Travel Guide
Americans Can Fly Nonstop To This Italian Paradise For The First Time Ever
May
Despite the crowds, Rome never loses its luster. It’s too iconic, steeped in fascinating history.
That being said, Rome no longer has to be the main gateway to explore Italy’s harder-to-reach destinations.
Sure, you can visit Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, and maybe even Turin so you can decide for yourself once and for all whether the controversial Shroud of Turin is legit or not, but flying directly to Italy’s world-class shores has few options for Americans—until now.
Delta Air Lines is set to launch a historic new route from the U.S., connecting American travelers to one of Italy’s most beautiful islands for the first time ever.
A Sicilian Summer Awaits
Delta now flies to 5 Italian destinations, but the latest addition is the most enticing for a summer escape.
If you’re backlogged on White Lotus episodes like I am, I highly suggest season 2 for extra inspiration to jet across the Atlantic to the stunning island of Sicily.
Specifically, Delta’s new route will land passengers in Catania, a vibrant city too often overshadowed by the wondrous Amalfi Coast, but hey, even the island is Sardinia is breaking tourism records, so there’s no doubt more travelers are scoping out new shores to explore in Italy.
Beginning May 23, 2025, the first-ever U.S. route to Catania will launch from New York City (JFK). Sicily’s summer weather is truly splendid for beach days, so Delta is timing their launch just right.
Flights on the first day have already sold out, but a weeklong round-trip May 24 – May 31 is going for a whopping $2564 for Economy seating, which could be last-minute airfare; airlines tend to jack up prices.
Digging deeper into summer, a weeklong stay from July 12 to July 19 costs $1100 less, or $1164 round-trip.
Launching May 23, this daily service will be the only nonstop connection between Catania and the U.S. – making Delta the first and only U.S. carrier to serve this route. Catania now joins Rome, Milan, Venice, and Naples as Delta’s fifth Italian destination.”
– Matteo Curcio, Delta’s Senior Vice President
Sicily: Stunning Beaches & Steep History
After landing in Sicily’s second-largest city, you’ll find equal parts captivating history, stunning beaches, and sensational cuisine.
Lined with pastel houses, timeless cathedrals, and towering Mount Etna (yep, still active) in the distance, Catania is a dreamy city perfect for kicking off your Sicilian adventures.
But there’s far more to see beyond the city, as tempting as it is to find a breezy sidewalk cafe filling your gut with cannolis—it is a gorgeous Mediterranean island, after all.
Canolis don’t equate to the summer beach bod we’ve all hoped for, and there are endless vibrant shores calling your name.
San Vito lo Capo is often the top go-to spot for sun-kissed beach days, but TripAdvisor has Spiaggia dei Conigli and Isola Bella ranked higher.
Perhaps the best-kept secret, though, is the coastal village of Falconara, home to beautiful resorts and even a seaside castle, Castello di Falconara.
Beyond popular beaches and hidden gems, there are plenty of excursions to keep you busy across the island, but the most fascinating site is the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to well-preserved Greek temples.
Once a bustling city named Akragas, now it’s an unexpected slice of Athens in the heart of Sicily.
Where To Stay In Sicily
Flying into Catania, you might be tempted to make your base here, and rightfully so. However, circling back to my suggestion to catch up/re-watch White Lotus, you’ll only find inspiration to give Palermo a chance too.
This vibrant capital teeming with busy street markets and buzzing nightlife makes for an equally great base for a city break, but if you’d like to immerse yourself in a postcard village, Taormina is our best bet.
Many of Sicily’s high-end resorts come at jaw-dropping prices, likely still riding the White Lotus wave. Sicily definitely isn’t a budget destination, but there are great deals to be found.
I scoured hotels for you and discovered the coastal town of Trapani, which seems to have the island’s most affordable hotels.
Cantiere dell’Anima is a top-rated boutique stay with an impressive 4.8 Google rating and only $143 this summer, compared to upscale resorts topping $1,000.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
