12D/11N - 2020 Best of Sicily and Malta

day 01 Catania Arrival
Independent arrival at the Hotel in Catania. Welcome drink will be followed by dinner at the hotel

day 02 Catania-Siracusa-Catania
After a buffet breakfast, departure to Siracusa: visit the World Heritage Site “Neapolis”. The visit of this archaeological area includes the famous Greek theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomie of Paradise and the “Dyionisios Ear”. Continue to the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city centre of Siracusa; free time for lunch. In the afternoon visit of the beautiful Cathedral, which is 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. Free evening at your disposal to experience the city and its nightlife and to dine in one of the typical restaurant in the city centre. Overnight.

day 03 Catania-Modica-Ragusa
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 of 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, therefore we will not miss a tasting of artisan cheeses. We will continue to the reserved hotel where we will have time at disposal to realx at the swimming pool or at the Spa. Dinner will be served in the hotel’s restaurant.

day 04 Ragusa-Agrigento-Marsala
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 wine-making 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 at disposal to relax at the swimming pool or to enjoy magic moments at sunset in your hotel. In the evening, we’ll reach Marsala city centre and have free time at disposal to discover the historical centre by walking and free time for dinner. Return to the hotel and overnight.

day 05 Marsala-Salt Route-Palermo
Buffet breakfast followed by 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. 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 and 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 .We will continue our visit by walking along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to reach "I Quattro Canti di Città” Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini and we’ll visit the Martorana Church, one of the most beautiful churches of Palermo.We will then reach one of the most famous and historical markets of Palermo to experience the authenticity of this wonderful and colorful city. We will end our tour with a taste the delights of typical Palermo’s street food, one of the most renowned all over the world . Accommodation at your hotel and evening at leisure.

day 06 Palermo-Monreale-Cefalu’-Messina-Taormina
After a buffet breakfast departure to visit the town of Monreale, situated on a hill at few kms far from Palermo in panoramic position. Visit of 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 Cefalù, a former fishing village, now a charming coastal town. Enjoy a walk to the city centre and down main street to reach the Arab-Norman Cathedral and the medieval wash-house built in the rock. Free time at disposal to explore the town and 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. Arrival at your hotel and eveing at leisure.

day 07 Taormina-Mt Etna-Taormina
After breakfast depart on an excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active Volcano in Europe. Weather conditions permitting, travel across fascinating landscape with different kind of vegetation, a mixture of citrus groves, vineyards and fruit trees. We will reach a height of 1800 metres to visit the Sylvester Craters where we’ll enjoy a spectacular panorama over the Ionian Sea. Stop at a local vineyard on the eastern slopes of Etna and visit a prestigious cellar. We will have the opportunity to taste different local wines accompanied by local cheese and cold cuts. In the afternoon 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 (€12 pp), with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna. Evening at leisure.

day 08 sat Taormina-Catania-Malta
After breakfast, you will be transferred from Taormina to Catania Airport for your flight to Valletta, Capital of Malta. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the Hotel Dolmen Resort located in St Paul’s Bay or to a similar 4 star hotel. Enjoy dinner in the evening in the hotel’s restaurant.

day 09 sun Malta “Marsaxlokk Market & The Blue Grotto”
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 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. Dine at your leisure.

day 10 mon Valletta & Malta Experience
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 audiovisual show where Malta history throughout the centuries is brought back to life. Spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure. Dine at your leisure.

Please note: from April to June and in October, the excursion “Valletta + Malta experience” will take place in the afternoon.

day 11 tue Mdina full day excursion
Today’s excursion takes us to the central part of Malta, dominated by the medieval fortified city of Mdina, Malta’s former capital city. The narrow streets, dating back to medieval times, lead to the imposing bastions. Leaving Mdina through Greeks’ Gate, we stop at the early Christian catacombs in Rabat before proceeding to the cliffs at Dingli. Enjoy lunch at a typical restaurant, then continue to visit the San Anton botanical gardens situated near the Presidential Palace, from where you will be able to admire externally. We 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.

day 12 Malta
The tour ends after breakfast with your private transfer to the port or the airport of Valletta.

Inclusions: twin share for 6 nights in 4* hotels and 1 night in a 4*S or 5* stars Luxury Resort, Porterage at hotels, local assistant, English speaking Tour Escort, local Guides where necessary, Whispers Kit (for groups with more than 10 passengers), welcome drink , breakfast daily, 3 dinners (Catania on day 1, Ragusa on day 3 and Malta day 8), two Street food experiences in Catania and Palermo, cheese tasting in Ragusa, tasting almond pastries in Erice, visit a cellar and wine tasting in Marsala and on Mount Etna, transportation by deluxe motor coach* with free wi-fi (a minivan with English speaking driver (normally not equipped with wi-fi), will be provided if the number of participants is equal to or less than eight), transfer Taormina hotel to Catania Airport, flight Catania to Valletta in economy class including 1 piece of luggage max 20 kgs per person and a hand luggage max 10 kg and transfer Malta Airport to hotel, porterage at hotels in Sicily, whispers kit in Sicily. Regular sightseeing tours in Malta.
Exclusions: arrival/departure transfer (on request), entrance fees, city tax, porterage in Malta, beverages which are applicable to both Sicily and Malta.
Hotels: Catania-Il Principe, Ragusa-Poggio del Sole Resort, Agrigento-Dioscuri Bay Palace, Palermo-Piazza Borsa, Taormina-Villa Diodoro, Malta-Dolmen Resort (or similar).
On request: arrival/departure transfers, upgrade room or hotel