Private Land of the Godfather

After meeting your professionally-trained guide on the pier, you will set off through the town of Messina for the coast. You will pass by villas, flowering gardens, and picturesque villages en route to Santa Teresa. From here, a picturesque road will take you inland to scenic Savoca, a village nestled between two hills. In a private house at the entrance of the village is the Bar Vitelli, which features a collection of local artisans' tools and photographs taken when Francis Ford Coppola was in this area filming scenes for The Godfather II.

Upon arrival, you will visit the bar for a lemon granita, not included, before you begin a slow walking tour along the village's main street, and then continue up the hill. Along the way, you will pass by several 15th- and 16th-century churches, and the remains of a Norman Castle, and take in magnificent views of the valley.

Next, you will visit Forza d'Agro. This charming little village overlooks the Arab-Norman castle of Capo Sant'Alessio and the coastline towards Messina and the strait. In 1990, Al Pacino and Sophia Coppola came here to film scenes for The Godfather III. From the main square, a lane leads up to circular steps that ascend to the Gothic-Catalan portal in front of the Church of St. Agostino, or Triade, which features a pleasant 15th-century facade. After a visit to the Baroque-style Chiesa Madre, you will rejoin your transportation for the return drive to Messina.