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Sicily, Etna & the Aeolian Islands

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8 days From £1,299 per person
4.4 stars(74 reviews)
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Fly to Sicily to discover historic towns, ancient UNESCO World Heritage sites and natural wonders, including Mount Etna and the volcanic Aeolian Islands

Mobility Rating 2

2026 Tour code: 26SCF

About the tour

From a base in the laid-back coastal town of Giardini Naxos, explore enchanting eastern Sicily - a perfect combination of scenic coastline, historic cities and unique culture.

Enjoy a guided tour of Taormina and its beautiful Greek theatre overlooking the Ionian Sea and uncover the ancient town of Syracuse, the birthplace of Archimedes. Journey up Mount Etna and view its craters before travelling past the lava fields on the most scenic stretch of the Circumetnea railway. Sail to the volcanic Aeolian Islands to experience this unique landscape and explore the towns of Lipari and Vulcano.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Exploring the historic coastal town of Taormina
Exploring the historic coastal town of Taormina
Delve into Sicily’s past in Taormina, visiting the Greek theatre, which was dug out of a mountain in the 3rd century BC, then taste a traditional Sicilian cannolo in a local pasticceria.
Discovering ancient Ortigia Island on a trip to Syracuse
Discovering ancient Ortigia Island on a trip to Syracuse
Journey to Syracuse to explore the historic streets of Ortigia, founded by the Greeks in 733 BC, and view the mythical Arethusa Spring and site of the Temple of Athena.
Viewing Mount Etna and riding on the Circumetnea Train
Viewing Mount Etna and riding on the Circumetnea Train
Experience the craters and surreal landscape of the most active volcano in Europe and see the lava fields on a train ride along the most scenic stretch of the narrow-gauge railway that encircles Mount Etna.
Cruising to the volcanic Aeolian Islands
Cruising to the volcanic Aeolian Islands
On a boat trip to this small, UNESCO-listed volcanic archipelago, stop at the islands of Lipari and Vulcano to admire rugged natural beauty, historic towns and Lipari’s colourful harbour.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Flying into Sicily and on to Giardini Naxos

Your holiday starts by meeting the Tour Manager at London Gatwick, ready for a flight to Catania on Sicily. After touching down on this historic Italian island, we transfer by coach to the hotel in Giardini Naxos.

The laid-back coastal town lies at the end of a small bay, at the other end of which is the ancient town of Taormina. Our four-star resort hotel sits on the seafront in large grounds of citrus trees leading to a private beach.

The excellent facilities focus on relaxation and include a number of outdoor pools, tennis courts, four restaurants and café-bars. Dinner is served at our hotel this evening.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - A rail trip to Taormina and the Greek theatre

Our first full day on Sicily begins after breakfast with a short coach journey to the historic town of Taormina. Founded by the Greeks in 392 BC, the town is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Ionian Sea.

On a guided tour, we see the stunning Greek theatre which dates back to the third century BC. Dug out of Mount Taurus, this vast venue once seated thousands to watch Greek tragedies or comedies and, during the later Roman period, gladiators. This impressive amphitheatre offers beautiful views of the sea and Mount Etna, Sicily's famous active volcano. Our tour ends at a 'pasticceria', where we taste a cannolo - Sicily's signature pastries filled with creamy ricotta.

The afternoon is then free to explore independently. You could visit Taormina's medieval Duomo or soak up the ambience with a coffee or gelato in the town's main square, Piazza IX Aprile. Tonight, and each evening of the tour, we dine at our hotel in Giardini Naxos.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Uncovering ancient myths in Syracuse and Ortigia

Travelling by coach after breakfast, we make our way to the city of Syracuse in the southeast of Sicily. The historic heart of the city is Ortigia, a small island inhabited for nearly 3,000 years and renowned for its Greek heritage. Founded by the ancient Greeks in around 733 BC, the city rivalled Athens in size by the fifth century BC.

On a guided tour, we visit some of Ortigia's great sights, such as the Baroque cathedral, built on the site of the Greek Temple of Athena, part of which remains inside. The temple is surrounded by Piazza Duomo, which is regarded as one of Sicily's most beautiful squares. The Arethusa Spring is an ancient freshwater pond near the sea, bedecked with papyrus and shrouded in myth. The town has palazzos and fountains to discover and, with a free afternoon to look around independently, you could treat yourself to lunch at a restaurant overlooking the bay.

After our explorations, we travel back to Giardini Naxos this evening for dinner at our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Exploring Mount Etna: Europe’s most active volcano

A highlight of the holiday awaits after breakfast as we visit the island's most iconic natural wonder.

An active volcano with a height of more than 10,000 feet and a circumference of around 93 miles, Mount Etna has captivated visitors for centuries. We travel by coach to Rifugio di Sapienza, the highest point of vehicular access on Mount Etna, where there is time to view the Silvestri craters and the volcanic scenery. You could also opt to take the cable car to the top where the summit's active crater is visible, often casting out smoke accompanied by lumps of tiny red and grey lava - an awe-inspiring sight to see. This afternoon, we have a different view of Mount Etna as we join the Circumetnea Railway on the most scenic part of the route, to Randazzo, travelling around the base of the volcano on a narrow-gauge railway. From here, we can view the surrounding lava fields and see how they have encroached on towns.

