Project Description
Savoca and Forza d’Agro: the Godfather tour and the hidden treasures beyond Taormina
From Catania or Taormina | Half Day
Savoca e Forza d’Agro’
Savoca and Forza d’Agrò are two little hilltop towns, typical of Sicily, in the surroundings of Taormina. The American film director Coppola set in these two villages several shootings and many parts of the Godfather movies. Your guide will tell you the various anecdotes and stories that got origin among the quiet streets and the fascinating old churches of these two towns, surrounded by picturesque mountains and valleys. Here, even today, on an early morning you can still see the shepherd leading his flock to the dwell in the main square. Local people are quite friendly and, if gently approached, can maybe share with you their own individual story of when they acted as extra in the movie. A real, authentic experience in the heart of a Sicily still to be explored.
Time has a different pace here, and you can take advantage of it to enjoy a visit to the church of St Lucy, where the wedding scene took place, or to taste a “granita” sitting at the outside tables in the same bar where Michael Corleone saw Apollonia for the very first time…
Savoca
Savoca is a lovely medieval village twenty miles away from Taormina.
The village was founded during the Norman time and its churches of St Lucy, Michael and Maria show well evidence of a blend of medieval, renaissance and baroque influences.
The town sits on a mountain, like a saddle on its horse and it is a place which still today shows timeless atmospheres. The most remarkable attraction in the town is certainly the location and the drive along the road to get there.
The Capuchin church and the crypt with the mummified bodies of the notary, the barons and the abbots reveals the rich standard of life of the town in the past as well the incredible knowledge and skills got to preserve the bodies till today.
The town was totally unknown to many until forty years ago when the movie Godfather was set here in the very late sixties; shootings were done anywhere in town and especially by the little bar Vitelli on the main square.
The idea to feel like Apollonia or Michael Corleone sitting here calls many tourists from Taormina, while the vicinity of other small villages makes unique a combined visit following the footsteps of the Godfather.
Forza d’Agro’
The town stands along the north eastern coast, a few miles away from Taormina. This site, on top of a mountain facing the sea, makes the place one of the most charming thanks to stunning views, winding road and medieval cobble stone streets.
During the Greek time was inhabited and used as a border town between Messeni and Taormina, under which the town was controlled. Through the centuries its strategic position was controlled by several population and the Normans first, then the Spanish left the most significant examples of castle and churches remaining today.
Its medieval charme today attracts people from anywhere as well as the stories connected to the movie The Godfather which was set here involving its monuments and among them Santissima Trinità church, Sant’Agostino and San Francesco. The Norman castle built higher up the town, on top of the mountains, offers some of the most beautiful views of the area encompassing the coast from Messina to Taormina.
- Private Sedan car or Mercedes Viano up to seven seats
- Private driver speaking your language
- Fuel, motorway toll and parking fee
- Half day service with private driver and car UP TO 4 HOURS
- Full day service with private car and driver UP TO 8 HOURS
- Water bottle onboard
- Visits, stops and panoramic driving tours described on the itinerary
NOT INCLUDED:
- Archeological sites, monuments and churches entrance fees
- Local products and wine tasting or culinary experiences unless included
- Driver and local guides gratuities (we suggest 10% if services meets or exceeds your expectations)
- Local Sicilian regional licensed guide
- Meals, wine tasting or culinary experiences if not already included in the itinerary
- Yachts, helicopter or private plane rental linked to our ground transportation service
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or send us a message requesting information, our team will respond as soon as possible.
