As we strolled onto the beach we laughed at all of the silly tourists that were laying on the rocky shore rather than swimming in that beautiful blue water. Then we finally got close enough to the water to realize the reason no one was swimming. The water was full of jellyfish! What? To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. I was ready to jump in head first and worry about the stinging beasts later. But then, my all too logical husband suggested that we get a over priced ice cream instead and call it even. I grudgingly agreed.

After a disappointing afternoon at the beach we took the tram to the top of the mountain and wondered along the city streets. Dinner was at a little pizzeria followed by a night of watching the world cup at a little pub. In the end I managed to forgive Taormina for the jelly fish, just barely. The shot above shows one of the streets of Taormina with the active Mount Aetna behind.