Cruise Talk: MESSINA, PALERMO,KATAKOLON,HERAKLION

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » MESSINA, PALERMO,KATAKOLON,HERAKLION

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Author

Topic: MESSINA, PALERMO,KATAKOLON,HERAKLION

neviboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 1527

posted 08-02-2001 05:36 PM

Anyone knows of a good excursion tour, taxi or agency ?
neviboy

Posts: 75 | From: Pompano Bch. Florida. USA | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

Marcia
First Class Passenger
Member # 1198

posted 08-02-2001 06:49 PM

Hi Neviboy, At Messina, take the ship tour to Taormina, they have one that just takes you there and lets you explore on your own for several hours. We went with three other couples and we split up to sightsee on our own and agreed to meet again for lunch. It is beautiful, there is a Greco-Roman Theater and you can see Mt. Etna thru the arches, wonderful views of the ocean below. We found a little Pizza Resterant, (actually had an English menu, it was down a walk way between old buildings), but when we went in the owner took us out onto a balcony overlooking the ocean and we had the best Pizza I have ever eaten. It was just "magical". If you have been watching any of the T.V. coverage of Mt. Etna, some of the shots are taken for the main street of Taormina. I will never forget it. Have a wonderful cruise.

Posts: 101 | From: Hamilton, Oh. U.S.A. | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Italian Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1684

posted 08-08-2001 09:34 AM

Hi neviboy! I totally agree with Marcia: Taormina is a wonderful place and you could also have the opportuniti to relax on the beach stopping at the nearby Giardini Naxos.About the cuisine I suggest you to taste the red wines, if you like them, the grilled fishes, and the "cassata" and "cannoli alla siciliana"(typical regional desserts).
Palermo is a wonderful place with many monuments to see like the Norman Royal Palace,the Chathedral,the Martorana,San Cataldo,San Giovanni degli Eremiti churches ( the architecture combine western medieval elements with byzantine and arab influences ).I suggest you to take a taxi ( they have reasonable prices ) also for visit the nearby Monreale ( about 10 km from the port of Palermo ) with the most magnificent Chathedral of the South of Italy ( wonderful golden mosaics ).If you want combine art and relax take a tour to Cefalu'( this little city has another wonderful norman Chathedral and a great beach) or to Selinunte and Marinella beach ( in this case you'll visit imposing greek temples ).About the greek ports for Katakolon take a tour to the nearby Olympia ( a very interesting even if not imposing greek archeological site,with temples,a stadium and a very interesting archeological museum that conserves wonderful sculpture of the Classical Age ).About Heraklion don't reserve an excursion but take a taxi, because the many intersting things to see are in the city ( the Minoan Archeological Museum with a great collection of frescoes and jewels and the Venetian quarter with a fortress and a fountain of the Renaissance Age ) or in the nearby ( the famed Palace of Knossos discovered by Evans).In a short time you can also reach wonderful beaches: I suggest you to go to the typical village of Haghios Nikolaos where there are also excellent little restaurants and shops.

Posts: 887 | From: Orvieto (Italy) | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

neviboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 1527

posted 08-08-2001 06:11 PM

Thank you both. I have copied and will plan accordingly.
neviboy

Posts: 75 | From: Pompano Bch. Florida. USA | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

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