FMF just being well... FMF!

Very very short hop from Messina to mainland Italy - and from Malta to Sicily. And then ... yes some try to take the train. Schengen or no Schengen, Customs Officers patrol all trains from Italy into Switzerland- for that very reason. Try and refuse to show your papers to those guys on the train, and shout Schengen, and see what happens.

We have done both Malta Sicily, and Sicily-mailand- as day trips.