We return to the hotel in the late afternoon, with time to relax before dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Free day in Giardini Naxos

With a full day at leisure, today is a chance to explore the local area at your own pace. You might be tempted to make the most of the facilities at your hotel, relaxing on the private beach or lounging by one of the pools.

History buffs could visit the archaeological park near the hotel, where you can walk among the ruins of ancient Naxos, believed to be the oldest Greek settlement in Sicily, founded in the seventh century BC. There is also a museum with interesting artefacts recovered from the settlement.

Dinner at the hotel is included tonight, but if you would prefer to dine in town, you will find a good choice of restaurants in the area surrounding Piazza Municipio. Look out for local specialities, including seafood such as swordfish, and the baked pasta dish 'ncasciàta - a celebratory dish featuring a dome of pasta with a meat ragù encased by slices of aubergine.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Cruising to the volcanic Aeolian Islands

This morning, we travel by coach to the harbour of Milazzo for a boat cruise across the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea to the Aeolian Islands. A local guide is on hand all day to provide information about this small, UNESCO-listed volcanic archipelago.

Mooring at Lipari, the largest of the islands, there is time at leisure in the town. You could wander through the streets of this picturesque town, with pastel-coloured houses overlooked by a fortified hill. We continue by boat to the neighbouring island of Vulcano, famed for its hot springs and smoky volcanic peaks. Believed by the Romans to be a by-product of the God of Fire's underground workshop, the island was named in his honour. Even today, the black beaches, natural mud baths and rugged coastline have a touch of this ancient mythology about them. The small town, dappled with palms, is dominated by the mighty volcanic peak.

Sailing back to Sicily, we return by coach to our hotel in time for dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Time at leisure in Giardini Naxos

You are free to spend today as you wish, possibly relaxing on the hotel's private beach. In the sea, you can see the underwater fossilised lava from age-old Etna eruptions. Another option is to take a boat tour from Giardini Naxos harbour to the marine park of Isola Bella.

From the Taormina-Giardini railway station you could catch the train to Catania. Having been reconstructed over the centuries due to earthquakes and Etna's eruptions, its streets are dotted with impressive sites. Here, you can visit the 13th-century Castello Ursino and discover the city's history in its museum or wander along to the 2nd-century Greco-Roman amphitheatre, next to the Roman Odeon. Catania Cathedral stands in the Piazza del Duomo, between the main shopping street and the fish market.

As the birthplace of composer Vincenzo Bellini, Catania honours him with a piazza and in its cuisine. Pasta alla Norma is named after Bellini's popular opera. You could enjoy a lunch of this signature Sicilian dish before returning to the hotel for our final dinner together.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Homeward bound

Sicily bursts with history and natural wonders, and we have seen many of its finest offerings during our holiday in Giardini Naxos. From the volcanic Aeolian Islands and Mount Etna to the historic towns of Syracuse and Taormina, this Italian island showcases the beauty of Mediterranean Italy.

After breakfast this morning, it is time to say goodbye to Sicily and its rich culture. A coach transfer takes us to the airport in Catania for our flight back to London Gatwick, where your holiday draws to a close.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour features the same excursions, they may not necessarily be in the order listed above.

Discoveries collection

Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available

Departure times

Travel timings in your Holiday Confirmation are provisional and are subject to change. We will confirm your travel times in your final itinerary around 10-14 days before your departure. Eurostar or Flight times will be confirmed to you approximately 30-50 days before departure.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

UNAhotel Naxos Beach, Sicily

UNAhotel Naxos Beach, Sicily

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Train

The Circumetnea Train

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Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 74 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (38)
  2. 4 stars
    (25)
  3. 3 stars
    (10)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

M Smith

5 stars

Submitted 4/Jul

Excellent experience even though the weather was unusually hot

from Great Rail Journeys
Hi Mr Smith, Thank you for your review. I am glad you enjoyed your Sicilian holiday despite the weather being hotter than expected! Best wishes, Richard
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

momolinda

5 stars

Submitted 3/Jun

Very good itinerary with good programme of outings and free days. Very good hotel with excellent choice of food.

Collected by Trustpilot

Raymond POAD

5 stars

Submitted 31/May

Good hotel and food. Excellent tour manager in Della Cogan.

Collected by Trustpilot

Julia Hartke

5 stars

Submitted 30/May

Fabulous, well paced tour highlighting some of the best of Sicily's gems.

Collected by Trustpilot

Julia Hartke
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Julia

5 stars

Submitted 29/May

The guide was the best .I have had on a tour. Will go on another one which she leads.

Collected by Trustpilot

gill cross

5 stars

Submitted 13/May

Really good accommodation, great food with plenty of choice. Wonderful coach driver - calm and steady. Interesting visits with good information from our tour guide. Would have liked more train trips.

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