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Taormina
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Your journey to Sicily

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448 kg CO2
What's included:
  • Transport
  • Accommodation
  • Journey guide with tickets
  • WhatsApp support
  • Disruption replanning

Journey at a glance

Trip overview
  • London

  • Geneva

    2 nights

  • Milan

    2 nights

  • Naples

    2 nights

  • Catania

    2 nights

  • Enna

    2 nights

  • Taormina

    3 nights

  • Reggio Calabria

    1 night

  • Florence

    2 nights

  • Sleeper with cabin

    1 night

  • Ulm

    2 nights

  • London


Full itinerary

Journey
2hrs 16mins
Standard class

LondonParis

Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris. Relax with a drink and a good book or film as you watch the British fields turn into the French countryside from your carriage window.
Journey
3hrs 14mins
Standard class
ParisGeneva
Stay
2 nights
Geneva

Geneva

Sandwiched between Lac Léman and the Alps, Geneva boasts spectacular landscapes whichever way you turn. Its first-class scenery is matched by an array of elegant chocolate shops, glamorous boutiques and Michelin-star restaurants, while the bohemian Les Grottes neighbourhood speaks to Geneva's lesser-known countercultural roots.

Hotel Sagitta

Where you could stay2 nights

Hotel Sagitta

Hotel Sagitta enjoys a prime location in the heart of Geneva on the left bank of the Lake Geneva, only a few metres from the historical city centre and a 10-minute walk from the Jet d'Eau and the lakefront. All rooms have a kitchenette and offer free WiFi. A rich buffet breakfast can be enjoyed every morning. The Natural History Museum is only 100 metres from the property.

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Room details
Room: Studio
Board: Breakfast included

Recommendations

  • Enjoy the variety of sports, beaches, promenades and boat trips on offer at the infamous Lake Geneva.
  • Visit the Geneva National History Museum, where you can enjoy a range of fun and informative exhibits.
  • Take a wander through Geneva's exquisite botanical garden and conservatory, Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques - the largest in Switzerland.

Journey
4hrs 1mins
Standard class

GenevaMilan

Leaving Geneva, trains to Milan skim the shore of Lake Geneva, passing the celebrated UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyards. Slipping by Château de Chillon, the train follows the Rhône Valley up through the Valais region to the Simplon Tunnel. Once in Italy, it’s a gorgeous run down to Milan, skirting Lake Maggiore with fine views of the Borromean Islands.
Stay
2 nights
Milan

Milan

Milan: fashion capital of the world, Italy's thriving financial hub and home to some of the best nightlife in Europe. Historic landmarks fill the streets, and the city's constantly evolving skyline remains punctuated by the Gothic spires of the iconic Duomo cathedral.

Smart Hotel Central

Where you could stay2 nights

Smart Hotel Central

Just 200 metres from Milano Train Station, Smart Hotel Milano Central Station has a modern design and a 2-storey reception area. It offers an extensive buffet breakfast, free WiFi throughout, and air-conditioned rooms with an LCD TV. Rooms at the Smart Hotel Milano Central Station are decorated with whitewashed walls and simple contemporary furnishings. Each comes with a minibar, satellite and pay-per-view channels. The breakfast buffet includes local cheese and ham, together with homemade cakes and pastries. Attentive staff can recommend cafés and restaurants in the area for lunch and dinner. Milan Cathedral and the Scala Theatre are a 10-minute metro ride from the hotel on the Yellow Line. 

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Room details
Room: Standard dbl
Board: Breakfast included

Recommendations

  • Spend an afternoon in the Navigli quarter, filled with peaceful canals and lively bars. The best way to soak up the atmosphere is with a drink on the water's edge.
  • Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper is a must-see at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Reservations are essential to view The Last Supper, choose from a range of options and book tickets for guided tours here.

  • Spend an evening at the Teatro alla Scala – better known as La Scala. One of the world's most iconic theatres, the Neoclassical building provides a suitably graceful setting for opera and ballet performances. 

Journey
5hrs 3mins
Standard class
MilanNaples
Stay
2 nights
Naples

Naples

Naples is a Roman city with a captivating history and strong identity (not to mention the proud birthplace of Pizza). Unpolished yet authentic, prepare to be astonished as you explore this ancient city, where ramshackle alleyways give way to opulent arcades, and behind graffiti-covered doors lie tranquil stained-glass monasteries.

Hotel Piazza Bellini

Where you could stay2 nights

Hotel Piazza Bellini

Byway favourite
With modern and minimalist rooms and an exterior befitting the 16th century noble palace it once was, Hotel Piazza Bellini is a curious mix of style that nicely blends antiquity with a contemporary twist. Some rooms offer great views of the city from some of the rooms and the courtyard provides a relaxing place to each breakfast. On occasions, the hotel hosts exhibitions and installations by emerging artists.

