Southern Italy by Train - Sicily, Naples & Rome

Fly to Sicily, where you’ll arrive at Catania Airport and travel north along the coast to Castelmola. This tiny village lies on a hill above Taormina and is topped by the ruins of a Norman castle. Here, you’ll arrive at the 4-star Villa Sonia for four nights and settle into your elegant room. The historical, family-run property showcases views over the Ionian Coast and Mount Etna and is surrounded by terraces and an inviting pool. 

After breakfast, travel back to Catania, Sicily’s second-largest city, for a walking tour. Follow your guide through the pedestrianised old town of this port city, which dates back to the ancient Greek era but has been destroyed several times by Etna’s volcanic eruptions. In the 17th century, the UNESCO-listed city was rebuilt from lava stone in typical Baroque style, which is especially visible on Via dei Crociferi.

Your walk includes a stop at Catania’s Roman amphitheatre, built in the 2nd century AD, and a trip to Piazza del Duomo. This busy square is home to the marble Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata and the famous Fontana dell’Elefante, a black-lava-stone fountain that features a statue of an elephant carrying an obelisk on its back, said to have magical powers that prevent Etna from erupting. After exploring, return to your hotel for a free evening.
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Today, you’ll discover Europe’s largest active volcano on a trip to Mount Etna. The stratovolcano, whose height is constantly shifting but towers over 3,000 metres above sea level, is estimated to have erupted over 150 times since 1500 BC. Begin on the east slopes of Mount Etna, trekking with your guide past vineyards, citrus groves and chestnut woods into an otherworldly lava-rock landscape, spotting geological features en-route.

Eventually, you’ll reach the Rifugio Sapienza station, which lies at around 1,920 metres and offers dramatic views of lava streams from the 2001 eruptions. If the weather’s good, you have the option to ride the cable car further up the mountain and take a 4WD minibus to over 2,900 metres, just beneath the summit craters. Afterwards, you’ll head back to your hotel for a well-earned restful evening.
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Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, then head down to the town of Taormina, once home to writer DH Lawrence, to explore with a local guide. This town clings to the side of Monte Tauro and is loved for its striking views of the sparkling sea and Mount Etna. Wander the medieval quarter with its narrow alleys and ancient houses decorated with flower-filled balconies.

Along the way, you’ll see some of Taormina’s historic highlights, from its Greek-Roman, theatre perched on the edge of the mountain with panoramic bay views, to the Piazza del Duomo’s 13th-century cathedral and the nearby Torre dell’Orologio clock tower. You’ll have free time to shop in high-end boutiques or stop for a cappuccino with Etna views from a café in Piazza IX Aprile. The evening is yours to enjoy back in Castelmola.
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Say goodbye to Sicily today and embark upon a scenic train journey to the Italian mainland. Take in coastal views and countryside vistas as you travel across Sicily to the port, where your train carriage will be loaded onto the ferry. You can disembark to enjoy views from the deck during the 30-minute voyage across the Straits of Messina. Next, continue north by train to the coastal city of Naples, where you’ll stay at the 4-star Magri’s Hotel for three nights.
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This morning, take the coach to Pompeii, a once-powerful resort and trading post preserved beneath ash and pumice by Vesuvius’s volcanic eruption in 79 AD. Explore the city, which has been in a state of excavation since 1748 and provides a snapshot of Roman life with its temples, amphitheatres, mosaiced houses and bathing complexes. You’ll even get to see the replica plaster casts of Pompeii’s residents who perished in the eruption.

Next, return to Naples where you’ll have a traditional lunch of deep-fried pizza fritta. Afterwards, your guide will introduce you to the city’s history, which spans over 2,000 years and encompasses everything from Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Spanish rule. Visit the Piazza del Plebiscito, where you’ll find the royal palace and Basilica di San Francesco di Paola, stroll through the 19th-century Galleria Umberto shopping mall and admire the medieval castle, Maschio Angioino.
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Relish a free day to relax at your hotel, which has a solarium, bar and open-air restaurant, or explore Naples independently from your city-centre location. Highlights include tours of the 17th-century Palazzo Reale and Italy’s oldest opera house, Teatro di San Carlo, and exploring the city’s ghostly catacombs. Browse artefacts at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale and order a classic Neapolitan pizza and Aperol Spritz in a local restaurant.

Alternatively, you can join an optional excursion, payable locally. Choose between a trip to Herculaneum, the lesser-visited cousin to Pompeii that was also destroyed by Vesuvius and is now an archaeological site, or take a drive down the iconic Amalfi coast. Witness its photo-worthy landscape of cliffs that tumble into the Tyrrhenian Sea as you travel along the coastline, stopping at the towns of Amalfi and Ravello.
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This morning you’ll leave Naples and board a train north through the countryside to Rome. Here, you’ll stay at the 4-star Hotel Morgana for three nights. Your hotel lies in the heart of the sprawling Italian capital, just a two-minute walk from the train and subway station. Spend the evening settling in; perhaps head out for dinner and get your first glimpse of the city, which is steeped in nearly three millennia of history and dotted with world-renowned monuments.
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Take this morning to orientate yourself in the city with a walking tour led by a local guide. You’ll begin by visiting the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo, which encompasses Rome’s most famous sites; the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Enter the 50,000-seat Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre in the world, to hear tales of gladiatorial battles and wander the Forum’s vast ruins of temples and churches.

Next, continue to Piazza Venezia and toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, marvelling at its intricate baroque carvings. You’ll also see the Pantheon, with its 43-metre-wide dome, which is home to the tombs of two Italian kings. This architectural gem has no visible arches and is topped by an oculus that floods the former Roman temple with light. Say goodbye to your guide at the Spanish Steps and spend the rest of the day roaming the city independently.
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Spend your last day in Rome as you please. After breakfast, head out to discover more of the capital’s treasures; trawl the Roman catacombs or get lost in the heaving streets of the Centro Storico, pausing for coffee in stately piazzas like Navon with its ornate fountains. You could dedicate a few hours to the Vatican City, visiting St Peter’s Basilica and the immense museums which display over 20,000 pieces of art, including Michelangelo’s stunning ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.

Rome’s most popular park, Villa Borghese is the perfect place for a peaceful walk, encompassing 80 hectares of trails, forested glades, lake-dotted lawns, theatres and gardens. If you’re interested in art, you can peruse the park’s Galleria Borghese to admire work by artists like Raphael and Caravaggio. For your final evening, dine in the trendy Trastevere district, known for its boutiques and cobbled alleys home to lively bars and restaurants.
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Today your Italian adventure comes to an end. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport in time for your homebound flight.
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