The Best of Sicily and Malta Tour - 12 Days

Itinerary:

DAY 1st SATURDAY - CATANIA

Arrive in Catania and transfer to the hotel UNA PALACE. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner this evening. (Dinner)

DAY 2nd SUNDAY - CATANIA - SIRACUSA - RAGUSA

Drive to Syracuse to visit the marvelous archaeological area then continue to the island of Ortigia, where you will see the magnificent cathedral and the Fountain of Arethusa. Travel to Ragusa to admire its stunning baroque buildings before enjoying a pre-dinner tasting of typical products of the island in the main square by the Dome.

Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Hotel POGGIO DEL SOLE. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 3rd MONDAY - RAGUSA - CALTAGIRONE - PIAZZA ARMERINA - AGRIGENTO

Drive to Caltagirone, a town famous for its beautiful ceramics and pottery. Continue to Piazza Armerina to marvel at the Villa Romana del Casale’s rich mosaics. Eat lunch in a local restaurant before driving to Agrigento. Visit the Valley of the Temples including the Temple of Juno, Concord, Heracles, Zeus and Castor & Pollux.

Accommodation and dinner at hotel DIOSCURI BAY PALACE. Overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4th TUESDAY - AGRIGENTO - PALERMO – MONREALE

Travel to Palermo and spend some time exploring at your leisure. Visit Monreale this afternoon: the Cathedral and the Benedictine Cloister. Enjoy a city tour of Palermo: the Palatine Chapel, the Royal Palace and the Cathedral. Dinner in a local restaurant.

Accommodation and overnight at GRAND HOTEL PIAZZA BORSA. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 5th WEDNESDAY - PALERMO - SEGESTA - ERICE - TRAPANI - PALERMO

Depart to Segesta to visit the Temple and the Theatre. Continue the medieval village of Erice placed on the top of a hill overlooking the city of Trapani and the Egadi Islands before returning to Palermo via the unique salt windmills at Trapani.

Dinner and overnight in your Hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 6th THURSDAY - PALERMO - CEFALÙ - NEBRODI PARK - TAORMINA

Drive to Cefalu to admire its well-preserved Arab-Norman Cathedral. Enjoy a walk to the city center and down Main Street to visit the medieval washhouse built in the rock. Drive through the Nebrodi Park and enjoy lunch in the Miraglia Forest. Continue to Cesarò and Randazzo to visit the north part of Mount Etna. Continue to Taormina, “the pearl of the Ionic sea”.

Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Hotel VILLA DIODORO, located near historic center of Taormina. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 7th FRIDAY - TAORMINA - MT ETNA (OPTIONAL) - TAORMINA

Weather permitting; you can join an optional morning excursion to Mount Etna,

Europe’s highest active volcano. Across fascinating landscape, you will reach a height of

1800 meters and you will enjoy a fantastic panorama of the Ionic Sea. Lunch on your own. Afternoon in Taormina: enjoy time at leisure for shopping or walking through the tiny streets. Possibility to visit the Roman - Greek theatre on your own. Return to the your hotel.

Dinner and overnight.

DAY 8th SATURDAY - TAORMINA - CATANIA - POZZALLO – MALTA

Morning at leisure. In the early afternoon, transfer from Taormina to Catania by private car. Transfer to Pozzallo port to board the hydrofoil to Malta, delightful Mediterranean island Transfer to Hotel SAN ANTONIO located in St Paul’s Bay or similar 4 stars.

Accommodation, dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 9th SUNDAY - MALTA “THE THREE CITIES”

Take in some of Malta’s historical highlights on a morning tour. Visit the imposing Church of St Lawrence and the Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa before continuing to Senglea for a panoramic view of the Grand Harbor and its fortifications. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring at your leisure. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 10th MONDAY - MALTA “VALLETTA”

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. The excursion ends with a visit to the Grandmaster’s Palace. Spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 11th TUESDAY - MALTA “MDINA”

Today’s sightseeing starts with a visit to the Mosta Church, renowned for its spectacular dome. Stop off at the Botanic Gardens of San Anton then proceed to Ta Qali Crafts Village to visit a glassblower, a jeweler and a potter. After lunch we visit St Paul’s Grotto in Rabat before enjoying a walking tour of the walled city of Mdina, admiring its Cathedral as well as awe-inspiring views from the city ramparts. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 12th WEDNESDAY – MALTA to USA or Canada 

The tour ends after breakfast with a private transfer to the port or the airport. (Breakfast)