Travel diaries: Beneath Sicilian skies

I travelled by train from London, taking the chance to pass through snowy Swiss mountains and have an afternoon exploring Milan. I’m really aware of my carbon footprint, as a large part of my job is measuring Explore’s emissions and delivering carbon literacy training. One of the pledges I’ve made to myself was to travel by train instead of flying whenever I could.

This trip really works if people are interested in rail travel. You can take a train to Milan, spend a night there and the next day go all the way down to Syracusa. Even if you flew into Rome, you could reach Syracusa in a day by train. The train from Milan to Syracusa was a joy – it even goes onto the ferry, taking you to the island in 20 minutes, which makes for the coolest journey!

Fabio was absolutely brilliant. A true foodie, he introduced us to local specialities and always had great recommendations for what to try. At dinners, he's order shared plates so we could all try a bit of everything.

One of the most surprising tips he shared was about gelato in the north: served in a brioche bun! Pistachio and chocolate gelato in a brioche? I'd never have tried that on my own, and that's exactly what makes a great tour leader: those unexpected little insights that stick with you.

Fabio's a local, originally from Trapani and now living in Catania, and his knowledge was incredible. What he didn't know wasn't worth knowing! He covered all the major highlights, but it was the small details that really made the experience special. Thanks to him, I now know the perfect granita combo: chocolate and nuts.

It’s a round-the-island journey, beginning in Syracuse and ending in Giardini Naxos. We kicked things off exploring the historic Neapolis and the charming Ortygia Island, then made our way through Erice en route to Palermo. Along the way, we stopped in Cefalù, visited Mount Etna, and spent a lovely afternoon in Taormina before wrapping up in Giardini Naxos.

This trip is full on: every day is crammed with exploring sites that tell the stories of this little (but strategically important) island. It's seen Greek, Roman, Byzantine and many other influences throughout history. Walking through Agrigento, it's hard to absorb the scale of the site; looking up at the Temple of Zeus makes you feel tiny! It really hits home how prosperous this city was in ancient times.

I’m not usually a history buff, but the local site guide was outstanding. We had a local guide who just told you everything you needed to know – from who built these places to who tried to destroy them, and why. These nuggets of details were fascinating and our group was so engaged; we asked loads of questions, and the guide was able to dive deep into every topic.

1) Travel during the shoulder seasons to avoid the crowds.

2) Pack comfortable trainers, and walking boots if you want to hike Mount Etna. 

3) Take a Water-to-Go filtration bottle to refill and hydrate (get a 15% discount here).

4) If you have time, once the trip ends spend an extra day in Syracuse to explore at your own pace.

5) Why not take the train to the start of the trip? It's a memorable experience, especially since the train boards a ferry to cross the water – it's such a unique experience. Alternatively, you could take the train down from Rome, too.