Ancient theatre of Taormina in Sicily, Italy

© Antonino Bartuccio/eStock Phot

The play’s the thing. Theatre of Taormina in Sicily

Welcome to the ancient theatre of Taormina, an amphitheatre initially built by the Greeks in the third century BCE. The venue was later expanded by the Romans and is one of the main attractions in the Sicilian town of Taormina. And if you look in the upper-right corner of the photo, that's Mount Etna giving a performance of its own, spewing a little ash and smoke.

The theatre is still in use, hosting operas, theatrical productions and concerts. The beauty of this town, built into a steep hill overlooking the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, is said to have inspired writers and thinkers from ancient and modern times, from Plato to DH Lawrence and Truman Capote.