From Messina port, private and exclusive shore excursions to visit several places in Sicily.
Here is reported a list of the best tours, such as, Taormina and Castelmola, Mount Etna and Taormina, Godfather Tour, every itineray, can be customized in according to your needs. Enjoy your day with us!
MT. ETNA AND TAORMINA
(duration 7 hours)
Shore excursion from Messina port to visit the Mt. Etna, enjoy the unique nature and the local villages around the Volcano, with our guide, learning more about the history and the local lifestyle. Plenty of photo stops along the way up to the “Rifugio Sapienza” area, at the altitude of 2000 meters (6600 ft.) above the sea level, where we can park the vehicle to take an easy walk around the edge of the Silvestri Craters and recent lava flows, enjoying a unique moon landscape.
The tour includes the visit of Taormina the most charming town of Sicily. Starting with a breathtaking view of Isola Bella from the “Piazzetta Belvedere” then we will take you at the entrance of the old town and in according with the cruises schedule, it will be easy to enjoy your free time admiring some of the most important monuments such as the Cathedral, Piazza IX Aprile, St. Joseph Church, Palazzo Corvaja and the most singular monument the Ancient Greek Roman theater.
THE GODFATHER TOUR, VISIT THE VILLAGES OF SAVOCA AND FORZA D’AGRO’
(duration 5/6 h)
Shore excursion from Messina port to visit the Sicilian scenes set of the most popular movie “The Godfather”. Scenic driving throughout the countryside reaching the town of Savoca, we will start together a walking tour to visit the place of the wedding scene of Michael Corleone with Apollonia and the famous Bar Vitelli, where you can enjoy a refreshment with the typical “Sicilian Lemon Granita” and local pastries.
We will then complete the tour to the village of Forza D’Agrò located on the lower peak of a small mountain, while on the higher peak that overlooks the town are the remains of Norman castle.
The villages are very interesting, not only for the movie’s fans, but for every one, who want to discover the genuine Sicily, off the beaten road.
TAORMINA AND CASTELMOLA
(duration 5 h)
Shore excursion from Messina port to Taormina, to visit the ancient Taurominum, the old town lies in an elevated position of amazing, almost unique beauty, affording magnificent views combining sea and sky of a marvelous blue, miles of a curving coastline and picturesque mountain scenery, while the majestic pyramid of Mt. Etna on one side constitutes a scene of indescribable beauty.
The tour include the visit of Castelmola, this medieval village occupying a strategic position above Taormina, fascinating narrows alleys around the little “Piazzetta del Duomo” and amazing view of the East coast from the north to the south. Strolling inside the picturesque streets, walls made of stone and earth, we can feel the genuine Sicilian life and enjoy the local tastes like the famous “almond wine”, the “Sicilian cannolo” or the typical “Arancino” local street food.
TAORMINA AND WINE EXPERIENCE
(duration 6/7 h)
Discover the best of Taormina and the Sicilian Wines, all in one excursion to enjoy a fully personalized sightseeing experience on this private tour.
Scenic driving from the port to the city center, we will take a stop at the Piazza Belvedere (panoramic point) where you will have a breathtaking view of “Isola Bella” (Beautiful Island Bay) and the Messina coastline, we will then take you at the entrance of the historical center where you enjoy landmarks like the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, to stroll along the Corso Umberto, admiring fountains, churches and soaking in the dramatic views.
You will complete the tour with an unforgettable experience in a renowned vineyard estate, located at the foot of the Mt. Etna, you will immerse yourself in a true Sicilian culture, from hospitality and cuisine to the intense aromas of the wines produced in this area. For centuries, the tradition of winemaking has been handed down from generation to generation, but the unique climate and the volcanic soil conditions determine the typicality of these grapes.
You will enjoy your wine tasting which includes a good selection of tasty ancient dishes taken from the tradition, accompanied by a selection of Sicilian wines.
MT. ETNA 4×4 TOUR (OFF-ROAD AND TREKKING)
(duration 8 h)
Shore excursion with departure from Messina port to Mt. Etna, with our guide, to understand the geology and the history of the Etna, the highest active Volcano in Europe.
Scenic driving from the beach level up to the extinct craters area at 2000 meters (6600 ft.) above the sea level, on board of our comfortable 4WD vehicle, switching between regular road and short off road, to discover the unique nature of the Mt. Etna Volcano with the visit of the most important point of interest, such us a lava cave, the ancient caldera, the Etna forest and old lava flows, out of the usual bus mass trip.
We will reach the maximum altitude of 2.000 meters, where we can admire and take a guided trekking on the edge of the extinct craters and the recent lava flows, enjoying the unique moon landscape.
OPTION AVAILABLE WITH THIS TOUR:
a. ETNA EASY TOP @3000
Ascent to visit the summit area by cable car and/or special off road vehicles up to 3000 meters a.s.l. (10.000 ft)
MT. ETNA TOUR AND WINE EXPERIENCE
(duration 8 h)
Shore excursion to visit the best of Mt. Etna Volcano, scenic driving from the port going througt the mountain’s villages, up to the volcanic area at about 2000 meters (7000ft.) above the sea level, to visit old lava flows and extinct craters. We will then continue the tour with an unforgettable experience, entering with you into the world of the Etna’s wines immersed in high ground vineyards and local flavors.
You will enjoy your wine tasting, which included a good selection of tasty ancient dishes take from the tradition, accompanied by a selection of 4 Etna’s wines.
TINDARI AND MESSINA
(druration 5/6 h)
Shore excursion from Messina port, which start with a panoramic tour of the city. Messina “the gate of Sicily”, the ancient Zancle, destroyed by two earthquakes, the last of which, in 1908, razed it to the ground. But these tragedies did not erase its glorious past: for centuries Messina had been a major Mediterranean city, a flourishing port and the richest city in Sicily, vying with Palermo for the title of Capital of the Realm.
Passing some points of interest such us the City Hall, the Church of San Francesco, the fountain of Neptune, we will reach the famous Piazza Duomo, where we can visit the Cathedral and the bell tower (60 meters high) with its incongruous astronomical clock, said to be the world’s largest. Built in Strasbourg in 1733, it strikes at noon, setting in motion a procession of bronze automate that sets off a comical roaring lion and crowing cockerel.
Afterward, we will drive to Tindari, delightful locality on the Gulf of Patti along the coast on the north of Sicily. Founded by Syracusan merchants during the war against Carthage in 396 B.C., the ancient town of Tindari owes its name to Tyndareus, King of Sparta. Its history is a succession of tales, myths and legends that left indelible marks in the popular imagination. Nowadays the town is famous for the old acropolis and the presence of a Black Madonna, still worshipped in a Sanctuary, from the terrace in front of the church enjoy magnificent views of the Aeolian Islands and the beautiful formations of sand and gravel produced by the shallows at the foot of the cliffs.
