Private tour from Messina?

[Looking for Sunshine]

We are looking forward to visiting Taormina when docked in Messina, Scicily and would like to avoid the cruise ship excursions. Is there a private guide or tour operator you would recommend? Can you just take a taxi to Taormina and walk around? What were your favorite sights here?

[njhh]

The road is tricky to Taormina - my recommendation is to take the ship tour if the time and money is suitable, then just go your own way when you arrive (and once you learn the particulars about when to meet up with the group at the end of the tour time.) I think our ship tour was $45 pp and this allowed us a comfortable bus ride and information on the way there, and a couple hours to wander on our own.

 

However, if you have a full day (we only had half) then I think a private driver would be well worth the money (if you are able to do a few side stops.)

 

Nancy

[Halutznik]

We used Sicily Life (http://www.sicilylife.com) and traveled to Mt. Etna and Taormina. Our driver was Antonio and he was terrific.