Messina is the perfect stop on your Mediterranean cruise! You can combine a fascinating landscape (Mount Etna volcano) with a visit to a picturesque town (Taormina).
Mount Etna
Mount Etna is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily. The drive from the Port of Messina to Mt. Etna is about an hour and a half. As you drive towards Mt. Etna, you are provided with stunning views of the volcano. At about 11,000 feet high, Mt. Etna is the highest volcano in Europe. It is nearly 3 times larger than the next largest, Mount Vesuvius. Mt. Etna is also one of the world’s most active volcanoes. However, it is not too dangerous to visit as lava and gas does not build up. Its eruptions are more lava flows than massive explosions.
We visited the inactive Silverstri craters at about 6,500 feet on the south side of Mt. Etna. These craters were formed during the eruption of 1892. Walking around the craters, you will feel like you are on another planet. The craters are located near the mountain station Rifugio Sapienza and the Etna cable car.
Taormina
Taormina is a town located high on a mountaintop above the harbor. The town is known for its wonderful scenery as well as its position as one of Sicily’s chicest resort towns. This is a gorgeous town with a romantic atmosphere and plenty of excellent restaurants, bars, shopping, and plazas. You can easily relax and enjoy a cappuccino. You may also choose to visit:
- Ancient Theatre (Teatro Greco)
- Porta Messina
- Duomo di San Nicola
- Chiesa di San Pancrazio
- Odeon
- Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria
- Park Giovanni Colonna, Duke of Cesaro
- Palace Dukes of Santo Stefano
- Church of St. Joseph
Thinking about visiting Sicily? Contact us to start planning your vacation.