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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Sicily, Etna & the Aeolian Islands

Eight-day escorted tour of eastern Sicily, Mount Etna, and the Aeolian Islands

Illustration of Sicily, Etna & the Aeolian Islands

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted tour of Sicily based in the coastal town of Giardini Naxos. You will spend seven nights at the four-star beachfront UNAhotel Naxos Beach, with guided excursions to nearby historic sites and natural attractions, two full free days to relax or explore independently, and several free afternoons. On Day 2, a guided tour takes you to Taormina to see the Greek theatre overlooking the Ionian Sea and taste a traditional cannolo. Day 3 is devoted to ancient Ortigia island in Syracuse, where you will walk past the Baroque cathedral built on the Temple of Athena site and view the Arethusa Spring. On Day 4, you travel by coach up Mount Etna to view the Silvestri craters and volcanic landscape, then ride the Circumetnea Railway, a narrow-gauge train, around the base of the volcano past lava fields. Day 6 includes a boat cruise across the Tyrrhenian Sea to the volcanic Aeolian Islands, with stops at Lipari and Vulcano. The tour suits travellers seeking guided comfort, history enthusiasts, and couples wanting a blend of cultural exploration and beach relaxation.

What to know before you look closer

  • All seven nights are at a single hotel in Giardini Naxos; the tour does not move between different accommodations
  • Standard-class rail travel only; the Circumetnea Railway segment is brief (one afternoon) on a tour otherwise based on coach and ferry travel
  • Maximum group size is 40 people

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Giardini Naxos

    Flying into Sicily and on to Giardini Naxos

    Meet the Tour Manager at London Gatwick for a flight to Catania on Sicily. Transfer by coach to the hotel in Giardini Naxos. The four-star resort hotel sits on the seafront in large grounds of citrus trees leading to a private beach, with outdoor pools, tennis courts, four restaurants and café-bars.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Giardini Naxos

    A trip to Taormina and the Greek theatre

    After breakfast, a short coach journey to Taormina, founded by the Greeks in 392 BC and perched on a hilltop overlooking the Ionian Sea. Guided tour of the stunning Greek theatre dating back to the 3rd century BC, dug out of Mount Taurus. Tour ends at a pasticceria to taste a cannolo. Free afternoon to explore independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Giardini Naxos

    Uncovering ancient myths in Syracuse and Ortigia

    Travel by coach to Syracuse in southeast Sicily. Guided tour of Ortigia island, visiting the Baroque cathedral built on the site of the Greek Temple of Athena, the Arethusa Spring, Piazza Duomo, palazzos and fountains. Free afternoon to explore independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Giardini Naxos

    Exploring Mount Etna: Europe's most active volcano

    Coach to Rifugio di Sapienza, the highest point of vehicular access on Mount Etna, to view the Silvestri craters and volcanic scenery. Optional cable car to the summit. Afternoon ride on the Circumetnea Railway on the most scenic stretch to Randazzo, viewing surrounding lava fields. Note: on the 14th May departure, Days 4 & 7 are swapped.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Giardini Naxos

    Free day in Giardini Naxos

    Full day at leisure. Options include relaxing on the private beach or by the pools, visiting the archaeological park of ancient Naxos near the hotel, or dining in town around Piazza Municipio. Note: on the 14th May departure, Days 5 & 6 are swapped.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Giardini Naxos

    Cruising to the volcanic Aeolian Islands

    Coach to the harbour of Milazzo for a boat cruise across the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Aeolian Islands. Stop at Lipari, the largest island, for time at leisure in town. Continue by boat to Vulcano, famed for its hot springs, smoky volcanic peaks, black beaches and natural mud baths. Return by coach to hotel in time for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Giardini Naxos

    Time at leisure in Giardini Naxos

    Free day. Options include relaxing on the hotel's private beach, a boat tour to the marine park of Isola Bella, or catching the train from Taormina-Giardini station to Catania to visit Castello Ursino, the Greco-Roman amphitheatre, Roman Odeon and Catania Cathedral.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, coach transfer to Catania airport for the return flight to London Gatwick.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of the Greek theatre in Taormina, built in the 3rd century BC and overlooking the Ionian Sea, followed by a taste of cannolo in a local pasticceria
  • Day 3Walking tour of Ortigia island in Syracuse, viewing the Baroque cathedral built on the site of the Temple of Athena and the Arethusa Spring
  • Day 4Coach ascent to Rifugio di Sapienza on Mount Etna to view the Silvestri craters, then afternoon ride on the narrow-gauge Circumetnea Railway past lava fields to Randazzo
  • Day 6Boat cruise across the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Aeolian Islands, stopping at Lipari and Vulcano, known for hot springs and black beaches

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Standard class rail travel
  • All rail, ferry and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Return flights from London Gatwick to Catania
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. Standard-class rail travel is included in the package price. On Day 4, you ride the Circumetnea Railway, a scenic narrow-gauge train, around the base of Mount Etna past lava fields to Randazzo.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from London Gatwick throughout the eight days.
What is the hotel, and where is it?
The UNAhotel Naxos Beach is a four-star resort in Giardini Naxos on Sicily's east coast. It sits on the seafront with large grounds, a private beach, outdoor pools, tennis courts, and four restaurants.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner are included each day, for a total of 14 meals over the eight days.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance are not included. The cable car to the summit of Mount Etna is optional.
Are there any free days?
Yes. Days 5 and 7 are full free days at the hotel and in Giardini Naxos. Day 2 and Day 3 include free afternoons after guided tours.

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