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Research Your Ancestors in Sicily from Cruise Terminal of Messina

5.00
5.0(13 reviews)
Private Tour
English, Italian, Spanish
Mobile ticket
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Overview

Available languages

English
Italian
Spanish

Mobile ticket

Our service will allow you to search for your origins in Sicily through a search in the town where your ancestors were born, we will also be happy to make you taste the Sicilian culinary specialties in one of the many typical restaurants.

You will provide us with the name of the city 'where you want to go and we will take care of everything if you have any special request just communicate it at the time of booking and we will be happy to be able to help you spend an unforgettable time in Sicily.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

"Research Your Ancestors" – A Journey Into Your Sicilian Roots Embark on a deeply personal and emotional journey through the heart of Sicily with our "Research Your Ancestors" tour — a unique experience designed for those who wish to trace their family origins and reconnect with their ancestral heritage. Departing from all major ports and hotels across Eastern Sicily, this tour is fully customizable based on your family history. Together, we'll explore the towns and villages where your ancestors once lived, walked, and built their lives. We begin with a visit to the local municipality offices, where we’ll assist you in researching official documents, including birth, marriage, or death certificates. These records may reveal names, dates, and addresses that bring your family story to life. If your family home still exists, we'll take you there to see IT in person — and if possible, arrange a meeting with distant relatives who may still live nearby. IT’s not uncommon for travelers to form lasting connections with family members they never knew existed. We’ll stroll through the streets, piazzas, and churches that shaped your ancestors’ daily lives, giving you an authentic glimpse into the past. Along the way, we’ll share historical and cultural insights to help you fully understand the environment your family once called home. IT's also possible to add optional stops for local food, artisan shops, and family-run wineries. Let Sicily welcome you home. Your family history is waiting to be discovered!

Options

Research Your Ancestors in Sicily from Cruise Terminal of Messina

Pickup included

What‘s Included

Driver who will welcome you in the predetermined place

Private transportation

Bottled water

Air-conditioned vehicle

Gratuities

Lunch

Pickup points

Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare

Via Nazionale 137, Mazzaro Italy

San Domenico Palace

Piazza San Domenico, 5 Taormina Italy

Hotel Villa Schuler

Via Roma, 2, Piazzetta Bastione Taormina Italy

Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina

Via Teatro Greco 59, Taormina Italy

Hotel Villa Belvedere

Via Bagnoli Croci, 79, Taormina Italy

New Villa Carlotta Hotel

Via Gandhi, 3, Ragusa Italy

NH Collection Taormina

Via Circonvallazione 11, Taormina Italy

Hotel Villa Diodoro

Via Bagnoli Croci 75, Taormina Italy

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

5.00

13 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

13
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0
0
0
  • Above and beyond

    billcV8718FH,Apr 21, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Erika and Filippo were fantastic. We scheduled for a Saturday and, without us asking and knowing that town offices would be closed, reached out to those towns in advance and brought certified birth certificates for the relatives we were wanting to learn more about. Erika’s personality and approach connected us with a lot of people in both towns we went to. In the first, she was able to connect us with a cousin we didn’t know we had, and then politely decline their lunch invitation that would have made us unable to visit the second town. During that second visit, we eventually were able to contact a second relative in Pisa who wanted to share their family tree, and Erika offered to relay whatever information they were able to get in the weeks after our visit. The day was lovely, Erika and Filippo were fantastic, and they went above and beyond with the pre-trip work and post-trip follow-up.

  • Absolutely wonderful

    francescoiY5418YY,Nov 18, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    An absolutely wonderful service for anyone researching their Sicilian roots. Filippo handled the driving with great professionalism, and Erica was full of fascinating insights about the island’s history and culture. They were both so flexible and attentive to our special requests. The ancestral town visit was deeply meaningful, and the local food tasting at the end was a perfect touch. A 10/10 experience!

  • Fantastic experience

    N4883TVdeborahl,Nov 16, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Fantastic experience from start to finish! Filippo and Erica went above and beyond to make our ancestry trip special. Everything was perfectly organized, and the local restaurant they chose was amazing. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!

  • Experience Sicilian Heritage

    soniabQ7927SZ,Nov 10, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    This tour was beyond my expectations! Filippo and Erica made us feel like part of their family. They organized everything perfectly — from finding the little village of Castroreale Messina where my mother was born to booking a restaurant where we tasted the most authentic Sicilian dishes. Erica’s passion for Sicily and Filippo’s friendliness made the whole journey relaxed and joyful. Highly recommend this experience if you want to connect with your Sicilian heritage!

