Villa Mon Repos

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Dinner and Reception

The Night Before

Our Wedding

Well...Alex and I met in the very spot pictured above, at The Book Loft in German Village. After matching on Hinge, exchanging many messages, and canceling the first date 3 times, we finally met in real life. Alex and I joke that we never would have met in the wild, so thankfully, we both went out of our comfort zones to actually go on that first date. Little did we know that it would be the first of many long walks through German Village, stopping at the local shops and restaurants, looking at the beautiful houses, and talking about our future together. Years have passed, and Alex and I still love to take long walks through the neighborhood and talk about our lives and our future together, only now we are joined by Echo, who you all know as our absolutely crazy and beloved dog. We have grown so much in the past 5 years together, learning to train and take care of Echo, going back to school, starting new careers, and buying and renovating our first house together. We are incredibly grateful to have you all by our side through it all, and can't wait to see what the future holds for us. We can't wait to celebrate with you all in Sicily!!

How you ended up on a trip to Sicily for a wedding...

Our Story

Photos

Andrew Huffman

Sunny Lyn

Wedding Party

Q + A

Catania Airport (CTA) is the nearest airport to Taormina, where the wedding will take place. You can get to Taormina from the airport by taxi, bus, train, or private hotel transfer service. TAXI -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.welcomepickups.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.welcomepickups.com</a>BUS -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.interbus.it/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.interbus.it</a>TRAIN -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trenitalia.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.trenitalia.com</a>

Vincenzo Bellini Catania Airport

This is an adult-only boutique hotel with a pool located steps away from the Corso Umberto in Taormina.

Villa Fiorita

This is a recently restored historic boutique hotel, located a few metres from the centre of Taormina, Corso Umberto, the Greek Theatre and the Palazzo dei Congressi.

Hotel Villa Paradiso

Family-owned for 3 generations since 1905, the Villa Schuler is the oldest owner-run hotel in Taormina, Sicily.

Hotel Villa Schuler

There are many affordable and centrally located AirBnB or VRBO options in Taormina as well as hotels and resorts for guests to stay. Please feel free to stay wherever you feel most comfortable and best fits your travel plans! Alex and Carissa will be staying at Hotel Villa Paradiso.

AirBnB or VRBO

Travel

Taormina's Greco Roman Theatre is one of the most visited and photographed sites in all of Sicily and for good reason. The site is simply spectacular. Perched on a hill overlooking the Ionian Sea, and with a perfect view of Mount Etna looming in the distance, it makes for an absolutely beautiful setting. The ancient theatre is built mostly of brick, which would indicate that it is of Roman origins, but its layout follows what is considered to be a Greek design, so it is sometimes referred to as the Greco Roman Theatre. Most likely, the theatre was of Greek origins and then rebuilt on its present site by the Romans.

The Ancient Greek Theatre

The public gardens are a beautiful shady respite from the crowded Corso Umberto. Also known as the Trevelyan Gardens, this English-style garden has a panoramic walkway that faces the sea and Mount Etna. Numerous flower beds, bushes, trees, and finely trimmed hedges adorn the garden and make for a pleasant walk or a great spot to just sit and admire the view. The garden also contains a few old artillery pieces from WWII, a play area for children, and a few small cottages and towers. A small terrace area is also found here and is used for small outdoor concerts or gatherings.

Villa Comunale di Taormina

It would seem that Piazza IX Aprile (Square of the 9th of April) is the epicenter of Taormina. This beautiful square with its black and white pavers seems to draw everyone in Taormina at sunset for a great photo opportunity. From here you have an unobstructed view of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Standing guard to the square are two churches, St. Augustine's and the Church of St. Joseph. The Piazza IX Aprile makes for a great meeting place and with its many benches, it's a perfect spot to sit and people-watch or simply stare off into the stunning view. At night, the square comes alive as musicians and artists fill it with music and color.

Piazza IX Aprile

The Corso Umberto is the main pedestrian street through Taormina and is hard to miss. For the shoppers out there, this is the place to be. The Corso Umberto is lined with numerous high end shops as well as gelato shops, produce vendors, cafes, souvenirs, and jewelry shops. No matter what you are looking for, it's a sure bet that you can find it somewhere along the Corso Umberto. At night, the street comes alive with music and entertainment and can resemble a party atmosphere. It all makes for a fun and lively place to be. But remember, I don't recommend the restaurants on the Corso Umberto, you will have better quality and experience away from the Corso Umberto.

Corso Umberto

This tiny island is located in a small bay on the coast just below Taormina. The island is connected to the mainland by a small and narrow path that, depending on the tide, may be submerged. The island itself was private property up until 1990. Since then, it has been designated as a nature reserve and is home to numerous species of birds and lizards. The island also has a very small beach area that seems to be very popular with sunbathers and snorkelers. There is a larger beach area on the mainland side. To get to Isola Bella from Taormina, you will need to take the cable car down to the coast. From here, it is a short walk to the beach at Isola Bella. Please be forewarned that the beach here is not sand but pebbles, so bring the necessary footwear. You can also walk the whole way down from the "panoramic path."

