One day in Sicily

Sicily is a large island, so your time will best be spent in or near the city where you dock. If you post the city (Palermo, I'm guessing), it will be easier for people to give you specific ideas.

Thanks. The ship will dock in Messina. We will be there from 10 am until 6 pm. Any suggestions?

Messina is closest to Taoromina which is a lovely town high above the sea. You would need a driver to take you there.

Toby, Taormina is beautiful. The beaches below the town are inviting and fun. If you go anytime after early June, it can be very warm, and the water is wonderful (but the sand/stones are HOT)

You can also rent a car or, take a bus or train. The trains leave every 30 minutes to the base of Taormina, then take a bus up to Town. The buses go direct, but may take longer.

Another option is to go see Mt Etna. Your cruise ship should have tours set up for this, and Mt Etna can be fasinating if it is erupting.

Thanks. If we take the bus to Taormina how long does the ride take? Also, do you know where we catch the bus in relation to our ship?

toby, if you go to www.cruisecritic.com and click onto "ports", you will get info on all the ports on your ship's itinerary. This will include how to get to the places of interest, what to do if you just want to hang out in a specific port, etc. I found it a valuable source of information when I took a Med. Cruise 18 months ago.