Last month I was lucky enough to be invited on an unforgettable collaboration trip to Sicily with Jet2holidays! I’ve never been to any of Italy before, so I was super excited, and it was everything I hoped for – sunshine, beautiful views, incredible food, and a taste of Italian culture.
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Our trip began with a little drama, as on the morning of our flight there was a volcanic eruption at nearby Mount Etna! But luckily it didn’t cause our flight any issues. Once we landed at Catania Airport in Sicily, the weather was quite the opposite to what it was back home – it was warm and sunny! We flew from Birmingham with Jet2holidays and everything from check-in to arrival ran smoothly. I’d never flown with Jet2 before but I can honestly say they were a joy to fly with!
Ad disclosure: This trip was gifted, but this post reflects my honest opinions, as always.
Unahotels Naxos Beach Sicilia
We stayed at the gorgeous Unahotels Naxos Beach Sicilia through Jet2holidays. It’s a big, resort-style hotel in the popular tourist town of Giardini Naxos. It has two beautiful pools (one is Olympic size!), a generous buffet breakfast, a great bar, and direct beach access. Our room felt brand new, with a sleek design and a private balcony looking out over the sea. Waking up to those views every morning was a dream! After exploring during the day it was great to come back to the hotel and relax at the gorgeous pool area in the afternoon. We also enjoyed having a drink at the hotel bar in the evening where they had some wonderful live music.
Exploring Giardini Naxos
One of the best parts of staying in Giardini Naxos is how easy it is to explore. The town centre is just a 20-minute walk from the hotel, filled with charming seaside restaurants and beach bars. On our first evening, we wandered along the promenade and enjoyed our first proper Italian dinner — pizza, pasta, and wine, of course. The prices for food and drink were very reasonable – my spaghetti pasta dish or a pizza was only €10 , and a glass of wine around €6. We also had lunch one afternoon at the beach bar next to the hotel which was absolutely stunning, and the prices there were a bit higher but still very affordable. Worth it for the gorgeous views across the beach!
A Day Trip to Taormina
The next morning, we hopped on a local bus (just €3!) to Taormina, one of Sicily’s most picturesque towns. The journey was quick and easy, and the town itself is so beautiful. We spent the whole day exploring narrow alleyways, taking photos of every colourful doorway, eating gelato, visiting the public gardens (free to visit!), and even riding the cable car (€10 for a return trip). It’s definitely worth getting the cable car down to the gorgeous little beach area. We sat and had lunch at a beach side restaurant that overlooked the bay, and it was so lovely to sit in the sunshine in such a goregous place.
We wanted to get the bus up the hill from Taormina to Castelmola, a beautiful small village built around a castle, but we ran out of time! There is so much to explore in Taormina – two days to visit would be perfect to make sure you don’t miss anything!
Boat Tour Adventures
On our second day, we booked a two-hour boat tour from the Giardini Naxos marina. For only €35 per person, we boarded a small boat and cruised along the coastline, explored sea grottos, and sipped prosecco while soaking in the views. Our captain pointed out all the local landmarks and even served us fresh fruit while we relaxed on the water. It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip – and I didn’t get sea sick! Just look how blue that water is…
The Joy of Aperitivo
One thing we absolutely fell in love with in Sicily was aperitivo – the Italian tradition of enjoying a pre-dinner drink with complimentary snacks. Every time we sat down for a drink, out came a selection of olives, crisps, bread… and more! It’s such a lovely touch that makes every drink feel like a mini meal.
If you’re dreaming of sunshine, stunning views, and delicious Italian cuisine, I highly recommend booking your next escape with Jet2. Sicily is the perfect place to visit for a long weekend as you can combine a cultural city break with a relaxing beach break. We managed to fit plenty into our 3 night trip!
You can get convenient flights to Sicily with Jet2 from the UK, and Jet2holidays has fantastic options for every budget – including plenty of cheap holidays to beautiful destinations like this.
