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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Highlights of Southern Italy & Sicily

Southern Italy and Sicily rail tour from Naples to Palermo in twelve days

Illustration of Highlights of Southern Italy & Sicily

Great Rail Journeys' 12-day escorted tour journeys through southern Italy and Sicily, revealing layers of history from Roman times to the medieval and Renaissance eras. Starting in Sorrento, on the Bay of Naples, you take a short train to Pompeii to explore the world's best-preserved Roman city, then cruise the Amalfi Coast to picturesque Positano and Amalfi. After travelling by train inland to Matera, you visit the UNESCO World Heritage cave dwellings (the Sassi) and the distinctive trulli houses of Alberobello. A flight carries you into Sicily, where you base yourself in the seaside resort of Giardini Naxos and later in Palermo. The Circumetnea Railway takes you around Mount Etna's base through lava fields; you visit Taormina's ancient Greek theatre, explore Monreale's cathedral with its golden mosaics, and spend a full day walking among the temples and ruins of the Valley of the Temples. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, handling all logistics, transfers, and guided excursions. Four-star hotels, daily breakfast, and three included lunches and four dinners round out the journey.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement (GBP 4,599) is GBP 1,000 above half the double-occupancy rate; confirm availability and final allocation at booking.
  • Day 7 in Giardini Naxos includes breakfast only; dinner is independent that evening.
  • The tour mixes substantial rail legs (Sorrento to Pompeii, Salerno to Matera, Paola to Taormina, Adrano to Randazzo on the Circumetnea) with significant coach travel and one domestic flight (Naples to Sicily); rail comprises roughly one-quarter of the journey.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Sorrento

    Journey to Sorrento

    Your holiday begins at London Heathrow airport where you meet the Tour Manager and the rest of the group before boarding a flight to Naples. On arrival, transfer to Sorrento, set on a peninsula of Italy's southwestern coast, overlooking the Bay of Naples and in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. After checking in and time to unwind, dinner at the hotel. Note: For the 5th September departure, guests stay at the Hotel Central Wellness in Sorrento.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Sorrento

    A trip back in time to Roman Pompeii

    A guided tour of Pompeii, the city buried and preserved by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. A short train journey to the archaeological site, then a guided tour of the world's best-preserved Roman city – remarkable preserved streets, impressive villas, temples, baths, markets, the amphitheatre, and ancient frescoes. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free in Sorrento.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Sorrento

    Full-day cruise along the Amalfi Coast

    Discover the captivating Amalfi Coast from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Transfer to Sorrento harbour to board a boat, cruise to Amalfi with free time to visit the stunning cathedral Duomo di Sant'Andrea, then continue to Positano where pastel houses stud the hillsides. Return to Sorrento for the rest of the day and evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Matera

    To Matera, the 'jewel of Basilicata'

    Head inland to Salerno station to board a train to Matera, deep into the Basilicata region. Transfer to the hotel, then travel into the town centre by coach for free time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage 'Sassi' cave dwellings. Inhabited since the Palaeolithic era, these cave homes are now transformed into boutiques, craft shops, bars and cafés. Return by coach to the hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Matera

    Discovering characterful Alberobello

    By coach to the whitewashed town of Alberobello, a World Heritage town packed with hundreds of cone-shaped limestone 'trulli' houses dating back to the 14th century. A guided tour with local expert Mimmo Palmisano ('Mr Alberobello'), including a traditional lunch at his family's restaurant. Return to Matera in time for dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Giardini Naxos

    Southern Italian landscapes to Sicily

    Leave the 'boot' of Italy and head into Sicily. By coach south to Paola on the west coast, then by train to Taormina-Giardini station. Destination is Giardini Naxos, a relaxed resort town on Sicily's eastern coast with an ancient Greek heritage and an attractive crescent-shaped bay. Check in to the hotel and enjoy dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Giardini Naxos

