Taormina - Best from Messina or Catania?

[bama4cruisin]

Having never been to Sicily, I know we'll visit Taormina and Castlemola, but we need to decide if that is best done from Messina or Catania. On our B2B next year, the first cruise stops at Catania on September 8 and the second cruise stops at Messina on September 12.

 

I have 2 questions: 1. Is one port or the other easier for a private tour to Taormina and Castlemola? 2. Would either Catania or Messina have more to offer "on their own" than the other . . . that could be a factor in deciding from which to venture to Taormina. Thanks for the input!

[marazul]

Depends on what other excursion they offer from either port. From Catania you can go to Syracuse. You might want to plot the places on a map and see where the most efficient sightseeing would be.