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italy view over cefalu and mediterranean sicily astk

South to Sicily

From £4759

Excluding Flights

15 Nights

Year Round

Overview

From London to the tip of Italy, this captivating rail journey to Sicily is all about slow travel, immersing yourself in ever-changing scenery as you travel south through Europe. First to Paris, then Milan and on through Tuscany to Naples, simply sit back and enjoy a kaleidoscope of towns, cities, mountains and lakes. You won’t reach Sicily until day 5, giving you plenty of time en route to explore Milan and Naples. One day you could be gazing at da Vinci’s The Last Supper, the next you might be scaling the slopes of Mt Vesuvius or roaming the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii with your private guide.

Crossing the Straits of Messina to Sicily, an in-depth exploration of this fascinating island awaits, travelling by train between the historic gems of Taormina, Syracuse, Palermo and Cefalú, visiting the World Heritage Site of Agrigento and the brooding volcanoes of Etna and Stromboli. Then you have a choice: either fly back to the UK, or take the sleeper train to Rome where you can extend your holiday before returning home via Zürich and Paris.

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Bay of Naples

Lying in the shadow of Vesuvius, Naples is the jumping-off point for excursions to the haunting, mesmerising ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii – both of which you’ll visit in the company of a private guide. Such was the ferocity of Vesuvius’ eruption on 24th August AD79, it petrified both towns in ash, mud and lava. Excavated ruins have revealed everything from cart tracks and carbonised bread to temple remains and – most poignant of all – the human figures of victims cowering under the volcanic onslaught. Both sobering and spellbinding, few places offer a more vivid glimpse into life in Roman times nearly 2,000 years ago. By contrast, Naples offers a wonderfully chaotic mix of contemporary Italian street life and historic buildings. Spaccanapoli, a narrow, canyon-like street, threads between churches and statues; its cobbles crowded with street vendors and its shops selling everything from pasta to Neapolitan masks. Cafés overflow with locals sipping coffee, while open-air restaurants serve delicious pizza Margherita – the most authentic in Italy.

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Sicily

Only 3km from the toe of Italy, Sicily’s vineyards, olive groves and citrus plantations glisten beneath the smoking hulk of Europe’s largest volcano – 3,370m Mt Etna. Regularly bubbling over with spectacular pyrotechnics, this is also the world’s second most active volcano and you’ll gain a riveting insight into the grumbling giant on a guided tour. On another day during your rail journey around Sicily, you can take an optional boat trip to the Aeolian Islands to witness a second volcano – Stromboli – that has been active for more than two millennia. But there is so much more to Sicily than fire and brimstone. The local cuisine, for example, is an irresistible fusion of Italian, Arabic, French and Spanish, so expect dishes rich in olive oil, dried fruit, Mediterranean herbs and spices, locally-caught fish and traditional breads, cheeses and wines. Sicily’s historical sights are equally palatable. Your itinerary is full of ancient wonders, from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Valley of the Temples at Agrigento to the medieval fishing town of Cefalú.

Milan, Zurich, Rome…

As if the Bay of Naples and Sicily weren’t enough, rail travel allows this itinerary to be book-ended with overnight stays in some of Europe’s cultural superstars: Milan, Zurich and Rome (the Italian capital being an optional extension). Trendy Milan blends designer labels and fashion boutiques with artistic masterpieces ranging from The Last Supper to the Duomo di Milano cathedral, while Zurich is Switzerland at its most savvy, with a medieval Old Town adorned with magnificent guildhalls and elegant squares. Extend your holiday in Rome and you can add the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon and Vatican as the ultimate finishing touches to your rail odyssey.

Itinerary

Depart London in the morning and travel by Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord. Transfer to Gare de Lyon, just two stops on the Paris PER, in time for lunch before departing on your onward journey to Milan. Following two nights in Milan.

Prices

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom

  • Breakfast throughout

  • All rail travel

  • All compulsory seat reservation fees on high-speed and international trains

  • Private tour of Herculaneum and Pompeii

  • Private 4x4 tour to Mt Etna

  • Transfer to Agrigento and private tour to the Valley of the Temples

  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £4759 Excluding Flights

15 Nights

Year Round

Make this trip yours

Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.

Freya

Departure & price guide

From prices are per person in a room with private facilities.

 

Children

Under 12’s travel free on the parent’s Interrail Pass and 12-27 year olds receive a discounted youth Interrail Pass.

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Extend Your Stay

If you’d like to spend a few extra days in Rome, we can easily fit this into your holiday.

Explore all the classic sights of the Italian capital – from the Colosseum and Roman Forum to the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Rome also has a lighter side… linger over lunch in a trattoria or pizzeria tucked down a side street, or simply watch the world go by while you gorge on gelato in the wide-open expanse of Piazza Navona.

We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch. 

Experts with real experience