Taormina, Sicily has always been a magnet for film directors because of its stunning location, with forty-three films have been shot there, beginning with the silent film, The Call of the Blood, in 1919. In 2022, most of the scenes in the highly anticipated second season of The White Lotus were filmed in this esteemed location.
Narrating the stories of both guests and employees of its titular, fictional resort, The White Lotus, the great success of Mike White's HBO comedic drama, is largely due to its picturesque shooting locations. No viewers could even know that majority of its dreamy scenes were filmed in deep winter!
This seminar will not just reveal the true locations of some of the series’ most magical spots, but also introduce you to Taormina’s rich history and architecture. You will be transported to landmarks such as the world-renowned Greco-Roman theater, seen throughout the series, and the luxurious hotel San Domenico, one of the primary filming locations. (This Four Seasons property is a 14th-century ex-convent nestled atop a picturesque promontory overlooking the Ionian Sea and volcano Etna!) Finally, you will learn why Taormina is a shopping destination and an increasingly important place for haute Mediterranean cuisine. Led by the local tourist guide Dinara Saleeva, this seminar will reveal the secrets of the movie locations and whet your appetite for all things Taormina and Sicily at large.
Dina holds a PhD in Comparative Linguistics from the Moscow Region State University. Since 2008 she has been living and working in Taormina from where she tirelessly explores this legendary island full of mysteries. Her main interests include linguistics, history and architecture, and she keeps herself immersed in her passion for the past by attending courses in all things Greek and Roman, mythology in particular. Dina has published a guide book about mythological places in Sicily for Russian-speaking travelers.
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
