White Lotus Weekend – 48 hours in Taormina, Sicily

Friday Afternoon – after landing at Catania airport, a pre-booked taxi takes 45 mins to the centre of Taormina, the location for the second series of White Lotus. Location 1 – Isola Bella beach, where Daphne and Ethan went for their suspected tryst at the end of the series. The beach is accessed by a steep stone stairway which becomes a vertical boutique selling sundresses and water shoes in the summer. The beach is entirely covered in huge pebbles so water shoes are vital for smooth passage across the beach and entering the water.

Friday evening – take the cable car up from the Isola Beach area, to Location 2 – main town Taormina, but try to avoid ‘rush hour’ around 6pm, when the beach starts to clear. In the summer you can queue for over an hour as each of the four cable cars only takes 12 passengers max, cost 6 euros one way or 10 euros return. At night everyone dresses up and people watching on the main Corso Umberto or Piazza IX Aprile is a great way to pass the time. This vibrant area was used for several scenes eg, when Mia and Lucia go shopping, and where Valentina bought her morning coffee.

Try dinner at Osteria Del Rita, an authentic Italian restaurant complete with checked tablecothes and one of the most popular eating places in town so be prepared to queue.

Saturday day trip – a day sightseeing trip which includes Location 3 – Noto where Daphne takes Audrey away from the boys. Tour group Etna People takes us first to the Neopolis archeological park in Syracuse, where you can see the remains of an ancient Greek and Roman towns interspersed with huge works of art.

Next the nearby island of Ortigia, where majestic cream coloured buildings tower over the square and side streets, it only takes about 90 mins to walk round the whole island.

Then onto Noto, which is mainly just one long street, with the distinctive buildings used in White Lotus very easy to spot.

Saturday evening – the main Location 4 – San Domenico hotel for dinner, the 5 star hotel overlooking the sea where most of the filming took place. Only hotel guests allowed but dining is permitted in one of the two restaurants if booked ahead, otherwise you will not get past the security desk. Early arrival and a drink at the bar is possible but smart clothing is strongly advised if you wish to experience the interior of the hotel before dining. Once past the entrance wall, the familiar front facade of the hotel looks just as it did in the programme.

Sunday morning – After breakfast Sicilian style, an iced coffee granita and pistachio croissant, it’s time to head up to Location 5 – Teatro Antico di Taormina, where the Di Grasso family went on their day trip. This also allows wonderful views of the coast and Mount Etna, plus a cafe with cakes and snacks near the top.