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Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Sicilian Treasures

Nine-day Sicily rail loop from Milan through Taormina, Catania, to Palermo

Illustration of Sicilian Treasures

Marvellous Escapes offers this nine-day tailor-made rail journey through Sicily, beginning in Milan and ending in Palermo. The adventure unfolds across four destinations: you board the InterCity Notte sleeper train on the evening of Day 2 for an overnight journey to Taormina, a coastal town perched above the sea with views of Mount Etna; you spend two nights there exploring ancient temples and beaches before continuing by regional train through the Sicilian countryside to Catania, where you join a guided morning hike up Europe's highest active volcano to its inner craters and a lava cave. From Catania, the route proceeds to Palermo, the island's capital, where a guided three-hour walking tour leads you through Baroque and Norman-Arabic architecture, palaces, and churches spanning 2,700 years of history. Hotel stays of two nights in each of the last three destinations allow time to rest between rail journeys. The trip suits repeat rail travellers, history lovers, and independent explorers who want guided highlights paired with free days to wander.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary begins in London St. Pancras on Day 1; travellers book their own return flights or coordinate with Marvellous Escapes to arrange them
  • Days 4 and 5 are largely unguided; only the Mount Etna trip and Palermo walking tour are led
  • The from-price of GBP 1,899 includes hotels, rail, flights, and the two guided activities; confirm what is covered in your final booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Milan

    Milan

    Today you'll board the Eurostar from London to Paris, upon arrival, take time to enjoy lunch before your direct train to Milan. On arrival to Milan, you will head to your hotel for an overnight stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard sleeper train InterCity Notte

    Milan

    After breakfast, enjoy some free time exploring Milan. Visit the grand Sforza Castle or the Santa Maria delle Grazie, where da Vinci's Last Supper is housed, and see the magnificent Milan Duomo before dinner. Board the sleeper train heading south this evening.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Taormina

    Taormina

    After a restful night's sleep in your private cabin, wake up to the stunning Italian coastline. The train is ferried across the Straits of Messina before continuing to Taormina. Upon arrival, head to your hotel and check in for a two-night stay.

  4. Day 4overnight: Taormina

    Taormina

    Enjoy a leisurely day exploring the sights today. Visit the ancient Teatro Antico di Taormina or relax on the beach. Take a stroll to the picturesque Isola Bella for a swim or hop on a boat to visit the stunning Grotta Azzurra.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Catania

    Catania

    After breakfast, board the regional train south to Catania, where you will check in for a two-night stay. Explore the city's expansive Piazza del Duomo and consider visiting La Pescheria, a bustling weekday fish market.

  6. Day 6overnight: Catania

    Catania

    Situated on Sicily, Mount Etna stands as Europe's highest active volcano. Today, your morning tour from Catania allows you to hike to its inner craters and safely explore a lava cave, with equipment such as headlamps and helmets provided.

  7. Day 7overnight: Palermo

    Palermo

    Travel through the stunning Sicilian countryside to the capital city of Palermo. Check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. With a history spanning over 2,700 years, Palermo boasts some of the world's finest examples of Byzantine architecture.

  8. Day 8overnight: Palermo

    Palermo

    Today you'll enjoy a guided walking tour of beautiful Palermo, a three-hour journey through Baroque and Norman-Arabic architecture, including Piazza Pretoria, the Praetorian Palace, the Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel, the Martorana Church, and the Cathedral of Palermo.

  9. Day 9rail

    Return home

    After breakfast, check out of your hotel, and head to the airport for your return flight back to the UK after a wondorous week touring Sicily by train. If you would like to explore more of Italy, speak to your Travel Designer.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the InterCity Notte sleeper train from Milan in the evening for an overnight journey south toward Sicily
  • Day 3Wake in your private cabin as the train is ferried across the Straits of Messina and arrives in Taormina with views of the Italian coastline
  • Day 6Join the guided Mount Etna trip from Catania to hike to the inner craters of Europe's highest active volcano and safely explore a lava cave
  • Day 8Take a three-hour guided walking tour through Palermo's Baroque and Norman-Arabic architecture, visiting Piazza Pretoria, the Royal Palace, Palatine Chapel, Martorana Church, and the Cathedral

Included

  • Overnight hotel accommodation in Milan with breakfast included
  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Taormina with breakfast included
  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Catania with breakfast included
  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Palermo with breakfast included
  • Rail from London St. Pancras to Milan via Paris
  • Milan to Taormina sleeper train, InterCity Notte
  • Regional rail travel between destinations in Sicily
  • Private transfer to Palermo Airport
  • Return flight from Palermo to the UK
  • Mount Etna trip
  • Palermo walking tour

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London to Paris, a direct train to Milan, the InterCity Notte sleeper train from Milan to Taormina, and regional trains between Sicily's destinations.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is a tailor-made independent journey with 24-hour on-trip support. A guided Mount Etna trip and a three-hour guided walking tour of Palermo are included; other days are free to explore on your own.
What is the sleeping arrangement on the sleeper train?
You sleep in a private cabin on the InterCity Notte from Milan to Taormina on the night of Day 2, arriving in Taormina on Day 3.
Which hotels are included?
One night in Milan, two nights in Taormina, two nights in Catania, and two nights in Palermo, all with breakfast included.
How much walking is involved?
Day 6 includes a guided hike to Mount Etna's inner craters with equipment provided. Day 8 is a three-hour guided walking tour of Palermo. Days 4 and 5 allow leisurely self-guided exploration.
How do I get back to the UK?
A return flight from Palermo to the UK on Day 9 is included in the package. A private transfer to the airport is also provided.

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