DAY 1: ARRIVAL
Arrival at Catania Airport, possibility to rent a car and departure for the Taormina Riviera. Check-in at the 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: depart by car for Forza d’Agrò, a charming village located on a hill overlooking Taormina. Here a film-themed tour awaits you, with a visit to the places made famous by the film The Godfather. As you stroll through the narrow streets of this small town, in addition to breathtaking views, you can admire the Durazzesco arch and the Cathedral, the place chosen to stage one of the most romantic scenes in 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 beautiful historic buildings are located, including 15th-century Palazzo Corvaja and the Greco-Roman Theatre, the second largest classical theatre in Sicily. Over the centuries, Taormina has always been a sought-after 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.
DAY 3: ETNA, ALCANTARA GORGES & MOTTA CAMASTRA - CATANIA & ACIREALE WITH THE “MAFIOSO ALTOBELLO” VILLA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Suggested itinerary: in the morning depart by car for Mount Etna, the highest peak in Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The territory surrounding the volcano forms 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 way, until you reach the “Silvestri Craters” (about 1,900 meters). Continue to the Alcantara Gorges, where you can discover the wild nature and the 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, especially 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 Borgo dei Borghi title a few years ago). Located in the Etna wine district, it is home to several renowned wineries.
Continue to Catania and visit Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral of Sant’Agata, the 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 Castello Ursino, the medieval castle that now houses museums and exhibitions on the history of the city. Also not to be missed is a walk through La Pescheria, the fish market, ideal for tasting local products and experiencing an authentic Catanese atmosphere.
Continue to Acireale, famous for its extraordinary Baroque monuments. Visit churches, palaces, and villas in Baroque style, including the imposing Cathedral of Acireale. Here you will also find Villa La Limonaia, at Via Carico 149, Don Altobello’s villa, the mafia boss from The Godfather Part III. Don Osvaldo Altobello is a central character in the film: the head of a criminal family from Palermo, he hinders Michael Corleone’s ambitions and takes part in the conspiracy that nearly destroys him. His alliance with other mafia families is decisive for the tragic outcome of the plot, which culminates in Mary Corleone’s death and the attempted murder of Michael in front of Palermo’s Teatro Massimo. In the film, Don Altobello dies on the stage of Teatro Massimo, poisoned by Connie, Michael’s sister, with Sicilian cannoli. Return to the hotel and overnight.
DAY 4: ETNA & TAORMINA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Suggested itinerary: in the morning depart by car for Mount Etna, the highest peak in Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The territory surrounding the volcano forms 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 way, until you reach the “Silvestri Craters” (about 1,900 meters). From here it will be possible to continue the excursion by jeep, for an even more immersive experience. We recommend a stop at a local beekeeper’s 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 breathtaking views over 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 Taormina’s characteristic streets. Return to the hotel and overnight.
DAY 5: CASTELBUONO, CEFALÙ & 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 a stop at a local restaurant to enjoy dishes based on premium meats and mushrooms typical of the area.
Continue to Cefalù, where you can begin the visit from Piazza del Duomo, dominated by the splendid Cathedral with its extraordinary mosaics, and surrounded by elegant historic buildings. 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.
DAY 6: PALERMO & MONREALE
Breakfast at the hotel.
Suggested itinerary: start of the tour of this beautiful city. First stop at Palermo Cathedral, which houses the tombs of Emperor Frederick II and some Norman kings. Then continue through a picturesque palm garden to 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 can 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 “Antica Focacceria San Francesco,” also famous for its owner’s commitment to the fight against the mafia and for refusing to pay the “pizzo.” For years the place has been protected and monitored by the police. Here you can enjoy panelle, crocchè, arancinette, focaccia with spleen, milk croquettes, a slice of sfincione (Sicilian pizza), caponata, a portion of pasta alla Norma or baked anelletti, and the inevitable Sicilian cannolo.
Finally, visit Teatro Massimo, the third largest theatre in Europe, also known for the final scene of The Godfather – Part III, in which Michael Corleone’s daughter is killed. It is possible to purchase an admission ticket to visit the inside of the theatre and relive the film’s most intense moments. If you remember the final scene, Tony Corleone sings Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, playing Turiddu. Altobello dies poisoned by Connie right on stage, while during filming Michael is only wounded, but Mary dies while begging her father not to stand in the way of her love for her cousin. During the street food stop, you can enjoy an arancina or a Sicilian cannolo at the bar opposite 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, made up of 80 pairs of double columns, each different from the others. Return to the hotel and overnight.
DAY 7: CORLEONE, SAN GIUSEPPE JATO & PIANA DEGLI ALBANESI
Breakfast at the hotel.
Suggested itinerary: in the morning depart by car for Corleone, an area once sadly known for its high concentration of mafia activity. After a walk in the center of Corleone, known for its history tied to the mafia and as the birthplace of Totò Riina, the “boss of bosses,” you can visit the interesting Mafia and Anti-Mafia Museum, located inside an ancient monastery. The discovery of mafia history 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. Included is a dinner or pizza in a typical Sicilian restaurant, with a 3-course menu (set menu, drinks excluded).
DAY 8: THE TOUR ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST
The rate does not include:
