Guided Tour of Sicily with a Private Extension to Malta

Detailed Program: Sicily & Malta Tour 11 Days

Day 1 – Saturday: Catania (Hotel in Catania)

Arrival at the airport of Catania and transfer with your own means to the hotel in the enchanting city of Catania (private transfer available upon request). Free evening for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2 – Sunday: Syracuse – Noto (Hotel in Ragusa)

After breakfast in hotel, departure to Syracuse to visit the most beautiful and greatest Greek colony in Sicily and World Heritage Site! The visit will start with the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, with its Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomie of Paradise, and the Ear of Dionysius. Proceeding on, visit of the splendid Ortigia, a small island which is the historical centre of Syracuse. In Ortigia, you will admire the beautiful Cathedral, which dominates the square with its authoritative presence. The façade is a powerful Sicilian-Baroque composition, but it gives no hint that this building was once a Doric temple! From Piazza Duomo, you will reach a wide terrace on the waterfront surrounding the famous Arethusa’s Fountain, one of the most famous fresh-water sources of the Greek world. Free time for lunch. Departure to Noto, the capital of Sicilian Baroque, famous for its fine buildings of the early eighteenth century and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inspired by Baroque ideals of an “open city,” Noto is a rare masterpiece and the clearest example of theatrical tastes in 18th-century architecture, whose local limestone has been burned gold by the sun. Noto’s Baroque is a game of elegant curves, floral weaves, perspective views, palaces and gardens, capitals, and ornaments that adorn the facades of churches and monasteries. Free time for a walk along the town. Transfer to Ragusa for dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 3 – Monday: Ragusa Ibla – Modica – Piazza Armerina (Hotel in Agrigento)

Today visit of Ragusa Ibla and its historical centre, cradle of Sicilian Baroque. Used as a location of the extremely popular Police Inspector Montalbano TV series, it is today stated among the 44 Italian World Heritage Sites. This little precious ancient town hosts more than 50 churches and many Baroque architectural treasures! You will be fascinated by its Cathedral, situated in the beautiful Dome square, and you will love the Giardino Ibleo, the oldest of the four main gardens in Ragusa… At 383 meters above sea level, from this beautiful garden you can admire a spectacular panorama! The tour proceeds towards Modica, chest of innumerable Baroque architectural treasures, and for this reason stated Unesco World Heritage Site. Walking along the tiny streets of this charming town, you will have a stop to visit Sabadì, one of the most renowned chocolate manufacturers, whose chocolate has been awarded as the best Modica chocolate in the last 9 years! You will enjoy a multisensorial chocolate tasting, discovering the authentic Sicilian perfumes—the local nepitella (wild mint), the orange blossom honey, the raw PGI-quality Sicilian lemon, and the PGI-quality Sicilian red orange are just some of the many flavours you can taste! Then you will enjoy some local delicacies under the shadow of the amazing Orti di San Giorgio: 7 gardens suspended between light and beauty. A breath-taking panorama will be the setting of your relaxing lunch! The day goes on to the charming Piazza Armerina to visit the famous Villa Romana del Casale, Unesco World Heritage Site, to admire the splendid polychrome mosaics! This majestic villa, belonged to a member of the Roman Senatorial aristocracy, hosts prestigious mosaics representing mythological and historical episodes and scenes of hunting and entertainments: you will love it! Departure to Agrigento. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 4 – Tuesday: Agrigento – Marsala – Saline (Hotel in Palermo)

This morning the tour continues in Agrigento, visiting the famous Valley of the Temples, stated World Heritage Site. As one of the most prosperous of the ancient Greek cities on the island, Agrigento presents a remarkable series of Doric Temples of the 5th century. Among hundreds of almond trees, you will admire the rests of the ancient Akragas. You will see the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, and the Temple of Heracles. Proceeding on, visit the charming and well-known town of Marsala, where Garibaldi went ashore in May 1860. You will walk through the streets of the center, where you overlook ancient noble palaces, monuments, and impressive Baroque churches. After that, an exclusive guided tour inside the historic Florio Cellars. The visit starts in front of the majestic giant vats, built at the end of the 19th century and still used for the refinement of Marsala wine, and it continues inside the 3 fascinating barrel chambers. After a thirty-minute tour through the barrel vaults, you will reach the avant-garde tasting rooms named Donna Franca and Duca Enrico. You will enjoy a delicious light lunch and a memorable wine tasting experience! The tour will continue visiting the popular Salt Road: here the salt marshes have given rise to one of the oldest salt-extracting industries in the world! Between Trapani and Marsala, the Salt Road is now protected for its interesting birdlife and also as an important site of industrial archaeology. Transfer to Palermo, accommodation in hotel, free dinner, and overnight.

Day 5 – Wednesday: Monreale – Palermo (Hotel in Palermo)

After breakfast in hotel, the morning will be spent visiting Monreale, its huge Norman Cathedral, proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World, and its splendid Cloister in Arab-Norman style: an admirable masterpiece of art, sculpture, and semi-precious stones marquetry! Later, you will discover the stunning Palermo, one of the richest towns on the island for its history and art. Palermo stands on a bay dominated by Mount Pellegrino. While the Baroque predominates, there is a profusion of different architectural styles reflecting the city’s multicultural past. Visit of the wonderful eclectic Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church, and the amazing Cappella Palatina, an admirable example from a historical and artistic point of view, and proof of how different cultures and religions have coexisted. During the day, you will have a stop to enjoy a typical lunch with local food. Along the path, you will admire the famous Teatro Massimo and the debated fountain in Pretoria Square, adorned with 16th-century sculptures. Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.

