Sicily Island Tour – The Beautiful Villages in the Northeast

Day 1: Messina

Breakfast in the hotel. Savoca is a tourist destination because were filmed scenes of “The Godfather“ movie, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. There you can visit the original Bar Vitelli, the Church of Saint Lucy, the Crypt of the Capuchins Convent that houses some mummies of the aristocratic people that lived in this town during the XVIII century. Near Savoca, Casalvecchio Siculo is famous for the Abbey of Saints Peter and Paul. Lunch on a farm in Savoca. In the afternoon we move to Forza d’Agrò, other towns where was shot “The Godfather” movie. Especially you’ll visit the Cathedral of the Annunciation, the Agostinian Convent, and the Holy Trinity Church. Dinner and overnight in 4 stars hotel in Villafranca Tirrena – Messina.

Day 3: Alcantara, Taormina and Castelmola (Optional Isola Bella)

Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning we go to the natural park of Alcantara Gorge, located at the feet of Mt. Etna, characterized by canyons and gorges and crossed by the River Alcantara. The lunch will be in a winery at the slopes of Mt. Etna, where you can drink locals wines, accompanied by Sicilian food. After lunch, from May 1st to September 30th, there’s the opportunity of a boat tour around Isola Bella, an islet in front of Taormina’s coast (optional service – extra charge €40). In the afternoon we discover Taormina. Through a walking tour between Porta Catania and Porta Messina, you can see the most important monuments such as the Cathedral, the Greek-Roman theatre, etc. Then we reach Castelmola, a village over Taormina, famous for the production of almond wine, free offer to the visitors. Dinner and overnight in 4 stars hotel in Villafranca Tirrena – Messina.

Day 4: Castroreale and Milazzo

Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning you will discover Castroreale. The village has a medieval urban structure characterized by narrow streets and an elegant city center where there is a Jewish Quarter and the Tower of King Frederick II. During the day visit the local bakery to try the typical cookies, called “Biscotti Castriciani” or “da Badissa”, made only in this town. Lunch in a local restaurant. The second stop of the day will be in Milazzo. Milazzo is in a panoramic point overlooking the archipelago of the Aeolian Islands. In the town, there’s also a castle, testimony of the dominions that have occurred over time on the island. Dinner and overnight in 4 stars hotel in Villafranca Tirrena – Messina.

Day 5: San Marco d’Alunzio

Breakfast in the hotel and check-out. All the day will be dedicated to visiting one of the small villages in Sicily, San Marco d’Alunzio. The village was founded in the IV century BC when in Sicily there was Greek domination. For this reason, you will be charmed by the beauty of the Temple of Ercole, now converted into a church. Interesting is also the rest of the Norman castle and the Museum of Byzantine and Norman art. Lunch in a typical restaurant. In the evening we reach Montalbano Elicona to check in at 4 stars hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Tindari and Novara di Sicilia

Breakfast in the hotel. The 5th day of the Sicily island tour is dedicated to discovering Tindari and Novara di Sicilia. Tindari, famous especially for religious tourism, has an archeological area in which is possible to admire the rest of the ancient town, built according to the Roman urban factory. You will be captivated by the sanctuary of the “Black Virgin Mary”, which keeps an endearing story. Lunch will be at Novara di Sicilia. Later you will leave on the walking tour to discover this village. You can see the competition of “Maiorchino”, a local cheese, whom during the Carnival the inhabitants throw through the cobbled street to reach the finish line. You visit also a mill to learn the processing of flour. Dinner and overnight in 4 stars hotel in Montalbano Elicona.

Day 7: Montalbano Elicona

Breakfast in the hotel and check-out. This Sicily island tour will take you to visit Montalbano Elicona, nominated as one of the most beautiful villages of Italy in 2015. Charming is its Swebian-Aragonese castle in which it is possible to see wonderful ancient weapons and armors collection, that will take you back in time. Montalbano is also renowned for its local gastronomic products, like “Provola a sfoglia”, a Sicilian cheese that has a medium-long maturing, and the typical Montalbano’s bread. Lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon we go to experience nature visiting the Argimusco Plateau (recommended during the sunset). Also called the “Sicilian Stonehenge”, the rocks take various shapes…you can imagine the hidden stories behind each of them and immerse yourself in nature in this heavenly place.
In the evening we will transfer to Acireale to reach the hotel. Check-in, dinner, and overnight in 4 stars hotel.

Day 8: Acireale

Breakfast in the hotel. Acireale is a town of Catania province, known especially for the Carnival and its baroque monuments. The coast has a cliff of lava origins and there is set the myth of Polyphemus, mentioned in the Odyssey. Together with the guide you will discover this city and visit the Museum of Sicilian Puppets, used during drama performances. These drama performances have also been declared UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Lunch in a restaurant. Dinner and overnight in 4 stars hotel.

Day 9: Catania