Best of Sicily & Malta 2025

Independent arrival at the hotel in Catania. Welcome cocktail and dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Catania. (D)

After a buffet breakfast, depart to Syracuse. 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 Ortygia, the small baroque old city centre of Syracuse. 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. You will enjoy a “street food” light lunch in the centre of Ortigia. Afternoon at leisure to stroll through the streets of the centre, and for shopping. Return to your hotel in Catania. Evening at leisure to experience the city and its nightlife, and to dine in one of the typical restaurant in the city centre. Overnight in Catania. (B, L)

After a buffet breakfast, depart 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. 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. Depart to Ragusa, renowned for its cheese production; therefore, you will not miss a tasting of artisan cheeses and Sicilian specialties (light lunch). You will visit 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. Continue to the reserved hotel where you will have time at leisure to relax at the swimming pool or at the spa. Dinner in hotel and overnight in Ragusa. (B, T/L, D)

After a buffet breakfast, depart 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, and the temples of Juno and Heracles. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, you will proceed to Marsala, a city on the western coast famous for its production of sweet Sicilian wine .Arrival at Baglio Donna Franca, a perfectly restored nineteenth-century baglio, which rises in the Marsala countryside, on the hills in front of the Stagnone Reserve and the Egadi Islands. The baglio was a property of Florio. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the cellar and learn all about winemaking. At the end of the tour, you will enjoy a wine tasting and light dinner at sunset. Overnight at the Wine Resort in Marsala. (B, T/D)

After a buffet breakfast, depart 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 once did. 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, inner courtyards, and stop for a marzipan and biscuit tasting. Continue to Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Free time for lunch and then you will visit the Cathedral, one of the most important architectural monuments. Continue your visit by walking along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to reach ‘I Quattro Canti di Città’ Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini, and you will visit the Church of Santa Caterina. Get settled at the hotel and free time for shopping and dinner. Overnight in Palermo. (B, T)

After a buffet breakfast, depart to visit the town of Monreale which is situated on a hill at few kilometres from Palermo in a 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 washhouse built in the rock. Free time to explore the town, shop, and have lunch on your own. Proceed to Taormina through the coastal road passing through Messina, from where you will have the chance to admire the beautiful scenery of the Strait of Messina. Check in at your hotel and free time for dinner. Overnight in Taormina. (B)

After a buffet breakfast, excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. You will reach a height of 1800 metres to visit the Sylvester Craters, where you will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view over the Ionian Sea. Stop at a local winery on the eastern slopes of Etna and visit a prestigious cellar. You will have the opportunity to taste different local wines, accompanied by local cheese and cold cuts. In the afternoon back to Taormina, a 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. Free time for dinner and overnight in Taormina. (B, T)

At the appointed time, transfer from Taormina to Catania Airport. Flight to Valletta, capital of Malta, a delightful Mediterranean island. Transfer to the hotel located in St Paul’s Bay (or similar). Dinner in your hotel and overnight. (B, D)

After breakfast, depart to 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 ride 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. Dinner on your own and overnight. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. 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. Free time for dinner and overnight. (B)

Please Note: From April to June and in October, the excursion ‘Valletta + Malta Experience’ will take place in the afternoon.

After breakfast, 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, you will stop at the early Christian catacombs in Rabat before proceeding to the cliffs at Dingli. After lunch you will visit the San Anton Botanical Gardens situated near the Presidential Palace, which you will be able to admire from outside. You 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. Free time for dinner and overnight. (B, L)

The tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to the port or the airport of Valletta. (B)