, Euro 320
  • Catania Highlights (or Caltagirone) and the Roman Villa in Piazza Armerina, full day approx. 8 hours, Euro 420
  • Sicilian Baroque Tour (Noto – Modica – Ragusa Ibla), full day approx. 8 hours, Euro 420
  • Cefalù and Castelbono, full day approc. 8 hours, Euro 420
  • Palermo Tour, full (long) day approx. 9/10 hours, Euro 490, including a walking tour with a local guide: Euro 200 to be added
  • Inspector Montalbano Tour, full (long) day approx. 9 hours, Euro 420
  • Reggio Calabria and Scilla Tour (Riace Bronzes and the famous fishing village Scilla), full day approx. 8 hours, Euro 490, ferry included

All rates quoted are using Mercedes limousines and are for up to 3 persons.

For 4 or more passengers our tours will be organized with Mercedes minivans such as the Mercedes Viano or the Mercedes Vito (rates on request).

Last update: January 07, 2024

Taormina Restaurant Recommendations

Our restaurant suggestions and recommendations are exclusively based on the quality of food and services and our unbiased restaurant ranking list is also based on our guest’s feedback.

Taormina has nearly 100+ restaurants in various sizes, settings, categories, and price levels.

When talking with a guest asking for a recommendation we first listen carefully trying to understand his expectations and only then do we make our suggestions.
And next day we try to get that important feedback to understand better.

Our Hotel Villa Schuler has a central location so that you can reach most of the recommended restaurants within 5 to 10 minutes.

 

Our recommendations:

 

PIZZERIA

VILLA ZUCCARO

 

RESTAURANTS

CASUAL

AL GIARDINO

TISCHI-TOSCHI

DON CAMILLO

MALVASIA

SHELTER

SAN MICHELE

TRATTORIA DA NINO

 

SEAFRONT

IL BARCAIOLO (Mazzarò Bay)

 

PANORAMIC

AL SARACENO (near Madonna della Rocca)

 

GOURMET & FINE DINING

ANDREAS

KISTÉ

OSTERIA SANTA DOMENICA

BISTROT DU MONDE

ROSSO DIVINO

ARCO DEI CAPPUCCINI

 

MICHELIN STAR CHEFS & RESTAURANTS

** ST. GEORGE by HEINZ BECK, chef of the 2star restaurant inside the 5* Hotel ASHBEE

* LA CAPINERA (Spisone Beach) by PIETRO D’AGOSTINO, who is not only a great chef but also actively socially engaged in the community e.g. cooking classes for children and for people in jail.

* PRINCIPE CERAMI by MASSIMO MANTARRO, chef of the restaurant inside our neighboring 5*L Four Seasons Hotel SAN DOMENICO (the “White Lotus Hotel”)

* OTTO GELENG by ROBERTO TORO, chef of the restaurant inside the 5* GRAND HOTEL TIMEO, a Belmond Hotel

* VINERIA MODÌ by DANILA GRILLO, chef of the small restaurant close to Hotel Villa Schuler

 

Last Updated: January 12, 2025

Taormina Castle

Taormina Castle – Madonna della Rocca, Taormina
The remains of the medieval arab-norman castle surround a large area on top of Monte Tauro, which watches from a height of 397 meters over the town of Taormina. The imposing, well-preserved walls give a vivid impression of the old castle. The views from up here are breathtaking, 360 degrees over the sea, as far as Mount Etna, the coastlines across to mainland Italy or in direction Catania, and the mountainous hinterland.

The castle can be reached by walking along a panoramic staircase carved into the rock that starts from the little church of Madonna della Rocca. From Villa Schuler to the Castle it is a walk of approx. 45 minutes.
Entrance fee: 10 Euros including a digital audio guide, usable directly from one’s smartphone, linked to the panels along the route, an interactive digital map, available in multiple languages, with 21 points of interest and at the end of the tour a personalized parchment with one’s name.

Opening hours during the summer period: daily from 10:00 to 20:00, in other periods of the year accordingly shorter.

More info: castelloditaormina.it

Iconic Taormina Cult Tour in vintage Ape Calessino

ICONIC TAORMINA CULT TOUR IN VINTAGE APE CALESSINO

in partnership with Sicily Art Experience for Hotel Villa Schuler guests

Daily tours for 2 or 3 persons on each Ape Calessino.

A unique and exclusive tour through Taormina’s art, literature and cinema. Visit the places where muses and celebrities found their home here in Taormina. Sicily Art Experience reveals a treasure chest of secret stories of Taormina, evoking glamour, emotions and authentic La Dolce Vita flavors.

