Our guide, Francisco loves his country... and loves sharing it with visitors. We met him at the port and he took us on a tour through the beautiful countryside... and into the small cliffside town of Taormina. It is right out of a fairytale; totally captivating and enchanting. Francisco thought of every detail to make our tour as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. I recommend Get In Sicily most highly!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Private transportation
- Private tour with an English-speaking driver, traditional Sicilian cannoli and wine tasting in Castelmola, air conditioning on board, complimentary bottled water on board, and free Wi-Fi during the trip.
- Bottled water
- WiFi on board
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Excludes
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Get ready for an unforgettable experience! Our journey will begin in Messina, the ancient “Gateway to Sicily,” where history, legends, and traditions blend seamlessly with the beauty of the surrounding landscape. After meeting your driver, we’ll follow the scenic coastal road, enjoying views of Messina’s famous sickle-shaped harbor. Along the way, we’ll admire the statue of the Madonna della Lettera, which has welcomed those arriving by sea for centuries. From there, we’ll head towards two unique gems: Castelmola and Taormina. Throughout the journey, we’ll share fascinating facts, local stories, and authentic traditions of our beloved Sicily!
Perched like an eagle’s nest more than 500 meters above sea level, Castelmola is one of Italy’s most enchanting villages. Located just above Taormina, this medieval gem offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views in all of Sicily, with a breathtaking 360° vista encompassing the Ionian coastline, the Bay of Naxos, and the majestic silhouette of Mount Etna. Wandering through its charming stone alleyways, mosaic-decorated squares, and the remains of its ancient castle feels like stepping back in time. An authentic and romantic experience, enriched by the traditional flavors of the area, including the famous local almond wine, making Castelmola an absolute must-see on your Sicilian adventure!
Discover Taormina, the pearl of eastern Sicily, where the breathtaking beauty of the Mediterranean meets thousands of years of history. Perched on a natural terrace overlooking the sea, this enchanting town offers one of Italy’s most iconic panoramas, with the majestic silhouette of Mount Etna creating a spectacular backdrop. As you stroll through its charming flower-lined medieval streets and elegant squares, you’ll discover some of its most famous treasures, including the magnificent Ancient Greek Theatre. This remarkably preserved architectural masterpiece offers unforgettable views over the Bay of Naxos. An unmissable experience for anyone wishing to discover the authentic magic of Sicily!
Before saying goodbye, we’ll enjoy a special stop in the heart of Messina, where you’ll discover the wonders of the Cathedral and its legendary Astronomical Clock Tower. A one-of-a-kind masterpiece, where golden statues and intricate mechanical gears come to life, bringing the city’s rich history and traditions to life!
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Francesco was amazing!! The communication process from the initial booking to the day of the tour was simple and straightforward Francesco picked us up right at the cruise port and whisked us away in comfort to the most beautiful areas of Sicily. Castelmona and Taormina were perfect locations and Francesco guided us to the beat sites of interest and provided the perfect recommendations for lunch and memorable photos. Five ⭐️
If you want a five star, top notch private tour in Sicily I highly recommend this one. Francesco was first class all the way. He reached out to me days before we arrived and continued excellent communication before we arrived. The island is beautiful and Francesco’s knowledge of the island and its history was superb. My wife and our friend said it was the best tour they have ever done. I would concur.
Francisco was amazing! Good driver and very knowledgeable. Beautiful sites! Would highly recommend!!!
Terrific day out with Get in Sicily. Spending a full day touring to Taormina and Castelmola was a highlight of our cruise. Guide and driver were pros. We loved Sicily and this touring company made it happen for us. Book it and know you’re in good hands.
We had a wonderful experience with Francesco our tour guide. We learned so much about Sicily. His recommendation for a restaurant for lunch was amazing. He is a great tour guide. Highly recommended!
Our group of eight had a wonderful experience on this private shore excursion to Taormina and Castelmola. Communication was excellent, and we appreciated learning so much about the history of the area along the way. Those insights made the places we visited even more interesting and memorable. Thank you to Get in Sicily Shore Excursions for a great day exploring this beautiful part of Sicily!
Francesco was a wonderful guide!! Personable, easy going, kind and knowledgeable. He took his time explaining and driving us around to the different locations and was very helpful with recommendations on where to eat and what to see. I would recommend anyone to ask for him and enjoy the experience he provides you.
Had the great opportunity of meeting with Francesco who has a passion for his love of Italy, in particular with Sicily. Very knowledgeable and excited to share with us. A treat for us to deal with someone so in love with their profession. From our whole Mediterranean cruise; Francesco, you made our experiences very memorable, and for this we wish to thank you deeply! What a beautiful Island and tour.