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Room details
Room: Economy double or twin room
Board: Breakfast included

Recommendations

  • As one of the oldest and largest archaeological museums in the world, here you can see a vast array of Roman and Greek artefacts. Admire the intricate mosaics, frescoes and marble statues from the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

  • Escape the bustling centre to enjoy a peaceful lunch in the old port - we’ll recommend our favourite spots.
  • Stroll along the gravel paths and admire the beautiful towers of one of Naples' main attractions: the Castel Nuovo. This medieval and renaissance castle features a central courtyard where you can gaze on the magnificent painted ceiling of the Baron’s Hall.

Journey
7hrs 52mins
Standard class
NaplesCatania
Stay
2 nights
Catania

Catania

Bustling, gritty and vibrant, Catania is Sicily at its most authentic. As the site of Sicily's first University, Catania has its student population to thank for its youthful energy. Many of the city's most beautiful buildings are now part of the University and are well worth a visit, along with Sicily's largest church, the UNESCO Monastery of San Nicolò L'Arena.

La Collegiata

Where you could stay2 nights

La Collegiata

In the heart of Catania’s old town, this small hotel has light bedrooms with traditional furnishings and sunny balconies that overlook the quiet street below.

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Room details
Room: Double or twin comfort
Board: Breakfast included

Recommendations

  • Take a trip up Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, that has dominated Sicily’s landscape and history for 500,000 years. Walk up the unique, dark coloured mountain path to get closer to the bubbling crater. Look out for sparks of lava and billows of smoke as you get closer.

  • Taste seasonal produce and local culinary delights at Catania’s bustling food market. The chaos around the fish stalls is particularly entertaining.
  • Take a trip on the Ferrovia Circumetnea, the old narrow-gauge railway that circles the foot of Mount Etna. Settle in for breathtaking views of Europe’s most active volcano from all angles (there's usually a short stop at Randazzo for sightseeing).

Journey
1hrs 20mins
Standard class
CataniaEnna
Stay
2 nights
Enna

Enna

Nicknamed 'Belvedere’ (meaning 'beautiful view'), Enna is Sicily's highest commune overlooking the Dittaino valley. Away from the popular provinces along the coast, Enna offers a gentle pace of life with panoramic views across the hills and well-maintained medieval streets.

B&B Enna Inn Centro

Where you could stay2 nights

B&B Enna Inn Centro

This cosy B&B near Enna’s town centre has large, bright rooms with open views across the countryside below. Guests can also enjoy the comfortable lounge and sunny terrace.

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Room details
Room: Double room with mountain view
Board: Breakfast included

Recommendations

  • Walk up to the magical Rocca di Cerere, the huge rock that was once home to Enna's Temple of Demeter, the Roman goddess of fertility and agriculture. Climb the steep steps to the remains of a temple, built in 480 BC by the tyrant Gelon. It's a wonderful spot for a picnic.

  • Visit Castello di Lombardia, one of the largest medieval castles in Italy which was built on top of Byzantine, Arabic and Norman fortifications.

  • Explore a more genuine unpolished side of Sicily in the medieval town of Calascibetta, which is a name that was derived from the Arab word for "the castle on top of the mountain" (the town sits prettily on a plateau).

Journey
2hrs 30mins
Standard class
EnnaTaormina
Stay
3 nights
Taormina

Taormina

Taormina is Sicily's most popular hilltop town–and it's not hard to see why. Perched on a craggy promontory overlooking the Ionian sea, expect spectacular views everywhere you turn, with the silhouette of Mount Etna always lurking in the background.

B & B Joan's Heritage

Where you could stay3 nights

B & B Joan's Heritage

In the heart of Taormina’s old town, this elegant B&B has large, bright rooms, warm hosts and a relaxed dining room with breathtaking mountain views.

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Room details
Room: Double room with private external bathroom
Board: Breakfast included

Recommendations

  • Spend an afternoon in the public gardens – an oasis of calm with lovely sea views.

  • Discover places that featured in the seminal film franchise 'The Godfather' on this walking tour around northern Sicily. 

  • Step back in time at the remarkable ancient Greek theatre and learn about the island's colourful history, with cracking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside to top it off.
Journey
2hrs 40mins
Standard class
TaorminaReggio Calabria
Stay
1 night
Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria is a port city separated from Sicily by the Strait of Messina. Despite being best known as the 'jumping off point' to Sicily, the city's world-class archaeological museum and beautiful promenade make it worth lingering over. Be sure to join in the waterfront passeggiata, and keep an eye out for the Fata Morgana phenomenon, a shimmering mirage that can be seen across the water.

