Malta & Sicily Delight Tour
ITINERARY
DAY ONE - SATURDAY
Upon arrival at Malta International Airport you will be met by our representative who will assist with transferring you to your hotel. Overnight at your hotel.
DAY TWO - SUNDAY After breakfast at your hotel, day at leisure. Optional excursions available upon request. (B)
DAY THREE - MONDAY
After breakfast, morning at leisure. In the afternoon enjoy a half-day Valletta City Excursion, including a visit to the Upper Barracca Gardens overlooking the Grand Harbor, St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the Grand Master’s Palace. Lastly, enjoy the “Malta Experience,” a multi-vision show depicting Malta’s history throughout the ages. Return to your hotel. (B)
DAY FOUR - TUESDAYAfter breakfast, enjoy a full day Mdina/Rabat Excursion. Your excursion starts with a visit to the "silent city" of Mdina, with its defense bastions dating back to the 9th Century. We walk through the town visiting St. Paul's Cathedral and then to the bastions for a panoramic view of the island. Then walk to Rabat to visit St. Catald's Catacombs, an underground burial place used by the early Christians. We also stop to see the local handiwork for which the village of Rabat is renowned. Then on to Ta' Qali Crafts Village, Mosta Cathedral and San Anton Botanical Gardens. Return to your hotel. (B,L)
DAY FIVE - WEDNESDAY After breakfast, enjoy a half - day Three Historical Cities Excursion. The Three Cities excursion commences with a drive through Senglea, then to Cospicua and finally up to Vittoriosa. The city of Vittoriosa, known by the Maltese as Birgu, retains many interesting buildings including the early Auberges of the Knights, their hospital, the Armory, the Treasury and palaces connected with the Order's administration. This afternoon enjoy a sensational half - day harbor cruise sailing in a pleasure boat through the Grand Harbor and Marsamxett Harbor, with a running commentary on the history of Malta and excellent photo opportunities. Return to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure. (B)
DAY SIX - THURSDAY
After breakfast, enjoy a full day Gozo Jeep Safari to Malta's sister island Gozo, getting there by means of a 20 minute ferry crossing. This day includes a visit to Ggantija Prehistoric Temples (entrance paid locally), the Citadel in Victoria, Xlendi Bay and Calypso's Cave. Lunch is included, with time for shopping, browsing through hand-made goods. Return to your hotel. (B, L)
DAY SEVEN - FRIDAY After breakfast enjoy a full day “Local Lifestyles and the South” Excursion. Proceed through the southern fishing villages of Marsaxlokk and Birzebbuga then on to the fabled Blue Grotto*. After lunch, visit the Tarxien Temples and the prehistoric caves of Ghar Dalam, where the earliest inhabitants of this island resided. (*Boat trip is paid locally) (B, L)
DAY EIGHT - SATURDAY MALTA / SICILY
After breakfast at your hotel transfer to Malta International Airport for your flight to Sicily. Upon arrival at Catania International Airport transfer to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure. This evening enjoy a welcome party, dinner and overnight at your hotel. (B, D)
DAY NINE - SUNDAY CATANIA/SIRACUSA/RAGUSA After buffet breakfast, depart for Syracuse and visit the archaeological area including the famous Latomie of Paradise and the Dionysius’ “Ear.” Continue to the island of Ortigia, historical center of the city. Lunch on your own. Visit the Cathedral and Arethusa Fountain. Depart for Ragusa. The evening will be dedicated to a fascinating visit to the historical center of Ibla and dinner in a famous restaurant with a typical Sicilian menu. Overnight in Ragusa. (B, D)
DAY TEN - MONDAY RAGUSA/PIAZZA ARMERINA/AGRIGENTO After buffet breakfast, depart for Caltagirone, famous center of Sicilian ceramics production. Continue to Piazza Armerina and visit the world famous Villa Romana del Casale famed for its well preserved mosaics. Lunch in a local restaurant with a special menu chosen to give you the opportunity to taste the local specialties. Depart for Agrigento and visit the Valley of the Temples. Accommodation and dinner at your hotel. After dinner, enjoy an unforgettable tour of the Valley of the Temples by night. Overnight in Agrigento (B, L, D)
DAY ELEVEN - TUESDAY AGRIGENTO/ PALERMO/ MONREALE After buffet breakfast depart for Palermo. Time at leisure and lunch on your own. In the afternoon visit Monreale including the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful monuments in the world and the Benedictine Cloister, built in Arab- Norman style. Continue by visiting the historical center of Palermo, one of the largest in Europe (including the Cathedral, the Palatine Chapel and the Royal Palace). Dinner and overnight at your hotel. Overnight in Palermo. (B, D)
DAY TWELVE - WEDNESDAY PALERMO/SEGESTA/ERICE/TRAPANI//PALERMO After buffet breakfast, depart for Segesta to admire the Temple and the Theatre surrounded by a suggestive landscape. Continue to the medieval village of Erice and walk in its tiny and characteristic streets. Lunch on your own. Continue to Trapani viewing the salt windmills still working as they have for over a thousand years. Return to Palermo. Dinner at a local restaurant. Return to your hotel for the night in Palermo. (B, D)
DAY THIRTEEN - THURSDAY PALERMO/CEFALÙ/PARCO DEI NEBRODI/TAORMINA After buffet breakfast, depart for Cefalù and visit the Arab-Norman Cathedral. Enjoy a walk in the streets of the small village and continue to the Park of “Nebrodi.” Stop at the Miraglia Forest for lunch with a typical menu. Continue to Cesarò, Randazzo and visit Etna Park from an unusual point of view; the North part of it. Incredible landscapes will appear before your eyes. Arrival in Taormina, dinner and overnight at your hotel in Taormina.(B, L, D)
DAY FOURTEEN - FRIDAY TAORMINA After breakfast, full day at leisure in one of the most famous Mediterranean resorts. Enjoy this free day by walking in the streets of Taormina placed in a position which has inspired many artists. For those who are interested, there is the possibility of an optional excursion to Mount Etna (up to 1800 meters, or ascend to 3000 meters). In the evening be ready for a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B, D)
DAY FIFTEEN - SATURDAY TAORMINA After buffet breakfast, end of the tour. Transfer to Catania Airport for your flights home. (B) Accommodations only in four star hotels!
Program Includes
Welcome cocktail 7 Dinners, 5 Lunches, 14 BreakfastsTransportation by deluxe motor coach English- speaking tour escort/guide in Sicily English - speaking guides in Malta Local guides at select sites in Sicily Porterage at hotels in Sicily Transfers in / out Entrance fees in Malta Airfare from Malta to Sicily INCLUDED Program Does Not Include
Book and pay by February 1, 2012 and take $150 off the cost of your trip. Upgrades to five-star and sea view rooms are available on request.
Single accommodations available. for details.Taxes, fuel surcharges and security fees for airline ticket from Malta to Sicily
Entrance fees in Sicily (senior discounts do apply)Beverages Everything which is not clearly specified under “services include”
Gratuities to guides and drivers