Francesco was an amazing tour guide. He showed us everything we wanted to see in Messina and even more. We had so much fun. If you are going to Messina and are looking for a guide do not hesitate you should book with Francesco, he has really nice Mercedez to drive our group of six all around.He had water bottles for us all and he had candies waiting at our seats. He took us to fantastic restaurant when we had the best cannolis at Bar Turrisi in Castelmola and to see the sites in Taormina. See if he can take you to both, they are so worth seeing. Have a great trip,
Francesco was at our cruise port! We talked to someone prior from the same company but we struggling to get clear answers... then Francesco saved the dat with him extremely polite deminer and very good English! His love for his country shows in those heart warming ways, Francesco treated us to the best experiences and even a little treat on him at the coolest oldest bar!! was absolutely worth the money!! This lovely guy wouldn't even accept a tip, its his treat to show you the beautiful places you'd like to go. We've been in this cruise for two weeks and this is but far the best guide and driver we've ever had. We will always remember him, he truly felt like a friend!!! If I even come back I will be so pleased to see him!! Ps he gave us a deal on our very big group!
We had a fabulous day! Highly recommend for booking a private tour in Siciliy!
We booked a private driver in the port of Messina for a tour to Toramina. We saw a post/review on Facebook for Francisco in Italy. From the very first inquiry Francisco was extremely communicative…we were concerned as our group had some mobility issues. He reassured us that our needs would be met. Our driver was Angelo and the guide was Alexandra. They exceeded our expectations! Both were very accommodating, making sure the tour was paced to our liking and made sure they stopped at all of the must see points of interest. We also stopped at a new stop we never knew existed! Toramina did not disappoint with Angelo and Alexandra leading the way!
We arrived to Messina on an NCL cruise stop and Francesco was there waiting for our family of 4 right off the cruise ship! First stop was Castelmola , where Francesco accompanied us through this small beautiful town. We visited a cafe with an interesting theme and had some delicious cannoli and almond wine. It was early in the morning so the town was pretty quiet before the crowds and the views were really spectacular. Car ride has a lot of winding roads , beautiful views but keep in mind if suffer from carsickness. After Francesco dropped us off in Taormina where we had free time to explore. We visited the greek theater which you can purchase tickets there. Then Francesco ultimately returned us back to our cruise ship in timely manner. Door to door service and overall great day.! If you are looking for a private excursion with a personable driver/guide for your family I would definitely recommend .
Oleksandra our guide & Pepe our driver were outstanding!!! They went above & beyond on our tour. Very informative, took us to wonderful sites, took photos of our family. Every minute of our time with them was outstanding! Would definitely book another tour with them.
The Highlight of Our Trip to Sicily! If you are looking for an authentic and unforgettable experience in Taormina and Castelmola, look no further! We had the most incredible day, all thanks to our amazing guides, Francesco and Yli. From start to finish, their warmth, enthusiasm, and extensive knowledge of Sicily shone through. They shared fascinating insights into the culture and history of the area, making every stop memorable and engaging. As cruise ship passengers, punctuality was top priority for us—and Francesco and Yli managed the timing flawlessly. We enjoyed every single minute without ever feeling rushed, and they got us back to the port right on schedule with complete peace of mind. The cherry on top was the local tasting: the Sicilian wine and delicious, fresh cannoli were absolutely outstanding! We couldn't have asked for a better day or a better company. Thank you so much, Francesco and Yli, for making our visit so special. We truly hope to come back very soon and tour with you again! 10/10 highly recommended!
We had an absolutely incredible private shore excursion from Messina Port to Taormina and Castelmola, all thanks to our amazing guide, Francesco! From the very beginning at the cruise dock, Francesco was warm, welcoming, and highly professional. His knowledge of the local history and culture made the drive incredibly engaging. What truly made this tour exceptional was that Francesco went above and beyond—he took us to some of his favorite secret/hidden spots with breathtaking views that we never would have found on our own. The entire day was perfectly paced, and we returned to our cruise ship with wonderful memories and fantastic photos. If you are stopping at Messina Port, booking this tour with Francesco is an absolute must! Thank you, Francesco, for such a memorable day in Sicily!
Francisco was amazing and so accommodating! he gave us so much knowledge and told us a ton about Sicily. Highly recommend and loved touring around with him! He even had water when we needed it the most!
