Exclusive Sicily Shore Tour: Etna, Taormina & Castelmola

We decided to take this tour as it included many of the places we wanted to visit but in a small group. Communication with Mario was excellent, informative and prompt. Our guide was Simone and there were only 8 people on the tour. Simone was wonderful. He was a great driver and guide, giving us history and information about the areas we toured and Sicily in general. We were all excited to get to see Mount Etna, but none of us could believe our great fortune as the volcano had one of its most active days in a very long while (according to Simone). Everywhere we went, we could see the volcano. Utterly amazing. If you are looking for a great tour in Sicily, book this one, you won’t be disappointed! Grazie mille Mario and Simone!

Simone was a wonderful guide. Communication before the tour was good and pick up went smoothly as arranged. Car was clean, comfortable, and well maintained. Our tour went to Mt Edna which was erupting. Our ship had cancelled all excursions. Simone was able to take us to the base camp where we found many other tours had also gone. Simone showed us where to take the cable cars up farther. This was not included ( 50€@). This option often has a hike but it was closed. The cable car ride had a great view and when we reached the end—WOW!! We could hear the eruptions as well as see them. What a thrill. Simone gave great information about the area. Highly recommend

We were a group of 10 and all had a wonderful time. Sergio (unsure of spelling) was a fantastic guide and was very knowledgeable about the island and the places we went to. Mt. Etna was simply extraordinary and Taormina was beautiful (we didn’t go to Castelmola since we wanted to maximize our time in the other two areas). Great views, great tour guide, wonderful experience altogether

My family and I took a Mediterranean cruise stopping at several different countries. Sicily was most important to me as this is where my family is from. Of all the excursions/tours we did on this cruise, Sicily was hands down the best! Our guide, Sergio, gave us the experience of a lifetime, Knowledgeable, friendly, and very helpful, I can honestly say he made this tour so special for us. I promised Sergio a picture of the sentimental souvenir I purchased (with his help to negotiate a good price), so I am posting it here hanging proudly in my kitchen. Please make sure he sees this; I don't know how else to get these to him :)

My husband, mother, and I booked this tour while our cruise ship was docked in Messina because all other excursions through the ship were sold out. We’re so glad that we did! Sergio was our guide. He picked us up directly from the port along with another couple and drove us first to Mt. Etna, then Castelmola, then Taormina, before dropping us back off at our ship. He was a phenomenal guide. As a local, he was extremely knowledgeable about the history and current events of the region and brought us to cafes, restaurants, and shops off the beaten path where he haggled great discounts for us. He was extremely friendly and inviting, and you could tell he truly loves what he does. After hearing about our intent to grab cannolis in Taormina, he instead brought us to his favorite local bakery in Messina and treated us to some incredible, fresh cannolis. By the end of the tour, he felt like a family friend. Hands down the best shore excursion experience I had for the entire trip.

The tour was fantastic and the sites we visited stunning. The driver was punctual and professional, the vehicle, comfortble and clean. 100% recommended

Nina was an excellent guide..her knowledge and love of her native city was infectious.. when we return we will surely request her again

Our visit to Sicily on our cruise was made special by this small group tour. The guide, Sergio, was knowledgable, engaging, and fun to be with. The sites--Etna, Taormina, and Castelmola-- were breathtaking. We were partiularly enchanted by Castelmola, a small, beautiful town on the top of a rock.

We were 4 people and had booked an up to 10 persons trip - it was in reallity just the four of us. The negative was that it was 4 adults in a medium sized car, so the three in the back were a little cosy! The trip itself was excellent with Etna as the highlight. a really good way of seeing what we wanted to see.

We had a wonderful tour with our guide Serge. He was attentive and informative with lots of information about the local area. He basically ran the tour with his great itinerary, we didn’t have to ask for anything he hadn’t already thought of.