Could not ask for a more beautiful day! Blue skies and sunshine over the harbor in Messina, Sicily. My four fab traveling companions and I are anxious to experience all Sicily has to offer! Our adventure begins with our adorable private guide named ” Nonno”, which affectionately means Grandpa in Italian. He is a spirited, grandfatherly like gentlemen who melodically describes to us in his native Italian everything we see. Although we do not understand many of his words, he is a very animated story teller.
We drive through the mountainous highways and small winding roads while listening to typical Sicilian music to the picturesque village of Castemola, which is in the shadows of Mt. Aetna. We enjoy delicious local wine and antipasto in a cafe over looking the infamous volcano. What a view! Once the “vino” and “formaggio” is gone we have now have the energy to visit Taormina. Shopping galore & GELATO! My favorite flavor of gelato is Nocciolo, which is chocolate/hazelnut. It did not disappoint!
Now that my belly and shopping bags are full I reluctantly return to the port, with dreams of returning soon to Sicily!
Shared by L Madeo, Royal Caribbean Cruises
Business Development Manager while on a Mediterranean cruise
Planning Your Next Trip with Atlas Travel Center
At Atlas Travel Center, we’ve spent over 35 years helping travelers turn ideas like the one in this post into fully realized journeys. Whether you’re reading this as inspiration for a trip you’re already planning or as the first seed of a travel dream, our advisors are here to take it from concept to confirmation — handling every detail along the way.
What sets Atlas apart isn’t just our longevity in the business — it’s the depth of expertise we bring to every booking. Our agents are specialists, not generalists. Many have personal experience at the destinations they recommend, onboard the ships they book, and with the tour operators they partner with. When you work with an Atlas advisor, you’re getting counsel grounded in real experience, not just what’s on a website.
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Online booking tools have made it easier than ever to assemble a trip — and also easier than ever to make an expensive mistake. The lowest price on a comparison site often omits a resort fee, books a room category you wouldn’t choose if you saw the photos, or locks you into a cancellation policy that offers no flexibility. Our advisors know the inventory, the fine print, and the suppliers well enough to navigate all of it on your behalf.
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