If you have very limited time in Sicily (cruise ship port Messina), THIS is the way to spend your day. Francesco was prompt, friendly, professional, flexible and the love for his island was evident. We were a family of 7 ranging from 20-82 years old. Vehicle was clean and comfortable. This was a private tour and when we mentioned we would love to get close enough to the water's edge, he made that happen! Our stops to Castelmola & Taormina were AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, MEMORABLE! The establishment we stopped at for almond wine and cannoli had a "interesting" theme and not for everyone's comfort level, however, the food/drink was delish! The crowds of tourists is no joke, insane. You have to go with the flow and appreciate/experience regardless. My husband is Sicilian so this was a special cruise stop for us. Book with this company, you will have an awesome time!
Castelmola had beautiful views and great little shops and cafes. Taormina had even more shopping and restaurants and was nice to walk around. Francesco was an amazing guide. He shared a lot about his country as we drove comfortably in the AC on a very hot day. Duomo di Messina is breathtaking! Our only regret was missing the noon show at the astronomical clock tower at the church. Highly recommend!!
Our private tour of Taormina and Castelmola with Francesco was absolutely excellent! Francesco wasn't just a great tour guide; he was also our driver, and his van was incredibly clean and comfortable. He even took us to a local bar in Castelmola for an excellent almond wine tasting and cannoli. He went above and beyond to make our day special, even giving my son a hat and a small gift containing volcano ash. If you are planning a trip to Sicily, do not hesitate to book with him. Five-star service all the way!
The guide was prompt and waiting for us right outside the port gate. He brought us to Castelmola which was a beautiful town. He educated us about the area and showed us some amazing places. After he brought us to Taormina where we were able to explore on our own for a few hours. He was flexible with the pick up times and was there promptly when we were ready. A wonderful day and experience.
Francesco picked us up on time from our port. The van was comfortable with a/c and WiFi and bottles of water. Francesco narrated while he drove us to Taormina and Castlemola and showed us around the latter. He was very nice a pleasant and more reasonable cost than other companies. I highly recommend him!
Our tour with Francesco through Sicily was nothing short of unforgettable, made all the more special by our exceptional guide. With a deep knowledge of the island’s history, culture, and hidden gems, he brought every stop to life with passion and insight. From ancient ruins to vibrant local streets, his enthusiasm was contagious, and his attention to detail ensured a seamless and enriching experience. His warmth, professionalism, and genuine love for Sicily turned a beautiful trip into a truly remarkable journey we’ll always cherish. 100 % recommend 👌
Tour guide was wonderful! He was very accommodating and knowledgeable. He made sure that we were able to capture each moment at its finest!
Great experience in short amount of time in Sicily. Places are beautiful, it’s a must see. I wish there’s a little more history about each place. Overall, I would recommend to friends and family.
Loved our day! Felt like royalty driving with our guide Yli and driver Joe. Beautiful car- great company and saw everything we wanted to! Great communication and timing for crowds. Will definitely use again if in Sicily!
We were fortunate to have Francesco and Ili from GetinSicily as our guides during our one-day excursion in Sicily. Both were attentive to our needs throughout the trip, always listening and highly professional. Their passion for their country was truly palpable and made every stop even more vivid and enriching. They made sure we didn’t miss the local specialties — cannoli and vanilla wine — by stopping at a lovely restaurant called Bar Turrisi in Castelmola. They answered all of our questions—whether cultural, historical, or practical—with precision and enthusiasm. Time management was exemplary, ensuring that we made the most of each site without stress or rush, which is extremely important for us to get back to the cruise on time. We highly recommend GetinSicily to anyone looking to discover Sicily in an authentic, enriching, and well-organized way.
Francesco was absolutely amazing! He knows his home well and he gave us so much history and extra special moments with the locals and great spots. We made a friend for life! He truly cares!
Excellent tour of Taormina and Castelmola for my family! Francesco was wonderful and provided perfect recommendations and sights to see. Was very helpful and reliable. Picked us up on time from the port and returned us on time as promised. Would highly recommend!
We had a great experience with our driver, Francisco. The vehicle was clean and well maintained. Francisco created us with our name on a sign at the port and took us directly to Taormina. He was friendly and courteous as well as knowledgeable about the area. After our day in Taormina he took us to a terrific photo stop overlooking Isola Bella.