XENIA LUXURY ROOMS

Where you could stay1 night

XENIA LUXURY ROOMS

Featuring 4-star accommodation, XENIA LUXURY ROOMS is situated in Reggio Calabria, 1.1 km from Reggio Calabria Lido and 3 km from Spiaggia di Calamizzi. Each accommodation at the 4-star hotel has city views, and guests can enjoy access to a shared lounge and to a bar. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, a shared kitchen and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a microwave, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a patio and a private bathroom with a bidet. All rooms will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle. Guests at XENIA LUXURY ROOMS can enjoy a continental or an American breakfast. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Aragonese Castle, Archaeological Museum - Riace Bronzes and Lungomare.

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Room details
Room: Deluxe king room
Board: Room only

Recommendations

  • Enjoy a tour of the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Reggio Calabria where you can view numerous historical artefacts including the famous Bronzi di Riace, two bronze statues of warriors found in the sea.
Journey
4hrs 35mins
Standard class

Reggio CalabriaNaples

Enjoy a journey on one of Italy's spacious and comfortable high-speed trains as it traverses across the country's most scenic railway line. Pull up a window seat on the left for the best views across the turquoise vista of the Tyrrhenian sea.
Journey
2hrs 58mins
Standard class

NaplesFlorence

From Naples, board the fast Frecciarossa service that'll speed you north to Florence.
Stay
2 nights
Florence

Florence

Often considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is a city shaped by the master artists, writers and philosophers of the period. Today this can be seen in Florence's preserved historic architecture, monuments and iconic galleries, with the entire city declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Hotel Bavaria

Where you could stay2 nights

Hotel Bavaria

Hotel Bavaria features spacious, traditionally furnished rooms with either private or shared bathrooms. It is 200 metres from Florence Cathedral and a seven-minute walk from the Uffizi Gallery. 

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Room details
Room: Double room with shared bathroom
Board: Room only

Recommendations

  • No visit to Florence is complete without catching a glimpse of Michaelangelo's David. Seeing him in person is a completely different experience to just looking at pictures – you'll undoubtedly observe the inconsistency in the size of his feet and limbs! You can of course see a replica of the masterpiece in the Piazza della Signori, but the original is now housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia.

  • A visit to the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly called Il Duomo, is an essential part of any trip to Florence. The cathedral is Florence's most prominent landmark, looming over the city, and has the largest masonry dome in the world. This architectural masterpiece features the famous bronze doors named 'the gates of paradise' by Michelangelo. Admire the religious relics and let yourself be enchanted by the famous paintings, sculptures and marble facade.

  • Eating vegan in Florence is easier than you might think. Enjoy plant-based takes on traditional Italian dishes, raw-food restaurants, and gorgeous patisseries. There are even vegan supermarkets where you can stock up on goodies.

Journey
1 night
10hrs 33mins
Standard class

FlorenceMunich

Board a Nightjet sleeper train that will whisk you north through the Alps while you dream. Arrive in Munich in time for breakfast.
Journey
1hrs 14mins
Standard class
MunichUlm
Stay
2 nights
Ulm

Ulm

On the banks of the Danube, Ulm is a distinct mix of old and new, with the 'Neu Ulm' feeling like an entire city in itself. Although significantly damaged by the Second World War, the old town retains some noteworthy original architecture: the Münster, complete with the world's tallest church tower; the riverside fishing quarter, home to 'das schiefes haus' (meaning 'crooked house'); and the renaissance town hall with its original facade.

Hotel Neuthor

Where you could stay2 nights

Hotel Neuthor

This comfortable, modern, family-run hotel offers views of the town and is a few minutes' walk from the Hauptbahnhof. Breakfast isn't included, but can be purchased from the hotel for around £5 per person.

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Room details
Room: Double room
Board: Breakfast included

Recommendations

  • Housed in an strikingly modern, block building with a glass front, the Kunsthalle is a private collection owned by Siegfried and Jutta Weishaupt. You'll find works by the luminaries of modern art including Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol and Josef Albers, which are displayed in thematic exhibitions.

  • Take a gentle stroll through the narrow alleys of the Fischerviertel (Fishermen's Quarter). You'll be able to enjoy picturesque views of the charming old town, and head to one of the nearby restaurants.

  • At 162 metres, Ulmer Münster is the tallest church in the world. Climb the staircase to the viewing platform for panoramic views of the city.

Journey
4hrs 29mins
Standard class
UlmParis
Journey
2hrs 16mins
Standard class
Photo by Seat61.com

ParisLondon

Board the Eurostar at Gare du Nord to London St Pancras. Relax with a book or a film as you travel under the Channel.

Before you book

Please make sure that you're happy with your trip before booking, as fees apply to changes made after booking. Check our FAQs for more information. To make changes to this trip before you book, please email hello@byway.travel