Umberto kindly offered to pick us up from the hourly bus (euro 7.60) from Catania airport. His favoured pick up point is Giardini/Taormina train station but we missed this so he followed the bus to Taormina bus station and then took us to the apartment. On arrival, apartment was very clean, well-maintained and new. It had all the facilities you needed such as washing machine, hair dryer and well equipped kitchen. Comfortable bed. Safe for valuables. It took us a while to figure out the aircon. Very pleasant outside seating areas with comfy garden furniture and big sunshade umbrella, especially out the front which gets the sun morning and midday. He had provided a welcome gift (fruit and some wine).
The apartment is situated across the road from the beach, which has a public area to the left (5 mins along the front). There are two local shops (all essential supplies including beach umbrella, flip flops and sun cream) just down the hill and a very short walk to the cable car (recommend weekly ticket 30 euro pp). There are a few bars local to the apartment that are worth checking out (kiosk bar in the car park to mention but one).
We always ate up in the town (hence cable car ticket) - plenty of restaurants to choose from, although all are Italian. Did 2 day trips - one to Etna (very knowledgeable PhD vulcanology student) and one to the Aiolean Islands via boat (not every day so check availability early).
We would definitely recommend Umbertos apartment and the place of Taormina for a relaxing holiday. Thank you for letting us stay.
(One thing to note: Unfortunately, Etna is only erupting like you see in some of the adverts infrequently, so don't expect to see it).

I saw that this apartment was close to the beach before I booked it but when I actually got there I couldn't believe it- it's right across the road. The bay in front of the apartment is gorgeous- sandy beach, rocky outcrops, cute wooden fishing boats at one end of the beach, with locals giving it an authentic, non-touristy feeling- like something straight from a movie.

The apartment itself was clean and newly decorated with a nice bathroom and kitchen. It had everything you could need to cater for yourself. The owner was very kind and made us feel welcome, which was a really nice beginning to the trip. The town of Taormina is also beautiful and easily accessible by cable car- and the departure point is less than a 5 minute walk from the apartment. Couldn't ask for more- will definitely go back.