Day 6 – Thursday: Cefalù – Catania (Hotel in Catania/Acitrezza)

After breakfast transfer to Cefalù, charming Medieval town situated at the northern coast of Sicily. Visit of its stunning Norman Dome, free time to stroll through the town or to visit the famous and well-known Mandralisca Museum. You will have a stop to have lunch in a famous restaurant. Arrival in Catania to visit Catania’s historical centre stated Unesco World Heritage Site, with its original Baroque style and its unique streets built with black lava stone. The colour scheme of the city-centre buildings is black and dark grey, relieved with white limestone details around doors and windows. The effect is extremely elegant! The walking tour will start from the scenic Duomo Square with its magnificent Cathedral and the famous “Liotru” statue, antique lava-stone elephant, symbol of the city. Not far from here we will reach University Square and we will have a walk along the splendid baroque Via dei Crociferi, the most representative 18th century street in Catania, where we will admire the famous S. Benedict Monastery, Unesco World Heritage Site. Continuing the visit enjoy a break in a historical bar of the city centre to taste the typical “granita & brioche”. Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.

Day 7 – Friday: Etna – Taormina (Hotel in Catania)

This morning after a short visit of the famous “pescheria” (the ancient fish market) in Catania, the tour will continue with an excursion to the Mount Etna, the highest (c. 3350m) volcano in Europe and one of the largest and most active in the world, nowadays Unesco World Heritage Site. Its regional park protects 59.000 hectares of unique geology, flora and fauna, villages and farms, and traditional methods of forestry, bee-keeping, wine manufacture, stonework and carpentry. Views of stunning landscapes will amaze you heading to Rifugio Sapienza. You will reach the “Crateri Silvestri”, small volcanic cones now inactive, surrounded by ancient lava flows. The view beyond the mountain’s hundreds of subsidiary cones and craters, can extend across the whole of Sicily, the Aeolian islands and Calabria. The spectacle is unique! You will have the chance to enjoy the local homemade honey and some typical products of the area. The tour continues towards Taormina, where you will have lunch in a lovely restaurant in the historic center of the city. Taormina is a charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna. Visit of Taormina’s fascinating Greek theatre which will leave you breathless for its commanding view on Giardini Naxos Bay and the Etna Mountain! Free time for a nice walk among the picturesque Medieval typical narrow streets, to go shopping and looking around the local handicrafts. Back in Catania for dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.

Day 8 – Saturday: Catania – La Valletta (Hotel in Malta)

After breakfast, free time to discover the city centre of Catania. According to flights’ schedule, private transfer to the airport and direct flight to Malta. The tour continues now without the tour leader. Arrive to Malta and private transfer to the hotel. Free dinner and overnight.

Day 9 – Sunday: Cottonera – Marsaxlokk – Grotta Azzurra – Dingli (Hotel in Malta)

Today the tour continues with a full day excursion with private driver and guide to discover the beauty of this magical Island. You will reach Cottonera, also called “The Three Cities”: the three fortified cities of Senglea, Vittoriosa and Cospicua. Afterwards you will visit the charming fishing village of Marsaxlokk whose waterfront is decorated with traditional colorful fishing boats called “luzzi”. Free time to stroll along the streets of the city centre and browse among the stalls of the famous local market. Continuing you will visit the town of Wied iz-Zurrieq where you will embark on an excursion sea towards the famous Blue Grotto, a beautiful and picturesque natural cave that reflects the fluorescent colors of the underwater flora. Your tour will continue on board of a private vehicle in the direction of Dingli through the Maltese countryside. Return to your hotel. Overnight.

Alternatively (Day 9): Comino – Laguna Blu – Gozo – Le Grotte di Malta in barca/motonave (hotel in Malta)

After breakfast in hotel, a private driver will pick you up for another day of excursion in the Maltese archipelago. You will be accompanied to Bugibba, where you will board on a comfortable boat for a fantastic mini cruise. Sailing through the north of the Maltese coast to the island of Comino; you will stop at the famous Blue Lagoon for about an hour. Time to take some pictures, sunbathe and have a swim in the turquoise waters of the bay or, if you prefer, you can relax in the bar of the boat which is equipped with drinks and snacks. Afterwards you will reach Gozo for a visit of about 3 hours, discovering the most charming places of the island: Ta ‘Pinu, Dwejra, the capital Victoria with its historic market square and the Citadelle St. Georges. At the end of tour, you will return on board to circumnavigate Comino and visit the famous caves. Return to Bugibba at late afternoon. Transfer to your hotel and overnight.

Day 10 – Monday: La Valletta – Mdina (Hotel in Malta)

After breakfast in hotel, our guide will lead you through a half day excursion to discover the treasures of the charming capital Valletta. You will visit the wonderful Casa Rocca Piccola, ancient palace of the sixteenth century belonged to the Maltese nobility and still today private residence of the Marquis De Piro; proceeding on you will visit the Cathedral of St. John where you will admire the beautiful “Beheading of St. John the Baptist”, Caravaggio masterpiece and the Barraca Gardens from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the picturesque port of Valletta. Later on, you will visit the Grand Master’s Palace, nowadays seat of the Maltese Parliament. Your tour continues on to Mdina, the former capital of Malta. You will visit the Cathedral of St. Paul and then you’ll have free time to walk along its lovely streets and discover its viewpoint from which to enjoy a splendid view. After the visit, transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 11 – Tuesday: Malta

After breakfast in hotel, check-out and end of our services. Goodbye Sicily!

Excursions are subject to confirmation, in accordance with weather conditions.
NB: Please note the company is not responsible for any disruption due to weather and sea conditions concerning all hydrofoil and ferry crossings among the islands.

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