The Palazzo Duchi S. Stafano is located on the Via de Spuches right next to the town gate Porta Catania in Taormina.

It was the residence of the spanish aritocratic family De Spuches, dukes of Santo Stefano. The palazzo was built in the 14th century and exhibites fine examples of Sicilian Romanesque and Gothic style, fitted with Arabic-Norman elements.

During the second world war it was damaged in large parts, yet it was completly restored in the 1960s after it becane property of the city.

A small room on the ground floor is often used for exhibitions while the first floor presents a permanent exhibition of the sculptor Guiseppe Mazzullo.

This was the third day in a row that we had to plan breakfast around a meeting with the tour rep. We decided to go in for breakfast and Mr C slipped out to pay for the trips. In the end he only paid for the Etna trip as there was still doubt surrounding the Aeolian Islands trip.

After the meeting and breakfast, we headed into town and caught the cable car down to Isola Bella Bay where we took our life in our hands walking along the narrow roads, dodging the cars. Our walk was interrupted by a sprinkling of rain so we took the cable car back to Taormina where we had lunch overlooking the Cathedral square.

We visited the Sicilian Cart Museum then briefly returned to the hotel before visiting Palazzo Dei Duchi Di Santo Stefano which is a Norman structure situated near to Porta Catania. The interior of the building is used by the G. Mazulla foundation. The works of this artist are displayed in the palace and the gardens.

We next enjoyed a refreshing drink overlooking Piazza Duomo, soaking up the atmosphere in the Italian sunshine. Some things just have to be done.

Whilst we were back at the hotel getting ready for our evening meal the wind got up and we heard a loud crash. Initially we thought something had blown over until it dawned on us that it sounded like a motor accident; several roads are just below the hotel. I looked out of the window and saw people looking over the wall and photographing/videoing the scene below, which I found upsetting. However once again I was able to watch the sunset over Etna.

Later, as we walked to Trattoria Tiramiso Taormina for dinner, we saw the remains of the accident which was still being attended by the emergency services. I was left hoping that no one was seriously hurt. Whilst dining we got chatting to two Americans who were sharing their holiday experiences with us. Also whilst we were dining the tour rep texted to advise that despite the bad weather the Aeolian Islands trip would go ahead, but by now we had gone off the idea and didn’t want another interrupted breakfast…