thetrainfamilyThis is one of the greatest train experiences we have ever had! And that’s saying a lot, since we’ve traveled quite a bit by train across Europe.
Last Train Ferry in Europe
There have been many train ferries around Europe, but most have now been replaced by bridges. As there is still no bridge between the Italian mainland and Sicily, there are still train ferries on this stretch. In fact, it is the only one left in Europe! I can still remember the train ferry between Funen and Zealand in Denmark, which was replaced in 1997 by the railway bridge on the Great Belt Bridge. It was therefore particularly exciting to drive into the gap on the ferry and tell the children about my old memories.
Train boarding the Ferry
Shortly after the station in Messina, the train boards the ferry. It was very slow and careful, which was nice. When the entire train had entered the ferry, it was announced over the loudspeaker that we could board the ferry. However, we could also stay. We took turns going onto the ferry.
The departure from Messina was beautiful and also a little wistful. We had spent lovely weeks in Sicily and knew the weather would get much colder the further north we traveled.
Surprise for the Children
When we got back on the train, the train staff had given all children a small bag with chocolate biscuits, water and a wet wipe. We hadn’t expected that and it was a pleasant surprise.
Arriving in Villa S Giovanni -Mainland Italy
My husband and son now went up and saw the sailing trip and came down again when it was said over the loudspeaker that you should return to your train. Then the ferry docked at Villa S Giovanni. As there were two trains on board and the second had to disembark before ours, it took quite a while before we could say goodbye to the ferry. And when the train finally rolled, it went very, very slowly. We could look up at the station in Villa S. Giovanni, where 3 weeks before we had stood and admired the trains going off and on the ferry, but it took forever to get up there. The train traveled in a long loop to get there and when we finally arrived it had taken half an hour to cover the few metres. It had really been an exciting train journey across the Straits of Messina. We were so grateful to have had that experience. I will write later about the remainder of that journey to Naples. So keep an eye on it.
