DAY 1: ARRIVAL
Arrival at Catania airport, possibility to rent a car and departure for the Taormina Riviera. Accommodation in hotel. Free afternoon to explore the surroundings. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2: SAVOCA & FORZA D’AGRO’ “GODFATHER TOUR” & TAORMINA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Suggested itinerary: departure by car to Forza d’Agrò, a charming village located on a hill overlooking Taormina. Here awaits a cinema-themed tour, visiting the places made famous by the film The Godfather. Walking through the narrow streets of this small town, besides breathtaking views, you can admire the Durazzesco arch and the Cathedral, the place chosen to set one of the most romantic scenes of the film: Michael Corleone’s wedding. From the panoramic square you can enjoy an extraordinary view of the coast. After visiting this little gem, continue to Savoca. This village is famous because some of the most famous scenes of the film The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, were shot here. The buildings and monuments seen in the film are still present, such as the famous Bar Vitelli, the very one used during filming.
In the afternoon, continue to Taormina, “the Pearl of the Mediterranean”, and stroll along Corso Umberto, the beating heart of the city, where there are splendid historic buildings, including the 15th-century Palazzo Corvaja and the Greco-Roman Theatre, the second largest classical theatre in Sicily. Over the centuries, Taormina has always been a coveted destination: from the Theatre you can admire the bay of Giardini Naxos, Mount Etna and the Calabrian coast. You can enjoy a granita with brioche in Taormina or Letojanni. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
DAY 3: ETNA, ALCANTARA GORGES & MOTTA CAMASTRA - CATANIA & ACIREALE WITH THE VILLA OF "MAFIOSO ALTOBELLO"
Breakfast at the hotel.
Suggested itinerary: in the morning departure by car to Etna, the highest peak in Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The territory surrounding the volcano constitutes the “Etna Park”, one of the largest protected areas in Italy. You will be amazed by the great variety of vegetation and landscapes you will encounter along the route, until you reach the “Silvestri Craters” (about 1,900 meters). Continue towards the Alcantara Gorges, where you can discover the wild nature and the characteristic volcanic walls (basalt columns) of the canyon, the main attraction of the botanical and geological park. It is also possible to visit the village of Motta Camastra, used as a location for some scenes of the film, particularly those in which Michael Corleone walks under the protection of his bodyguards. About 15 km away is Castiglione di Sicilia, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy (winner of the title Borgo dei Borghi a few years ago). Located in the Etna wine district, it hosts several renowned wineries.
Continue to Catania and visit Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral of Sant’Agata, patron saint of the city. Don’t miss the Elephant Fountain, symbol of Catania. Continue along Via Etnea, the lively main street full of shops, cafés, and historic buildings, offering an authentic and dynamic atmosphere. Visit the Ursino Castle, the medieval castle that today houses museums and exhibitions on the history of the city. Also unmissable is a walk to the Pescheria, the fish market, ideal for tasting local products and experiencing an authentic Catania atmosphere.
Continue to Acireale, famous for its extraordinary Baroque monuments. Visit churches, palaces, and villas in Baroque style, including the imposing Acireale Cathedral. Here is also Villa La Limonaia, at Via Carico 149, the villa of Don Altobello, the mafia boss from The Godfather - Part III. Don Osvaldo Altobello is a central character in the film: head of a criminal family from Palermo, he obstructs Michael Corleone’s ambitions and participates in the conspiracy that almost destroys him. His alliance with other mafia families is decisive for the tragic outcome of the plot, which culminates with the death of Mary Corleone and the attempted murder of Michael in front of the Teatro Massimo in Palermo. In the film, Don Altobello dies on the stage of the Teatro Massimo, poisoned by Connie, Michael’s sister, with Sicilian cannoli. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
DAY 4: ETNA & TAORMINA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Suggested itinerary: in the morning departure by car to Etna, the highest peak in Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The territory surrounding the volcano constitutes the “Etna Park”, one of the largest protected areas in Italy. You will be surprised by the extraordinary variety of vegetation and landscapes encountered along the route, until you reach the “Silvestri Craters” (about 1,900 meters). From here it will be possible to continue the excursion by jeep, to live an even more immersive experience. We recommend a stop at a local beekeeper to taste quality honey, accompanied by a wine tasting, and to discover the production process.
