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Kuala Lumpur to Sicily: Palermo, Taormina and Mount Etna

Kuala Lumpur → Palermo → Taormina → Mount Etna

Palermo
"Sicilia_Palermo5_tango7174.jpg" by Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Aerial image of the coast of Taormina (view from the southeast) (Taormina)
Foto: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sicily Best season (general guide): Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

This route crosses Sicily from Palermo to Taormina and Mount Etna. It spends seven nights on the island. From Kuala Lumpur you'll connect through Europe or the Gulf.

Palermo's Ballarò market is noisy and colourful. The Cappella Palatina has golden mosaics, and Monreale's cathedral, just outside the city, is famous for its mosaics too.

Cross the island to Taormina. The Greek theatre looks out over the sea and Etna. Isola Bella is a small island near the beach. Try granita with brioche for breakfast.

Take a guided excursion on Mount Etna, an active volcano. Its volcanic soils produce Etna DOC wines.

April to June and September to October are the best seasons. July and August are very hot.

Pacing: Palermo is best explored on foot, with the markets busiest in the morning. Monreale is a short bus or taxi ride up the hill. Dress modestly to enter churches, with shoulders and knees covered.

The trip across the island by bus or train takes several hours, so plan it for a quiet day. Taormina is perched high above the sea, and cable cars and buses link it with the beaches below. The Greek theatre is at its best early or late in the day, when the light is soft and the views of the volcano are clearest.

Etna's summit areas are only open with authorised guides, and access can change at short notice with volcanic activity. Excursions climb high on the mountain, where it is much cooler than on the coast, so take a jacket and sturdy shoes.

Sicilian food changes as you cross the island: street snacks such as arancini and panelle in Palermo, and seafood and pistachio sweets near Etna. Leave time for long lunches, which are part of the rhythm of the day here.

Suggested outline

  1. Kuala Lumpur

    Start

  2. Palermo

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Ballarò market, the Cappella Palatina and Monreale.

  3. Taormina

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    The Greek theatre, Isola Bella and granita.

    Taormina
    "Aerial_image_of_the_coast_of_Taormina_(view_from_the_southeast).jpg" by Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Mount Etna

    Overland · 1 night suggested

    A guided excursion on the volcano.

    Mount Etna
    "Mt_Etna_and_Catania1.jpg" by BenAveling, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Palermo — Arrive; Ballarò market· Kuala Lumpur → Palermo (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Palermo — Cappella Palatina
  3. Day 3 · Palermo — Monreale
  4. Day 4 · Taormina — Cross to Taormina· Palermo → Taormina (overland)
  5. Day 5 · Taormina — Greek theatre
  6. Day 6 · Taormina — Isola Bella
  7. Day 7 · Mount Etna — Guided Etna excursion· Taormina → Mount Etna (overland)
  8. Day 8 · Mount Etna — Travel home from Mount Etna· Mount Etna → Catania (overland), then Catania → Kuala Lumpur (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Palermo

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Plan the trip: Palermo

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Taormina

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Plan the trip: Taormina

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Mount Etna

Nearest airport: Taormina

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