The hilltop town of Taormina in northeastern Sicily is where you’ll find the White Lotus or, to give its name IRL, the Palazzo San Domenico, which was originally a monastery. But fear not, you don’t need to be the Queen of Sicily to enjoy Taormina (Suz Tanya, we really love you). Check out some of the filming locations we love that you can visit: The Ancient Theater of Taormina One of the first stops on the di Grasso family’s doomed trip to Sicily is an ancient ancient theatre. We know you think you’ve seen one runway, and you’ve seen them all. We politely disagree. This has been beautifully preserved for hundreds of years, and if you sit in the right spot, the back of the stage becomes a window to see Mount Etna looming dramatically in the background. Come at the right time of year, and you can even see a display and practice of culture like the 3rd century BC. Bam Bar This cute Lil’ bar is where Valentina enjoys a quick early morning espresso before trying not to throw Aperol at various guests on a daily basis. While the coffee is delicious here, we recommend the mainstay at this place is the granita—sorbet’s cooler cousin with a crystal-like texture. Come here for breakfast and it’s traditional to have it with brioche and whipped cream. And we think chomping on one of these while looking at the gorgeous solar-themed tile work is a pretty dreamy way to start your day. Isola Bella Remember that spooky story Quentin told about a little island off the beach? It is called Isola Bella, but it is also known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. And boy does it live up to its name with lush green trees and ancient rock formations that look like they could tell a thousand stories. Unfortunately, it’s currently closed to the public, but you can take a cable car ride from town to the beach, and have a drink in the sun or a refreshing authentic Sicilian lemonade at one of the bars in the front. Corso Umberto We mainly see Ethan letting off steam in the early morning as he walks down deserted Corso Umberto, but this road is usually packed with locals and tourists alike browsing the cool boutiques. Head to Piazza Duomo for a proper scoop of gelato and gaze out over the Ionian Sea. Or if you want a more opulent secret viewpoint, move a little further to the Continental Hotel and wander into the Sky Rooftop Bar. It has huge White Lotus vibes, but you don’t need to be a hotel guest to have a drink there. So sit back and watch the sunset and drink to the aptly named Etna Samba or a Negroni Beer Mistake (although it’s not really a mistake, trust us)…
