Sicily (Taormina)

[Cruzer Two]

 

Edited October 20, 2018 by Cruzer Two

[Nimloth]

We have Messina as a port stop on our cruise next May. Is Taormina worth a visit and how easy is it to get to from Messina?

[Cruzer Two]

8 hours ago, Nimloth said:

We have Messina as a port stop on our cruise next May. Is Taormina worth a visit and how easy is it to get to from Messina?

 

Absolutely! About the only interesting thing to see in Messina is the Automated Astronomical Clock Tower of the Messina Cathedral www.messinarte.it.  The cathedral is located across the street from the cruise terminal. The clock tower chimes at noon each day accompanied by loud speakers playing Ave Maria.  It is fascinating to watch.  However, Taormina and it's ancient theater is one of the most visited cities in Sicily by tourist. Hourly train service is available from Messina to Taormina if you want to attempt it own your own or several companies offer shared shore excursions from the port of Messina at a reasonable price www.cruisingexcursions.com. Most cruise lines also offer shore excursions to Taormina. It is doubtful that you will be in port long enough to do both.  I hope this helps!

 

Ron

[Nimloth]

Thanks Ron. It looks like Taormina is the place to be. Thanks also for the link, it looks very useful. 😁

[Cruzer Two]

5 hours ago, Nimloth said:

Thanks Ron. It looks like Taormina is the place to be. Thanks also for the link, it looks very useful. 😁

 

Yes, I think Taormina would be your best option.

If you are interested, you might be able to find a tour of Taormina that also includes a visit to the small, mountain-top, Sicilian village of Savoca that is located nearby. It was chosen as a stand-in for the real village of Corleone in the 1972 movie Godfather III because the village was relatively untouched by progress. Filming here included scenes at Bar Vitelli, where Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, asked the wrong man about a beautiful young girl he had seen, Apollonia Vitelli. The 14th century Santa Lucia Church is the location where scenes where Michael married Apollonia.

Enjoy!

 

 

Edited October 22, 2018 by Cruzer Two

[Cruzer Two]

The Godfather and Taormina Tour from Messina

https://www.viator.com/tours/Messina/The-Godfather-and-Taormina-Tour-from-Messina/d4814-23689P5

[Nimloth]

12 hours ago, Cruzer Two said:

 

Yes, I think Taormina would be your best option.

If you are interested, you might be able to find a tour of Taormina that also includes a visit to the small, mountain-top, Sicilian village of Savoca that is located nearby. It was chosen as a stand-in for the real village of Corleone in the 1972 movie Godfather III because the village was relatively untouched by progress. Filming here included scenes at Bar Vitelli, where Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, asked the wrong man about a beautiful young girl he had seen, Apollonia Vitelli. The 14th century Santa Lucia Church is the location where scenes where Michael married Apollonia.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Interesting! I loved those movies. 😊