SICILY / MALTA
11 DAYS
LAND ONLY

For travel agents and companions

Also available Sicily 5, or 8, days
Malta 8 days
Sicily or Malta in combination with other Mediterranean countries

Departures every Tuesday
2024
March 12, 19, 26
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
May 7, 14, 21, 28
June 4, 11, 18, 25
July 2, 9, 16, 23 , 30
August 6, 13, 20, 27
September 3, 10, 17, 24
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
November 5, 12, 19

PALERMO / MONREALE / CEFALU / CATANIA / ETNA / TAORMINA / CATANIA
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Day 1 - Tuesday: PALERMO (hotel in Palermo)

Transfer from airport to hotel.
Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.
Overnight MERCURE PALERMO CENTRO or IBIS STYLES PALERMO CRISTAL or similar 4 *, Palermo    

Day 2 - Wednesday: MONREALE - PALERMO (hotel in Palermo)

After breakfast in hotel, the morning will be spent visiting Monreale, its huge Norman Cathedral, proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World, and its splendid Cloister in Arab-Norman style: admirable masterpiece of art, sculpture, and semi-precious stones marquetry,

Later you will discover the stunning Palermo, one of the richest towns in the island for its history and art. Palermo stands on a bay dominated by Mount Pellegrino, a headland described by Goethe as the loveliest he had ever seen. While the Baroque predominates, there is a profusion of different architectural styles reflecting the city’s multicultural past: Punic walls, Art Nouveau villas, noble residences, 17th century squares, including an elegant opera house

Visit of the wonderful eclectic Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the amazing Cappella Palatina, admirable example from an historical and an artistic point of view, and a prove of how different cultures, religions and way of thinking apparently incompatible can coexist. Ruggero II employed Bizantyne, Muslim and Latin workers.

During the day, you will have a stop to enjoy a typical lunch with local food.

Along the path you will admire the famous Teatro Massimo and the debated fountain in Pretoria Square, situated in the ancient Kalsa area and adorned with 16th century sculptures.
Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.
Overnight MERCURE PALERMO CENTRO or IBIS STYLES PALERMO CRISTAL or similar 4 *, Palermo    

Day 3 – Thursday: CEFALU’- CATANIA (hotel in Catania/Acitrezza)

After breakfast transfer to Cefalù, charming Medieval town situated at the northern coast of Sicily.

Visit of its stunning Norman Dome, free time to stroll through the town or to visit the famous and well-known Mandralisca Museum.

You will have a stop to have lunch in a famous restaurant.

Arrival in Catania to visit Catania’s historical centre stated Unesco World Heritage Site, with its original Baroque style and its unique streets built with black lava stone. The colour scheme of the city-centre buildings is black and dark grey, relieved with white limestone details around doors and windows. The effect is extremely elegant! The walking tour will start from the scenic Duomo square with its magnificent Cathedral and the famous “Liotru” statue, antique lava-stone elephant, symbol of the city.

Not far from here we will reach University Square and we will have a walk along the splendid baroque Via dei Crociferi, the most representative 18th century street in Catania, where we will admire the famous S. Benedict Monastery, Unesco World Heritage Site.

Continuing the visit enjoy a break in a historical bar of the city centre to taste the typical “granita & brioche”.
Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.
Overnight PRINCIPE II HOTEL or ROMANO HOUSE HOTEL or similar 4*, Catania

Day 4 - Friday: ETNA – TAORMINA (hotel in Catania/Acitrezza)

This morning after a short visit of the famous “pescheria” (the ancient fish market) in Catania, the tour will continue with an excursion to the Mount Etna, the highest (c. 3350m) volcano in Europe and one of the
largest and most active in the world, nowadays Unesco World Heritage Site. Its regional park protects 59.000 hectares of unique geology, flora and fauna, villages and farms, and traditional methods of forestry, bee-keeping, wine manufacture, stonework and carpentry. Views of stunning landscapes will amaze you heading to Rifugio Sapienza.

You will reach the “Crateri Silvestri”, small volcanic cones now inactive, surrounded by ancient lava flows. The view beyond the mountain’s hundreds of subsidiary cones and craters, can extend across the whole of Sicily, the Aeolian islands and Calabria. The spectacle is unique.

You will have the chance to enjoy the local homemade honey and some typical products of the area.

Then you will have lunch in a lovely restaurant.

The tour continues towards Taormina, charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna. visit of Taormina’s fascinating Greek theatre which will leave you breathless for its commanding view on Giardini Naxos bay and the Etna mountain.

Free time for a nice walk among the picturesque Medieval typical narrow streets, to go shopping and looking around the local handicrafts (coral jewels, precious laces, ceramics, pastries and much more).

The day will end with an overview of the beautiful Riviera dei Ciclopi.

Back in Catania for dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.
Overnight PRINCIPE II HOTEL or ROMANO HOUSE HOTEL or similar 4*, Catania

Day 5 - Saturday: CATANIA / MALTA

Our short tour ends today. Breakfast in hotel
Transfer to airport for flight to Malta

Depart

Arrive

For organizational reasons or due to force majeure the itinerary may be modified

WELCOME TO MALTA !!!  
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
     Overnight PRELUNA HOTEL, Sliema                

Sunday  6 Sunday    MARSAXLOKK / BLUE GROTTO
The idyllic fishing village of Marsaxlokk with its colorful luzzus and unique character make the unrivaled setting for the local market.  This is the perfect place to spend a Sunday morning, where you can rub your shoulders with the locals as your browse through the various stalls. 

Continue our tour with a visit to the Blue Grotto (weather permitting – boat price not included) and the nearby caves.  Admire the whole expanse of the blue Mediterranean and the islet of Filfla.  

