Grandma Cruising Posted April 22, 2018 #1 Share Posted April 22, 2018 In July we will be on the Quest on a Rome to Venice Cruise. Two of the ports are Giardini Naxos in Sicily and Ravenna in Italy. Can anyone tell me if Azamara offer shuttle buses in these two ports and if so where they drop you off? Any other information about these ports would be helpful. We want to visit Taormina in Sicily, and see the mosaics in Ravenna. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riocca Posted April 22, 2018 #2 Share Posted April 22, 2018 Azamara used to provide shuttle busses in Giardini Naxos but thanks to the local taxi union that stopped years ago. As you can imagine there will be plenty of taxis awaiting your business, unfortunately can’t remember what the cost is but we shared with friends which made it reasonable, there will be a Taormina on your own option with Azamara no doubt or others have posted in the past that it can be done with local busses. Last time we were in Ravenna with Azamara was 2011 but a shuttle was provided into the centre of town, from memory it was a fairly long ride. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Cruising Posted April 22, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted April 22, 2018 Thanks for the information. I guess it’s either taxi or the local bus in Giardini Naxos, then. I hope the shuttle bus is still going into Ravenna, that would be great. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lottie A Posted April 22, 2018 #4 Share Posted April 22, 2018 Loads of taxi's just outside the port gates in Giardini Naxos. Some of them are people carrier's that take 8 people. Cost about two years ago for a return journey was about 12-15 euro's pp. You can book your return journey with the taxi driver on the journey up to Taormina. I really love it there. A drink on The Hotel Metropole Terrace overlooking the Bay and of course the ship is a lovely way to relax for an hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spursgirl Posted April 22, 2018 #5 Share Posted April 22, 2018 Thanks for the information. I guess it’s either taxi or the local bus in Giardini Naxos, then. I hope the shuttle bus is still going into Ravenna, that would be great. Sent from my iPad using Forums Riocca is correct, the ride into Ravenna is very long and a shuttle bus was provided when we were there. Sure it will be the same for your cruise because there were no taxis at the port and if there were it would be an extremely expensive fare. Ravenna is pleasant enough to wander around for an hour or so but apart from the mosaics there is little of additional interest IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellbon Posted April 22, 2018 #6 Share Posted April 22, 2018 In July we will be on the Quest on a Rome to Venice Cruise.Two of the ports are Giardini Naxos in Sicily and Ravenna in Italy. Can anyone tell me if Azamara offer shuttle buses in these two ports and if so where they drop you off? Any other information about these ports would be helpful. We want to visit Taormina in Sicily, and see the mosaics in Ravenna. Sent from my iPad using Forums I love Taormina and have wandered the streets and shops, many places for lunch, my memory makes me think the taxi was closer to 20 Euros per taxi. Enjoy that port Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Cruising Posted April 22, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted April 22, 2018 Thanks everyone for the information provided - very helpful. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted April 22, 2018 #8 Share Posted April 22, 2018 If hubby (or you!) is into cars then a trip out to the Ferrari Museum at Marinello from Ravenna is a must. The mosaics in Ravenna itself are spectacular too. Do a bit of research on the travel to Taormina I didn't find a wealth of taxis when I have been there. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azamarajunkie Posted April 22, 2018 #9 Share Posted April 22, 2018 If hubby (or you!) is into cars then a trip out to the Ferrari Museum at Marinello from Ravenna is a must. The mosaics in Ravenna itself are spectacular too. Do a bit of research on the travel to Taormina I didn't find a wealth of taxis when I have been there. Phil I agree Phil, I did the Ferrari museum tour while Rose, Liz and Malc did Ravenna when we were last there on Az. If you’re a car buff, the Ferrari museum is a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Cruising Posted April 22, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted April 22, 2018 We thought about the Ferrari museum, but it looks a very long day and tours there seem pricey. I have done some research about buses to Taormina and know roughly where the bus stop is, so we would use that if there are no taxis around. