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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Southern Italy & Sicily

Narrow gauge railways through Southern Italy and Sicily from Naples to Palermo

Illustration of Southern Italy & Sicily

Ffestiniog Travel operates this 12-day escorted tour from Naples to Palermo, combining four regional narrow gauge railways with coastal train travel and a ferry crossing to Sicily. The journey begins with three nights near the Pompeii ruins and Vesuvius, then heads south by train through Calabria on the rare 950mm gauge lines. You cross to Sicily aboard the Messina train ferry, one of Europe's last passenger-carrying train ferries, and continue around Mount Etna on the Circumetnea Railway. Hotel stays in Taormina, Siricusa, and Palermo break up the rail segments, with local guides leading excursions to the Etna lava fields, Taormina's Greek Theatre, and Siricusa's medieval island. Multiple free days let you explore Pompeii, Cosenza, and Palermo at your own pace. A tour leader accompanies the group from London throughout. All flights, rail travel in Standard Class, accommodation, transfers, excursions, and gratuities are included.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is published, in May 2027; confirm current availability before committing
  • Hotels are listed as 'good quality' but no star ratings or specific standards are provided; verify the accommodation tier when booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Pompeii

    Fly London to Naples

    Flight from London to Naples and transfer to Pompeii for 3 nights, located close to the famous ruins with Vesuvius towering in the background.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Pompeii

    At Leisure

    A day at leisure. You might like to ride the Circumvesuviana Narrow Gauge Railway around Vesuvius and to Naples and Sorrento, or visit the Naples Railway Museum at San Giorgio a Cremano (advance booking required).

  3. Day 3overnight: Pompeii

    The Ruins of Pompeii & Vesuvius

    Morning at leisure to visit the ruins of Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afternoon tour to the crater of Vesuvius with views of the Bay of Naples.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Cosenza

    Train to Cosenza

    Another morning at leisure before an afternoon departure by train for Cosenza via the coastal line to Paola, for a 2-night stay in this cultural hub of Southern Italy.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Cosenza

    Travel the Line to Catanzaro

    A second day on the Calabrian 950mm gauge lines, from Cosenza to Catanzaro Lido, the latter part operating as a rack railway, returning via Lamezia Terme and Paola.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Taormina

    Sailing to Sicily

    Travel by train to Taormina via the ferry crossing to Messina, one of the last few passenger carrying train ferries in Europe, then the scenic coastal line to Giadini Naxos. We stay for 2 nights in Taormina.

  7. Day 7overnight: Taormina

    Taormina & Mt Etna

    A guided excursion up to the lava fields on Mount Etna, Europe’s largest and most active volcano, with the option of a cable car ride, then a guided sightseeing visit to historic Taormina including the Greek Theatre.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Siricusa

    Circumetnea Railway

    Transfer to Riposto station where we join the 950mm gauge Circumetnea Railway and travel around the base of Etna to Catania, then continue to Siricusa by road for a 2-night stay.

  9. Day 9overnight: Siricusa

    At Leisure in Siricusa

    A free day in historic Siricusa, exploring medieval Ortigia Island or the Greek Theatre.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Palermo

    Across Sicily by Train

    An all-day excursion from Siricusa to Palermo using local trains, via Catania and Caltanissetta (road transport available for those who prefer). We stay for 2 nights in Palermo.

  11. Day 11overnight: Palermo

    At Leisure in Palermo

    A free day in Palermo for sightseeing, including the Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, the Palatine Chapel or the cathedral at nearby Monreale.

  12. Day 12

    Return to London

    Transfer to Palermo airport for an afternoon flight to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Ride the Circumvesuviana Narrow Gauge Railway around Vesuvius to Naples and Sorrento, or visit the Naples Railway Museum at San Giorgio a Cremano
  • Day 5Travel the Calabrian 950mm gauge line from Cosenza to Catanzaro Lido, with the latter section operating as a rack railway
  • Day 6Cross from mainland to Sicily aboard the Messina train ferry, one of the last few passenger-carrying train ferries in Europe
  • Day 7Ascend Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano, to the lava fields with optional cable car, then visit the Greek Theatre in Taormina
  • Day 8Circle Mount Etna aboard the 950mm gauge Circumetnea Railway from Riposto to Catania

Included

  • Flights in Economy Class by scheduled airline
  • All rail travel as stated in Standard Class
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Excursions as detailed in itinerary
  • All transfers
  • Local taxes/fees
  • All gratuities
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour plus local English speaking guides

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. All rail travel is included in Standard Class, including the Circumvesuviana, Calabrian gauge line, train ferry to Sicily, and Circumetnea Railway. Flights are included Economy Class by scheduled airline.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Ffestiniog Travel provides a tour leader from London and throughout the tour, plus local English-speaking guides at destinations.
Which trains do we ride?
The Circumvesuviana Narrow Gauge Railway around Vesuvius, the Calabrian 950mm gauge line (with a rack railway section) from Cosenza to Catanzaro Lido, the Messina train ferry to Sicily, and the Circumetnea Railway circling Mount Etna.
How many nights are spent at each location?
Pompeii 3 nights, Cosenza 2 nights, Taormina 2 nights, Siricusa 2 nights, Palermo 2 nights.
What is included in the price?
Flights, all rail travel in Standard Class, accommodation in good quality hotels on bed and breakfast basis, excursions as detailed, all transfers, local taxes and fees, and gratuities. Tour leader and local guide services are included.
How much free time is there?
Day 2 at leisure in Pompeii, Day 4 morning at leisure before afternoon departure, Day 9 free in Siricusa, Day 11 free in Palermo.

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