MCM 2009

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

HOW TO ARRIVE TO TAORMINA

Taormina can be easily reached by any means of transport from all over the world fitting any traveller budget.
	Catania Fontanarossa International, the nearest and most convenient airport, is km 55 far from Taormina. From Catania airport Taormina can be reached in one hour drive by highway A18 direction Messina, highway exit TAORMINA. At Catania Airport: Direct bus to Taormina centre is available at the following time: 08.45 – 10.45 - 13.45 – 15.45 – 17.45 – 19.45 every day and the ticket costs about Euro 5,00 per person. By taxi the price is about Euro 80,00 (about 1 hour).

	For its charming Sicilian liberty decorative style Taormina's railway station is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. It offers a large variety of trains, from the deluxe Eurostar to the simple, but very efficient, "Espresso train" normally departing from Milan, Turin and Rome, passing through Naples, Amalfi and Capri. The railway station is only 4 km from Taormina town centre. The taxi parking area and the bus terminal are just opposite to the railway station main entrance.

	From Northern Europe & Italy, it is possible to take a comfortable ship from Genoa port (company Tirrenia) and reach Palermo in about 17/18 hours. From Palermo, Taormina can be reached by highway A19 (about 2 hours drive). Frequent ferries from Naples to Milazzo (one hour drive to Taormina) and one daily from Ravenna (Adriatic northern coast) to Catania as well as modern speed boats and catamarans daily from Malta to Catania and Pozzallo are also available.

	Sicily and Taormina can be reached by car through highways (green road signs) from the main Italian city. From Northern Italy, you can drive along the highway A1 through Naples and Salerno; then from Salerno (Amalfi coast & Capri area) take the free of charge highway A3 direction Reggio Calabria. Take exit "Villa S.Giovanni - Sicilia ", and get to the harbour where very frequent ferries connect the mainland to Sicily 24 hours a day (city of Messina) . Once in Messina, take highway A18 direction Catania, drive for about 30 minutes, and take exit "Taormina". If you come from Catania, just take highway A18 direction Messina and take exit "Taormina". If you come from Palermo take highway A20 to Messina, then highway A18 direction Catania and take exit Taormina.

	Taormina’s modern bus terminal is situated right in the town centre. Frequent buses (Company "Interbus") run from Palermo, Catania (airport included) and Messina. Moreover, there are easy connections from Rome and Amalfi (company Interbusiness), Bari, Brindisi (ferries from Greece) and Taranto (company Etna).

ELECTRICITY
The electric current in Italy is 220 Volts.

TIPPING
Service is generally included in the bill, tips are welcome if you wish to show your appreciation for a good meal or special service.

CREDIT CARDS
Major credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops. If you wish to use your credit card to pay for a taxi, please inform the driver before starting the journey.

SAFETY AND SECURITY
Taormina is as safe as any other European tourist resort and delegates area dvised to take the usual sensible precautions. All the hotels can offer security facilities for valuable goods.

INSURANCE
Responsibility for personal accidents or loss or damage to the private property of participants and exhibitors cannot be accepted. Participants and exhibitors are advised to make their own arrangements, with respect to insurance, if they consider it necessary.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON INTERNET
about transport and weather in Sicily
www.aeroporto.catania.it
www.interbus.it
www.meteo.it

about Taormina & Sicily
www.aastgiardininaxos.it
www.giardini-naxos.com
www.gate2taormina.com
www.gotaormina.com
www.travelplan.it/taormina_guide.htm
www.comune.taormina.it