CORLEONE GRAND GATEWAY – GODFATHER VILLA
Embark on our most requested themed tour, and experience firsthand the “old world” charm of Sicily represented in “The Godfather” film trilogy.
Two options are offered (half or full day), and both adventures start with you in the driver’s seat of a Classic Fiat 500! Drive through historic and picturesque Sicily, as our professional tour guides accompany you in a separate vehicle, highlighting sights and scenes from the movie and more.
Your journey begins with an exploration of Savoca, the historic town that is the backdrop of several “Godfather” pivotal moments. See where Michael Corleone & his bride Appollonia’s love story began, go back in time as you wander the streets that lead to the San Nicolo church, the Bar Vitelli and other town features that have been preserved in time. This unique experience provides countless scenic backdrops and vistas for your personalized photos.
The tour continues with a stop for lunch at a charming venue where you can enjoy a taste of Sicilian fare while taking in the local lifestyle. Post-lunch, rev up your Fiat 500 for a scenic drive to the legendary “Villa Corleone”. This historic estate also known as Castle of Slaves (Castello degli Schiavi) served as the backdrop for some of the most memorable scenes in The Godfather. Unveil its cinematic and wartime significance with the dwelling owner Baron Franco Platania personally guiding you, providing relevant details and anecdotes.
After exploring the Villa, refreshments will be enjoyed before hopping back into your Classic Fiat 500 for another scenic drive that returns to your hotel in Taormina / Giardini Naxos or starting point.
The full tour as described above is approximately 6 hours. The Villa Corleone estate only tour is also offered with a duration of 3 hours and includes refreshments without stopping for lunch.
Some places you will visit during the Corleone Grand Gateway:
Castle of the Slaves – Fiumefreddo
About 20 minutes driving from Taormina, this “Castle of Slaves” is one of the most evocative buildings of the whole Sicily island. It is a private house but also a fascinating museum with a lots of documents, books, images, objects and memorabilia of the Godfather film. Today is pretty much the same as it appears in the motion picture.
Bar Vitelli Tour – Savoca
In the Godfather’s motion picture Bar Vitelli was featured as the place where Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) meets Mr. Vitelli (the bar owner) and asks his permission to court his daughter Apollonia (Simonetta Stefanelli), and also for the official engagement and for the party after the wedding cerimony. While in town “a must” is the stop for a Lemon Granita in this famous bar.
Church of the Godfather Wedding – Savoca
Next stop is the Church of Santa Lucia, where the scene of the wedding between Michael Corleone and Apollonia Vitelli was shot. This place was also used for the the scene when Michael and Apollonia, just married, walk down from the church, followed by their families and by the music brass band.
Charming Sicilian Lunch – Savoca
A traditional Sicilian lunch tasting all locally produced organic fresh food (such as cheese, salami, bruschetta, olives, dried tomatoes, mushrooms, vegetables), pasta alla norma, roasted sausage, domestic olive oil and home-made bread.