We had only one day in Sicily as part of a cruise stop, so we wanted to make the most of it. After researching online, I booked Get in Sicily. While it’s hard to guarantee that a company will create amazing memories, I can confidently say that Get in Sicily went above and beyond to make our trip unforgettable. They’re highly flexible with their itineraries and specific needs of your trip. We booked as a family of 10, including two people who needed mobility scooters and my mom who was celebrating her 70th birthday during our Sicily visit. Get in Sicily accommodated the two scooters easily in very comfortable transport. Their drivers were highly knowledgeable about the area. Both vehicles were very comfortable, clean and spacious. Both were Mercedes in great condition. In the car I was in, I had the pleasure of driving with Francesco. The entire journey was comfortable, friendly, and professional. My parents had the pleasure of Yleanie driving them in another car. They all spoke very highly of her local knowledge, friendliness, and how enjoyable she made their trip to Taormina and was a big highlight of the trip. Taormina is definitely worth visiting. Take the time to wander the beautiful streets, sample some delicious gelato, and enjoy the stunning scenery. Don’t miss the Greco-Roman theatre, which offers some of the best views of the area. One of the best parts of the trip was the surprise they organised for my mom’s birthday. When we arrived back in Messina, they took us to a local cafe to try authentic cannolis. Then, they surprised my mom with a birthday cake and sang “Happy Birthday.” Even more special was that some of the locals from the cafe joined in with the singing, creating a beautiful moment for us all. The pickup from the ship was prompt, and they dropped us back at the ship at our requested time. The service from Get in Sicily was fantastic, and we all thank them so much. Everyone is still talking about the trip!
One of the best experience Me and my wife had a blast Sicily it’s so amazing and the guys from Get in Sicily are just wonderful Amazing tour guys! Hope to see you soon!
Hi everyone! I have to tell you about our incredible experience in Sicily with the GetinSicily tour through Savoca, Castelmola, and Taormina. We had such an amazing day with Francesco and Yle! The tour was perfectly organized, which made it so easy to relax and enjoy every moment. One of the best parts was tasting authentic Sicilian dishes—cannoli, lemon granita OH MY GOD. We can’t wait to come back and visit again. Huge thanks to Francesco and Yle for making our day so memorable!
I had the pleasure of taking a tour of Taormina with Francesco, and I have to say it was an unforgettable experience! Francesco is an excellent driver, very professional and friendly. His in-depth knowledge of the local history and culture made the tour even more interesting. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to explore Taormina in a comfortable and informative way. Thanks to Francesco for a truly amazing experience!
The guys from Get in Sicily are extraordinary; they made us experience an exciting day. Very comfortable, spacious, and clean minivan. Highly recommended
What an extraordinary day, an incredible experience, a fantastic land! Thanks for everything Francesco
From the very first moment we met Francesco we had the impression of having known him for years. He treated us as if we were friends and not clients, a great connoisseur of his land he shared Sicilian traditions and cultures with us. Recommended!
It was the first time we went to Sicily and on the advice of friends we entrusted ourselves to Get in Sicily for our excursion. They helped us discover the beauty of Sicily through legends and traditions. Thanks for everything, we will always carry you in our hearts
This was the most beautiful stop of our cruise and we owe all the credit to the guys at Get in Sicily, especially to Francesco for having us live an unforgettable experience. Thanks for everything we will see each other again soon
Thanks to the whole Get in Sicily team for planning a magnificent day for us. We recommend this company to everyone for your excursions
A very fun day with the guys from Get in Sicily. Everything planned to perfection and the tasting in Castelmola was delicious! We recommend it to everyone who wants to book a tour in Sicily
Fantastic experience in Sicily, they picked us up at the port of Messina with extreme punctuality. We spent a fantastic day discovering Taormina and Castelmola, two of the most beautiful villages in all of Sicily. We have already booked with Francesco for our next cruise in Sicily. Recommended
We already knew this company; we relied on them for our first excursion in Sicily years ago. We returned and relied on them again for our stop in Sicily. Everything top-notch as always, impeccable service, precision, and punctuality. Thanks once again for hosting us in your magnificent land.
Everything was perfect; Francesco planned everything down to the smallest details, starting from the pickup at the port of Messina, with maximum punctuality and availability. We spent a wonderful day in Taormina and Castelmola. He introduced us to the history and culture of his country. Highly recommended
Francesco is an excellent guide, friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable! He showed us the wonders of his land, stopping at Castelmola, amidst breathtaking views, typical corners, and tastings of cannoli and local wines! Next, we reached Taormina, where we walked along the main street, filled with shops and local artisan souvenirs. Following our guide's recommendation, we had lunch at a seaside restaurant with excellent food. Finally, Francesco took us to a panoramic terrace right above Isola Bella! A natural spectacle that we were able to see and appreciate thanks to our guide! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
We visited the most beautiful places in Sicily. Thank you Francesco for showing us the beauties of your land.
Exceptional tour, spectacular day, if you stop at the port of Messina contact Get in Sicily to plan the perfect excursion. Recommended
Unforgettable experience, thank you for planning the perfect excursion for us. Recommended
Extraordinary day, maximum fun. We will definitely be back. We recommend to everyone
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
Reach us by phone
Reach us by email
