CRUISE SHIP SHORE EXCURSION – TAORMINA / GIARDINI NAXOS HARBOR – SICILY
During this guided tour you will visit two of the most beautiful and charming towns of the Eastern Sicily: Savoca, chosen by Francis Ford Coppola to shoot his famous movie “The Godfather” and Taormina, well known all around the world for its “Dolce Vita”, when became a popular tourist destination between the stars of Hollywood.
Starting from Taormina / Giardini Naxos harbor you will drive a vintage Fiat 500, following our tour leader staff car, along the beautiful Taormina seafront until reach the old little town of Savoca, City of Art, and one of “Italy’s most beautiful villages” (since 2008). Here, leading of our tour leader guide, you’ll visit all the locations of “The Godfather” film and the most important monuments of the city (like the Cappuccini convent and the crypt with mummies from the 18th century).
Then, you ‘ll drive the Fiat 500 until reach Taormina. You will have time to visit the “Teatro Antico”, an ancient Greek amphitheatre, the second in Sicily by size, or for a nice walk along Corso Umberto, main street of Taormina, a continuous line of squares and palaces of the XV-XIX century, with antique and modern shops, flower-filled balconies, cafes, restaurants and pastry shop with marzipan fruit.
Some places you will visit during the Cruise Ship Taormina tour:
Bar Vitelli – 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, and also for the official engagement and for the party after the wedding ceremony. While in town “a must” is the stop for a Lemon Granita in this famous bar.
Church of the 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.
Cappuccini Convent – Savoca
The Cappuccini Convent was built in the 17th century. In the crypt of the church are stored 32 different mummies from the 18th century: lawyers, aristocrats, nobles, priests, poets and doctors bodies with their original clothes directly from the past.
Corso Umberto – Ancient Theatre – Taormina
The Ancient Theatre in Taormina, is the second largest (after that of Syracuse) and one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily. Frequently used for Opera performances, concerts and also for the famous “Taormina Film Fest“. Corso Umberto is Taormina’s main street that connects Porta Messina to Porta Catania, the two ancient doors of the city.