BY RAIL
MICHAEL PORTILLO’ S TRAIN JOURNEY TO SICILY RAIL TOUR
6 nights / 7 days From £ 2,170 per person
Taormina
LUCERNE • MILAN • NAPLES • TAORMINA
Follow in the footsteps of a rail tour taken by Michael Portillo, travelling the length of Italy to Sicily. Enjoy spectacular, scenic rail journeys as you cross the Alps, follow the rugged coast south of Naples through Basilicata and Calabria to the toe of Italy where you cross the Strait of Messina in your train on the ferry.
DAY ONE London to Lucerne by train Begin by taking the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris. Change stations for the high-speed TGV train to Basel and onwards to Lucerne for about 19.00 hrs. DAY TWO Lucerne, over the Alps to Milan Leave Lucerne at about midday to continue to Milan, a journey which takes you along Lake Lucerne, before climbing to pass through the Alps by the Gotthard train tunnel which links Fluelen to Bellinzona in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Arrive in Milan late afternoon for one night with time to explore the city. DAY THREE Milan to Naples by train You can take a train from Milan Centrale at about 10.00 hrs to reach Naples at about 14.30. Spend the rest of the day sightseeing, perhaps visiting the Archaeological Museum with its priceless display of artefacts from Pompeii. DAY FOUR Naples to Sicily by train Leave Naples mid-morning to travel by train to Taormina-Giardini, following the dramatic coast south, reaching the Strait of Messina where your train boards the ferry for the crossing to Sicily. You are transferred by private car to your hotel. DAYS FIVE TO SEVEN In Taormina You have two full days in Taormina. The town stands at an altitude of 250m above sea level and forms a perfect balcony overlooking the sea towards Mount Etna. Taormina has a rich and extensive history; its Teatro Antico di Taormina is the second largest amphitheatre in Sicily, harking back to Taormina’ s origins as a Greek‘ polis.’ The Botanic Gardens of Villa Comunale offer a number of exotic and shady pathways for an afternoon stroll, as well as several intriguing structures that make up the villa complex. You can visit the beach at Taormina Mare, reached by cable car from the town centre. There are lots of restaurants in Taormina, within easy walking distance of your hotel. DAY SEVEN Taormina to Catania and flight to London Depending on the time of your return flight, you may have the morning free for last-minute shopping or photography before your private car transfer to Catania and the flight to London.
What’ s included
• Second-class travel on all trains, with standard class on Eurostar
• Private car transfers in Taormina and Naples
• Flight with British Airways one way from Catania to London Gatwick
• 1 night’ s B & B in a Classic room at the Hotel Wilden Mann in Lucerne
• 1 night’ s B & B in a Classic room at the Baglioni Hotel Carlton in Milan
• 1 night’ s B & B in a Classic room at the Grand Hotel Vesuvio in Naples
• 3 nights’ B & B in a Superior room with sea view at the Hotel Villa Belvedere in Taormina
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
What’ s not included
• Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday
• Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
• Transfers in Paris, Lucerne and Milan
PRICES
Prices from £ 2,170 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room and including standard class rail travel
Supplements
• Standard premier / first class £ 280 per person
Holiday code ITBR07
To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk 39