- Via Etnea - Your private English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel or port in Taormina at your preferable hour in the morning, and you will start this delightful private tour of the most important and beautiful Sicilian sites.
First, you will visit Mt Etna Volcano. Your friendly guide will tell you history of volcano creation, about eruptions, culture, myths, and folklore of “Mamma Etna” and Sicily itself. Driving by private car through authentic mountain villages, you will visit local honey farm and taste the produce of the fertile volcano terrain - honey, jams, olive oil, Etna DOC wines and liquors. Then continue to ascend and visit amazing natural phenomenon - a cave of lavic origin where, according to the Greek legend, Ulysses was confined by Polypheme, after which you will reach “Rifugio Sapienza” station at 2000mt. Here you will see famous Silvestri Craters, admire unforgettable panoramas, visit shops with souvenirs of lava, refresh yourself at some restaurant or bar. Optional ascent with cable car and jeep with the authorized Alpine Guide to 3000mt.
Then your guide will chauffeur you to Alcantara Gorges Natural Reserve - another unique natural phenomenon with Etna activity connection. Several thousand years ago, Alcantara river’s bed was blocked by lava flow from Mt Etna. As the lava was cooled much more quickly by the water than it would have done otherwise, it crystallised in the form of columns. Over the next millenia, the river eroded a channel through these columns, resulting in impressive gorges and ravines. You will see this unique gorges, refresh yourself in cool water of Alcantara river, enjoy unspoilt Sicilian nature.
The tour will continue in Savoca - the must-see Sicilian hilltop village world-known thanks to F.F. Coppola, who filmed his legendary “The Godfather” here. The guide will tell you about the filming process and trivia, and the real Sicilian Mafia story. You will discover the history and culture of the movie locations, and feel the romantically rustic atmosphere of old Sicily. Walk the authentic streets of Savoca, remained unchanged since the movie was made, visit ancient churches, Bar Vitelli where Michael spoke to Apollonia’s father, church of Santa Lucia where the couple was married, follow the same path down the hill into town that the newlyweds did, and maybe even meet some locals cast in the movie - like signora who played Apollonia’s mother!
Then, you will arrive at a charming wine bar near the church, and sitting on a terrace with romantic panoramic view of the sea and surrounding countryside, you will have hearty traditional food and wine session. You will taste organic locally produced food - cheeses, salami, prosciutto, Sicilian relish caponata, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, home-made jelly, extra virgin olive oil and fresh bread with Etna DOC red and white wines.
- 1H Horseback riding
- Bottled water
- Hotel/port pickup and drop off
- Food and wine tasting at the Farmhouse
- Round trip transportation by comfortable air-conditioned car
- Private local English speaking guide
- Private tour of ‘The Godfather’ locations in Savoca, including Bar Vitelli visit
- Gratuities
Begin your 1-hour horseback riding adventure through the stunning landscapes of Sicily’s Etna Natural Park, guided by an experienced leader. This tour is perfect for all ages and skill levels, requiring no prior experience. Next, we will visit Savoca, a village renowned for its appearance in the movie “The Godfather.” Here, we’ll stop by Bar Vitelli, where Michael first met Apollonia’s father, and the church where Michael Corleone wed Apollonia. The tour concludes with a traditional Sicilian lunch at a local Trattoria, featuring salami, prosciutto, Etna cheeses, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, caponata, parmigiana, pasta alla norma, and lemon sorbet, all accompanied by local wine. This private tour is exclusively for your group, ensuring top-notch service, and includes pickup and drop-off at your port or accommodation in Taormina, Messina, and nearby areas.
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years
- We have private tours, only for your party, however at the beginning of the excursion we will give each guest a mask, protective gloves and hand sanitizer.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