The iconic Grand Tour comes back to life in the old-fashioned and fascinating „Taormina Cult“ project, which provides cultural thematic itineraries coniugating literature, art and cinema.

D.H.Lawrence, Robert Kitson, Oscar Wilde, Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, Wilhelm Von Gloeden, Bertrand Russel,  Henry Faulkner, Roald Dahl, Pablo Picasso, Daphne Phelps, Coco Chanel, Luigi Pirandello and Greta Garbo, are just a few of the poets, artists and celebrities brought back to life on our tours in the very places where they used to live and to meet and where their memories are still alive.

Taormina Cult is the first permanent cultural itinerary in Taormina, 21 places equipped with a series of local information boards, endowed with ‘QR’ code to download more info in 4 languages: Italian, English, Russian and German The tour is now available to be enjoyed aboard our Ape Calesse, the old-fashioned iconic italian 3 wheeler.

Ape Calesse Tours can be organized daily though us in English and Italian.

Participants: minimum 2, maximum 6 (reserving two Ape Calessino).

Audio guides available during the tour in Italian, English, German and Russian.

You can choose between:

1 hour panoramic round-trip and a

2 hours full tour that also includes the visit of Casa Cuseni (everyday at 11.30 am in English and at 5.30 pm in Italian) and the gardens of Villa Caronia (from Monday to Friday, 9 am – 1 pm)

Some of the iconic places you will visit on our Taormina Cult itineraries are: the Greek Theatre, the historical park of Villa Caronia, Casa Cuseni and Villa Mon Repos, the former casino of Taormina.

Info and Reservations for Hotel Villa Schuler guests only
write us an email to info@hotelvillaschuler.com

E-bike rental Hotel Villa Schuler Taormina

Hotel Villa Schuler offers an E-bike rental for its hotel guests only.

Speed: Max. 25 km/h
Motor: Oli Sport-Mid Motor
Battery: built-in – 14A*36V
Display: Oli Color
Frame: Trekking 28” – AI 6061
Fork: Suspended 28” – Travel 80 – Airfly
Front derailleur: Shimano RD-U3020 Cues 9V
Brakes: Shimano MT200 Hydraulic

Max. range: Depending on rider weight, riding style and route

Euro 30,00 Adult per Guest/Day 

Full Kasko Insurance included

Info and Reservations for Hotel Villa Schuler guests only
write us an email to info@hotelvillaschuler.com

Trekking and jeep tours to Mt. Etna

If you are looking for a special experience, a tour with the swiss guide Eddy Tronchet could be an option. With his agency Legendary Sicily he is offering guided Jeep and trekking tours to Mt. Etna in small groups.

Mr. Tronchet is a profound and passionate connoisseur of Mt. Etna and of the archeology, geology and history of Sicily. He speaks Italian, French, English and German, all fluently.

His tours are suitable for those who are looking for a special experience, who love nature, walking and trekking. The unique shape of these tours depends on weather conditions and the composition of the group. They can be booked both in advance as well as about one or two days before directly at the desk desk of our hotel.

 

 

Taormina’s Beaches: Shuttle service from Hotel Villa Schuler

Taormina’s beaches are renowned for their imposing cliffs and lovely bays with rocks, pebbles and beautiful mineral sands.

Some are ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving, others for various water sport activities such as beach volleyball, wind or kite surfing, boat trips, and of course the more relaxing beach life.

Between May and October, all Villa Schuler guests can use the hotels’ shuttle service to reach different private beaches within 10 to 15 minutes.

You can choose between 5 partner beaches all having an own bus shuttle service starting directly from our hotel, so there are approx. 15 departure times during the mornings between 9.15 a.m. and 12.45 a.m. and also 15 return shuttle buses from the beaches directly back to our hotel with departures between 2 p.m. and 5.30 p.m.

All our reliable partner beaches are fully equipped with changing rooms, sunbeds and parasols, showers, solariums, lounge bars, and restaurants.

The full beach service is on demand and includes the bus shuttle service. The charge is between 15 and 35 Euros per person per day, depending on the beach resort you choose and the season (low-high).

After 12.45 a.m. you still have the opportunity to use the cable car that runs (in 10 min. walking distance from our hotel) every 15 minutes to Mazzarò Bay and Isola Bella Bay (one-way ticket 3,00 Euros). The cable car is in service from 8 a.m to 10 p.m., in high summer season even until midnight.

Walking and hiking around Taormina

From Taormina (204 m/669 ft above sealevel) you can undertake some nice walking and hiking tours of different levels of difficulty.

