Sicily is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich places in the whole of Europe. At Happyrail we've combined charming personal hotels, scenic train rides, daily guides and more into one easy to book package holiday. Italian Intercity trains take you down to the island, where scenic and local trains bring you from one fascinating town to the next. You travel back by comfortable boat (with your own sleeping cabin) and high-speed trains. A once in a lifetime experience, only avilable at Happyrail!
 

Day 1 - arrive in Rome

You arrive in Rome by rail, either from the airport (train tickets included) or any other Italian city or airport. Stay in a smart hotel near the Termini main train station. 

Day 2 - to Catania

Depart by direct express train with reserved seats to Catania, enjoying the scenery of southern Italy. The train uses the ferry on the Messina strait, where you either stay in the train, or disembark onto the ferry and enjoy the sea up close. Arrival in Catania in the early evening, where you stay in a hotel close to the main train station and city centre.

This unique city, the island's second largest, was built in the 17th century in a classical Baroque style, having been completely destroyed a few years prior. The volcanic stone used gives it a unique gray colour. Nowadays it makes for a beautiful city with many impsoing classical buildings and bustling piazza's.

Day 3 - Etna railway

Day off in Catania, and time for a unique trip around Mount Etna on the 'Circumetnea' railway, the narrow-gauge train that travels around the volcano. The volcano is inactive and can thus be explored, as the train travels through the old lava fields formed by the last volcanic eruptions. 

Day 4 - to Syracuse

A direct regional or Intercity train takes you in the morning from Catania to Syracuse. Drop off your luggage at the hotel, in the old city centre, and start exploring this awe-inspriging city. Accomodations in a Italian guesthouse in the old city centre, about 20 minutes walking (or 10 minutes by bus or taxi) from the main train station.

Day 5 - Syracuse

Free day in Syracuse, a city that was built by the Greeks and was said to be one of the greatest and most beautiful Greek cities. Nowadays it is still one of the gems of the Mediterranean. Enjoy a walk along the quayside, through the narrow streets, past churches and monuments such as the Cathedral, or visit the Archaeological Museum: the city is home to some of the best-preserved Roman and Greek remains in the world. 

Day 6 - to Agrigento

Today after breakfast you board the regional trains that take you, the slow way through Sicliy's green heartland, to Agrigento, where you stay in a local guesthouse in the city centre.

Day 7 - Agrigento

Agrigento is famous for it's Valley of Temples, one of Sicliy's absolute highlights, containing almost 10 impressively preserved Roman temples from 500-400 BC. Agrigento also an excellent base for a trip to the nearby coast.

Day 8 - to Palermo

Board the direct regional train to Palermo, Siciliy's capital city, for a a beautiful 2-hour journey through unspoilt countryside. Accomodations are in a traditional Italian hotel in the city centre, about 15 minutes from the main train station. The city is infused with history, with numerous monuments and museums to visit but is still unspoiled by mass-tourism, making it more authentic than many mainland Italian cities.

Day 9 - Palermo & depart for Naples

During the day you have more time to explore Palermo. In the evening you board the GNV ferry to Naples, where you have access to your own private sleeping cabin with a view onto the sea.

Day 10 - to Rome

After you arrive in Naples in the early morning and disembark the ferry, take a 15-minute bus or taxi ride to the main train station. From here Rome is an hour away by comfortable high-speed train with reserved seats. Stay one night in Rome in a smart hotel close to Termini main train station.

Day 11 - return trip