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Castille Palace, Valletta,
Malta
Mdina, Malta
Marsaxlokk, Malta
The Vedette, Malta
Hagar Qim Temples, Malta
The Citadel, Gozo
(Malta)
Calypso Cave, Gozo (Malta)
Ggantija Temples, Gozo (Malta)
Monreale, Palermo, Sicily
Roman Villa Mosaics,
Piazza Armerina (Sicily)
Cefalu, Sicily
Ear of Dionisios,
Syracusa, Sicily
Agrigento Temple, Sicily
Erice, Sicily
Greek Theatre & Etna, Sicily |
Malta & Sicily Itinerary
13
days/12 nights, starting in Malta
Monday
You will be greeted at Malta airport for a transfer to your hotel,
check-in and rest of the day at leisure.
Tuesday
Valletta Mdina Mosta Dome - Rabat
Our first visit during this tour is
Valletta,
here we include the Barraka
Gardens which offer stunning views of the
Grand
Harbour and magnificent fortifications, a walk down
Triq
Republikka where you can admire numerous historical
buildings built by the
Knights
of St. John including the
Aubereges,
the
Grand
Masters Palace and the
St.
John's Co. Cathedral, the church of the order and also home
to
Caravaggio's masterpiece "Beheading of St. John"
amonst other treasures. Our next stop will be to Mdina. Mdina is a unique
medieval city, built in the 9th century, the city was built on a plateau in
the centre of the island and from the high bastion walls you can admire
stunning views of the island. This medieval
city is a maze of narrow alleys and magnificent architecture, the only way
to appreciate this special city is to stroll through it and admire the
living history. Free time will be given for lunch, approx. 1 hour. After
lunch we proceed with our tour and visit the old town of
Rabat.
Here we will make our way through the narrow streets to the centre which is
dominated by the imposing
St.
Paul's Church which overlooks the piazza. Rabat,
can claim the origins of Maltese Christianity. It was
here in AD60 that the
Apostle
St Paul is said to have stayed after
being shipwrecked on the Islands. We visit the St.
Paul's Grotto which is said to be the
resting place of St. Paul during his visit to the islands. Our final stop is
one of Malta's most famous churches, Mosta Dome. The churchs dome is the
third largest unsupported in the world, exceeded in size only by St. Peters
in Rome and St. Sophia in Istanbul. Mosta Dome is also popular with visitors
as it was at this church where the World War II bomb pierced the dome during
a service, fell inside the church during a service and failed to explode,
this locals hailed as a miracle. Our tour ends here and we make our way back
to your hotel.
Breakfast Included
Wednesday
Birgu - Marsaxlokk - Blue Grotto - Hagar Qim Temples - Tarxien Temples
Our tour stats with a visit to the oldest part of the Grand Harbour
and the Three Cities. We first visit the Gardjola Gardens, here you can
admire the magnificent view from the Vedette (watch tower used by the
Knights). We continue with the tour of this area and our next stop is the
old city of Birgu. In 1530 the Knights of St. John first settled in
this area and we will give you an insight to an era dominated by the Knights
of St. John. Our walking tour will take us to the heart of city, the
narrow streets and quaint alleys known as the 'collachio', an area of old
Palazzo's which where the original Auberge's occupied by the Knights'. Our
next stop takes to the southern coastline and the quaint fishing village of
Marsaxlokk. This fisherman's village is characterized by low lying
buildings and the colorful traditional fishing boats known as the 'luzzu'. A
small market lines the seafront and it is a haven for fish food lovers with
an array of good quality restaurants. Our tour continues to Wied iz-Zurrieq
and a visit to the Blue Grotto. This picturesque grotto and its neighboring
system of sea caverns mirrors the brilliant phosphorescent colors of
underwater flora. Boat trips to the caves, which take around 25 minutes
allow you to explore these grottoes and sea caverns along this stretch of
coast. (The boat trip is not included in the overall price as it operates
subject to weather conditions, EUR7.50 paid on the day). Free time will
be given for lunch, approx. 45 min/1 hour. After lunch we proceed with our
tour to the Hagar Qim temple site. Set in a rural area this ancient
temple is particularly interesting as it has the largest and heaviest
megaliths out of all the temple sites around the Maltese Islands, some slabs
weighing a staggering 20 tons. Our guide will unfold the history related to
this temple which dates back 3300BC, an era dominated by neolithic man. Our
next visit is to the Tarxien Temples, a unique collection of circa.
