Isola Bella, Small island near Taormina, Italy
Isola Bella is a small island off the coast of Taormina in the Ionian Sea, connected to the mainland by a narrow path that appears at low tide. The island has a pebble beach and was made into a protected nature reserve, with an old villa standing on its highest point.
The island originally belonged to King Ferdinand II and was transferred to the city of Taormina in 1806 before changing hands several times. In the 20th century it became valued as a protected area for the region's unique Mediterranean plants and wildlife.
The island became a protected nature reserve in 1990 and is home to rare Mediterranean plants and animals that thrive in this sheltered setting. You can see typical southern vegetation like mastic trees and euphorbia, which give the place its distinctive character.
The island is only accessible on foot at low tide, so visitors should check tide times before heading out. The pebble beach offers good swimming conditions during warm months, and comfortable footwear is recommended for walking over the stones.
The old villa on the island's summit offers views of the sea and Sicily's mountains but is usually not open to visitors. This private structure shapes the island's appearance from outside and recalls when it was privately owned in earlier times.
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