Messina, Sicily, Italy

Sitting on the western shore of its namesake strait, this port serves as the gateway to Sicily, the isle just off Italy's "boot." Major attractions include Piazza del Duomo's cathedral and adjoining bell tower, which houses the world's largest astronomical clock; a 12th-century church; and a regional museum with works from Caravaggio. Shore excursions embark to Sicilian sites like hillside Taormina's ancient Greek theater or the rumbling Mount Etna. Rich soil makes the area an ideal grape-growing spot, so some tour-goers sip wine in the shadow of Europe's highest volcano. For seaside splendor, take a boat out to Isola Bella, known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. Themed excursions for "The Godfather" trilogy lead movie buffs to filming locations, while history aficionados will be enchanted with tales of deserted Tindari.

Language: Italian
Currency: Euro (EUR)