Later our guide will help you explore one of Malta’s unspoiled villages.  From the main square, the hub of the village with its parish church and band club, you will be led through a maze of narrow streets that all have a story to be told. (b)
       Overnight PRELUNA HOTEL, Sliema

Day 7 - Monday     Valletta and  the Malta Experience 
After breakfast your guided tour through the vibrant streets of Valletta will allow you to discover the beauty and charm of the fortified city built by the Knights in 1566.  The Order of St John rules over the islands for 268 years and left a unique cultural legacy of which Valletta is the prime example.  

 First enjoy a breathtaking view of the Grand Harbour from the upper Barrakka gardens.  Then we visit St John’s co-cathedral, including the Caravaggio masterpieces in the Oratory, the Flemish tapestries and the church museum. The co-cathedral houses one of the most beautiful marble inlaid floors in the world.     

Going down Republic street you will walk past the Grand Master’s Palace and the recently restored St George’s Square before watching the Malta Experience, an audiovisual show where Malta’s history through the centuries is brought back to life.
       Overnight PRELUNA HOTEL, or similar 4*, Sliema  

Day 8 - Tuesday    Mdina
Full day including lunch. 

Today’s excursion takes you to the central part of Malta denominated by the medieval fortified city of Mdina, Malta’s former capital city.  The narrow winding streets, dating back to medieval times, lead to the imposing bastions, commanding a magnificent panorama of the island. On the way there, you will discover different styles of architecture, including Siculo-Norman palaces and other baroque buildings of great historical importance.  Time stands still in this “Silent City which is a film-maker’s paradise.  

Leaving Mdina through Greek’s Gate, stop at the early Christian catacombs in Rabat before proceeding to the cliffs at Dingli.

After lunch, you will visit the San Anton botanical gardens situated near the Presidential Palace which you will be able to admire from outside.  You will also spend time at the crafts centre at Ta’ qali.

 At the end of the tour, allow us to astound you with Mosta’s majestic dome, that is one of Europe’s largest.
        Overnight PRELUNA HOTEL, or similar 4*, Sliema  

Day 9 - Wednesday     Three Cities
Discover the Grand Harbour area opposite Valetta known as the Three cities – Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea where the Knights of St John first settled in 1530. 

Driving past Cospicua reach Vittoriosa for a walking tour through the narrow streets in the shade of the historic buildings, including the first auberges of the various languages of the Order. 

At the Vittoriosa waterfront, you will take a typical harbor boat (dghajsa) for a tour of the colorful harbor creeks.  From the Senglea garden, situated at the tip of the peninsula, enjoy a stunning 360 degrees view of the Grand Harbour including the impressive Fort Sant Angelo from where Grand Master La Valette led the defense of the island during the Great Siege of 1565.

The rest of the day at leisure, have time to stroll along Sliema’s main shopping area, where you can also relax in one of the many cafés. 

OR OPTIONAL Afternoon Harbor cruise tour.  Can be booked directly with local agent
          Overnight PRELUNA HOTEL, or similar 4*, Sliema  

Day 10 - Thursday     Gozo
Full day including lunch

After a twenty-minute ferry crossing you will reach Mgarr harbour which immediately sets the pace to Gozo’s unique atmosphere. 

Your guide will lead you around the Megalithic temples of Ggantija, the oldest free-standing monuments in the world, pre-dating the Pyramids of Egypt.  This will be followed by visits to the medieval citadel in Victoria, and the fjord-like bay at Xlendi.

Gozo is well known for its crafts, particularly handmade lace and knitted garments.  Visitors cannot fail to be impressed by the island’s lush countryside, its serene atmosphere and how different it is from the larger island of Malta. 

Return to Sliema.
       Overnight PRELUNA HOTEL, or similar 4*, Sliema  

Day 11 - Friday    Malta / departure
After breakfast transfer to airport

NOTE:  you will be traveling with regular passengers, but paying travel agent rates

INCLUSIVE FEATURES
All transfers
Sightseeing multilingual tour on modern motor coach bus from day 2 to evening of 4th day
in Malta sightseeing by multilingual motor coach DAY trips
All 4-star hotels (or similar) as per itinerary
In Malta, breakfast daily - 2 lunches
In Sicily breakfast daily, 3 lunches
In Sicily visit of the main suggestive Unesco World Heritage Sites: Monreale, Palermo, Cefalù, Catania city centre, Etna.
Tasting of Sicilian typical products:
Palermo (day 2) tasting of local street food;
Catania (day 3) tasting of Sicilian “granita and brioche”;
Etna (day 4) visit of a beekeeping honey company and honey tasting.  
Flight from Catania to Malta included

NOT included
Extra entrances fees at monuments / museums be paid on site in Sicily
Monreale Cathedral € 6,00 p.p.
Palermo Cappella Palatina € 15,50 p.p.
Palermo Martorana Church € 2,00 p.p.
Taormina Greek theatre € 13,50 p.p
- Meals not included by the program
- Beverages
- Entrance fees at monuments/museums in Sicily
- City tax in Sicily that has to be paid directly to hotel upon checking out approximately 2 Euros per person per night for 4 star hotels
- City taxes In Malta paid directly to hotel approximately 2 Euros per person per night for 4 star hotel
- Anything not specified under “The rate includes”
- International air


COST PER PERSON - LAND ONLY
Based on double occupancy
low season
Travel agent rate from $2250.00 (US)
Companion rate from $ 2350.00 (US)

Upgrade in Malta from standard room to sea view with balcony additional $100.00 total per person

EXTENSIONS are available