Escape to Sun-Baked Sicily: London to Italy by Train

Head out bright and early in time for your nine o'clock train to Naples. Enjoy the rolling countryside from the comfort of your seat as you chug down the leg of Italy’s boot, arriving in Naples at around two in the afternoon. Check into your hotel nestled in the city’s historic district and venture out to explore some of Naple’s hotspots: the Archaeological Museum, which houses artefacts from the Greek and Roman times; the old town, dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage site; and Piazza Bellini, where bars bubble over with thirsty visitors. When your bellies start to rumble, ask your local Concierge to book you into one of the many bustling restaurants serving pizza with fluffy, charred dough and pasta dripping with rich tomato sauce.

It’s another day, and there’s another gorgeous train ride ahead of you. Today also marks your arrival in Sicily, so make your way to Naple’s train station and begin your journey to Taormina, a hilltop town on the east coast of the island. Your late-afternoon arrival gives you plenty of time to get your bearings of this quaint coastal town after checking into your hotel (and admiring the panoramic views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea).

Start your first morning in Taormina with a Sicilian special – a refreshing glass of granita, a semi-frozen drink made from juice or water, sugar and fresh fruit or flavouring. Typically paired with brioche col tuppo (an Italian take on a brioche roll stuffed with gelato), it’s the perfect fuel for your private tour of Taormina. Over the next two hours, explore the town alongside an English-speaking guide and discover the ancient ruins, lively terraces, clifftop views and cobbled streets at your own pace. As your day draws to a close, settle into one of the four Michelin-starred restaurants showcasing Sicilian dishes centred around freshly caught seafood.

During your next day in Taormina, revisit your favourite spots from yesterday or venture to places you missed. For example, the Teatro Antico di Taormina is an unmissable Greco-Roman ancient amphitheatre built in the third century, carved into the cliff between the sea and sky. Snap some stunning pictures of Mount Etna and Italy’s Calabrian coast alongside your cheesy grins before seeking out one final Taormina dinner.

Today, you’re heading down Sicily’s east coast towards Syracuse, a city that sums up why this island is a world-famous destination. The train journey is just a couple of hours, giving you enough time to marvel at the Sicilian views while having plenty of the day left to play with. Check into your harbour-side hotel before heading out to explore the gorgeous shorelines, historical wonders, open-air bars and eateries offering delectable dishes.

Syracuse was founded in 734 BC, and today you’ll peel back the historical layers alongside a private guide. Step back in time and discover the sites within the Neapolis Archaeological Park: the Teatro Greco, an ancient Roman amphitheatre that’s still in use today, and the Orecchio di Dionisio, a limestone cave shaped like a human ear.

The city has a lot to offer outside of the Archaeological Park. Make sure to check out Ortigia, a small Baroque Island and UNESCO World Heritage site that’s dotted with impressive church facades, elegant restaurants and pretty piazzas. Come evening, grab a seat overlooking the Ionian Sea and enjoy a farewell drink as the sun sets on your last evening in Sicily.