Godfather Tour in Messina

When we booked this trip we discussed what to do in ports.  Bernie was interested in the Godfather tour.  He has watched the movies numerous times.  Me, I had never seen them.  But we booked the ship's tour here.

A week before coming we watched both the first and second Godfather movie.... queue the music.  

First let me apologize with references here, I am not an expert on the movie franchise so I am sure I will get something wrong.

Our first stop was Savoca.  Two towns were used in the movie.  Savoca is the home of the bar Vettelli and the church.

We got lemon granita and biscotti.  We went over and had two glasses of wine just to say we have been to the bar Vitelli.  It is definitely a tourist trap.  12.50 E per glass!   

We were guided thru the town to a few spots.  Including the church that Michael and Appolonia got married at.

We even met the woman who played Applonia's mother.  She is still alive and lives in the town.  Out of respect I didn't take a picture as sje was in her window and feeling under the weather.

We then drove to the next town where a few more sites were filmed.  Especially from the 2nd and 3rd movie.

The path where little Michael was hid under the donkey and sent to the US.  

It was a very Good tour.  The guide was very knowledgeable and we learned not only the movie sites but also about Sicily

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Night In Messina

When the Captain mentioned we would arrive early in Messina we were excited.  Dinner ashore!

The day while at sea was very lazy for me.  I finished my book, lunch at O'Malley's Irish pub.  Actually Bernie and i shared the meal there.  Had a nap, and woke to the excitement of heading ashore.

We head ashore around six. 

It is always nice to stroll and explore in the evening.

The clock tower.

The Cathedral which was open so we strolled inside.

Now this is where it gets interesting.  The restaurant we chose was about 15 minute walk away.  But it doesn't open until 730 so we take ourr time.

We stroll and stop in a few shops that are still open.  It is a Monday and many restaurants are closed today. 

With time to kill we stop for a prosseco and a glass of wine.

It is now 730 so we head to the restaurant.  But the lone guy inside says not open until 8.

Oh darn!  Even their website said 730.  But when in Italy you learn to go with the flow. We are tired of killing time so we decide to walk back towards the ship and maybe find another spot.  

But most nice restaurants are closed today.  Lots of bars and pizza places but that isn't what we want.

In the end we come back on board.

We enjoy dinner at the Ocean Terrace.  Which was very good.