Cruise ships sailing the Mediterranean often stopover in Messina, Sicily in order for passengers to visit the Mt. Etna volcano or the charming Sicilian village of Taormina. The drive from Messina to Mt. Etna is about an hour, and the bus drives along the coast, passing by many lemon trees, before starting the long, winding climb to the visitors' center on Mt. Etna.
Mt. Etna is high enough to have skiing in the winter, and the lava flows and volcanic sites are quite interesting. The visitors' center also has a hotel, a couple of restaurants, and a few souvenir shops.
We visited Messina and Mt. Etna on the Carnival Liberty in May and thoroughly enjoyed our day on the island. A few cruise ship passengers managed to fit in time for one of Messina's famous canolis, which were excellent.
Sicily Travel Essentials from About Guide to Travel in Italy
- The Italian Island of SicilyView of Mt. Etna and the Island of Sicily from the Strait of Messina
- Messina, Italy on the Island of SicilyMessina, Italy on the Island of Sicily
- Messina, ItalyMessina, Italy
- Messina, SicilyMessina, Sicily
- Messina, ItalyMessina, Italy
- Harbor in Messina, Italy on the Island of SicilyHarbor in Messina, Italy on the Island of Sicily
- Harbor at Messina, ItalyHarbor at Messina, Italy
- Highway Along the Strait of MessinaHighway Along the Strait of Messina
- Mt. Etna on the Island of SicilyMt. Etna on the Island of Sicily
- Snow on Mt. Etna in MaySnow on Mt. Etna in May
- Hiking the Lava Fields on Mt. Etna in SicilyHiking the Lava Fields on Mt. Etna in Sicily
- Lava Fields on Mt. Etna on the Island of SicilyLava Fields on Mt. Etna on the Island of Sicily
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