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Malta & Sicily
All-Inclusive
15 Days
Special Small Group Price
Day 1 • Departure
Today we will begin our 15 day journey as we depart New York City for our overnight flight to Malta.
Dinner will be served aloft.
Day 2 •Beautiful Malta
We arrive at our Mediterranean paradise and are greeted by our tour host
during our stay. We begin with a brief tour en route to the Sol Suncrest
Hotel, then free time to explore on your own.
Day 3 • Valletta &
The Malta Experience (Half-Day)
After a buffet breakfast, you will be transferred to the bustling
streets of Valletta. You will first be taken to see the Barracca
Gardens, from which you could admire, a great panorama of the Grand
Harbor. You will then visit St. John's Co-Cathedral a place adorned in
riches that date back to the times of the Knights of Malta. After this
there will be a visit to the Grand Master's Palace, where you can see
the staterooms. Lastly we stop at the Malta Experience, a multi-vision
show that depicts Malta's history throughout the ages.
Our afternoon will be free to explore or rest.
Day 4 • Mdina (Full-Day)
After a buffet breakfast, we will take you to the central part of Malta
that is dominated by the ancient citadel of Mdina. On passing through
the narrow streets of Mdina, the 'silent city', you shall admire the
cathedral and the imposing bastions that command a magnificent view of
most of the island. On leaving Mdina through the 'Greek Gate' you shall
stop by at the catacombs before proceeding to the cliffs at Dingli.
After lunch visits to the botanic gardens of San Anton and the
impressive dome of Mosta's parish church are included besides the crafts
center at Ta'Qali, where you shall be given time for shopping.
Day 5 • Three Cities
Tour (Half-Day Morning)
After a buffet breakfast, discover the historical area known as the
three cities: Vittoriosa, Cospicua, & Senglea. A drive past Cospicua
will bring you to Vittoriosa where you shall walk through the various
narrow streets shaded by many historic buildings and churches. From the
old quay you shall take a typical harbor 'fregatina' for a tour of the
famous harbor creeks. In Senglea you will be able to have a look from
the beautiful 'vendetta' placed in the center of the Grand Harbor.
Day 6 • Gozo Heritage
(Full-Day)
After a buffet breakfast, take a tour to Malta's sister island of Gozo.
After a twenty-minute crossing, on setting foot in Gozo you shall notice
that although both islands are similar in history and development gozo
has a character entirely of its own. Gozo, which is a three-hilled
island, is greener and more picturesque than Malta. During this
excursion, you shall visit the Azure W0window at Dwejra, the citadel in
Victoria, the bay of Xlendi, and the Gozo Heritage - where whilst
walking amongst historical carved figures, you will discover the
fascinating stories of the Goddess Calypso; speculate about missing
treasures and examine the elaborate sculptures which together with the
sounds, smells and special lighting effects will take you back in time.
Free time for shopping will also be given - Gozo is well known for its
woolen goods and handmade lace.
Day 7 • Blue Grotto
& Temples (Full-Day)
After a buffet breakfast, discover the Southern part of Malta. After
having visited the fishing villages of Marsaxlokk and Birzebbugia we
proceed to the fabled Blue Grotto where there will be the possibility of
admiring the grottoes from close by. (Boat price not included - weather
permitting). Lunch is then served in one of the villages nearby. After
lunch you will visit the famous Tarxien temples - a group of three
temples, which portray the skill and artistic abilities of our
forefathers. The day will come to an end when guided through the cave of
Ghar Dalam, one of the first habitats of these islands.
Day 8 • Flight from
Malta to Catania
Arrive at Catania airport and transfer to Giardini Naxos, Hotel Caesar
Palace for a 3 nights stay.
Day 9: Reggio Calabria
After a buffet breakfast, drive to Messina for a panoramic tour
of the town of the "Stretto."
Lunch at a local restaurant and then in the afternoon, sea
conditions permitting embark to Reggio Calabria and visit the famous
"Bronzi di Riace."
Day 10: Monte Etna -
Taormina
After a buffet breakfast, conditions permitting, excursion until 1800
meters, to Mount Etna the highest active volcano of Europe.
Return to Taormina with lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon visit the Greek Theater and enjoy time at
leisure for shopping or walking through the tiny streets.
Day 11:
Catania - Siracusa
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Syracuse.
Panoramic tour of Catania. Lunch
at hotel Palace in Syracuse. In
the afternoon, visit of the Archeological area including the famous
Latomie of the Paradise and the Dionysius "Ear" as well as
visit of the island of Ortigia, singular treasure of the baroque style.
Dinner and overnight accommodation at the Hotel Palace.
Day 12: Siracusa - Piazza
Armerina - Agrigento
After a buffet breakfast, depart for Piazza Armerina and visit the
worldwide famous Villa Roma del Casale famed for its well preserved
mosaics. Lunch in a typical
restaurant and continue to Agrigento.
Visit the Valley including the Temple of Juno, Concord, Heracles,
Zeus, Castor and Pollux. Dinner
at the Jolly Hotel Della Valle. After
dinner enjoy an unforgettable panoramic tour of the Valley of the
Temples illuminated. Overnight
in Agrigento.
Day 13: Agrigento -
Segesta - Erice - Trapani - Palermo
After a buffet breakfast, depart for Segesta to visit the Doric Temple
which keeps in its stone the weight of a long history, surrounded by a
unique landscape. Lunch at
a local restaurant in Erice, a medieval town full of myth and history,
art, and environment located at 800 meters above the sea. After lunch enjoy an orientation tour of Trapani's
salt-mills. Continue to
Palermo. Accommodation,
dinner and overnight at Jolly Hotel Palermo.
Day 14: Palermo - Monreale
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Monreale with visit to the "Duomo"
(Cathedral) which is one of the most renowned monuments in the world as
well as the Benedictine Cloister, in pure Norman style.
Visit the city of Palermo including the Cathedral, the Palatine
Chapel in the Roy Palace, as well as a panoramic tour of the historical
center. Lunch at Jolly
Hotel. In the afternoon,
enjoy the possibility to visit part of Palermo by your own or
possibility to participate to an optional excursion to the Catacombs,
the "Capo" market and Mondello or to Cefalu, a pleasant resort
well known for its beautiful Norman Cathedral and medieval wash-house
built the rock. Farewell dinner and overnight at the Jolly Hotel.
Day 15: Homeward
After a buffet breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight back
home.
Price per Person
Based on double occupancy $TBD.
Price Includes:
First class lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, most lunches, air fare
from NYC, all sightseeing.
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