3000 BC sanctuaries. Stone idols and tablets, domestic animals
carved in relief, altars and screens decorated with spiral designs and other
patterns, oracular chambers and riches enhance the attractions of these
temples.
Breakfast Included
Thursday
Gozo Island Tour
We start our tour to Gozo with a pleasant 25 minute ferry crossing. The
charm of Gozo is apparent the moment you arrive there. Greener, more rural
and smaller than Malta. Our tour is a combination of scenic spots,
historical sites and local culture. We feature most of the main highlights
during our tour including the oldest free standing temples in the world,
known as Ggantija Temples, we will pass through quaint sleepy villages that
characterise Gozo's unique charm, visit stunning sites such as Calypso Cave
which offers magnificent views over the red sands of Ramla Bay. Just before
lunch we will also stop at the Fontana Cottage where you can sample local
delicasies such as sun dried totmatoes, olive pate, local cheeslets, wines
liquers and anything made locally, you will also have some time for a spot
of shopping for popular buys such as lace. Free time for lunch will be at
the pretty bay of Xlendi. After lunch we continue our tour with visits
to one of the most photographed sites in Gozo, the Azzur Window and Inland
Sea. Here you can take an optional boat trip (the boat trip is not
included in the overall price as it operates subject to weather
conditions, EUR7.00 paid on the day) around the sea locked lake. Our
final stop before we head back to the ferry for Malta includes a visit to
the main town on Gozo, Victoria and The Citadel. The Citadel is a small
fortified city that dominates the heights above Victoria. The history of The
Citadel dates back to an early period when Gozo was under Roman and Arab
occupation. The views from its fortified walls offer panoramas of the whole
island. Our tour comes to an end and we make our way back to the ferry
terminal for our return to the main island.
Breakfast Included
Friday
Check-out of hotel, rest of the day at leisure and later transfer from your
hotel to the airport.
Breakfast Included
Malta to Palermo, Sicily Flight
To combine your Malta and Sicily tour you can book a flight direct with Air
Malta at
www.airmalta.com
or we can book it for you.
On arrival at Palermo Airport you will be greeted and taken to your hotel.
Check-in and the rest of your evening is at leisure.
Saturday
Free Day. Relax, shop or explore the city.
Later
meet the tour director for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast
and Dinner Included
Sunday
Palermo
Breakfast at the hotel. Our first tour includes a walking tour of the
old centre of Palermo. Visit the popular Capo Market, Piazza Teatro
Massimo, the Palatine Chapel and Hall of King Roger II, the Four Corners
and the Pretoria Square with its astonishing fountain. In the afternoon,
visit to Monreale where we will admire the Norman Duomo (Cathedral)
decorated on the inside with over 6,340 sq. meters (almost 70,000 sq.
feet) of mosaics and 24-carat gold! Return back to our hotel in Palermo.
Your evening is at leisure.
Breakfast Included
Monday
Cefalω - Piazza Armerina
After breakfast, we depart for the charming coastal town of Cefalω, with
its stunning Norman Cathedral rich of Byzantine mosaics. Here you can
enjoy a stroll to the centre of the town before rejoining our transport
and our tour through the very heart of Sicily, en route enjoying the
beautiful scenery. On arrival at Piazza Armerina you will have free time
for lunch. Our tour continues with a visit to the Roman Villa (3rd, 4rth
century A.D.) at Casale with its 3.500 square metres of mosaic flooring
giving an insight into the Roman way of living. Later we drive to the
beautiful mountain town of Taormina. Check-in to our hotel, dinner is
also included at our hotel.
Breafast and Dinner
Included
Tuesday
Catania - Siracusa
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Catania, at the foot of Mt Etna,
the second largest city on the island with its imposing baroque
buildings and for its streets built with black lava stone. Visit of the
old city centre Piazza Duomo with the fountain of the "Liotru" elephant
statue. Then, we continue to Siracusa, once the most powerful Greek
colony in Sicily. Upon arrival, walk in the old picturesque centre of
the town, Orthygia, here we stop for lunch in a local restaurant. In the
afternoon we will visit of the archaeological area which includes the marvelous
Greek theatre, the Ear of Dionisios (type of large cave), a Roman
amphitheatre and Latomie (stone-quarries). Return back to our hotel in
Taormina.
