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Arrival by train
The first day is purely a travel day by train; bring your own food, as the buffet car has a limited selection.
Don't cut connection times in Verona or Bologna too short.
Long leg — allow time for breaks.
This is where your journey begins. From Munich Central Station you head south by train, and over the course of the day you'll reach the onward connection to Italy via Verona or Milan.
An interchange for the onward journey south. From Munich you can reach Rome via daytime services through Verona and Bologna; for a more comfortable trip, take an overnight train instead. In Rome you change onto the Intercity towards Sicily.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Train on the ferry
A long travel day, but the train-ferry loading at Messina is an experience in itself.
Arrival in Palermo in the evening; plan a quiet first evening in the old town.
Long leg — allow time for breaks.
What makes this route special: the Intercity from Rome is loaded onto a ferry at Villa San Giovanni and carried across the Strait of Messina. You can go up on deck during the crossing and get your first glimpse of Sicily.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Arrival in Sicily's capital. From the station you can reach the centre on foot. It's best to pick up the hire car only on the day you leave the Palermo base, or straight from Palermo Centrale station, so you can explore the city centre days without a car.
A small historic hotel in a palazzo in the heart of the old town, close to the Ballarò market and the main sights. From here you can explore Palermo comfortably on foot.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
City and food
No car needed at all: Palermo's centre is wonderfully explored on foot.
Street food at the market is part of the experience, so take your time.
The imposing cathedral combines Norman, Arab and Baroque architectural styles and houses royal tombs. You can climb up onto the roof for a sweeping view over the city as far as the sea.
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The Baroque heart of the city, with the magnificent street crossing of Quattro Canti and the fountain of Piazza Pretoria. Nearby stand the churches of La Martorana and San Cataldo with their mosaics and red domes.
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Palermo's liveliest market, where street kitchens serve up panelle, arancine and sfincione. Here you'll dive into the everyday life of the city and eat cheap, typically Sicilian food.
Norman art
The hire car is available from today; a short drive to Monreale.
In central Palermo, it's better to leave the car at the hotel car park or a ground-level car park rather than drive into narrow lanes.
The cathedral of Monreale is considered one of the finest Norman buildings in the world, with over 6000 square metres of golden mosaics inside. The cloister with its finely carved columns and the view over the Conca d'Oro valley make the short trip worthwhile.
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The palace chapel in the Palazzo dei Normanni is a gem of mosaics, Arab ceiling art and marble. Back in Palermo, you can round off the day with this highlight of Norman-Arab architecture.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
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Coast and Norman cathedral
At most around an hour's drive each way, leaving plenty of time for the beach and old town.
Alternatively, Cefalù is easily reached by regional train from Palermo Centrale.
The coastal town of Cefalù sits picturesquely between an imposing rock and the sea. The Norman cathedral with its mosaics, the narrow lanes and the long sandy beach right by the old town make this a particularly special trip.
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The wide sandy beach right in front of the old town is perfect for a break by the water. The view from here of the row of houses and the La Rocca cliff is one of Sicily's most iconic sights.
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Greek temple and change of base
Change of base from Palermo to Trapani, with a stop in Segesta along the way.
Overall a relaxed drive of under two hours.
The Doric temple of Segesta stands alone on a hill and is considered one of the best-preserved in the ancient world. Above it lies the Greek theatre with wide views over the surrounding hills, reached by a short shuttle ride.
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Apartments with sea views in the old town of Trapani, quietly located yet close to the waterfront promenade. From here you can easily reach Erice, the salt pans and San Vito Lo Capo by car.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Hill town and salt gardens
Short drives, with plenty of time to stroll around Erice and enjoy the sunset at the salt pans.
Visit the salt pans in the late afternoon, when the light is at its most beautiful.
The medieval hill town sits at 750 metres above Trapani, with views as far as the Egadi Islands on a clear day. Cobbled lanes, the Norman Castello di Venere and the famous almond pastries from the pasticceria are the highlights of a visit.
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The nature reserve of the salt pans between Trapani and Marsala, with its salt basins and windmills, feels especially magical in the evening light, when the pink of the basins is reflected in the water. At the Salt Museum you'll learn how sea salt has been harvested here for centuries.
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Dream beach and coastal walk
A beach day with an optional coastal walk in the Zingaro; don't forget your swimwear and sun protection.
The Zingaro can only be explored on foot, so plan the walk according to your fitness level.
The Caribbean-like beach at San Vito Lo Capo, with white sand and turquoise water, is considered one of the most beautiful in Sicily. The small town is also known for its couscous festival and offers good fish restaurants along the promenade.
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Sicily's first nature reserve protects an unspoiled coastline with hidden coves such as Cala Marinella and clear water for swimming. A well-marked coastal path runs through Mediterranean scrub; sturdy shoes and water are recommended.
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Old tuna factory and rock stacks
A quiet day on the coast; the Tonnara bay charges an entry fee, but it's well worth it for a swim.
Bring your swimwear, as access to the bay is limited and can already be in demand in May.
The historic tuna factory sits in a stunning bay, overlooked by striking rock stacks, the Faraglioni. The spot has featured as a backdrop in numerous films; the clear water is perfect for snorkelling among the rocks.
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The tiny village of Scopello is clustered around an old baglio courtyard with a stone well and small shops. Here you can try the famous pane cunzato, a generously topped bread, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere away from the coast.
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Greek ruined city by the sea
A somewhat longer drive than on other days, but the sprawling site is well worth the journey.
Bring sun protection and water, as the park offers little shade.
Selinunte is one of the largest archaeological parks in Europe, with several temples right above the sea. Amid the acropolis, meadows and poppies, you can really feel the scale of the ancient city; an electric shuttle connects the widely spaced areas.
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The small fishing village next to the temple park offers fresh fish and a quiet beach. A good spot for a late lunch before heading back to Trapani.
The return journey begins
Drive to Palermo in the morning, with the afternoon free for one last stroll, and departure by train in the evening.
Book the overnight train in good time to secure a comfortable sleeper berth.
Before the return journey by train begins, you'll return the hire car at Palermo Centrale station. Allow plenty of time for the drive from Trapani and the drop-off.
From Palermo Centrale station, the Intercity takes you back across the ferry near Messina to Rome. For the long stretch, an overnight train is a good option so you arrive rested in northern Italy.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Arrival back at the starting point
A long but relaxed day of travel by train back across the Alps.
If connections in Rome or Verona are tight, choose one with more buffer time.
Long leg — allow time for breaks.
Arrival in Rome in the morning, with a change for the onward journey towards the Alps. If time allows, you can step outside the station during the changeover for a quick espresso.
Back at the starting point of your journey. After travelling via Bologna and Verona, the loop closes at Munich Central Station.
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