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickypicky Posted April 22, 2018 #11 Share Posted April 22, 2018 Our last time in Ravenna was in 2009 on Quest, so my info is probably out of date, but your question brought back some nice memories. Yes, it was a fairly long shuttle ride, provided by Azamara...we were docked at an ugly container port. Maybe that has changed, though. We thoroughly enjoyed the mosaics on our own with Rick Steves' book to guide us. Also, since it was our only Italian port, we wanted to enjoy a meal. We had a lovely lunch with impeccable service at La Gardela. I believe it was in the older section and not hard to find (also a Rick Steves recommendation, at the time). From there we enjoyed the old piazzas and a large market. I also worked in a little shopping and purchased some beautiful table linens. I recall it as a nice, relaxing day, during a trip heavy on long tiring days of sightseeing. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellbon Posted April 23, 2018 #12 Share Posted April 23, 2018 I have never had a problem with taxis. You do wait in line with about 100 guests. But the drivers all know we are there and they keep coming. On the return I went to the taxi stand and went bs k with other guests Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted April 23, 2018 #13 Share Posted April 23, 2018 We thought about the Ferrari museum, but it looks a very long day and tours there seem pricey. If you are into cars this is a none issue. We went on a Sunday when the concessionaires there will let you out in a Ferrari for a test drive. In a California with little on the road was pretty memorable. But to appreciate it you have to be a total car nut like me! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Cruising Posted April 23, 2018 Author #14 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Does sound good, but we’re not that into cars. If our 11 year old grandson was coming with us, that would be a different issue - he loves cars and can identify any car he sees at a good distance, the sportier the better. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelBugM Posted April 23, 2018 #15 Share Posted April 23, 2018 The local bus from Giardini Naxos to/from Taormina is an experience not to miss. Cheap and cheerful. You can use euro to buy your return tickets from the driver. The bus stop is a short walk to the right after getting off the tender. The "bus station" is a little longer walk into Taormina proper, maybe 10 minutes, but nothing strenuous or dangerous. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Cruising Posted April 23, 2018 Author #16 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Thanks, folks. As always, great advice and information. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted April 23, 2018 #17 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Does sound good, but we’re not that into cars. If our 11 year old grandson was coming with us, that would be a different issue - he loves cars and can identify any car he sees at a good distance, the sportier the better. Sent from my iPad using Forums This is the one I bought after a test drive! Haha Phil Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Cruising Posted April 23, 2018 Author #18 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Great photo, nice car! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFL Posted April 23, 2018 #19 Share Posted April 23, 2018 [Ravenna is an interesting port. You can contact the ravenna Chamber of Commerce and they will mail you a "guidebook" of Ravenna walks including a Mosiac Trail. Spouse also like the chocolate shops. Azamara used to drop you off near city hall by the Garabaldi statute. Enjoy your cruise. Sfl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBMacLaird Posted April 23, 2018 #20 Share Posted April 23, 2018 This is the one I bought after a test drive! Haha Phil Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk oooo, that's the one I'd want too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nordski Posted April 23, 2018 #21 Share Posted April 23, 2018 oooo, that's the one I'd want too! Nice, but I’m not certain about that red. :) Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBMacLaird Posted April 23, 2018 #22 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Nice, but I’m not certain about that red. :) Sent from my iPhone using Forums Would no doubt catch the eye of the Highway Patrol, but what fun to drive, at least a few times. Maybe not to own. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted April 24, 2018 #23 Share Posted April 24, 2018 Nice, but I’m not certain about that red. :) Sent from my iPhone using Forums If it’s a Ferrari it has to be the red! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted April 24, 2018 #24 Share Posted April 24, 2018 If it’s a Ferrari it has to be the red! Phil Absolutely! Why do they even make other colors??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queenk2 Posted November 15, 2019 #25 Share Posted November 15, 2019 Any private tours to see the mosaics in Ravenna? From Bologna ?any info would be greatly appreciated. We will be there August of 2020. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now