Messina-Taormina, Mount Etna or beachday

[DipBrat]

Trying to decide what to do for an early October stop in Messina. First time in Sicily but well traveled in Italy. Have a full day. Travelling with kids (8 and 5) but could split up or leave them on the boat.

 

I was interested in a Mount Etna but this is not offered by the cruiseline so wonder if it is too late in the year for that? I thought the 8 year old would be up for hiking and enjoy seeing a volcano, if it is not too cold.

 

The go to option seems to be Taormina but not sure I want to spend an hour in the car or bus to essentially see another nice Italian town.(I know the kids won't enjoy this much) If the weather is good is there a close beach worth going to? My research says it should be high 70s/mid 20s which will be beach weather for us by October.

[DipBrat]

No Messina experts or even someone recently back who has some comments?

[marazul]

The water will be cold and it could be rainy. It will be fine to go to Etna. Etna is farther away from Messina than Taormina. Taormina is beautiful and much more interesting than Messina.

[vtxriders]

We booked a private tour, with Journeys Around Sicily, to Mt Etna and a winery for our trip in 3 weeks.

 

 

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[euro cruiser]

There won't be any services open on beaches in October, it's well past the swimming season in Sicily. I've walked in the water in October on a warm day but it still wasn't swimming weather.

 

I would think that seeing a volcano up close would be pretty exciting for kids. At the southern approach, Rifugio Sapienza, you can climb on two dormant craters (Crateri Silvestri) right next to the parking lot. From this area you can also take the cable car up to a higher point on the way to the active crater. You can't get very close, it is an active volcano after all, but the cable car would be a fun experience for kids and certainly more memorable than a day at a deserted beach.

 

If you go, do bring sweaters/jackets and wet weather gear as the weather is variable and can change quickly. You'll want closed shoes as well because the craters you can climb on are loose gravel.

[ab21au]

I climbed Mt Etna on our ship excursion but from Taormina. My guess it would be something like 2hr to get there from Messina.

 

If you and your kids can manage the trip to Etna, IMO it is well worth it. I loved it. Walking around the top of the crater from the extinct volcano and look across at the current crater was fabulous. The view from the top is unreal.

 

 

 

 

 

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[DipBrat]

Thanks all. I guess I was overestimating the temperature. Have been in Northern Med in late September and it is usually play on the beach even jump in the water quickly weather. Thought Sicily would be a few weeks behind in fall.

 

Etna certainly looks like the most interesting option.