Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina

For nearly 150 years, Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel has reigned from its beautiful perch in Taormina, on Sicily’s eastern coast. As one of the original stops on the Grand Tour and the first hotel in the city, the Timeo infuses history with resplendent style. The result: a Slim Aarons dream for the 21st century.

Mount Etna, Europe’s largest and most active volcano, watches over the grand hotel, and its mythic energy seeps into the Timeo. Unapologetically opulent, the historic villa features plush décor like rich marbles, hardwood floors and beautiful furniture and paintings. An utterly sublime pool area is picture-perfect from every angle. Set in a lavishly manicured six-acre compound of verdant tiered gardens, Timeo has carved out a veritable Eden escape on the hill. This pristine location on the rugged cliffs of Taormina places Timeo alongside history — an ancient Greek amphitheater resides at the hotel’s doorstep.