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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Grand Tour of Sicily

Private-guide rail and jeep tour across Sicily, Catania to Taormina

Illustration of Grand Tour of Sicily

Railbookers operates this independent, 9-day rail vacation around Sicily, starting and ending near Catania with stops in Palermo and Taormina, plus a day trip to Syracuse. A private guide leads every included excursion, starting with a street food tour of Catania's Pescheria market on day two and a day trip to Syracuse's Archaeological Park Neapolis on day three. Trenitalia carries travelers between Catania, Palermo and Taormina on local, single-class trains, while private car transfers handle the airport and station legs. Palermo's two nights bring a walking tour of its UNESCO-listed historic sites, and Taormina's three nights include a walking tour of the Greek Theatre and a half-day, four-wheel-drive trip up Mount Etna that ends with a hike to the edge of a side crater. With private guiding on every excursion rather than a single tour escort, the trip suits travelers who want expert-led days without joining a larger group.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are chosen from 15 options across price tiers and cities (for example the Romano Palace or NH Catania Centro), so which property you get depends on the tier and city you pick.
  • Getting to Syracuse and up Mount Etna is by private car and jeep rather than train; the rail travel is limited to the Catania to Palermo and Palermo to Taormina legs.
  • The evidence gives no current departure dates; confirm availability and pricing with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Catania

    Your Journey Begins in Catania

    Welcome to Sicily! On arrival you will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel for a three-night stay. Take a stroll down the beautiful Piazza del Duomo for dinner.

  2. Day 2overnight: Catania

    Catania

    Enjoy breakfast then make your way to meet your private guide for your included street food tour of the Pescheria food market. Sample street food such as Coppo, Sfincione, local cheese and cured meats, and pastries like Cannoli and Cassatelle. Visit the ancient Roman Rotonda, amphitheatre, or Palazzo Conte Federico.

  3. Day 3overnight: Catania

    Syracuse Day Trip

    You will be met at your hotel by your own driver and guide for the 1hr drive south to Syracuse to tour the ancient Greek and Roman ruins. Explore the Archaeological Park Neapolis including the Greek Theatre, Ear of Dionysius, and Latomia del Paradiso, then Ortigia island.

  4. Day 4overnight: Palermo

    Catania to Palermo

    A driver will collect you from your hotel and escort you to the station for the journey to Palermo. All trains in Sicily are local services with one class of travel. On arrival, you will be met and delivered to your hotel for a two-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Palermo

    Palermo

    This morning make your way to meet your private guide for a relaxed walking tour of Palermo's UNESCO-listed sites, historic churches, squares, and monuments. In the afternoon visit the Royal Palace or Castello dea Zisa.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Taormina

    Palermo to Taormina

    You will be met at your hotel again this morning and taken to the station for a train journey to Taormina. On arrival in the afternoon, you will be escorted to your hotel for a three-night stay.

  7. Day 7overnight: Taormina

    Taormina

    Your guide will meet you at your hotel today and take you on a relaxed walking tour covering all the major sites of Taormina, including its famous Greek Theatre. Rest your feet and relax on The Isola Bella beach in the afternoon.

  8. Day 8overnight: Taormina

    Mount Etna Day Trip

    This morning embark on a half day trip as you climb the ancient slopes of Mount Etna on a private four-wheel drive jeep. Stop at a small village to taste local honey and almond cookies, explore a lava cave, and hike to the edge of a side crater.

  9. Day 9rail

    Your Journey Ends in Catania

    A driver will collect you from your hotel for the hour's drive to Catania airport, or speak to any of our Rail Experts should you wish to continue your travels elsewhere.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A private street food tour of Catania's Pescheria market includes tasting Coppo, Sfincione, local cheese, cured meats, and pastries like Cannoli and Cassatelle.
  • Day 3A private guide leads a day trip to Syracuse's Archaeological Park Neapolis, taking in the Greek Theatre, the Ear of Dionysius and the Latomia del Paradiso, before Ortigia island.
  • Day 5A private walking tour covers Palermo's UNESCO-listed sites, historic churches, squares and monuments.
  • Day 7A private walking tour of Taormina takes in its Greek Theatre, with the afternoon free to relax on Isola Bella beach.
  • Day 8A private four-wheel-drive jeep climbs the ancient slopes of Mount Etna, with a stop to taste local honey and almond cookies, a lava cave, and a hike to the edge of a side crater.

Included

  • Rail travel throughout Sicily
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Catania
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Palermo
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Taormina
  • Private market and food walking tour in Catania
  • Private guided day trip to Syracuse from Catania
  • Private walking tour in Palermo
  • Private walking tour in Taormina
  • Private half-day tour to Mount Etna by four-wheel-drive jeep from Taormina
  • Private car transfer from station to hotel and vice-versa in Catania, Palermo, and Taormina
  • Private car transfer from airport to hotel in Catania, and from Taormina to Catania airport

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, Trenitalia rail travel is included for the Catania to Palermo and Palermo to Taormina legs, both local, single-class services. The Syracuse day trip and Mount Etna excursion are by private car and jeep rather than train.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's an independent rail vacation from Railbookers, with a private guide for every included tour: the Catania food tour, Syracuse, Palermo, Taormina and Mount Etna.
What hotels are used?
A choice of 15 accommodation options across Catania, Palermo and Taormina, for example the Romano Palace in Catania or the Eurostars Centrale Palace in Palermo.
Which cities does the trip visit?
Catania, Syracuse (as a day trip), Palermo and Taormina over 9 days, starting and ending near Catania.
How much walking is involved?
Walking tours in Catania, Palermo and Taormina, plus a hike to the edge of a side crater on the Mount Etna day trip, the one day with notable hiking.
What is included besides hotels and tours?
Private car transfers between the station and hotel in Catania, Palermo and Taormina, plus airport transfers in Catania and from Taormina back to Catania airport.

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