Giardini Naxos Holidays
Just down the hill from Taormina, Giardini Naxos is a classic beach resort with a good range of facilities.
Framing a picturesque bay overlooked by distant Mount Etna, most Giardini Naxos holidays concentrate on the sensational crescent-shaped pebble-and-sand beach. Lapped by shimmering Mediterranean waters and replete with watersports and lidos, it's a lively spot in summer perfect for catching the rays and chilling out Sicilian style. Combine it with a base like the vibrant Naxos Beach Hotel and your sun-and-fun idyll will be complete. And if you fancy a day out or two, the nearby classical ruins and trips to Mount Etna's lunar-esque craters are sure to entice.
Evenings are an important part of holidays in Giardini Naxos. Come sundown, night owls will love bar hopping along the buzzy waterfront. And if you're out for a quieter kind of evening, there's always a lantern-lit trattoria or hotel terrace perfect for a starlit supper.
Giardini Naxos is actually four places rolled into one. There's the charming old town. The lively seafront. The Cape Schiso harbour area. And last but not least, the gorgeous Garden Resort of Recanati. It doesn't have the lip-smacking beauty of Taormina. Or the heaps of history you'll find in many other Sicilian towns. But it most certainly makes up for in facilities, with good beaches that you can easily walk to, fun for the kids and plenty of bars and restaurants. That's not to say that the resort doesn't have its fair share of historical credentials. Naxos was the first ever Greek colony on the island, and there are some remains to visit, set against the stunning backdrop of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. However, life in Giardini Naxos is mostly about relaxing, enjoying the Sicilian sun and having a go at the odd watersport or two. Mind you, if you're into walking and glorious scenery, there's the Alcantara Gorge just a few miles inland. As for the kids, there's a little funfair in Recanati, where they can bounce off some energy on the trampolines or test their putting skills on the mini-golf. In the evening, the prom is the place to stroll and take the evening air, before settling down in one of the many open air trattorie for a plate of pasta and a glass of sensationally fruity Etna wine made with grapes grown on the volcano. Nightlife in Giardini Naxos doesn't make the earth move, but there are several places where you can strut your stuff, including a few open-air discos in Recanati.