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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Rome and Sicily

Rome to Sicily by rail and ferry across the Strait of Messina

Illustration of Rome and Sicily

Railbookers operates this 8-day independent rail vacation that begins in Rome and ends in Taormina, Sicily, with a stop in Naples along the way. The first three days in Rome include a three-hour guided walking tour of Imperial Rome, the Roman Forum, and the Colosseum, plus a Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tour. On day 4, a high-speed train carries travelers to Naples for a one-night stay, and on day 5, the train to Taormina boards a boat to cross the Strait of Messina before continuing along the Sicilian coast. The final three days in Taormina include a private food-tasting tour of cannoli, arancini, caponata, and Sicilian wine or limoncello, plus time on the Corso Umberto shopping street. Outside the included tours, days are self-directed, which suits independent travelers interested in ancient history and regional food who want a single rail journey linking mainland Italy to Sicily.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists 17 accommodation options across tiers and cities for this trip; which hotel you receive depends on the tier and city you choose rather than a fixed named hotel.
  • The stay in Naples is a single night between longer stays in Rome and Taormina, so time there is limited to a partial day and evening.
  • The evidence provided does not list specific current departure dates for this trip; confirm availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Rome

    Your Journey Begins in Rome

    Welcome to Rome! Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for a three-night stay and begin discovering this iconic city.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Rome

    A three-hour guided walking tour of Imperial Rome, visiting the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, then the Colosseum with skip the line entrance tickets.

  3. Day 3overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Another day of sightseeing, starting with your Vatican museums San Peters and Sistine Chapel tour.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Naples

    Rome to Naples

    Take the high-speed Eurostar Italia train to Naples. Naples is Italy's third largest city and its UNESCO World Heritage listed historic center is the largest in Europe.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Taormina

    Naples to Taormina

    Take the Intercity train to Sicily. At the Straits of Messina, the train boards a boat to cross to Sicily, continuing along the coast to Taormina.

  6. Day 6overnight: Taormina

    Taormina

    A private food-tasting tour in Taormina, sampling local delicacies including cannoli, arancini, caponata, and Sicilian wine or limoncello.

  7. Day 7overnight: Taormina

    Taormina

    Head out to the Corso Umberto, the city's prime shopping street, home to boutiques, cafes, and trattorias.

  8. Day 8

    Your Journey Ends in Taormina

    Check out of your hotel and continue with your travels to Catania Airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A three-hour guided walking tour covers Imperial Rome, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, then the Colosseum with skip-the-line tickets.
  • Day 3A guided tour visits the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's, and the Sistine Chapel.
  • Day 5The Intercity train to Taormina boards a boat to cross the Strait of Messina to Sicily, then continues along the coast.
  • Day 6A private food-tasting tour in Taormina samples cannoli, arancini, caponata, and Sicilian wine or limoncello.

Included

  • Rail travel in standard class throughout
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Rome
  • 1-night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Naples
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Taormina
  • Small Group Tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum
  • Small Group Tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
  • Private food tasting tour in Taormina
  • Private Transfers as per itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Rail travel in standard class is included throughout, including the train from Rome to Naples and the train that crosses the Strait of Messina by ferry to reach Taormina.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with small-group and private tours included. The Rome sightseeing tours and the Taormina food-tasting tour are guided; other time is self-directed.
How does the train cross to Sicily?
At the Strait of Messina, the train itself boards a boat to cross to Sicily, then continues along the coast to Taormina.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 17 accommodation options across tiers and cities, with sample choices including the Kolbe Hotel Rome, the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace, de Bonart Naples-Curio Collection by Hilton, and Palazzo Caracciolo Naples.
Is food included?
Breakfast is included with every hotel stay, and a private food-tasting tour in Taormina is included, sampling cannoli, arancini, caponata, and Sicilian wine or limoncello.

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