A simple one as well as the most famous one is the walk from Taormina to the neighbouring village of Castelmola, which is situated 5 km from Taormina at 529 m (1,736 ft) above sealevel.
The first part of the track is on the Via Crucis leading to the small chapel Madonna della Rocca, you continue for about 500 m (1,600 ft) on the street and then again on a stepped path up to Castelmola. On your way back you can choose the historic path of the Saracenes. One way takes about one hour.

Castelmola has some cafés, small restaurants and souvenir shops. From the main place you can enjoy wonderful views to the coastline and to the hills of the hinterland.

Skilled hikers might continue from Castelmola and climb Mt. Veneretta at 885 m (2,903 ft) above sea level.

Other recommended trails around Taormina are:

– Castelmola – Portella del Giasso – Monte Veneretta – Castelmola (3-4 hours)

– Castelmola – Spasale – Mazzeo beach (3 hours)

– Motta Camastra – Alcantara Gourges – Mitoggio – Gaggi – Calatabiano Castle (5 hours)

– Castelmola – Petralia – Taormina (1,5 hours)

– Graniti – Mount Veneretta – Castelmola (6 hours)

– Barracca – San Pietro e Paolo Church – Casalvecchio – Savoca – Barracca (4-5 hours)

– Castelmola – Gallodoro – Forza D’Agrò – Scifì, Norman Church St.Peter and Paul (full day)

For all the above listed trails as well as for further options concerning walking and trekking tours please contact our reception desk.

We have maps and information about trails around Taormina and will be happy to advise you.

Le Soste di Ulisse – the best way to savor Sicily

There are many ways to discover Sicily. One is to follow the SOSTE DI ULISSE (the stop-overs of Ulysses). No better way to taste, savor and fully experience the great cuisine of some of the best and Michelin-starred chefs, the finest wines of the best Sicilian wineries and the proverbial hospitality of some of the best and most charming hotels on the Island, all associated under the name of “Le Soste di Ulisse”.

It’s a guarantee for GOURMET ENJOYMENT, this is what we can say regarding the fabolous partners we got to know during the last years of our own personal travels (mostly during the 3 winter months December, January and February, when we close our own HOTEL VILLA SCHULER for refurbishments).

TAORMINA AND SURROUNDINGS

Lets start with our “Le Soste di Ulisse” co-member which we are happy to have here in TAORMINA:

PIETRO D’AGOSTINO, Michelin star chef of LA CAPINERA, who is not only a great chef but also actively socially engaged in the community with e.g. cooking lessons for children and for prisoners,

A truly wonderful neighbourhood, which we enjoy ourselves and can only recommend to our Hotel guests!

Our HOTEL VILLA SCHULER, open since 1905 and now the oldest owner run hotel of the whole island of Sicily, has been a member of “Le Soste di Ulisse” since many years now.

Just a 30 minutes‘ drive from Taormina, we have another wonderful hideaway, our co-member, the SHALAI RESORT, situated in the middle of the small charming Mt. ETNA town of LINGUAGLOSSA in a beautifully restored baroque Palazzo, owned and managed by the young and enthusiastic LUCIANO PENNISI, who is also one of the vice presidents of “Le Soste di Ulisse”. The Shalai offers not only stylish rooms, but also a SPA and a restaurant headed by the Michelin star chef GIOVANNI SANTORO, who puts strong emphasis on local products and a modern interpretation of traditional Sicilian cuisine.

Talking about the Mt. Etna region, which is indeed the nearest wine making region to Taormina, we must also mention the Soste di Ulisse partner wineries: BARONE DI VILLAGRANDE, BENANTI, NICOSIA,  PALMENTO COSTANZO, PIETRADOLCE, TENUTE DI FESSINA, TERRAZZE DELL’ETNA, most of them we know personally, all of them by having tasted their wonderful prestigeous wines.

During a meeting of the “Le Soste diUlisse” we got to know the country HOTEL DONNA CARMELA, a skilfully restored historic manor, located inside a mediterranean and sub-tropical nursery garden between Mt. Etna and the Ionian Sea, in CARRUBA DI RIPOSTO. The fine cuisine of their restaurant is managed by the two young chefs ROSARIO PARISI and PIERGIORGIO ALECCI.

SALINA

Whenever we find 2 days off during the summer months we personally try to allow us a brief escape to our favorite island SALINA and to the HOTEL SIGNUM, visiting our friends the Caruso family. MICHELE CARUSO, CLARA RAMETTA and their children LUCA CARUSO and MARTINA CARUSO who are the souls of the most enchanting place to stay we know on the Aeolian Islands. And we love the innovative and imaginative kitchen of the youngest Michelin starred female chef in Italy MARTINA CARUSO.

