This is an island off the coast of Sicily, connected to Taormina by a small sandbar about 30 feet long. The waves come around both sides of the island and meet "face-to-face" as they crash over the small strip of land. The only way onto the island is a well-timed burst across the sandbar, or by boat.
Isola Bella, also known as "The Pearl of the Ionean Sea ", was private property until about 15 years ago. The official story is that the last owner went bankrupt. But, we got the real story from the locals...
Legend has it, the island was owned by a member of the mafia. A member of the mafia is known here as "mafioso", which must be whispered when in public - we didn't ask why, we just went with it.
The island was bought by the Region of Sicily and became a nature preserve in 1990. You can visit, but by reservation only. This was probably the same procedure as the previous owner had - "by reservation only"!
Isola Bella, also known as "The Pearl of the Ionean Sea ", was private property until about 15 years ago. The official story is that the last owner went bankrupt. But, we got the real story from the locals...
Legend has it, the island was owned by a member of the mafia. A member of the mafia is known here as "mafioso", which must be whispered when in public - we didn't ask why, we just went with it.
The island was bought by the Region of Sicily and became a nature preserve in 1990. You can visit, but by reservation only. This was probably the same procedure as the previous owner had - "by reservation only"!
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