Danube Express Luxury Train: Sicilian Odyssey

Begin your voyage in the enchanting city of Venice, where timeless beauty and romance are woven into every canal and cobblestone. You enjoy two nights at one of the city’s most iconic five-star hotels – the perfect base from which to explore La Serenissima. This evening, gather with fellow travellers for a welcome dinner, a chance to savour fine Italian cuisine and toast the unforgettable journey ahead.

Immerse yourself in the magic of Venice on a guided walking tour of its most iconic landmarks, including the magnificent St Mark’s Basilica and the bustling Rialto Market – or enjoy the day at leisure with a romantic gondola ride across the lagoon. As the sun sets, the evening begins with a spectacular private concert in the historic San Zaccaria church, followed by a sumptuous dinner at the renowned Ristorante Carpaccio.

Bid farewell to Venice in style with a private boat transfer along the Grand Canal to Santa Lucia station, where the Golden Eagle Danube Express awaits. Settle into your cabin as the train crosses the causeway spanning the Venice Lagoon and follows the Po River south. Our first stop is understated Cremona, almost off the tourism radar, where we explore the 13th-century piazza and enjoy a private tour of the fabled Stradivari Museum. A gourmet welcome dinner is served on board.

Awake to breakfast on board as we arrive in Bologna, Italy’s revered culinary capital, famed for its gastronomy, medieval towers and endless porticoes. A guided morning tour reveals the city’s character, culminating in a panoramic toast atop the Torre di Prendiparte. This afternoon, choose between the thrilling Ferrari factory and museum at Maranello, or ascend to the Republic of San Marino to explore its UNESCO-listed Old Town and the heights of Mount Titano. Tonight, dinner is served aboard the train.

Step back almost two millennia among the haunting ruins of Pompeii, the Roman town frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. On a behind-the-scenes tour we see how the race to preserve its original splendour continues to this day. Afterwards we visit Casa Setaro, a family-run vineyard in the volcanic soils of Vesuvius, for a tasting of acclaimed wines and local specialities – a perfect toast to the flavours of Campania.

Begin the day in Alberobello, a UNESCO-listed gem in Puglia known for its conical-roofed trulli, whose fairy-tale quality is matched only by a tasting of local wine and olive oil. This afternoon we visit elegant Lecce, the Baroque heart of southern Italy, exploring its golden-limestone churches including the Duomo and Santa Croce. Our scenic rail journey then continues through the wild beauty of Cilento National Park toward the southern tip of the mainland.

Wake to a gourmet breakfast in the dining car as we roll into Sicily following a rare overnight train crossing of the Straits of Messina – a unique and memorable moment of the journey. Our first stop is the lively capital, Palermo, where a gentle walking tour reveals a captivating blend of architectural styles, concluding with an aperitif and concert at the grand Teatro Massimo, Italy’s largest opera house. This afternoon, choose between Corleone’s Anti-Mafia Museum or the golden Norman mosaics of Monreale.

Wake in Agrigento, gateway to one of Italy’s most extraordinary archaeological treasures. On a privately guided tour we explore the awe-inspiring Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site where ancient temples rise majestically against the Sicilian sky. This afternoon we continue to Ragusa, a hilltop town bursting with Baroque charm, its honey-hued churches tumbling down the hillside, where a fun cooking demonstration reveals the secrets of traditional Sicilian cuisine.

This morning we arrive in Syracuse, once a flourishing centre of the Byzantine Empire, and enjoy a peaceful boat tour around the island of Ortigia. After lunch on board we journey to Caltagirone, famed for exquisite ceramics dating back to the 10th century, and visit a local artisan workshop before continuing to the Villa Romana del Casale – one of the best-preserved Roman villas in the world, its intricate mosaics telling stories of the civilisations that once ruled the island.

Explore Catania in the shadow of Mount Etna before we make our way to the clifftop resort of Taormina, perched above the glittering Gulf of Naxos. There is time to try your hand at a Sicilian pastry class and to begin soaking up the old-world charm of one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful towns, our home for the final two nights.

The day begins with a private visit to the Mount Etna Museum, guided by a local volcanologist who brings this formidable natural wonder to life. We then head to the slopes of the volcano for an indulgent lunch and wine tasting at a traditional Sicilian Palmento, where the volcanic soil lends the wines a distinct character. This afternoon, wander Taormina’s medieval streets and visit its iconic Greek Theatre at leisure. As evening falls, we gather for a farewell dinner with champagne to toast cherished new memories.

After breakfast on our final morning, transfer to the airport for your onward journey – or extend your stay to linger a little longer amid the beauty of Taormina and Sicily.