How much does it cost?

From £1,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,700 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes all rail and coach travel throughout the tour. This covers the Italian intercity rail journey from Palermo to Messina and the Circumetnea Railway around Mount Etna.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes, a UK Tour Manager accompanies you from start to finish. The group is capped at 30 people. However, Day 6 offers free time to explore on your own or use optional activities.

What hotels are included?

The tour uses the 4-star Grand Hotel Federico II in Palermo (3 nights) and the 4-star Hellenia Yachting Hotel in Giardini Naxos, a beachfront property with private beach, pool and wellness centre (4 nights).

What meals are included?

Breakfast every day, two lunches, and four dinners are included. Other meals are your own expense.

When does the tour run?

Great Rail Journeys offers six departures in 2026 and 2027: September 2026, April, May, June, September, and October 2027.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Magic of Sicily

Eight-day escorted tour of Sicily with trains, Greek temples, and Mount Etna

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted holiday to Sicily, departing and returning from London Gatwick. You fly to Catania, then explore two bases: the capital Palermo (three nights) and the coastal resort of Giardini Naxos (four nights). The tour combines Italian rail travel, coach excursions, and walking tours to reach Sicily's most significant sites. Day 2 centers on Palermo's Norman Palace and street markets; Day 3 is a full day at the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Day 4 brings you by train along the north coast to Messina, then by coach to Taormina's 3rd-century Greek theatre. Day 5 features a ride on the narrow-gauge Circumetnea Railway around the base of Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, past lava fields and through Randazzo, with lunch at a winery. Day 6 offers free time at the beach or exploring the area independently. Day 7 takes you south to Syracuse to walk the ancient streets of Ortigia island, a UNESCO site. A UK Tour Manager travels with you throughout, and all guided tours, rail and coach transport, seven nights of four-star hotels, breakfasts, and selected meals are included. This tour suits history enthusiasts, food and wine lovers, and couples seeking both guided structure and leisure time.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £100 since 4 Jul, to £1,999.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

The single supplement (GBP 2649) is significantly higher than half the double-occupancy price (GBP 2099), adding GBP 550 for solo travellers
One day (Day 6) is unguided leisure time; activities such as the Isola Bella boat tour are options, not included experiences
Coach and flight segments account for roughly three-quarters of the journey; rail comprises two main journeys (Palermo to Messina and the Circumetnea Railway)

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Palermo
Flying to Sicily and getting to know Palermo
Depart London Gatwick, met by the Tour Manager, and fly to Catania. Transfer by coach to Palermo and check in to a hotel in the cultural heart of the city, with a three-course dinner this evening.
Day 2overnight: Palermo
Discovering the sights and flavours of Palermo
Visit the Palatine Chapel in the Norman Palace with its golden mosaics, then explore Capo Market for a street-food tasting. In the afternoon, travel by coach to Monreale to view its UNESCO-listed cathedral, before returning to Palermo for dinner.
Day 3overnight: Palermo
Into the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento
Full-day excursion to Agrigento to discover the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples, dating from around 460 BC, followed by drinks and a four-course lunch at a local agriturismo. Return to Palermo with a free evening.
Day 4railovernight: Giardini Naxos
By rail to Taormina and the Greek theatre
Travel by train along the north coast to Messina, then transfer by coach to Taormina for a guided tour including the 3rd-century BC Greek theatre and a tasting of cannolo at a local pasticceria. Arrive at a beachfront hotel in Giardini Naxos in the evening for dinner.
Day 5railovernight: Giardini Naxos
Exploring Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano
Travel to Rifugio di Sapienza, the highest point of vehicle access on Mount Etna, to view the Silvestri craters. In the afternoon, ride the Circumetnea Railway on its most scenic stretch toward Randazzo, then visit a winery for a Sicilian lunch and wine tasting. Free evening.
Day 6overnight: Giardini Naxos
A day at leisure in coastal Giardini Naxos
A free day to relax at the hotel, take a boat tour to the marine park of Isola Bella, or visit the archaeological park of ancient Naxos.
Day 7overnight: Giardini Naxos
A day trip to Syracuse and Ortigia Island
Travel south by coach to Syracuse for a guided tour of UNESCO-listed Ortigia, including its Baroque cathedral and the Arethusa Spring, with a free afternoon before returning to Giardini Naxos for the final dinner.
Day 8
Homeward bound
Transfer by coach to Catania's airport after breakfast for the flight back to London Gatwick.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Explore the Palatine Chapel in the 9th-century Norman Palace to view golden mosaics and marble floors, then taste Palermo street food at Capo Market
Day 4Travel by train along the north coast to Messina with views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, then visit Taormina's Greek theatre dating to the 3rd century BC
Day 5Ride the Circumetnea Railway, a narrow-gauge train, along the scenic base of Mount Etna past lava fields to Randazzo, followed by a winery lunch
Day 7Guided tour of Ortigia island in Syracuse, a UNESCO-listed site, visiting the Baroque cathedral built on the ancient Greek Temple of Athena

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
7 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
Standard Class rail travel
All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Return flights from London Gatwick to Catania
Breakfast each day, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
Group luggage transfers between all hotels
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,700 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes all rail and coach travel throughout the tour. This covers the Italian intercity rail journey from Palermo to Messina and the Circumetnea Railway around Mount Etna.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes, a UK Tour Manager accompanies you from start to finish. The group is capped at 30 people. However, Day 6 offers free time to explore on your own or use optional activities.
What hotels are included?: The tour uses the 4-star Grand Hotel Federico II in Palermo (3 nights) and the 4-star Hellenia Yachting Hotel in Giardini Naxos, a beachfront property with private beach, pool and wellness centre (4 nights).
What meals are included?: Breakfast every day, two lunches, and four dinners are included. Other meals are your own expense.
When does the tour run?: Great Rail Journeys offers six departures in 2026 and 2027: September 2026, April, May, June, September, and October 2027.