Itinerary - 6 Night Holiday by Air + Rail

Day 1

London to Catania

Travel from London to Catania on a British Airways Euro Traveller flight.

On arrival in the city centre, check in at the Katane Palace Catania for your overnight stay. The Katane Palace is located in the historic Old Town and features a beautiful restaurant “Il Cuciniere” with an outdoor terrace.

Dating back 2700 years, Catania has been influenced by Greek, Roman, Spanish and Norman cultures and its Baroque architecture reflects the 17th Century reformation movement. Wander through the enchanting Old Town and with its wealth of attractions such as the Elephant Fountain in Piazza Duomo, Via Etnea, the lively shopping street and Teatro Massimo, a 19th century opera house.

Day 2

Catania to Palermo

Spend your morning in Catania visiting the vibrant markets in the Old Town. The fish market in Piazza Duomo and the food and clothes market off Via Etnea are both fantastic places to watch local life in Catania.

Board the regional train from Catania and travel across the island to Sicily's capital, Palermo. Journey time is approximately 3 hours. Check in at the Hilton Excelsior Palermo for your 2 night stay. The Hilton Excelsior is a historic building located within walking distance of Palermo's main attractions and the beautiful Mondello beach.

Day 3

Palermo

Discover the myriad of historic sights in Palermo ranging from the Roman homes in Piazza Vittoria, the Norman palaces (the Cuba and Royal Palace) and Baroque churches. This rich heritage surpasses that of many of the ancient cities of Europe and reveals its incredibly diverse history.

Take a stroll along the city's main shopping street Via Belmonte or head to the quaint little side streets Via Maqueda and Via Libertà for traditional goods such as Sicilian ceramics and jewellery. Palermo also offers plenty of fantastic dining opportunities including pastry shops and ice-cream "bars". The charming outdoor cafés on Via Principe di Belmonte are a perfect place to sample the fabulous cuisine.

Day 4

Palermo to Taormina

Travel back across the island by train to Taormina, one of the country's most fashionable and beautiful destinations. Located on Monte Tauro hill overlooking the Mediterranean with sweeping bays below and the magnificent Mount Etna behind, Taormina is a unique destination.

Check in at the Excelsior Palace Taormina for your 3 night stay. The Excelsior Palace Taormina is located in the heart of town. The stunning panoramic pool, excellent restaurant and peaceful atmosphere ensure the perfect stay.

Spend the evening soaking up scenery loved by a host of glamorous stars such as Greta Garbo and Elisabeth Taylor. Have dinner at a traditional trattoria to sample the incredible pasta and Taormina's delightful fish dishes. The restaurants located by the port of Giardini Naxos offer great cuisine and fantastic views across the bay.

Days 5 and 6

Taormina

Spend the next two days discovering Taormina's numerous treasures. The city is home to an abundance of cultural sights such as the striking Greek Theatre where performances still take place, the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Nicola and the 16th century Palace of the Dukes of San Stefano, all worth visiting during your stay.

Corso Umberto, the city's prime shopping street is home to elegant boutiques, classy cafés and plenty of trattorias and pizzerias where you can experience world famous Sicilian cuisine (and wine of course!).

Day 7

Taormina to London

Journey back by train along the pretty coastline to Catania. Regional trains run approximately every 30 minutes and take 45 minutes. Transfer onto your British Airways flight back to London.