The communication from this tour company was top-notch right from booking, including a WhatsApp message the day before and direct contact from our driver the morning of with his live location for a seamless port pickup in Messina. We customized our itinerary to start in Taormina, making a fantastic preliminary stop in Castelmola for a church visit, local sight-seeing, and incredible cannolis and liquor. Our driver then dropped us off on the main street in Taormina. It’s worth noting for future travelers that this portion of the tour is free exploration time on your own (about 2 hours) rather than a walking tour with the driver. While we initially expected a guided walk based on the "private tour" label, it actually worked out wonderfully—giving our family group nice, uninterrupted time to shop, wander, and grab a bite. Due to the weather, we couldn't get a clear view of Mt. Etna, though we would have loved if the itinerary had included going a bit closer to make Etna more of a central focus. That said, our driver's lunch recommendation was spot-on, and on the way back to Messina, he took us to several great sightseeing spots and an amazing dessert place. Our driver was personable, fun, awesome to spend the day with, and made our time in Sicily unforgettable. Overall, it's a fantastic, high-value option to maximize a short port stay—just go in knowing what to expect for free time vs. guided time!

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Taormina and Castelmola private and guided tour with Arancino

Jeff_F, Sept 2026

Getting a local guide is the way to go

We met Elena, our guide, at the port after our tender dropped us off. Elena was very personable and friendly, and was totally open to how we wanted to customize the tour. She had a great suggestion for heading up to Castelmona first, where she took us to a great pub/bar with some “interesting” decorations. She explained about the various parts of the area, and then later we drove down to Taormina, where we went to a great Arancino spot, which was amazing. We never would have found it or the other sites without Elena’s first hand knowledge of the area. We were very happy with Elena and was glad to hear she was ok after Mt. Etna erupted the day our ship left port.

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Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina

Rebecca_B, Sept 2026

LOVED IT!! Our guide was...

LOVED IT!! Our guide was so fun & made the day extra enjoyable. She gave us an overview of the best Sicilian foods to try and gave us the choice to be skinny or be happy (eat) for the day. We choose to be happy and are so glad we did... everything we tried was absolutely delicious! The towns we visited were super charming and well worth the visit. The small group was also perfect and so much better than the big bus tours. Highly recommend this tour!

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Messina Pasta & Tiramisu Experience for Small Groups by Cesarine

antonia_r, Sept 2026

From beginning to end...

From beginning to end Joseph and Rosella were the ultimate and endearing hosts at their home to share how to prepare a delicious Italian meal. Together we made the world’s best tiramisu and tucked it away in the fridge while we learned how to make homemade pasta, constructing spinach filled ravioli and then fettuccini. Prosecco and snacks were offered. Joseph interpreted Ravella’s Italian directions and information she shared with us throughout the enjoyable experience on their back patio, so lovely. Afterwards we watched as the table was set for our family to sit and enjoy the two pasta dishes we had prepared along with wine to accompany our meal. Thank you Joseph and Rosella for allowing us into your home to experience Italian culture and cooking. It was a beautiful few hours we spent with you both and a wonderful memory we took back home with us. Highly recommend!!!

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Taormina Shore Excursion from Messina - Shared

Tim_D, Aug 2026

Great tour & guide

Our tour guide Michael was great. He was very informative and friendly. He explained the area and it's history well. We had free time to explore on our own. It was a good pace of sightseeing without being rushed. Michael was very courteous to us and also patient to wait for another couple that was supposed to join us, but never showed up. We highly recommend Viator, their tours are worth it and their guides are professional and great.

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Taormina and Castelmola from Messina Shared Group Tour

rosanne_c, Aug 2026

Greta day off the cruise ship

The perfect excursion from a cruise ship. Easy to book and easy to connect with tour guide. We had an air conditioned van and our group was small which I liked. Cristiano our tour guide was great! He delighted us with the rich history of the area and made sure we enjoyed all the key sights to see! Rally enjoyed the day and would definitely recommend if you want an efficient and enjoyable tour.

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Taormina Castelmola : private cruise tour from Messina

aukjegerrits, Aug 2026

Not just a tour - it’s the Sicilian experience!

We had the most wonderful day in Sicily with Alessandro and Marissa, visiting Castelmola, Taormina and Messina. From the very beginning, it was clear that they weren't just there to give us a tour - they wanted to give us a truly memorable experience. We started in beautiful Castelmola, where they took us to what must be the best bar in town. The story behind it is absolutely hilarious - ask Marissa to tell you the story! We had a lovely drink there, tried the original cannoli and, most importantly, had a lot of laughs together. Taormina was another highlight. It is absolutely beautiful, and Marissa brought the history to life with all the stories and details she shared with us. And then, on the way back, Alessandro and Marissa somehow transformed our tour van into a driving karaoke bus! J'& We sang along to some of the most famous Italian songs, which was such a fun and unexpected part of the day. And as if that wasn't enough, they took us for gelato after the tour - the perfect finishing touch to an already perfect day. If you're looking for a day in Sicily that feels personal, fun and full of genuine local experiences, I would 100% recommend Alessandro and Marissa. They have different tours available, so definitely check them out and find the experience that's perfect for you. Thank you both for such a fantastic day - we will remember it for a long time! And when we're back in Sicily, we will definitely book another tour with you!

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Tour to Etna Volcano and Taormina from Messina

Josh_B, Jul 2026

Fantastic Mt. Etna & Taormina Tour with an Outstanding Guide!

Michael was waiting for us the moment we got off the ship, making the whole day completely stress-free. He drove us to Mt. Etna and Taormina in a clean, comfortable Mercedes and was informative, funny, and personable throughout the trip. The tour was well-paced, and we never felt rushed. Highly recommend—an easy 5-star experience!

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Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion

Jaymi_B, Jul 2026

Wonderful tour with Mariarita

This was a really fun and informative tour led by Mariarita who had a great sense of humor and gave of a lot of tips on foods to try and things to look out for in each port. The communication was excellent as well. We were on a cruise ship and made it to the stops and back to the ship in plenty of time, but do be prepared for a bit of drive to get to the destinations. Thankfully, great AC on the bus, which was especially welcome on a hot summer day.

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Best of Sicily Taormina & Savoca Tour from Messina Cruise Port

DONALD_P, Jul 2026

Great 1/2 day tour of Sicily highlights

Elizabeth and Anna were excellent. We were on a cruise and docked at Messina. We saw three towns, Savoca, Taormina, and Caselmola. Our tour guide, Elizabeth went out of her way to ensure we saw everything with timely insight into the history and significance of each town.

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Messina Tour Taormina - Castelmola with cannoli and Sicilian granite

tbut, Jun 2026

Great places to visit in Messina

Our driver/guide, Andrea, picked us up at the port and drove us to Castelmola, Andrea walked us around the hilltop village and took us to a famous landmark bar and restaurant, Turissi, known for its whimsical-themed décor. We then walked around Taormina, a beautiful town including a visit to the Messina Cathedral and the World’s Largest Astronomical Clock. Before heading back to the ship he took us to a cafe for a Sicilian granita and brioche bun. A great day and tour!

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