SIRACUSA and NOTO

On the occasion of another meeting we were happy to savor the sophisticated cuisine of GIOVANNI GUARNERI, which he offers at his restaurant DON CAMILLO, located in ORTIGIA, the beautiful historic center of SIRACUSA. Lately we passed a wonderful evening there with all our staff during our works outing end of November 2019. We where 23 persons and had a great menu based on fresh fish, served by a perfectly synchronized staff. Chapeau!

In December, during one of our romantic getaways as a couple, we enjoyed a wonderful  evening at the member restaurant CROCIFISSO in NOTO, where chef MARCO BAGLIERI offers his refined version of Sicilian cuisine.

MODICA AND RAGUSA IBLA

Every year, after having closed the HOTEL VILLA SCHULER for the winter break, we do a works outing with our staff, a short 2 to 3 days journey through Sicily. We want them to get to enjoy their Island and to know the SOSTE DI ULISSE and that‘s why we plan our stays, wine tastings and dinners whenever possible at co-member hotels, wineries and restaurants.

That’s how we for example stayed at PALAZZO FAILLA at MODICA, the romantic Hotel, situated in the charming Palazzo owned and managed by the noble Failla family. In Modica we also tasted the great creations of the ANTICA DOLCERIA BONAIUTO producing the best Sicilian chocolates, try their chilly-chocs!

In RAGUSA IBLA, during another of our romantic tours as a couple, we stayed at the LOCANDA DON SERAFINO owned by the LA ROSA family and enjoyed very much the friendly service and the historic building partly located in caves, dug out of the tufa.

On this occasion, travelling during the winter period, we missed the member restaurant in Ragusa Ibla, the restaurant of LOCANDA DON SERAFINO with its chef VINCENZO CANDIANO. On our next visit to Ragusa Ibla we’ll have to catch up on that.

PALERMO and CASTELBUONO

On another works outing with all our staff we devinely dined at the OSTERIA DEI VESPRI in PALERMO, managed by chef ALBERTO RIZZO and his brother ANDREA. They have a very interesting concept, offering “Gourmet” kitchen from April 1 to October 31, and “Old Osteria” style from November 1 to March 31.

The charming AGRIRELAIS BAGLIO DI PIANETTO in the countryside of Palermo in Santa Cristina di Gela was a real home for us during our 2016 works outings. We enjoyed their outstandingly welcoming staff, an impressive tour of their modern winery, the good kitchen, and the elegance of the large historic noble villa.

Whenever we get in the Cefalù area we love to stop at the charming mountain village CASTELBUONO at the restaurant NANGALARRUNI. The Chefs GIUSEPPE CAROLLO and his daughter FRANCESCA offer a wonderful and affectionately prepared local cuisine, sometimes with mushrooms from the surrounding mountains, which GIUSEPPE collects himself…just overwhelming!

TRAPANI REGION

In November 2017 we headed for the city of TRAPANI with our works outing and we had two outstanding dinners at SERISSO 47. Chef GAETANO BASIRICÒ created two wonderful dinners for our group, one based on fish, the second based on meat, vegetarian dishes of course included. Both were EXCELLENT! and we love the gentle, low profile personality of Gaetano Basiricò.

AGRIGENTO REGION

Another great experience was our works outing, which we spent at LA FORESTERIA PLANETA ESTATE, a luxurious country hotel and restaurant, located amidst of the Planeta MENFI region wineries. Planeta is one of the most prestigious Sicilian wineries with wine-growing districts spread all over Sicily and offers this elegant retreat, enriched by the exquisit and surprising cuisine of their chef ANGELO PUMILIA, who combines his Japanese experiences with Sicilian traditions.

AND MUCH MORE TO DISCOVER …

The members of SOSTE DI ULISSE are many more and we still have to discover many of them and will of course also return to those we already know!

Christine and Gerhard Schuler

More info: Le Soste di Ulisse, president PINO CUTTAIA, vice presidents: TONY LO COCO and LUCIANO PENNISI;   lesostediulisse.it

 

Italian Opera in Taormina

Just 5 Minutes walk from Hotel Villa Schuler, at the Cineteatro San Giorgio, you can enjoy Italian Opera Arias and Duetts from operas such as Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, Madame Butterfly, Tosca, and La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini, Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Rossini and Elisir d’Amore by Gaetano Donizetti, interpreted – with piano accompaniment – by singers who have performed at important Italian and international opera houses.

Every performance the program will be different, sometimes the company adds also traditional songs from Naples and Sicily, sometimes Jazz or Tango classics.

So if you stay longer in Taormina you can also enjoy two or more of these charming evenings. During a short break the company offers a drink on the panoramic terrace of the theatre. Artistic director is the Sicilian soprano Silvia Di Falco.

More Information, weekly program, reservations and tickets at our Hotel Villa Schuler reception desk.