Isola Bella

Join Chef Massimo in Taormina as he leads you through a guided market tour in amongst Sicily’s colourful foods. Visiting the fruit &amp; vegetable vendor to find out what’s in season and the fishmonger to choose the best fresh catch of the day in Taormina’s historic fish market. Pick up the ingredients for your hands-on cooking class while learning about the local in-season products, Massimo’s family recipes and traditions. Next, head into the kitchen for your hands-on cooking class featuring Sicilian specialties such as Ricotta-stuffed zucchini flowers, a rainbow of fresh sautéed vegetables such as peppers, eggplant and zucchini caponata, stuffed artichokes with Chef Massimo’s secret stuffing recipe, fresh egg pasta and either a fish, meat or vegetarian main dish such as involtini, rolled stuffed beef, local fish cooked Taormina-style, or polpette - meatballs.Each hands-on cooking class includes the preparation of a full Sicilian menu including a typical Sicilian dessert. Lunch follows featuring the foods prepared in class and is accompanied by local Sicilian wines, dessert included.

Cooking Class

Meet Sicilian traders and chefs specializing in typical Sicilian Food &amp; Wine. Hear recipe secrets from the people behind Sicilian’s oldest food traditions. The Tour takes you into Taormina's historic old city centre, an ideal place to get the real taste of Taormina. Taste its delicious food, soak in its vibrant culture, and meet the people who keep so many wonderful Food &amp; Wine traditions alive. It ́s an interesting dinner alternative, just to do something different.&nbsp;

Taormina Gastronomic Walking tour

Cine-Theatre San Giorgio (behind the church of San Giuseppe, in Piazza IX Aprile) An extraordinary journey with the most famous arias and duet from “Italian Operas”. You will hear music from great Italian operas interpreted by professional singers who have performed in the most important Italian and international theatres, performed with piano accompaniment. The evenings are held in the Cine Theatre ‘San Giorgio’ where you will be offered a drink and can take in an extraordinary panorama view of Taormina.&nbsp;

Opera

Located on the top of a hill above Taormina is the quaint village of Castelmola. Considered one of the most beautiful towns in all of Italy, its precarious setting high above Taormina provides for an amazing view of Taormina, the beaches of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna. The Duomo of Castelmola, also known as the church of San Niccolo’ di Bari, is worth a visit and has a balcony which affords some great views. The remains of the castle itself are not much, but it is worth the few extra steps to climb to the ruins of the castle if for no other reason than the view. The village is a great spot for a mid-day lunch break and some shopping. You also have the famous Turrisi bar, don't forget to try their homemade almond wine. Getting to Castelmola can be done with a short taxi ride or you can take the bus. For the adventurous souls out there, you can walk/hike up to Castelmola. Plan on at least an hour each way and possibly more, depending on your physical condition.&nbsp;

Visit Castelmola

Savoca would be your first stop. Visit the pretty Church of Santa Maria "degli Angeli" and the Convent of the "Frati Minori Cappuccini", where you can explore the underground crypt. Godfather aficionados will instantly recognize Bar Vitelli, where Michael Corleone told Apollonia’s father of his intention to marry his daughter. Enjoy a half-hour to explore Savoca at your leisure, perhaps even to have a snack or drink at the Bar Vitelli, before to go to Forzà d'Agrò. Many scenes of the village life are filmed in Forzà d'Agrò, with its cobblestone streets and traditional houses. You may also recognize the church that is featured in both The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II. Here you can also explore the town on your own before getting back. This is a tour that can be done by coach with a guide or privately with taxi or mini van depending on how many you are and how much time you would like to spend there.&nbsp;

Godfather Tour

Sicilia Outlet Village is located in the heart of Sicily, amongst art, archaeological sites and extraordinary cities. The Village offers the opportunity to shop at affordable prices in over 140 stores featuring some of the most important and best-known fashion brands. It is conveniently positioned at the Dittaino - Outlet exit on the Highway A19 Palermo - Catania highway. The outdoor parking lot of the Village has 3000 free parking spaces that are easily accessible. If you are looking for some special brands or authentic Sicilian hand craft, don't hesitate to let us know or we can book you for a personal shopping experience.&nbsp;

Shopping

Enjoy the pleasant Sicilian breeze and beautiful crystal clear water while you relax on deck. You can choose from half to full day on board, including lunch or dinner, or you can go for a few days to the Aeolian islands. You can also choose from doing pre-organized tours starting on Etna and finishing off at sea.

Snorkeling, boat, diving, jet ski, paddling, BBQ on the sea.....

Mount Etna is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily. It is the highest active volcano in Europe outside the Caucasus and the highest peak in Italy south of the Alps, with a current height of 3,326 m. Mount Etna is one of the world's most active volcanoes and is in an almost constant state of activity. The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture and vineyards with orchards spreading across the lower slopes of the mountain. Due to its history of recent activity and nearby population, Mount Etna has been designated a Decade Volcano by the United Nations. In June 2013, it was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many various excursions and trekking experiences are offered on Mount Etna. The excursions with trekking are accessible to people of all ages; however, a good state of physical health is required as all include a more or less intensive walk depending on the tour chosen.&nbsp;

Mount Etna Tours

A lovely, delicious and relaxing wine tour can be experienced in many different ways. Some wine yards offer wine tasting with a complete lunch and some just wine; some offer picnics among the grapes and some tours of their whole wine estate. You can also choose how to arrive by train, car or by helicopter. Wine from Etna is very special due to being grown from volcanic soil.

Winery Tours

If you have more time or you are more adventurous, why not just rent a car or a scooter to just follow the coastline and stop wherever you like? Take a drive to other beautiful cities around, such as Siracusa, Cefalù, Catania etc..