Danube Express · 12 days · 11 nights
Balkan Explorer: Venice to Istanbul
Venice · Trieste · Postojna · Pula · Rijeka · Sarajevo · Mostar · Belgrade · Sofia · Plovdiv · Istanbul
Danube Express · 6 days, 5 nights
A Taste of Italy: Taormina to Venice
Six days from Sicily to Venice: baroque Ragusa, Palermo, the Strait of Messina by train ferry, coastal Maratea and Verona.
- TaorminaDay 1
- RagusaDay 2
- PalermoDay 3
- MarateaDay 4
- VeronaDay 5
- VeniceDay 5
Train stopExcursion by road
Duration6 days
Nights5
RouteTaormina → Venice
Places visited6
From, per personUS$15,891
Overview
A short Italian journey that starts with a night in Taormina, explores Ragusa and Palermo, then crosses the Strait of Messina with the train on a ferry. Maratea on the Tyrrhenian coast and Verona follow before a final night in Venice.
- A hands-on Sicilian cooking demonstration in Ragusa
- An aperitif and private concert at Palermo's Teatro Massimo
- Crossing the Strait of Messina with the train on a ferry
- The Christ the Redeemer statue above Maratea
- A pizza-making class at the Santavenere Hotel
- Verona's Roman Amphitheatre in Piazza Bra
Day by day
Day 1Arrive in TaorminaTaormina
You are met and taken to a central five-star hotel for one night, with time permitting a wander through the medieval streets or to the Greek Theatre. A welcome dinner with champagne opens the journey.
Day 2RagusaOn board the Danube Express
After breakfast you board the train and watch Sicily roll past on the way to baroque Ragusa. Later you join a hands-on cooking demonstration of traditional Sicilian dishes.
Day 3PalermoOn board the Danube Express
Breakfast in the dining car as the train reaches Palermo. A walking tour of the old town ends with an aperitif and private concert at the Teatro Massimo; after lunch, choose Corleone's Anti-Mafia Museum or Monreale's Norman cathedral.
Day 4Strait of Messina & MarateaOn board the Danube Express
Early in the morning the train is rolled onto a ferry across the Strait of Messina; stay aboard or watch from the top deck. In Maratea you visit the Christ the Redeemer statue for views along the coast, then join a pizza-making class at the Santavenere Hotel.
Day 5Verona & VeniceVenice
A guided walk in Verona includes the Roman Amphitheatre in Piazza Bra. In the afternoon you continue to Venice for a night in a central hotel and a farewell reception dinner.
Day 6Depart Venice
After breakfast at the hotel you are transferred to the airport, or you can extend your stay in Venice.
Where you spend each night
- Night 1Taormina
- Night 2On board the Danube Express
- Night 3On board the Danube Express
- Night 4On board the Danube Express
- Night 5Venice
The map is schematic. Dashed lines are excursions by road.
Most spacious
Superior Deluxe Class
12 cabins per departure · 8.6 m²
- King-size bed made up each evening
- Full-length sofa and two chairs for daytime
- Two large picture windows, one that opens
- En-suite shower room with WC (1.9 m²)
- Double wardrobe, safe, Wi-Fi and USB ports
Classic
Deluxe Class
5 cabins per carriage · 7.74 m²
- Two lower beds made up during dinner
- Two armchairs and a free-standing chair
- Large picture window that opens partially
- En-suite shower, washbasin and WC, heated towel rail
- Toiletries, dressing gown and hairdryer provided
Every cabin has its own private shower room, individually controlled air-conditioning and a dedicated cabin attendant.
- Five-star hotel nights in Taormina and Venice
- Private en-suite cabin on the Danube Express
- Cabin attendant service with evening turndown
- An experienced tour management team throughout
- A UK-registered doctor and medical facilities on board
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All gratuities, on and off the train
- Luggage porterage throughout the journey
- Freshly prepared meals on board plus dining in local restaurants
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included
- Expertly guided off-train excursions as described in the itinerary
- Freedom of Choice touring options on selected days
- Deposit
- 30% of the total at booking
- Final payment
- 125 days before departure
Dates and prices
Live availability. Choose a cabin type, then select Book Now to reserve online, or Join waitlist on sold-out dates.
Deluxe Class
September 7, 2027
US$ 15,891.00 pp dbl
September 7, 2027
US$ 28,150.00 pp sgl
Superior Deluxe Class
September 7, 2027
US$ 19,864.00 pp dbl
September 7, 2027
US$ 33,485.00 pp sgl
Join the waitlist
This departure is currently sold out. Leave your details and we will contact you the moment a cabin becomes available.
Questions about this journey
How long is A Taste of Italy?
Six days and five nights: one hotel night in Taormina, three nights on the train and a final hotel night in Venice. It is one of the shortest journeys on the Danube Express.
How does the train leave Sicily?
The train is split and rolled onto a ferry for the crossing of the Strait of Messina, then reassembled on the mainland. You can stay on board or watch from the ferry's top deck.
What food experiences are included?
A Sicilian cooking demonstration in Ragusa and a pizza-making class at the Santavenere Hotel in Maratea are both included. Meals on board and in local restaurants come too, with drinks served with lunch and dinner.
Is there a choice of excursions in Palermo?
Yes. After lunch you can visit Corleone and its Anti-Mafia Museum or see the golden mosaics of Monreale's Norman cathedral.
Is this a good short introduction to the Danube Express?
It is one of the shortest journeys the train runs, linking Sicily with Venice in under a week. It suits travellers with limited time who still want the full on-board experience.
What does it cost and when does it run?
Fares depend on the cabin class you choose and whether you travel as a couple or alone. Live dates and fares are shown on this page, and our reservations team can help on (866) 484-7882.
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