Naxos is a seaside tourist resort and across the bay from Taormina. We motored across the bay and called up Scalia Marina. To call it a marina is an interesting concept as there are three pontoons and three marinas in the pilot book here. They are mostly for speedboats and small motor boats. Scalia Marina has one of the three pontoons. The sailor in charge was very nice and helped us come into the end of the pontoon and then help us leave in the morning as another motor yacht was a little too close for comfort and a short runway to negotiate on the way out. It is also not very deep here at the pontoons. In high season it would be a zoo. We have just clipped mid season (September) and there are less people around but still very busy. We paid an eye watering €80 but cheaper than the €97 that Marina Riposto wanted for their berth for the night. The latter is however a very well organised and full service marina so a comparison cannot be made. Our €80 did give us water and electricity in the price.

We went into the town and had a lovely lunch. There was a small supermarket so we brought some provisions for a supper on board. Before that however we went for to try out the Mojitos. We had a wander around and stopped in a wine shop along the front, Taor Vina. Giuseppe looked after us and is very knowledgeable on Sicilian wines. He wanted us to try some in a tasting but after our Mojitos we would not have been able to walk in a straight line home if we had gone for a wine tasting session. We did buy one of his suggestions and have yet to try it as we are waiting for an occasion. He gave us lots of good information on Sicily and the grape types to expect. We highly recommend you try and find his shop and pop in to say hello.

Giuseppe is coming to Ragusa in November with his family so we hope he will drop by to see us in the marina.

Giuseppe Androne, Taor Vina, Via Arena I, 34, + 39 340 7703718