Sicily and Malta

DAY 1: PALERMO
Arrival in Palermo and regular transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.


DAY 2: PALERMO - MONREALE - PALERMO
After breakfast at the hotel, departure for a tour in Monreale. Visit the Benedictine Cloister and the Cathedral of Monreale, an important building of Italy's Norman culture.

Return to the city of Palermo for a short panoramic bus ride. It includes lunch at the hotel or at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, tour the historic center with a visit to the main monuments, such as the Palatine Chapel, the Palermo Cathedral, the famous Pretoria Square, an immense fountain completely crafted in white Carrara marble with mythological allegories, and Piazza Vigliena. Passage through the Church of La Martorana, also known as Santa Maria del'Ammiraglio.

Then, opportunity to visit the Church of Santa Caterina (includes admission).


DAY 3: PALERMO - ERice - TRAPANI - AGRIGENTO
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Journey of about 1 hour and 30 minutes to Erice.

Erice is a medieval city located 750 meters above sea level. This city has many Sicilian characteristics, such as Norman urban planning, the Arab housing organization surrounding the courtyard and a wide variety of sweets.

Arrival and tasting of the city's famous almond-based candies.

Then, continue to Trapani, with its salt pans, for a panoramic visit. Possibility to see the sea salt production area surrounded by the mills that allow the production of the famous Trapani salt.

Stop for lunch (without drinks) and departure to Agrigento. Arrival and accommodation with 1 night, with half board (excluding drinks).

Agrigento is known as “the most beautiful city of mortals”, where you can still admire ten Doric temples built in the valley today.


DAY 4: AGRIGENTO - PIAZZA ARMERINA - ragusa
After breakfast and check-out at the hotel, departure to Piazza Armerina to visit the famous and unique “Valley of the Temples”. Visit with a local guide to the Villa Romana del Casale, an important example from the Roman era, with mosaics that represent the uses and customs of the time.

Lunch at a local restaurant (no drinks).

Then, departure to Regusa and a panoramic tour of its historic center. Ragusa Ilba, the old part of the city, is a maze of narrow streets, ornate churches, and charming squares.

Accommodation for 1 night, with half board (without drinks).


DAY 5: Ragusa - NOTO - SIRACUSA - CATânia
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Trip to Noto, capital of Sicilian Baroque. Free time to stroll through the streets filled with architectural treasures and to visit the Noto Cathedral, completely renovated after several years of restoration.

Then, drive to Siracusa, the largest ancient city, called Syraka. Weather permitting, experience a mini cruise to admire views of the old city.

Lunch stop at a local restaurant (no drinks).

In the afternoon, continue the tour in Syracuse near the island of Ortigia, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge and offers visitors a taste of its past. Passage through the Temple of Minerva, transformed into a Christian Cathedral, the legendary Fontana di Arethusa, the Temple of Apollo, the Greek Theater, and the Roman Amphitheater located near Latomie, the Orecchio di Dionisio.

Departure to Catania and accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.


DAY 6: CATANIA - ETNA - TAORMINA - CATANIA
After breakfast at the hotel, weather permitting, departure to Mount Etna, the highest and still active volcano in Europe. Arrival at the Sapienza Refuge at 1,800 meters above sea level and visit the silenced craters, the so-called “Silvestri Crateri”. For centuries, the volcano created a place where nature, culture and history came together to give rise to a unique place in the world.

Lunch at a rural house at the foot of Etna, with typical meal and tasting of the house wine.

Then continue to Taormina, located on the summit of the Monte Taurus rock. Free time to shop, discover the city streets or enjoy the landscape of the Etna volcano and the Ionian Sea.

Return to Catania and a panoramic walking tour of the city. Considered the most important on the East Coast, it is mainly characterized by its volcanic stone buildings.


DAY 7: CATANIA/MALTA
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Transfer to Catania airport and board a domestic flight to Malta.

Arrival in Malta and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation for 4 nights with breakfast.

Malta is an archipelago located in the central Mediterranean region between Sicily and the North African coast. Known for its beautiful beaches, historic regions and medieval architecture, in addition to its rich culture and cuisine.


DAY 8: MALTA
After breakfast at the hotel, departure to Valletta to discover its main tourist attractions. Walk through the vibrant streets of this fortified city, built by the Knights of San Juan in 1566 - The Order of the Knights reigned over the islands for 268 years, leaving a unique cultural legacy present in Valletta.

Continue to the Upper Gardens of Barrakka, from where you can admire the panoramic view of the Grand Port and walk towards Saint John's Cathedral and the Oratory, which contains Caravaggio's paintings, the Flemish tapestries and the church museum.

Then pass in front of the Grand Master's Palace and the recently restored St. George's Square.

Finally, an opportunity to watch the audiovisual show “Malta Experience” to learn more about the country's history.


DAY 9: MALTA
Breakfast at the hotel and tour of Mdina, the central part of Malta and former capital. The narrow streets of Mdina, which date back to medieval times and lead to magnificent views of the island, feature buildings of different architectural styles such as Norman and Baroque.

Leaving Mdina through the Greek Gate, stopping to visit the Christian catacombs in Rabat, before heading towards the Dingli Cliffs.

After stopping for lunch (not included), visit the San Anton Gardens, located near the Presidential Palace, the Ta' Qali craft center and the Mosta Rotunda, with one of the largest domes in Europe.


DAY 10: MALTA
After breakfast at the hotel, departure for a regular tour to the Three Cities: Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea.

Pass through Cospicua and arrive at Vittoriosa to explore its narrow streets and historic buildings.

Then ride on a Dghajsa - a type of Maltese boat - to sail through the coves of the port of Valletta.

Finally, visit the Senglea Gardens, located at the tip of the peninsula with panoramic views of the port, including the impressive Santo Ângelo Fort.

At the end of the tour, return to the hotel and free afternoon for independent activities.


DAY 11: MALTA
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Transfer to Malta airport.