Ahoy there, JFC-ers!

As you know, we’re all about cheap flights over here at JFC. But really, we’re all just majorly into travelling—seeing corners of the world we’ve only dreamt of, experiencing places and people and situations we’d never even imagined.

Since we know that most of the JFC community feels the same way, our social media gurus took to Facebook to find out how you all feel about a side of travel we don’t discuss much: cruising.

As a travel style, it tends to divide the masses. On the one hand, you have the camp that loves the convenience of all the food, drink, and entertainment on tap, and the novelty of waking up in a new port most days. 

On the other, there are plenty who feel that dipping your toes into a country for just one day just doesn’t scratch the itch to discover somewhere new. Nor does it benefit local economies or do any good for the environment.

And then there are others, like myself, who feel like it all depends on the destinations in question, the style of cruise, and the purpose of the holiday. 

So where do you stand on the great cruise debate? Join the discussion over on Facebook, or hit ‘Reply’ on this email.

Happy travels and safe dockings,

Last week, I waxed lyrical about my glory days onboard the train ferry between Hamburg and Copenhagen, disappointed that a new tunnel would soon force it into retirement.

As it turns out, I missed the boat (pun intended) on that pity party, as the train between Hamburg and Copenhagen has already been taking the “long way round” for some time. (Thanks to those of you who wrote in to save me bitter disappointment later down the line!)

That got me digging to see where, if anywhere, I could recreate that magic feeling of sitting on a train as it boards a boat. The answer? Italy. More specifically, the routes that run between mainland Italy and Sicily. 

Boarding in Rome, it’ll take a little over 8 hours before you reach the town of Messina, the first stop on the island. From there, you can choose to continue across the island’s north coast towards Palermo, or venture south to Catania and Syracuse. End-to-end, you’re looking at a 12-hour journey between Rome and Palermo, but break it up along the way, and it’s undoubtedly one of Europe’s most enjoyable routes.

The first major port of call is Naples, a personal favourite of Flight Finder Fran. Sure, it doesn’t have the best reputation, but scratch the surface, and you’ll find that the city actually has bags of character. On top of the historical buildings and gastronomical delights, it also makes a great base for visiting the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Of course, you could opt to skip the chaos and grit altogether by continuing further south to Salerno. Right on the edge of the Amalfi Coast, it’s a more affordable place to stay while you soak in the colourful cliffside towns and terraces of Positano, Minori, et al. by ferry. Even sea sickness sufferers are likely to prefer that option over the crowded buses that travel along winding cliffside roads!

Since Salerno is technically not on the Amalfi Coast itself, you avoid the main tourist throng. Instead, expect to be immersed in the real Italy, but still served up with a side of fascinating history—anyone for a medieval aqueduct supposedly built in just one night with the help of the devil? 

Chugging onwards along the rugged Italian coastline, the train finally arrives at the Strait of Messina in Villa San Giovanni, ready to embark on its voyage to Sicily. And after a scenic 25-minute sailing, you’re in Messina.

You’d be forgiven for wanting to hop off in Messina itself. The elegant baroque architecture, the imposing cathedral with its astronomical clock, and the marble fountains and statues all give the city a real sense of grandeur and importance. But carry on an hour further down the line, and you’re in a whole different world.

Taormina shows off Sicily’s glitzy side, with posh hotels, luxury yacht tours, and trips to the opera par for the course. But it has its less polished, charming side, too. From winding backstreets packed with traditional cafés, to ruins of a Greek amphitheatre, and Mt Etna’s humbling smoke rings in the distance, there’s more to the town than the finer things. 

Carry on down this branch of the line, and the mood changes again. Catania has more of an underground appeal. It’s a city where everyday Sicilian life takes place, and finding the best bars means navigating a street full of coffin makers. 

It’s different again to the final stop in this direction, Syracuse. Joined at the hip (and by bridges) to the old town centre on the island of Ortigia, this place is for you if you want nothing more than to wash away a long train journey by jumping straight in the sea. You’ll get a bit of everything here, like a sprinkling of the baroque, and oodles of ruins at Neapolis Archaeological Park. 

JFC’s resident Sicilian food expert (and Head of Socials) Danni recommends that if you stop off in Syracuse and Ortigia, you absolutely must visit Caseificio Borderi for the most unbelievable sandwiches. Not only are they “huuuuuge”, they also hand make each one and put a different spin on them every time.

Taking the northern branch from Messina, however, the train terminates in Sicily’s capital, Palermo. The city has grown and changed since the days when the Mafia ruled the roost. Nowadays, it’s filled with stunning palaces, ornately decorated piazzas, and fascinating museums like the No Mafia Memorial.

On top of that, it’s got food markets to die for. You can guess where Danni spends most of her time when she visits Palermo! In particular, she suggests Sit & Mancia, where you tell the staff exactly what you want to eat, and they’ll make it. That said, she wouldn’t shut up about the traditional ragù at Trattoria al Vecchio Club Rosanero either… We better save all her wine recommendations for another day! 

So, now I've shared all the joy that the train ferry to Sicily can bring… who's with me?!

What would you like to see featured in The Detour? No travel question is too big or small for our globetrotting experts!