Villa Schuler | Grandi Giardini Italiani

Since 1902

Villa Schuler is surrounded by a prestigious exotic park of over 1400 square meters right in the historic center of Taormina. The sea front Palm Terrace offers a majestic view of the Gulf of Naxos, the whole Ionian coast to the south and Mount Etna. In the spacious gardens you will discover a precious botanical treasure with around 300 species of indigenous Mediterranean flora and subtropical and tropical rarities cared for by the passionate gardener Francesca.

The exuberant terraced park still retains the original layout designed in 1902 by the traveller and protagonist of the Grand Tour Eugen Schuler Sr. and is characterized by romantic paths, flower beds, colonnades, shady pergolas, gazebos, a pond with goldfish and water turtles, a nursery, a medicinal garden, benches and relaxing corners. The garden includes different varieties of palms, citrus trees, cypresses, kenzie, yuccas, oleanders, bamboos, plumerias, jasmines, roses, strelizias, agapanthus, russelias, succulents and cacti, banana, kiwi, mango and many other exotic essences. Even then, the park was dominated by a monumental pinus pinea, which today, at 20 meters tall, is probably the longest-lived tree in Taormina.

The Villa Schuler Gardens represent the largest private green area in the historic center of Taormina and what makes them so special is the dense intertwining of Mediterranean flora and exotic plants. The approach is that of an organic garden with full respect for nature. Many plants in Villa Schuler ornamental garden are marked with signs indicating their genus and species according to the binomial nomenclature system.

Villa Schuler is the oldest owner run hotel in Sicily and offers also the possibility of organizing small exclusive meetings and receptions.

Eco-sustainable practices

Villa Schuler is an ISO 14001 certified facility and is actively committed to promoting environmentally sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Over the years, the following actions have been implemented:

◈ [Energy Efficiency

Renewable energy production through the installation of solar and photovoltaic panels, and the use of a 6W solar oxygen pump to improve oxygenation in the goldfish pond (AS pond).
High-efficiency lighting, using exclusively LED bulbs.
Use of high-efficiency appliances to reduce daily electricity consumption.
Smart automation and energy management systems to monitor and optimize energy usage, activating or deactivating devices only when needed.
Water-saving for irrigation through the installation of a 12,400-liter rainwater recovery tank.
Water-saving for buildings through the recovery and storage of municipal water in a 40,368-liter tank, and the installation of flow reducers in hotel room taps and showers.

◈ Enhancement, Implementation and Requalification of Plant Heritage

Ordinary and extraordinary maintenance on a monumental Italian stone pine tree (Pinus pinea), with the activation of the ''monumental tree'' certification procedure with the Forest Service.
Restoration of planted areas with trees and shrubs, including soil decompaction under the canopy to improve root aeration, and identification and treatment of plant diseases such as sooty mold, powdery mildew, and downy mildew.
Restoration of raised flowerbeds through the construction of dry stone walls.

◈ Eco-Friendly Green Area Management

Use of natural and organic fertilizers: bovine manure pellets and citrus/flower-specific granular fertilizer for organic use. Use of nettle macerates enriched with natural Marseille soap.
Promotion of native Mediterranean flowering species, with selective weed control to support their natural propagation.

◈ Use of Ecological Materials

Use of a static composter for the treatment of self-produced organic waste. The compost is entirely reused as fertilizer for plants and shrubs in the garden.
Supports made from on-site resources (e.g. Phyllostachys Nigra bamboo), jute cords and ties, and dried leaves from Beaucarnea Recurvata and Howea Forsteriana used for plant supports and mulching.
Replacement of single-use plastic straws with biodegradable corn-based straws.
Reduction in the use of individually packaged products.
Use of eco-friendly cleaning products for laundry and towels, with anti-waste dispensers.

◈ Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation

Conservation of native vegetation and introduction of Mediterranean plant species gifted by fellow horticultural collectors.
Planting of nectar-rich species for bees, butterflies, and pollinators, including:
Sinapis Alba, Lathyrus Sativus L., Lotus Corniculatus, Vicia Sativa, Linum Usitatissimum, Centaurea Cyanus, Borago Officinalis, Lavandula Dentata, Rosmarinus Officinalis.
Introduction of seed- and berry-producing plants to support bird nutrition, such as:
Sesamum Indicum, Amaranthus Caudatus & Hypochondriacus, Pyracantha Coccinea, Laurus Nobilis.

◈ Other Good Practices
[*] Breakfast menu based on Slow Food principles, using local, organic, and zero-kilometer products whenever possible.
[*] Selection of local and organic wines, including red and white wines, sparkling wines, and prosecco.
[*] Improved waste sorting in guest rooms and throughout the property.
[*] Participation in the HP Planet Partners program for recycling printer cartridges.
[*] Guest information initiatives to encourage reduced laundry and towel washing to minimize water and energy waste.

....and looking ahead
Villa Schuler is planning to further expand smart home automation systems for lighting, air conditioning, and other energy uses to continue improving sustainability.

How to get here

By Car
Highway A18 Catania-Messina: exit to Taormina.
• when exiting the tollbooth, take the uphill road Via Mario e Nicola Garipoli to Taormina center direction multistory parking lot Parcheggio Lumbi (1,6 miles).
• when arriving at the parking lot, take the first exit at the roundabout via tunnel Galleria Monte Tauro (0,7 miles).
• when exiting the tunnel, take the uphill road Via Crocefisso driving around the multistory parking lot Parcheggio Porta Catania. Then take the first narrow exit at the roundabout direction square Piazza S. Antonio Abate. (do not take the second exit direction tunnel)
• when arriving at the square, you are in front the arch of Porta Catania and on the right side of the post office. So, turn right taking the downhill road Via Pietro Rizzo to join Via Roma, the panoramic sea side and Etna.
• while driving Via Roma, you reach the final destination Piazzetta/Scesa Bastione. Villa Schuler is located on the left (0,4 miles).

By Train
The national trains service Trenitalia stop at Taormina-Giardini station (downhill/sea side). You can arrive to Villa Schuler (uphill/center) by:
• our private transfer service on request/reservation (18min)
• public bus Interbus direction Taormina hopping off the last stop Terminal Bus (1h25min + 15min walking distance)
• city bus Taormina Link hopping off at the stop Piazza S. Pancrazio (10min + 11min walking distance) or Terminal Bus (10min + 15min walking distance)
• taxi (18min)

By Plane
The nearest airport is Catania Fontanarossa (37 miles). You can arrive to Villa Schuler by:
• our private transfer service on request/reservation (50min)
• public bus Interbus direction Taormina hopping off the last stop Terminal Bus (1h25min + 15min walking distance)
• regional train Trenitalia direction Messina from Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa to Taormina-Giardini (50min/1h15min) station and city bus Taormina Link hopping off at the stop Piazza S. Pancrazio (10min + 11min walking distance) or Terminal Bus (10min + 15min walking distance)

Grandi Giardini Italiani Srl

Grandi Giardini Italiani Srl