Top Messina Seasonal & Special Occasions

Skip the hassle of navigating Sicily’s hill towns on your own and make the most of limited time in port. This tour connects two of the region’s most scenic spots, pairing Castelmola’s sweeping views of Mt. Etna with Taormina’s lively streets and coastal panoramas. Enjoy a smooth, guided experience that lets you explore, shop, and take in the highlights without the stress of planning.

The tour will be carried out only for you who will choose to live and taste the flavors of Sicily by calmly living a day first immersed in the greenery of one of the most famous wineries in Sicily and then experiencing some Greek Roman history by visiting Taormina in full autonomy spending a couple of hours between monuments and shops that attract the attention of tourists from all over the world.

Take the guesswork out of visiting Taormina while docked at Messina's cruise ship port with this hassle-free shore excursion. Enjoy free time in Taormina to visit its famed Greek theater and other sights in the old town at your own pace. Stop for photos at Isola Bella and Messina's most famous scenic overlook, plus take in the Messina cathedral and astronomical clock before returning to port.

While your ship is in port, see more of Sicily on a full-day to Taormina. Take a guided tour of this historical city, including a stroll along Corso Umberto, once an ancient Roman street, and a visit to the Greco-Roman Theater. Plus, admire views of Mt. Etna and Giardini-Naxos bay from Castelmola. Pickup and drop-off from the ports of Messina and Giardini Naxos are included.

Make the most of your time in Sicily on this immersive, small-group shore excursion. Over the course of just half a day, you’ll venture to Taormina (and will discover top landmarks like its Greek amphitheater), will visit the hilltop village of Castelmola (renowned for its impeccable scenery), and will finish with a walking tour of Messina’s historical city center. Port pickup and drop-off, and round-trip minivan transit, make logistics seamless and stress-free.

Escape the tourist track and embark on an exclusive, private dining experience in a real-life local home. Taste hard-to-find, home-cooked delicacies, passed down in family cookbooks over generations. Dinners or lunches include four gourmet courses, plus a selection of regional red and white wines. You’ll also have a chance to watch a cooking demonstration to learn time-tested cooking secrets.

Immerse yourself in the history and culinary traditions of Messina with a walking tour and cooking class that combines culture, food, and authentic flavors. Start with a guided stroll through Messina’s streets, visiting local markets and food shops to discover fresh Sicilian ingredients and learn about the region’s cuisine. Afterward, head to a local kitchen for a hands-on class, where you'll prepare a traditional Messinese dish using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy your meal, paired with Sicilian wine, in the cozy atmosphere of a Messina home. Ideal for food lovers and travelers, this experience offers new cooking skills, authentic recipes, and lasting memories of Sicily.

Experience the stunning beauty of Sicily on a private half-day tour to the Gole Alcantara. Explore Alcantara Park, swim in crystal-clear waters, and marvel at the incredible lava rock formations. Enjoy a traditional Sicilian lunch featuring fresh, organic local cuisine and wine, all with convenient hotel or port pickup and drop-off included.

Visit a winery on the slopes of Mt. Etna far from the tourist crush with this private winery day trip. Set off from the pick-up location of your choice in Messina and head straight to a state-of-the-art winery to tour the scenic vineyards and learn about the production as you visit the cellar. Then sample four wines paired with Sicilian specialties from charcuterie to marinated olives and sun-dried tomatoes (additional cost).

Immerse yourself in The Godfather on a private tour with stops at the movie’s iconic film locations, from the Church of Santa Lucia to Bar Vitelli. In addition to navigating for you, your guide provides refreshments, entrance fees when necessary, and a wealth of stories often unheard by visitors. Upgrade to include lunch and/or dinner at a classic Sicilian seafood restaurant.

The first stop of the tour includes the arrival in Taormina where passengers will have about 3 hours to calmly explore one of the most characteristic cities of Sicily. In Taormina it will be possible to walk along the famous Corso Umberto, the main street of the city, full of shops for shopping and restaurants to taste our typical dishes. We will continue our tour starting towards Piedimonte Etneo and visiting the vineyard "La Gelsomina". The tour includes several packages not included in the price of the tour. At the end of the tour we will return to Messina and we will take a short tour of the city, we will go to see Cristo Re, a panoramic point of the city from which you can admire the splendid Strait of Messina. Finally we will go to admire the Cathedral of Messina with the largest astronomical clock in Europe. Always on request we can stop in a bar for a small tasting of typical Sicilian products. (The tasting is not included in the price)

An authentic Sicilian Experience Step into the world of The Godfather while discovering the authentic soul of Sicily through legendary film locations, volcanic wines, traditional villages and genuine Sicilian hospitality. The experience begins at the famous engagement house of Michael Corleone and Apollonia in San Cataldo, where guests enjoy a traditional Sicilian breakfast while reliving the iconic scene exactly where it was filmed. The journey continues inside an ancient palmento for a tasting of Etna wines, local olive oils, cheeses and cured meats. Guests then explore Motta Camastra, the authentic Sicilian village that represented Corleone in the movie, walking through historic streets before enjoying a traditional village aperitivo. The experience continues with a cooking class and traditional Sicilian lunch with the “Mamme del Borgo”. Guests then visit a Godfather-themed local market before ending the tour with a visit to the spectacular Alcantara Gorges.

When in Sicily, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the treasures of this unique island. You’ll have the exclusive experience of climbing the ‘Etna’, the highest Volcano in Europe, along with the visit of the ancient town of Taormina, a cliffside Sicilian gem with a breathtaking view over the sea. Starting with our professional meet and greet service from Messina port, you'll be on your way to the highest point of the island in no time. The views you will take in while traveling to the 2,700 metre summit via cable car are simply breathtaking. With the added suspense of being on Europe's most active volcano, it's a once in a lifetime experience for thrill seekers. Upon returning to your Private driving guide, set off to one of the most magical towns in the whole of Italy. Taormina has been under control of many great reigns for centuries from the Greeks, to the Arabs, to the Ancient Romans, meaning the town has a huge historical heritage.