Looking for a "base" near Taormina

We were just in Taormina 2 weeks ago and I would go back in a heartbeat. It’s magnificent and the place we stayed at Villa Nettuno was absolutely perfect. Fabulous terrace, clean spacious rooms, great breakfast, helpful owners and perfect location.

I understand your desire to not stay in Taormina. We were happy to leave there! Take a look at the following nearby places: Isola Bella, Castelmola,
Savoca

We were in Taormina for 4 nights last month, and stayed at an AirBnB about a 10 minute walk up a hill from Porto Messina off Corso Umberto. It was a long walk there and back--didn't matter if it was uphill or downhill. If I had to do it again, I'd stay at a hotel just off the main drag. Taormina was very crowded, even in April--still enjoyable, but the throngs take away from the enjoyment to be sure.

The towns around Taormina don't seem very inviting. We saw Letojanni from the train on the way in, and it looked rundown. Probably your best bet will be to stay on the coast at Giardini Naxos, which is the next coastal town.

Where else are you planning to go on the island.
I'd be ok with skipping Taormina, but why stay near there if you don't want to stay In Taormina, when there are so many other towns and cities that are so wonderful, and not so crowded/expensive.

Are you looking for a beach?
Will you be driving?
Where else will you visit?

Thank you for all the replies. Clearly there are very mixed feelings about Taormina. Initially I didn't want to stay there but thought the old town area (which i THINK is at the top but I’m confused) would make a nice way to spend a few hours. I have since learned more from a friend who visited there a few years ago and doesn't recommend it - expecially if time is limited- and I think we will skip it altogether.

ekscrunchy - it's evident that you have a lot of travel expertise and any recommendations you have or resources you could point me to would be most appreciated. My husband and i are both 70 and in decent shape (although hiking up Etna is not in the cards). We are NOT interested in doing the greatest hits of Sicily just to check the boxes but it’s hard to pick which to eliminate. In general we like a mixture of cities, small towns and want some time to experience the local culture (including food) in both. We also love driving scenic routes with spontaneous stops to appreciate.

Our trip will start in Naples for two to three nights (not negotiable) followed by a train to Reggio Calabria (or somewhere in that area) for a night and then the ferry to Messina where we will rent a car. That's as far as I've gotten and, since Taormina has been eliminated, where we go from Messina is up for grabs.

We plan to spend only about 10 full days in Sicily and I am aware that’s not a lot of time. The only specific site we know we want to see (unless I hear otherwise as in the case of Taormina) is the Villa Romana de Casale.

Again, I'd appreciate any guidance or suggestions you have to offer.
Thanks

I think you have the beginnings of a great plan and it should be easy to make an itinerary since you've highlighted Villa Romana in Piazza Armerina. Ten days, concentrating on the SE corner of the island, should be ideal.
I'd put Catania in the mix, as long as you are okay with large cities. Could you fly home from there? You could consider going to Catania from Messina by train and renting the car at Catania airport after you've spent a couple of days in the city. Then you would not have to deal with parking (and driving) in that, kind of chaotic, city.

And then, since you will have a car, you might choose a base in Ragusa Ibla and, maybe, visit Modica or Noto on day trips. And maybe add a visit to one of the olive oil producers in the Ragusa area. I concentrate a lot on food, and there are also some food-related stops in that coeur of the island, as everywhere in Sicily...

A couple of days in Siracusa...

But let us know what month the trip will take place.

If this is to be in high season, I think skipping Taormina is wise. And even if not, I still think it's wise. We all have a limited number of days and we have to be ruthless, sometimes, in cutting out places in order to have time for others that might coincide more with out own interests..

I'd love to continue the discussion, but do let us know the time of year. I do hope that I did not miss info that you already given, but it's possible!!

Thanks so much for that quick reply and all the information!! I neglected to mention we are planning to arrive on 10/6 and reach Messia on the 10/10.
The southeast corner of Sicily sounds very inviting. Ruthless is a good word for what one has to be when planning a trip with restrictions (of both time and money).
I'm excited to see as much as I can of what makes Sicily special and different from the rest of Italy and seeing at least one city is definitely on our agenda. I've been wondering which would be a better frit for us: Catania or Palermo. If its the latter then maybe we would skip Catania go to Palermo from the south?
Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing what else you have to say.
Thank you so much!