    A day at leisure in Giardini Naxos

    Free day to explore the local area. Options include relaxing at the hotel, taking a boat tour to the marine park of Isola Bella, or visiting the archaeological park of ancient Naxos – believed to be one of the oldest Greek settlements in Sicily. Dinner is independent this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8railovernight: Giardini Naxos

    Mount Etna and the Circumetnea Railway

    Full-day tour of Mount Etna, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel up to Rifugio di Sapienza, the highest point accessible by road in Sicily, with the option to walk to the Silvestri Craters. Continue by coach to Adrano to join the Circumetnea Railway to Randazzo, passing lava fields and landscapes carved by lava flow. Stop at Gambino Winery for a vineyard tour, wine tasting, and a two-course lunch. Return to the hotel with the evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  9. Day 9overnight: Palermo

    Sicilian charm in Taormina and Palermo

    Travel to Taormina for a guided tour including the Greek theatre (3rd century BC), which offers views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. Visit Roberto's café for an authentic cannolo. Free time in Taormina before travelling by coach to Palermo, Sicily's capital. Evening free to relax and explore.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10overnight: Palermo

    The sights and flavours of Palermo and Monreale

    Tour of Palermo's Palatine Chapel in the 9th-century Norman Palace, then a visit to Palermo's Capo Market for a street-food tasting. Afternoon excursion to Monreale to visit its breathtaking 11th-century UNESCO World Heritage cathedral with unique mosaics, carved columns, and detailed cloisters. Return to Palermo with the rest of the day free.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11overnight: Palermo

    Into the Valley of the Temples

    Full-day excursion to the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Sicily comprising eight temples of the Greek gods and numerous ruins. A local guide leads the tour. Excursion ends at a nearby Agriturismo for drinks and a four-course lunch made from local produce. Return to the hotel for the last evening in Palermo.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  12. Day 12

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, transfer to Palermo airport for the flight back to London Heathrow.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Pompeii by short train from Sorrento, walking the remarkably preserved streets, villas, temples, and amphitheatre buried by Vesuvius in 79 AD.
  • Day 3Boat cruise along the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento, visiting Amalfi's cathedral and the pastel-coloured hillside village of Positano.
  • Day 5Guided tour of Alberobello's UNESCO World Heritage cone-shaped trulli houses dating to the 14th century, followed by traditional lunch at a family restaurant.
  • Day 8Day on Mount Etna, a UNESCO World Heritage site, including the narrow-gauge Circumetnea Railway from Adrano to Randazzo through lava fields, plus wine tasting and lunch at Gambino Winery.
  • Day 11Full-day excursion to the Valley of the Temples in southern Sicily, a UNESCO World Heritage site with eight temples of Greek gods and ancient ruins, followed by four-course lunch at a local Agriturismo.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 11 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Standard class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Naples, Palermo to London Heathrow
  • Breakfast each day
  • 3 lunches
  • 4 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of GBP 3,599 covers standard-class rail travel throughout: local train to Pompeii, regional trains to Matera and Taormina, and the narrow-gauge Circumetnea Railway near Mount Etna. International flights from London Heathrow to Naples and Palermo are also included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager for the entire 12 days. All guided tours, excursions, and transfers between hotels are arranged.
What is the physical activity level?
Moderate. Most days involve city walking tours and standard sightseeing. Day 8 on Mount Etna includes an optional walk to the Silvestri Craters.
How many nights in each location?
Sorrento 3 nights (4-star Hilton Sorrento Palace), Matera 2 nights (4-star UNA Hotel MH), Giardini Naxos 3 nights (4-star Hellenia Yachting Hotel), Palermo 3 nights (4-star Grand Hotel Federico II).
What meals are included?
Breakfast every day, three lunches (at Alberobello restaurant, Gambino Winery, and the Valley of the Temples Agriturismo), and four dinners (Days 1, 4, 5, 6).
When does the tour run?
Two departures are listed: September 2026 and October 2026.

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