Best of Sicily & Malta 2023

Independent arrival at the hotel in Catania. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner this evening. (D)

After a buffet breakfast, departure to Syracuse. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Neapolis’. The visit of this archaeological area includes the famous Greek theatre, the Roman amphitheatre, the ‘Latomie of the Paradise’ and the ‘Dionysius Ear’. Continue to the Island of Ortygia, the small baroque old city centre of Syracuse. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon visit of the beautiful Cathedral, which was built upon the site of the Doric Temple of Minerva, the legendary Arethusa’s Fountain and the Temple of Apollo. Free time at disposal to stroll through the streets of the centre and for shopping. Return to your hotel in Catania. Evening at leisure to experience the city and its nightlife and to dine in one of the typical restaurants in the city centre. (B)

After a buffet breakfast, departure for a nice walking tour of Catania, stroll through the city centre with your professional guide who will charm you with the history of the city and visit the famous fish market ‘A PISCARIA’, one of the largest fish markets in Sicily. As old as the city itself, it’s a great way to experience the abundant fishing and seafood culture of Sicily, with a very special and authentic atmosphere. Here you will have the chance to taste the delights of typical Catania’s street food. Depart to Ragusa and visit the enchanting historical centre ‘Ibla’, with its stunning baroque palaces and churches, together with other seven cities in the Val di Noto, Ragusa is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ragusa is also renowned for its cheese production, and we will not miss a tasting of artisan cheeses. Continue to the hotel with free time to relax at the swimming pool or at the spa. Dinner at the hotel and overnight. (B, T, D)

After a buffet breakfast, departure to Agrigento, a hillside town famous for its magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit of the Valley, including the Temple of Concordia, which is in almost perfectly preserved condition, the temples of Juno and Heracles. Free time at disposal for lunch. In the afternoon we’ll proceed to Marsala, a city on the western coast famous for its production of sweet Sicilian wine. Arrival at Baglio Oneto dei Principi di San Lorenzo Resort. Here we will do a tour of the resort's wineries, starting from the vineyards, where the whole winemaking process begins. We’ll explore the historic courtyard and the Palmento Room, where grapes were laid down in berries to be crushed before being transferred to barrels. We will visit the Ageing Cellar, a room that has never stopped keeping its fascinating atmosphere intact. We will taste 3 different fine wines. Free time to relax at the swimming pool or to enjoy magic sunset moments at your hotel. In the evening, we’ll reach Marsala city centre and have free time to discover the historical centre and to have dinner. Return to the hotel for overnight. (B, T)

After a buffet breakfast, departure to Erice, via the spectacular “Salt Route”, a road flanked by the salt pans, windmills, and the “salt houses” where they still extract the sea salt as the Phoenicians once did. Arrival in Erice, placed on the top of a hill overlooking the city of Trapani and the Egadi Islands. Walk through its tiny and characteristic streets, the winding lanes and inner courtyards. Stop for marzipan and biscuit tasting. Free time at disposal for lunch. Continue to Palermo, the capital of Sicily. We will visit the Cathedral, one of the most important architectural monuments. Continue the visit by walking along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to reach ‘I Quattro Canti di Città’ Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini and visit the Martorana Church, one of the most beautiful churches in Palermo. We will then reach one of the most famous and historical markets in Palermo to experience the authenticity of this wonderful and colourful city. The tour ends with a taste of the delights of typical Palermo street food, renowned all over the world. Check into the hotel with free time for shopping and dinner. (B, T)

After a buffet breakfast, departure to visit the town of Monreale, situated on a hill few kilometres from Palermo at a panoramic spot. Visit the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful monuments in the world with its Moorish architecture, housing very fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments in Arab-Norman style. Continue to Cefalu, a former fishing village, now a charming coastal town. Enjoy a walk to the town centre and down main street to reach the Arab-Norman Cathedral and the medieval wash-house built in the rock. Free time to explore the town, shopping and lunch on your own. Proceed to Taormina through the coastal road passing through Messina from where we’ll have the chance to admire the suggestive scenery of the Strait of Messina. Accommodation at your hotel and free time for dinner. (B)

After a buffet breakfast, excursion to Mount Etna, the highest, and only active Volcano in Europe. Weather conditions permitting, cross fascinating landscape with different kind of vegetation, a mixture of citrus groves, vineyards and fruit trees. You will reach a height of 1,800 metres to visit the Sylvester Craters where you’ll enjoy a spectacular panorama over the Ionian Sea. Stop at a local vineyard on the eastern slopes of Etna and visit a prestigious wine cellar. We will have the opportunity to taste different local wines accompanied by local cheese and cold cuts. In the afternoon, return back to Taormina, charming city called "The Pearl of the Ionian Sea". Enjoy time at leisure for shopping or walking through its tiny streets. Possibility to visit the Greek-Roman Theatre on your own, with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna. Free time for dinner and overnight. (B, T)

At the appointed time, transfer from Taormina to Catania Airport. Flight to Valletta, Capital of Malta, a delightful Mediterranean island. Transfer to the hotel located in St Paul’s Bay or similar 4 star property. Arrival at the hotel and rest of the day at leisure. Dinner at the hotel and overnight. (B, D)

After breakfast, departure to the idyllic fishing village of Marsaxlokk with its colourful luzzus and unique character make the unrivalled setting for the local market. Continue the tour with a visit to the Blue Grotto (weather permitting - boat ride price not included) and the nearby caves. Explore one of Malta’s unspoilt villages: the main square, the hub of the village with its parish church and band club. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Dinner at your own and overnight. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a morning tour of Valletta, Malta’s heritage rich capital. Highlights include the Upper Barracca Gardens and St John’s Cathedral, home to a splendid Caravaggio painting as well as an intriguing museum. Going down Republic Street you will walk past the Grandmaster’s Palace before watching the Malta Experience, an audio-visual show where Malta’s history throughout the centuries is brought back to life. Spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure. Free time for dinner and overnight. (B)

Please Note: From April to June and in October, the excursion ‘Valletta + Malta Experience’ will take place in the afternoon.

After breakfast, today’s excursion takes you to the central part of Malta, dominated by the medieval fortified city of Mdina, Malta’s former capital. The narrow streets, dating back to medieval times, lead to the imposing bastions. Leaving Mdina through Greeks’ Gate, you will stop at the early Christian catacombs in Rabat before proceeding to the cliffs at Dingli. After lunch, visit the San Anton botanical gardens situated near the Presidential Palace, which you will be able to admire from outside. You shall 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, one of Europe’s largest. Free time for dinner and overnight.
(B, L)

The tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to the port or the airport of Valletta. (B)