GrammaZ

I did email Vicky again after finding this discussion on the boards. And he replied the next day. He asked for my address again as he thought he had mailed my appraisals out to me but obviously I didn't get them. So will keep all posted as to when I receive them.

I purchased a few items from Vicky in February. He promised to send the appraisals shortly as he was "out of appraisal forms". After two or three emails asking for them as well as a piece he promised to send me that was to be a gift, I gave up. Will try again to email him and see if I get a response. I had my pieces appaised here and they came in at over twice what I paid. That usually is the case I find with appraisals when they are replacement value. I love my bracelets and earrings and felt I got good value but wish he would answer my email. Never thought to contact Joyce for help but maybe I will. Will try Vicky again first.

Yes, the shuttle is free but you have to pay for parking. The shuttles run about every 10 to 15 minutes.

The car worked really well in Messina. We used Hertz, which is just across and down a little bit from where the ship docks. The staff we encountered didn't speak much English but we managed fine. It also doesn't open until 9:00 so getting off the ship early isn't any real advantage. The roads are totally manageable, comparable to country driving here in North America. You have to contend with the tour buses, they don't move too fast.

The only suggestion I could give is do Taormina first. It is a beautiful little town, no traffic allowed. The parking lot is only about a two or three minute shuttle ride from town. A substantial amount of parking in a two or three floor parking structure. We did Etna first and it took about an hour and a half to get up there. By the time we walked around a bit and then got back down to Taormina it was well after 1:00. Most stores started shutting down for siesta around 1:30. Some remained open but not the ones we were interested in. Didn't have time to go over to the open theatre which was a disappointment as many said there were beautiful views from there. Our ship required us back on board by 4:00 or 4:30. If we had to do it over again, we might even miss Etna. Later that night our captain detoured to Stromboli which was an amazing light show. If you don't take a private tour of Etna you are just walking around volcanic rock and looking at small craters. So to each his own.

We are doing Messina to Taormina and Etna in September on the Liberty. We have rented a car from Hertz for the day for 58 Euros including 100 kilometres and all the taxes etc. We figure about another 150 kilometres (which I am being very generous) at .17 each should do the trip, an additional 26 Euros, plus petrol & tolls, which Via Michelin estimates at 9 Euros for a total of 93 Euros. Divide that in two and that's about 46 Euros per couple, far cheaper than Carnival excursions. The driving seems not too crazy in this part of Italy and pretty straightforward. This might not suit your circumstances but I am presenting it as information for others.