Along the Nile, beyond history
Timeless impressions sailing to discover Upper Egypt, from Luxor to Abu Simbel
Sicily, Straight Out of The Godfather
The Godfather is one of the most important trilogies in the history of cinema. Francis Ford Coppola brilliantly adapted Mario Puzo’s novel for the screen, with Al Pacino and Marlon Brando as the unforgettable faces of Vito and Michael Corleone.
This is a journey through Sicily in the footsteps of those films — a cinematic road trip through the island’s history and traditions, colonized by the Greeks, Romans, and Normans; a territory that was part of the Crown of Aragon, occupied by the Nazis during World War II, and birthplace of the Cosa Nostra — the Sicilian Mafia.
We start our journey at the end of the story — on the steps of Palermo’s Teatro Massimo, where Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) lets out that devastating cry of grief when he discovers his daughter Mary (played by Sofia Coppola) has been shot. Palermo's Teatro Massimo, inaugurated in 1897, was the largest opera house in Italy and the third largest in Europe, after the Paris Opéra and the Vienna State Opera. From its terrace, the views sweep 360 degrees across the city.
Final scene of "The Godfather" trilogy on the steps of the Teatro Massimo in Palermo.
The Teatro Massimo in Palermo, inaugurated in 1897, was the largest opera house in Italy and the third largest in Europe.
Located in the north of the island, on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Palermo is the capital of Sicily and a city that bears the mark of every civilization that ever conquered it: Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Spaniards, and Austrians — every conqueror left something behind. Discovering it means wandering its churches, sumptuous palaces, cobblestone streets, and markets — and tasting its traditional "Pasta con le sarde" (pasta with sardines), the “Arancini” (fried rice balls), and the quintessential dessert, the “Cannoli” — crispy fried pastry tubes filled with ricotta.
You can explore Palermo and its surroundings at the exclusive hotel Villa Igiea. The villa was acquired in 1899 by the Florio dynasty — one of Sicily’s most powerful families at the time — who transformed it into a luxury hotel. During the early 20th century, it welcomed magnates, artists, and even members of European royalty of the time such as King Edward VII of England, Queen Alexandra, and Princess Victoria. And Tsarina Maria Feodorovna arrived in 1907 aboard the royal yacht Victoria & Albert to have lunch at Villa Igiea and explore Palermo.
- This villa, which opened as a hotel in the early 20th century, was fully renovated in 2019 and reopened in 2021. —
- An exclusive and revitalizing base for exploring Palermo and its surroundings. —
- The name of the village was chosen in honor of Hygeia, goddess of health and hygiene. —
- Photos: Rocco Forte Hotels.
Throughout the world wars, Villa Igiea was requisitioned and used as a hospital. Once peace returned, Villa Igiea reclaimed its status as a haven of luxury and glamour, starting in the 1950s. This hotel was completely renovated in 2019 and reopened its doors in 2021.
Villa Igiea was purchased in 1899 by the influential Florio dynasty, then one of the most important families in Sicily. Photo: Rocco Forte Hotels.
"Every man has his own destiny"
Vito Corleone
Vito Corleone
About 57 kilometers from Palermo lies Corleone — the town where Vito Corleone was born. Though Coppola couldn’t film there, the town is worth a visit in its own right — it has 101 churches, each with unique styles that denote the presence of Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, and Normans throughout its history. Near Corleone, in the town of Salemi, a visit to the Mafia Museum is a must to put into context all the imagery that Puzo captured in his novel.
From there, the route continues southeast to the Ionian coast. There, in the train station of Taormina, Coppola filmed the meeting between Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) and his ex-wife Kay (played by Diane Keaton), though Coppola renamed the station Bagheria in the film.
Al Pacino and Diane Keaton in a scene of the film shot at the Taormina train station.
Taormina station was another of the locations used by Coppola in the film "The Godfather".
For the past two centuries, artists, actors, and trendsetters have been drawn to enchanting Taormina. No wonder: with its rustic charm, sweeping views, and the looming presence of Etna on the horizon, it’s one of the most spellbinding places on earth. From the Grand Hotel Timeo, you have easy access to the most fascinating corners of eastern Sicily. Just next door stands the magnificent ancient Greek theater, where the sunsets are nothing short of extraordinary.
You can tour the surrounding hills aboard a vintage Fiat 500, stopping in the Godfather towns of Savoca — with the Church of Santa Luzia, scene of the wedding between Michael Corleone and Apollonia Vitelli, and the famous Bar Vitelli, where the wedding reception takes place. In nearby Forza D'Agrò, the Church of the Holy Trinity is featured in the scenes where Michael visits the village of Corleone for the first time. Also in that town is the family home where Don Vito was born. (Coppola couldn’t film in the actual town of Corleone, so he had to scout locations elsewhere.)
A fun experience: touring the villages of The Godfather aboard a vintage Fiat 500. Photo: Belmond.
A must-stop for an aperitivo at the legendary Bar Vitelli, in Savoca.
From Taormina, the island opens up through a range of exclusive experiences: a helicopter flight over Etna, an Italian cooking class, a sail to the Aeolian Islands, a private wine tasting among the best vineyards of the region, or an afternoon at the spa.
The views from the hotel over Taormina Bay are breathtaking.
The Grand Hotel Timeo sits atop a hill overlooking Taormina.
An exclusive way to discover one of Sicily’s most beautiful coastlines.
History is present in every corner of the hotel.
The food is a highlight — a creative take on traditional Sicilian dishes using local ingredients. Photos: Belmond.
A few kilometers from Taormina, the route ends at the photogenic Castello degli Schiavi, near Fiumefreddo — a 17th-century architectural gem that served as the Corleone family home in Coppola’s film, and the place where Don Vito draws his last breath.
The Castello degli Schiavi is the place where Don Vito dies in the movie.
Poster of the first "The Godfather" movie, which won 3 Oscars in 1973.
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