Breakfast and Lunch Included
Wednesday
Taormina
Day at leisure, use this day to rest or spend the day in central
Taormina, here you can visit the Greek Theatre and quaint streets which
are lined with small boutiques and curiosity shops. Enjoy lunch at a
local restaurant or just find the ideal spot and enjoy the stunning
views overlooking the bay at Giardinin Naxos, open sea views as far as
Calabria and inland views of Mount Etna....the scenery is simply
breathtaking.
Breakfast Included
Thursday
Caltagirone - Agrigento
After breakfast, we will drive through inner Sicily to Caltagirone,
renowned for its ceramic ware and its impressive flight of 142 steps
known as Scala S.Maria del Monte and all decorated with local and
coloured maiolica tiles. Time at leisure for shopping and lunch. Then,
we will drive to Agrigento, a Unesco World Heritage Site, with its
imposing range of Greek Doric temples. Check-in to our hotel in
Agrigento, dinner also included at the hotel. After dinner we will join
a short tour of Agrigento by night to admire the Temples which are
beautifully illuminated, we will also visit the centre of this town.
Breakfast and Dinner Included
Friday
Segeste - Erice & Olive Oil Farm
After breakfast we depart on our final day of touring. We proceed along
the west of the island until we reach the ancient Segesta.
Segesta is an
abandoned ancient Greek city
once part of the Elymian empire. You can view a Greek Theatre and
Amphitheatre here and admire the stunning scenery which surrounds this
superbly located city. We continue to the beautiful Trapani province, we
will drive along the the Salt Way Road, her eyou will see the salt pans
and windmills en route. Our next stop is the medieval town of Erice.
Upon arrival, we will walk to the Castle built on the ruins of the
temple of Venus and also stop at a local pastry-shop to taste the
typical marzipans and almond pastries. Here you will have some free time
to admire this pretty and unique town before we visit a typical local
Olive Oil Farm. As this stop is almost at the end of our tour we take
the opportunity to join the whoile group for a farewell cocktail whilst
sampling a slection of local antipasti, cheeses, bruschette, pizza and
of course the local olive oils.
Our final drive is back to Palermo
where we arrive early evening. The rest of your evening is at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Included
Saturday
Check-out of hotel, rest of the day at leisure and later
you will be pick-up for a transfer to the airport.
Breakfast Incuded
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Tour Details
This is an
exclusive small group tour in English only. Guaranteed to operate with a
minimum of 2 passengers and can have up to 25 passengers on tour
Tour Highlights
Visiting
Malta
Valletta
Mosta Dome
Mdina Medieval City
Rabat
Birgu Citta
Marsaxlokk Fishing
Village
Blue Grotto
Hagar Qim & Tarxien Temples
Gozo Island
Ggantija Temples
Calypso Cave
Xlendi Bay
Victoria/The Citadel
Azzur Window/Inland Sea
Sicily
Palermo
Cefalu
Piazza Armerina
Catania
Siracusa
Taormina
Caltagirone
Agrigento
Segeste
Erice
What is Included
13 day tour & hotel package
12 hotel nights on bed and breakfast
basis in first class hotels
3 dinners
1 lunch
1 cocktail party
English speaking Licensed Tour Guide
for
full tour
duration in Malta
English speaking host for full tour
duration and local guide at historical
sites
in Sicily
Not Included
Entrance fees during Sicily tour, paid
locally
Arrival & Departure transfers
International and connecting flights
Dates and Days of Operation
Operates between March 31 to November 14, weekly on Monday
Price
1853.00 per person
30.00 supplement for tours starting in August
120.00 supplement for tours departing on March
22nd
145.00 supplement for tours departing on December
27th
Single occupancy
applies depending on departure date, contact us for more information
Accommodation
Information
Malta
4* Victoria Hotel
Sicily
4* Hotel Politeama, Palermo
4* Hotel Lido Caparena, Taormina
4* Hotel della Valle
These are the
preferred hotels, subject to availability and can be replaced with
hotels of similar standard.
International &
Connecting Flights
This tour starts in Malta and ends Palermo, Sicily.
Flights between Malta & Sicily can be booked with Air Malta at
http://www.airmalta.com
How to Book/Make
an Enquiry..> |
