The Magic of Sicily Tour | Great Rail Journeys

Tour Highlights

Guided tour of Palermo and Taormina
Excursion to Ortigia
Excursion to Monreale including its cathedral
Journey to Agrigento, including a guided tour
Excursion to Mount Etna
A journey on the Circumetnea train
A wine tasting near Mount Etna
Trip to the Silvestri Craters
Trip to Syracuse including a tour of Neapolis Park

What’s Included (Full details)

Heritage Rail Excursion
4* Hotel Accommodation
Breakfast Every Day
Selected Evening Meals
Return Scheduled Flights
Upgrades Available

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Itinerary
Hotels & Trains
Optional Extras

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Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Days 1-2

London to Palermo

We depart from London on our short flight to Catania Airport before transferring to our hotel in Palermo. We enjoy a guided coach tour of Palermo on Day 2 which introduces us to the main sights of the area. We see the busy port and attractive medieval quarter, along with the 'newer' section of the city. Following lunch in a local restaurant, our excursion continues to nearby Monreale.

Includes:

Scheduled flights
Day 1 - Dinner
Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3

Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples

We travel to Agrigento today, situated close to Sicily's southern shores. Following a tour, you have time to explore this archaeological site at your own pace.

Includes:

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4

To the Eastern Coast

Leaving Palermo behind, today we take the wonderfully scenic journey by rail to Messina. In Messina we continue south by coach and spend four nights on Sicily's Ionian coast, at the Sant'Alphio Hotel in Giardini Naxos. After settling in, we travel by coach to Taormina and enjoy a guided tour of the city.

Includes:

Breakfast, Dinner
Tour of Taormina

Days 5-6

Mount Etna

Today we visit Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano. We enjoy lunch in a local winery, with an included tasting. Later, we take the Circumetnea train (Standard Class) around the mountain's base. Day 6 is entirely free for you to relax in and around the hotel.

Includes:

Day 5 - Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7

Syracuse and Ortigia

This morning we visit the enchanting city of Syracuse, which in antiquity was the supreme power in Europe. Here we enjoy a guided tour of Neapolis. Later we continue to the nearby islet of Ortigia.

Includes: