Sicily Travelnet offers some excellent tours around one of Italy's most picturesque provinces, and their guided walking tour of the historical town of Messina is one of the most popular.
The tour, which takes tourists through Messina and nearby Taormina, begins in the city's commercial center, also known as the Ancient Jewish quarter. The first attraction on the walking tour through Messina is the impressive Norman Cathedral, erected during the 12th-century Norman reign. The striking structure is also home to a 197-foot-high bell tower, which will also be explored on the tour. The tower is home to a stunning astronomical clock, a work of the Strasbourg firm of Ungerer.
After walking across the lavish grounds of the Normal Cathedral, you will be escorted to the Regional Archeological Museum across town, strolling past the Piazza del Duomo and the Via Cesare Battisti. At the museum, tourists will receive another guided tour which explores the museum's artistic treasures. If you desire, the tour will then take you to the nearby town of Taormina. The tour lasts approximately three hours, and costs vary depending on the services required.
Sicily TravelNet
Vicolo Dante, 35
92100 Agrigento
Sicily, Italy
+39360397930
sicilytourguides.net
Well Arranged Travel offers unique private tours around panoramic Messina, whether by bus or on foot. The guided walking tour of the town is led by one of the tour company's bilingual local tour guides, who will describe the significance of the town to the province of Sicily and provide an in-depth explanation of Messina's colorful history.
The tour begins by taking you through some of the sites which suffered devastating earthquakes and bombings in World War II but were reconstructed beautifully. These include the Norman Cathedral and the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani in Piazza Catalani--a brilliant testament to rich and eclectic 12th-century Norman architecture.
You will then saunter across town to the Museo Regionale, which is home to breathtaking treasures by Antonello da Messina and Caravaggio. The tour guide will then walk you across the town to see the picturesque 16th-century Fontana d'Orione. At noon, you will be guided back to the bell tower at the Norman Cathedral to witness the special movement of its famous Astrological Clock. The tour will last approximately three and a half hours.
Well Arranged Travel, Inc.
1036 Liberty Park Drive #39
Austin, Texas 78746
866-513-3968
wellarrangedtravel.com
One of the best and most relaxing ways to explore beautiful Messina is by sauntering through the city on your own self-guided landmark tour, at your own pace. Planetware offers a flexible and comprehensive self-guided walking tour structure around Messina. It takes you through all the significant attractions while allowing you to properly soak up Sicilian culture, try traditional Italian fare and speak to the town's friendly locals.
The ideal place of origin is on the south side of Messina's glistening harbor, by the north end of the town's bustling main street, Viale San Martino. The street, which cuts through the scenic southern part of the city, crosses the Piazza Cairoli and the brilliant Piazza Dante, where you can enjoy a cannoli and espresso or simply bask in the city's rich culture.
From there, the tour guides you west around three miles to the Camposanto, one of Italy's most beautiful cemeteries. Then the tour suggests you head forward to the Ionic Colonnade, close to the Norman Cathedral and the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, which can be reached by heading along the Via I Settembre. The Planetware self-guided landmark tour can take from two hours to two days, depending on your pace and the attractions you choose to see. This walking tour throughout Messina is flexible, customizable and most importantly, free.
Planetware, Inc.
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Canada
planetware.com
