Messina/Taormina
 

Ship docks in Messina. How easy is it do Taormina by train? Thanks.

Dock,
I don't know about the train, but we hired a taxi at the dock and he drove us to Taormina (about 35 mins.) He dropped us off in centre of town and picked us up 3 hours later. He drove back to the ship through Messina and showed us some of the sights there. I am not positive, but I think he charged about 100E.
Diana

Thanks for the info, are there many cabs at the dock?

Jeff,
As I recall, there was a long line of cabs, also an english speaking guide who helped you negotiate a rate and then you pay at the end. Have a great trip.
Diana

Getting to Taormina by train was very easy. The hardest part was getting to the train station. We should of asked at the dock how to get there instead we walked around town and then couldn't find anyone that spoke english.
The docks to the the train station is a few blocks away, but not too far too walk.

We shared a cab with two other passengers to the train station, which was just a few blocks away. The train ride was gorgeous. Even though there were plenty of little private rooms with comfortable seats on the train, my husband stood in the aisle by a window facing the sea during the entire ride. It was one of the highlights of our trip. The cost of the roundtrip train ride was very inexpensive.

Thanks for the info. I will not book ships tour as it seems easy enough to do alone. Was it difficult getting the bus or a cab up to the town of Taormina as I believe it is on a hilltop?

Nah, not difficult at all, and the cab ride is kind of fun, full of steep, twisting roads and gorgeous views. When you leave the train station, you will see cabs parked by the side of the road. Maybe you can share a cab up to Taormina. We did. The ride is only 5 or 10 minutes. When you are ready to leave Taormina to go back to the train, you will see plenty of cabs parked in the area where the cab first let you off, so you can also easily get back to the train. The price is a heck of a lot less than what the ship charges to get you there.
By the way, make sure that you see the Greek Theater (Teatre Greco). The views are absolutely stunning. I would go back to Taormina just to see that again. It is one of the prettiest views you will ever see in your life.

Thanks alot danceintothemusic. Do you by any chance have tips on Cannes and Monte Carlo?

It has been several years since I was in Cannes, but my daughter was there three years ago on a honeymoon cruise, and they drove to St. Tropez and had a fabulous time. I am not sure how long that would take from Cannes, but they did it in a day. When I was in Cannes, it was during the film festival, and the traffic and crowds were horrendous. But it was all very exciting! The place is very walkable.

The first time we were in Monte Carlo, we rented a car and drove to Eze, France, not very far away. We also had our two teenaged daughters with us. The scenery along the way is incredibly beautiful, and Eze is lovely, with lots of little shops. The ship will probably offer a bus to Eze and back. You can probably rent a car and share that expense with another couple, saving a bit of money. The other benefit of driving is that you can pull over to the side of the road and look at the gorgeous views. You will not regret a visit to Eze.
The other times we have been in Monte Carlo, we have just walked the town. The park in front of the Casino is really neat and full of great statues. There is a warren of little streets full of neat shops over by the castle. That area was fun to explore. There is plenty to see in Monte Carlo in one day, enough to keep you busy until it is time to return to the ship. In fact, if you stay in Monte Carlo, you can walk back to the ship for lunch, and then head out again.