It's just over one hour from Catania. Don't go to the other airport - 8 hours was the best I heard.
At easter time, it may take longer with traffic from catania a/p to taormina - around 2 hours probably... still not bad, though
If you are hiring a car, I'd consider flying Ryanair to Trapani (unless you've already booked to catania, of course). It is about 4 hours to Taormina from Trapani, no more than that. I think I did it in 3 and a half last time. Nowhere near 8 hours anyway.
It is also a nice drive. Problem is that I think most ryanair flights land at night time in Trapani, which may not suit some people vis-a-vis coping with the nutty Sicillian drivers. (I did the drive the following morning after staying the night I arrived at a farmhouse near Trapani)
Taormina is great at easter time, but mobbed. Find out when the one of the big religious processions is on in town and walk it with them. It sounds like an awful thing to do, but actually it was really interesting to see just how religious and enthusiastic Sicillians still are about the church. Like Ireland in the 1950s, except with fireworks and colourful floats, like a Paddy's day parade.
If you like the Godfather movies, take a drive up to Savoca in the mountains - about a 45-min drive I think. Go to Bar Vitelli. You'll recognise it straight away.
