Twelve Days from Venice to Sicily by Private Train: The Sicilian Odyssey

Spend two nights exploring Venice before settling into life aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express for seven nights as you journey the length of Italy. Your adventure finishes with two relaxing nights in Taormina, one of Sicily’s most picturesque seaside towns.

The train offers all the hallmarks of classic luxury rail travel: private en-suite cabins, impeccable service from your cabin attendant, beautifully prepared meals served in elegant dining cars, drinks and gratuities included, and even a UK-registered doctor travelling with the train.

The adventure begins with two nights in Venice before you board the train. You can join a guided walking tour through St Mark’s Square and the Rialto district, or simply spend the day exploring at your own pace. On the second evening, guests attend a private concert in the beautiful San Zaccaria church, followed by dinner in the city.

Day three is when the rail journey truly begins. A boat transfers you down the Grand Canal to the station, where the Golden Eagle Danube Express departs across the causeway spanning the Venetian lagoon before turning south through the Po Valley.

One of the first stops is Cremona, a city many travellers have never visited despite its extraordinary musical heritage. As the home of Antonio Stradivari, it offers a fascinating private visit to the renowned violin museum.

Day four begins in Bologna, Italy’s celebrated food capital. After exploring the city and climbing one of its medieval towers for sweeping views across the terracotta rooftops, the afternoon offers a choice of experiences. Visit the Ferrari factory and museum at Maranello, or travel to the mountain-top microstate of San Marino, one of the world’s oldest republics. (For those who aren’t dedicated petrol heads, San Marino’s rare chance to add another country to your travel map is certainly tempting.)

Day five brings you to Pompeii, where you’ll step back nearly 2,000 years on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Roman city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Later, journey onto the slopes of the volcano itself to visit a family-run vineyard, where lunch and a wine tasting await among the vines.

Day six takes you into the heart of Puglia, beginning in Alberobello, a UNESCO-listed town famous for its fairytale-like trulli houses with their distinctive cone-shaped roofs. A guided tour reveals the fascinating construction techniques and cultural significance behind these unique dwellings, followed by the chance to sample local flavours with a tasting of regional wine or olive oil. From here, continue to Lecce, known as the “Florence of the South” for its beautifully carved golden limestone architecture and magnificent baroque buildings. As the train travels further south through the landscapes of Cilento, you settle in for an unforgettable overnight journey towards Sicily.

Day seven brings one of the most memorable moments of the entire adventure. Crossing from mainland Italy to Sicily is no ordinary rail experience. In the early morning, the Golden Eagle Danube Express is carefully divided into sections and rolled onto a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina. You can watch this remarkable process from your cabin or head to the ferry’s top deck for the crossing, taking in views as the train journeys between the Italian mainland and Sicily. Once across the water, the train is carefully reassembled and continues its journey south — a rare and fascinating piece of railway history that few travellers have the opportunity to experience.

Day eight delves into Sicily’s ancient past. In Agrigento, explore the Valley of the Temples, where a remarkable row of Greek temples stands dramatically against the sky — among the finest surviving examples of the ancient world. Later, continue to Ragusa, a beautiful Baroque town cascading down the hillside, with a hands-on Sicilian cooking demonstration showcasing the flavours of the region.

On day nine, discover another side of Sicily’s rich heritage. In Syracuse, take to the water for a boat journey around the island of Ortigia, where ancient history meets the sea. Continue to Caltagirone, famed for its colourful ceramics, before visiting the Villa Romana del Casale — a spectacular Roman villa home to some of the world’s finest surviving floor mosaics.

The journey continues to Catania on day ten, a vibrant city at the foot of Mount Etna. Here, discover Sicily’s sweeter side with a pastry-making class, including one experience hosted by the owner of the palazzo where the class takes place. Later, board the train for the final leg of the journey towards Taormina.

Your final full day is spent exploring the wonders of Taormina and Mount Etna. Travel up the slopes of Europe’s highest active volcano with a local volcanologist, followed by lunch and a wine tasting among the vineyards growing on Etna’s fertile slopes. Spend the afternoon wandering Taormina’s enchanting streets, from its ancient Greek theatre to its medieval laneways, before gathering for a farewell dinner.

Day twelve brings the Sicilian Odyssey to a close. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward journey, taking with you memories of Italy’s landscapes, flavours and remarkable history.

What I love about travelling by private train is that the journey becomes just as memorable as the destinations themselves. There’s a wonderful sense of ease — unpack once, settle into your private cabin and enjoy the changing landscapes from your window, knowing every detail has been taken care of. The attentive service, elegant dining and relaxed pace create an experience that feels both special and effortless.

Having travelled on the Golden Eagle Danube Express through Romania, I know firsthand how unique the experience is. Some of my favourite moments weren’t just the places we visited, but the experiences along the way — taking part in an onboard cooking class, watching a traditional Hungarian horse show and sharing stories with fellow travellers over dinner each evening.