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Messina and Tindari
Messina Shore Excursions - Messina and Tindari
 



This 9 Hour Private Shore Excursion Includes:
  • Pick up from your Hotel or the Port of Messina
  • Private Licensed English Speaking Guide
  • Round Trip Transportation in Private Vehicle
  • Included Interior Visits- Messina Regional Museum, Tindari Archaeological Park and Sanctuary
Please Note:The Regional Museum is not open on Mondays.


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Tour Number:
IMESS-03

Contact us for larger groups



Group Size (Prices in USD)*:
2 People - $670 Per Person (Private Tour)
3 People - $500 Per Person (Private Tour)
4 People - $386 Per Person (Private Tour)
5 People - $316 Per Person (Private Tour)
6 People - $306 Per Person (Private Tour)
7 People - $268 Per Person (Private Tour)
8 People - $322 Per Person (Private Tour)



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TOUR DESCRIPTION
 
Type: Antiquity, Art, Culture, Pilgrimage, Scenic Drive, Walking
Length: 9 Hours (traffic pending)
Walking: Difficult
Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)
Guide: Licensed Guide
Language: English

Messina Shore Excursion - This tour allows you to see the major sites in the beautiful city of Messina, followed by a visit to the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna located at the ancient Greek settlement in Tindari.

After meeting your guide, you drive into Messina's beautiful city center. You start with a short orientation drive through Messina's main street, the Via Garibaldi. You will see the Vittorio Emanuele Theater, the Town Hall, the church of Catalani, the Court and the University. Plus you enjoy a panoramic drive to the Church of Cristo Re where you will stop to enjoy the breathtaking view of Messina and its Straits.

Next you enjoy a walking tour which highlights the Norman Cathedral. The church was originally built in Norman times, but not dedicated to the Virgin Mary until 1197. None of the Norman construction remains today except the general layout and the overall exterior appearance which, after the 1908 earthquake, the architect Valenti reconstructed based on ancient documents. Other highlights include the world's largest Astronomical clock, with its 33,000 gears, the bell tower and the Orion Fountain.

Later this morning you visit the Messina Regional Museum which has preserved precious artistic productions from the city. Its collections include both civic and religious works including many pieces which were saved from buildings destroyed by the catastrophic earthquake in 1908. The exhibits are arranged in chronological order from the 12th to the 18th centuries. You'll see important architectural fragments, mosaics, sculpture and examples of decorative arts.

After your tour of Messina you have a short lunch break (meal not included).

This afternoon you travel along the northern coast of Sicily to Tindari, which is located on a panoramic point facing the Tyrrhenian sea. Tindari was a Greek settlement of nearly 5,000 people and dates back to 396 BC. Today all that remains of the Greek settlement are ruins. You will be impressed by the ancient city walls and the Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC.

In the 19th century a church was built on the highest point of the hill, about 650 feet above the sea level. The famous Sanctuary of the Black Madonna has since become a popular pilgrimage stop for many people.

Local legend says that the lagoon below was created after a pilgrim who came to see the Madonna refused to pray to the Madonna because she was black. The woman accidentally dropped her baby into the ocean and the Madonna made the land rise to save the baby. The sands of Marinello have taken shape of the profile of the Madonna.

After visiting Tindari you return to Messina.


If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Messina tours and Messina Shore Excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Messina tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.
Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
  • Messina Driving Tour - 30 Minutes
  • Messina Walking Tour - 2 Hours
  • Visit Regional Museum - 1 Hour
  • Free time for Lunch - 1 Hour
  • Coastal drive to Tindari - 1 Hour
  • Tindari Walking Tour - 2.5 Hours
  • Return to Messina - 1 Hour

Average Rating: Average Rating: 5 of 5 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 10 Write a review »

  5 of 5 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location: Messina October 11, 2024
Reviewer: Allen W from MN  
We had a great trip and other than some weather related issues everyone returned home safely and with wonderful memories. All your suppliers did well, with the highest grades going to the guide in Florence- she was fabulous. Lawrence in Dubrovnik was a strong personality, well informed and easy to understand. Our driver guide in Monte Carlo - Silvio - was terrific - very accommodating, flexible and entertaining. Angela in Corfu was OK, but because it was pouring rain the entire tour - which is principally on foot - we became a bit distracted and wet. She tried her best - but it was rough. We couldnt get into Taormina so we docked at Messina, which worked just fine. I called the tour operator but he already seemed to know about the change. I think our guides name was another Angela who was very accommodating, well informed and personable. All the minibuses and drivers were excellent. I met with some of our staff this past Wednesday and mentioned how pleased I was with your company. I hope it yields you some future benefit. I will continue to endorse PRIVATE SHORE TRIPS wherever possible and if I travel with friends on future cruises I will certainly contact you. Thanks again for your help.

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  2 of 2 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location: Messina October 10, 2024
Reviewer: Sue Ellen J from Roseville MI  
The trip was excellent. We very much enjoyed all the guides. Having our own tour really made the trip. When we took one of the ships tours in Sicily the final day, it was no where near as good as having our own guilder. Thanks again so very much. We will be recommending Private Shore Trips and I am sure we will be utilizing your services again in the very near future.

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  2 of 2 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location: Messina July 20, 2024
Reviewer: Laura D from Annapolis, MD  
Our trip was fantastic and your guides were absolutely the best! They met us exactly on time, we had luxury cars, restaurant reservations, private tours at cameo factory, an afternoon at a private beach club, and they had an immense amount of knowledge about every place we went. They did a fantastic job !!! They were both GREAT. Thank you again for setting it all up. it was truly a professional business.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location: Messina November 5, 2023
Reviewer: Carol G from Middlesex, England  
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the Etna North side tour you organized for us on 8th November. My daughter Victoria who was 21 said it was her best birthday ever, our guide and driver were fantastic and very knowledgeable and they gave us a really wonderful day.

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  2 of 2 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location: Messina November 4, 2023
Reviewer: Travel Agent Lori D from Barbara�s Travel, Yucaipa CA  
We just got in last night from the trip. All tourstransfers where great! We were a little rushed in AthensCorinth, but no fault of the tour company. The ship came in 1 12hours late and we had a lot to see in a short time. But it worked out...we got to see everything and it was beautiful! Thanks so much for helping me get these tourstransfer together, everyone was so happy! Thank you so much for everything!

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