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Jakarta to Sicily: Palermo, Taormina and Mount Etna

Jakarta → 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)
Photo: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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

Sicily has layers of Greek, Arab, Norman and Spanish history, as well as one of the world's most active volcanoes. This route crosses the island from Palermo in the west to Taormina and Mount Etna in the east. From Jakarta you'll connect via the Gulf or a European hub to Palermo, and you can fly home from Catania. The itinerary spends three nights in Palermo, three nights in Taormina and one night in Mount Etna.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Palermo: day one, Ballarò market; day two, Cappella Palatina; day three, Monreale. Then spend days four to six in Taormina: day four, cross to Taormina; day five, Greek theatre; day six, Isola Bella. Then spend day seven at Mount Etna: guided Etna excursion.

Palermo is a city to explore on foot, with its golden mosaics in the Cappella Palatina and Monreale Cathedral, baroque squares, and street-food markets selling arancine and panelle. On the way east, the hilltop town of Cefalù or the Greek temples of Agrigento make good detours. Taormina is perched above the sea, and its ancient theatre has views of Etna on a clear day. The nearby bays of Isola Bella are good for a swim. Etna is the finale, with guided trips to old craters, lava flows and, conditions permitting, the higher slopes.

Spring, about April to June, and autumn, September to October, are the most pleasant times. Midsummer brings strong heat and crowds, especially in August. Etna's summit areas are subject to access rules that change with volcanic activity.

Only go to Etna's upper craters with an authorised guide and check the current alert level. Driving in Palermo is challenging, so collect a hire car when you leave the city.

Sicilian food is part of every stop. Palermo's markets are where to try street snacks, cannoli are found everywhere, and the slopes of Etna are covered with vineyards whose volcanic-soil wines can be tasted at small estates. Granita with brioche makes a typical summer breakfast on the east coast.

Suggested outline

  1. Jakarta

    Start

  2. Palermo

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Sicily's capital, with Arab-Norman churches, the Cappella Palatina, street markets such as Ballarò and the cathedral of Monreale nearby.

  3. Taormina

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    A hilltop town on the east coast with an ancient Greek theatre looking towards Etna and the sea. Catania airport (CTA) is the nearest.

    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

    Europe's most active volcano. Cable car, 4x4 and guided walks reach the upper slopes, depending on activity.

    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· Jakarta → 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 → Jakarta (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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Taormina

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Mount Etna

Nearest airport: Taormina

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