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  • Unfortunately day

    loubH4991SA,Nov 10, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    I had the most incredible experience tracing my Sicilian roots with Filippo and Erica! They helped me visit the exact town where my great-grandparents were born, and even arranged for me to meet some locals who shared stories about the area. Filippo was such a kind and careful driver, and Erica’s knowledge of Sicilian history made everything come alive. We ended the day with a delicious traditional meal that truly felt like coming home. Unforgettable!

  • An Incredibly Moving and Professional Experience

    katemB7239LB,Oct 31, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    I came to Sicily with very little information: just my great-grandfather's name and the town he was from, Novara di Sicilia. I booked this tour hoping for a small clue, but the experience was more profound than I could have imagined. Our guide, Erika, was the key. She is a skilled and passionate researcher. It was clear she had done her homework before we even arrived, having already contacted the local offices. She took us directly to the town hall's registry office (Ufficio Anagrafe), where, with her expert help in navigating the bureaucracy and translating the old script, we located my great-grandfather's official birth certificate. Holding that document in my hands was surreal. But the most powerful moment was finding the street where he grew up. Using the address from the certificate, Erika led us through the beautiful, ancient stone streets of the town right to the door. Standing on that spot, picturing my family walking the same path over a century ago, was incredibly emotional. Throughout the day, Filippo was the perfect driver. He handled the winding mountain roads with absolute professionalism, and the luxury vehicle was a comfortable and quiet place to reflect between our discoveries. He’s a true gentleman with a deep love for Sicily. This is not just a tour; it's a highly professional, deeply personal service that connected me to my heritage in a way I never thought possible. Highly recommended.

  • The best gift we ever gave our parents. Princeless memories

    martinai402,Oct 31, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    ​We booked this tour as a surprise for our parents' 40th wedding anniversary, to trace my father's family in the area around Sciacca. Handling a group of six with varying ages and interests can be challenging, but Erika and Filippo made it completely seamless and stress-free. The spacious and luxurious van was perfect for our family, ensuring everyone was comfortable. ​Erika's work was simply astonishing. Not only did she locate the marriage certificate of my grandparents, but she also discovered that we still had family living in a nearby town! She sensitively arranged a meeting, acting as a perfect translator and cultural bridge. Watching my father meet his first cousins for the very first time, sharing stories and old photos over an incredible lunch that Filippo recommended, was one of the most emotional and beautiful moments our family has ever shared. ​Filippo was more than a driver; he was our host for the day—patient, kind, and always ready with a cold bottle of water or a suggestion for the best cannoli. This tour gave us more than just information; it gave us a living, breathing connection to our past and a whole new branch of our family. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, perfectly executed. Thank you for giving our family these priceless memories.

  • A Journey to the Heart of My Family. ​Absolutely Unforgettable!

    Companion13376287027,Oct 31, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    My wife and I have dreamed of this trip for decades—to find the home my grandfather left in the mountains near the Madonie Park. From the moment Filippo picked us up in a stunningly comfortable and luxurious Mercedes, we knew we were in good hands. The winding roads were no match for his smooth, professional driving. ​Our guide, Erika, was fantastic. She wasn't just a guide; she was a historian, a translator, and a friend for the day. In the small town of Polizzi Generosa, she had already done preliminary research. Within hours, she navigated the local town hall archives (anagrafe) with a smile and found my grandfather's birth certificate. But the magic didn't stop there. She then led us down a tiny cobblestone alley to the very house he was born in. The emotion was overwhelming. We even met a distant cousin who owns a small bakery nearby, all thanks to Erika striking up a conversation with locals. ​This wasn't just a tour; it was the closing of a circle for my family. The professionalism, the luxury, the genuine care... it was worth every single penny. If you are searching for your roots, do not hesitate. Book with them. It will be one of the most meaningful experiences of your life.

  • BEST Excursion Ever ! ! !

    Joan O,Oct 29, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    My husband and I have traveled extensively. Taken many excursions; both through cruise ships and privately. Going to see the town where my mother was born in Sicily was always on my bucket list. When I found this excursion on Viator I was excited to give it a try. Our guides, Erika and Filippo, were the most knowledgeable, intelligent, accommodating, guides we’ve EVER had. The entire experience was nothing short of a magical bucket list experience. Highly recommend you ask for Erika and Filippo on your next visit to Sicily.

  • Best day ever

    P3773GNangelad,Oct 6, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    An absolutely amazing day! Filippo and Erika were THE best tour guides we could’ve ever asked for! Went above and beyond in service and comfort! Would HIGHLY recommend

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