Hotels Messina

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  Scilla E Cariddi B&B

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Known to many as the door to Sicily, Messina is a beautiful harbor town which is often overlooked by tourists as they make their way onto the Island. It's proximity to the mainland has meant that Messina has been a busy trading port for many centuries. The short journey of just two miles from mainland Italy to the port here has meant that there have been ferries making this crossing since before the time of the Ancient Greeks. Holiday makers should not be so quick to overlook this busy and vibrant port, however. With fantastic sightseeing opportunities, plenty of top quality restaurants and a good range of hotels Messina is a place that one should certainly spend a bit of time exploring before heading off deeper into Sicily itself. The place has a fantastic history and plenty of historical architecture which is just waiting to be discovered so take some time out and enjoy your stay in this beautiful and historic town.

The potential of the natural sickle shaped harbor at Messina was first recognized by the Greeks and it has been a thriving city of incredible importance ever since. Beset by natural disasters over the centuries, including several very large earthquakes, Messina today is a relatively modern city which has been constructed with safety in mind. There are plenty of festivals and celebrations throughout the year which commemorate the town's history, including the famous "Ride of the Giants" which takes place on the 13th and 14th of August annually. To celebrate the founding of the city two enormous statues known as Grifone and Mata are paraded through Messina's streets. On the following day there is a great feast and papier mache figures are pushed through the town by thousands of people using a wagon. This festival is one of the highlights of Messina's calendar and it is highly recommended for guests to try and visit at this time to participate in the celebrations.

There is plenty to do here and with such a good choice of hotels Messina is a wonderful place to stop and relax for a couple of days while exploring the beautiful country of Italy. The Peloritan Mountains which encircle the city form a dramatic backdrop to the city and offer visitors to the region spectacular views across the Mediterranean Sea. In the town itself there are a number of ancient churches and cathedrals as well as one of the most complex and biggest astronomical clocks in the world. The clock tower which forms part of the bell tower of the Cathedral of Messina springs into life every day at noon when a whole host of mechanical creatures illustrate some of the most influential civic and religious events that have happened in the city. Unsurprisingly, the bell tower is a great draw among the tourists and should certainly be paid a visit while you are exploring this fascinating little town.

When it comes to hotels Messina has a good range of quality establishments that are perfectly positioned to help visitors make the most of their time here in the most north-eastern tip of Sicily. There are beautiful spacious rooms available which overlook the sea and a wide variety of dining options are available to enable guests to sample the finest of Sicilian cuisine. There is no shortage of modern facilities here with air-conditioning as standard and free Wi-Fi available at many of Messina's top hotels, making them a good choice for both holiday makers and business travelers alike. Many hotels are within walking distance of the city's main sightseeing attractions and offer guests a welcome haven when exploring this beautiful region which is steeped in history and ancient mythology.

There is so much to discover in Messina from beautiful Norman churches to the spectacular Regional Museum which holds many great works of art from across the centuries. Around almost every corner there is another statue or monument, be it the gilded Madonna who gives her blessing to every ship that enters the harbor or the statue of Neptune who outstretches his arm to the sea in order to calm the waters which have, in the past, caused great devastation to the area. Spend some time in this wonderful region and get a true taste of Sicily.

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