In the afternoon, visit Taormina, located on a natural terrace at the foot of Mount Tauro, with a breathtaking view of the Ionian coast, from Capo Sant’Andrea to Capo Taormina. Possibility to visit the Greco-Roman Theatre, the second largest classical theatre in Sicily. Stop for a granita with brioche among the characteristic streets of Taormina. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
DAY 5: CASTELBUONO, CEFALU' & BAGHERIA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for Castelbuono, a charming medieval village founded in the 14th century around the castle built by the Ventimiglia family, a massive square structure with corner towers, which over the centuries has undergone numerous modifications. Castelbuono is located in the heart of the Madonie Regional Park. We recommend stopping at a local restaurant to enjoy dishes based on fine meats and typical local mushrooms.
Continue to Cefalù, where you can start the visit from Piazza del Duomo, dominated by the splendid Cathedral with its extraordinary mosaics, and surrounded by elegant historic palaces. Walk along Corso Ruggero, the main street, full of boutiques and shops, built on the route of the ancient Roman decumanus, then reach the ancient medieval washhouse. Cefalù is also one of the places where the famous film Nuovo Cinema Paradiso by Giuseppe Tornatore was shot. Continue to Palermo and overnight stay.
DAY 6: PALERMO & MONREALE
Breakfast at the hotel.
Suggested itinerary: start of the tour of this splendid city. First stop at Palermo Cathedral, which houses the tombs of Emperor Frederick II and some Norman kings. Then continue through a suggestive palm garden towards the Norman Palace, also known as the Royal Palace, which from the 11th to the 19th century was the seat of the King of Sicily. Here you will be able to admire several historic rooms and the famous Palatine chapels, renowned for their golden mosaics. The visit to the Palatine Chapel and the Norman Palace, two masterpieces of Arab-Norman art, will allow you to discover the history, legends, and myths linked to these two UNESCO World Heritage sites, located in the heart of Palermo.
Possibility to taste Palermo street food at the “Antica Focacceria San Francesco”, also famous for its owner’s commitment in the fight against the mafia and for having refused to pay the “pizzo”. For years, the place was protected and monitored by law enforcement. Here you can savor panelline, croquettes, arancinette, spleen focaccia, milk croquettes, a slice of sfincione (Sicilian pizza), caponata, a portion of pasta alla Norma or baked anelletti, and the indispensable Sicilian cannolo.
Finally, visit the Teatro Massimo, the third largest theater in Europe, also known for the final scene of The Godfather – Part III, in which Michael Corleone’s daughter is murdered. It is possible to buy an entrance ticket to visit the inside of the theater and relive the most intense moments of the film. If you remember the final scene, Tony Corleone sings Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, playing Turiddu. Altobello dies poisoned by Connie right on the stage, while during the shooting Michael is only wounded, but Mary dies while begging her father not to hinder her love for her cousin. During the street food stop, you can enjoy an arancina or a Sicilian cannolo at the bar in front of the Cathedral. In the afternoon, possibility to reach Monreale, 7 km from Palermo, known worldwide for its magnificent Arab-Norman cathedral, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Next to the cathedral, it is possible to visit the cloister, composed of 80 pairs of double columns, each different from the other. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
DAY 7: CORLEONE, SAN GIUSEPPE JATO & PIANA DEGLI ALBANESI
Breakfast at the hotel.
Suggested itinerary: in the morning departure by car to Corleone, an area once sadly known for the high concentration of mafia activity. After a walk in the center of Corleone, known for its history linked to the mafia and as the hometown of Totò Riina, the “boss of bosses”, you can visit the interesting Mafia and Anti-Mafia Museum, located inside an ancient monastery. Discovering the history of the mafia will ideally lead to San Giuseppe Jato, another place where the mafia presence was very strong, especially thanks to the alliance with the Corleone mafia. Giovanni Brusca lived here, the man responsible for the murder of Judge Falcone in Capaci. In San Giuseppe Jato the first urban park was created on land confiscated from the mafia and returned to the community: the “Giuseppe Di Matteo Park”. Finally, if you wish, continue to Piana degli Albanesi, an ancient Albanian colony where Albanian is still spoken today. Here you can taste the famous Sicilian cannolo, considered one of the best on the island. At the end of the tour, return to the hotel in Palermo and overnight stay. Included is a dinner or pizza at a typical Sicilian restaurant, with a 3-course menu (fixed menu, drinks excluded).
DAY 8: THE TOUR ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST
The rate does not include:
