Ancient Cultures of Sicily and Malta 9 Days
This trip starts in the capital of Sicily, Palermo. We'll have our base here and go in search of the finest foods, traditions, architecture and panoramas across the island. Main highlights in Sicily will be the Greek temples at Taormina, the second city Catania, the timeless interior of the island, and a visit to Mount Etna, the active volanco that characterises the island.
We'll then take a ferry to Valletta, the capital of Malta, and stay a couple of days to explore this fascinating mid-Meditteranean island. Malta is a fusion of Arabic, Italian, Turkish, North African, Spanish and British cultures, having been colonised periodically over the centuries with each coloniser leaving an impression both on the people and the official language, Maltese.
Now an EU member state, Valletta was European Capital of Culture recently, leading to many restoration projects sponsored by the European Regional and Development Fund. Known for its seafood, sailing, Cathedral, historic old town and harbour where the billionaires moor their impressive yachts, Valletta and Malta are sure to impress.
Some of our favourite visits here include the WW2 bunkers where the city went underground as the Germans bombed Malta so that their supply lines to North Africa were not disrupted. Another, of course, being the HQ of the Knights of the Order of Malta, once a legion of Crusaders and now more known for their humanitarian and first-aid work around the world.
To sum up this trip, it's for history lovers who never got a chance to go to Sicily, try the world's best cannoli and gelato, explore the Mediterranean and see an undiscovered island full of culture and promise. With sunshine, sumptuous food and great times guaranteed, this is a trip that delivers in many respects.
Itinerary and Specifics
Higlights:
- Visit the Greek Temples at Taormina on Sicily
- Dine like a Queen and King for 10 days - great value, fresh produce, tasty Mediterranean food and wine.
- Learn some Sicilian dialect, our local expert will give you some proverbs and sayings that don't exist in Italian
- See the main attractions of Palermo including the famous Teatro Massimo, Palermo Cathedral, Capella Palatina, Piazza dei Normanni and Palermo Archaeological Musuem.
- If you're into history, culture, language, Classic Cultures of the Ancient World with Roman and Greek artefacts and buildings still dotted across the landscape, this is the trip for you
- See the three inhabited islands that make up Malta - Malta main island, Gozo and Comino.
- Understand more about Maltese identity, the language, the culture, the food, the influences of many different civilisations.
- Experience a cultural crossroads in Valletta
- Everyone speaks fluent English in Malta (as well as Maltese and Italian, they are at least trilingual) so you're sure to have some interesting encounters with the locals who are very warm and open to the world.
Included:
- 4 Star Accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast Basis
- Meet and Greet at Airport
- Transfers to and from hotel
- Expert driver/guide
- Comfortable touring vehicle
- Local knowledge, recommendations and help with any bookings you want to make
- Porterage - 1 piece per person in and out of hotels
Not included
- Flights - purchase your own flights in and out of destination
- Gratuities - minimum recommended $20 per person per day
- Lunches and Dinners - we like our guests to be able to choose their own dining options
- Any entrances to museums, attractions and concerts - most of what you're looking for will be free entrance anyway.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive at Palermo International Airport, Sicily. Meet and Greet, transfer to the hotel in central Palermo, meet the local guide and do an orientation walk to get familiar with the central area around your hotel. Tonight, relax and maybe have dinner at a nearby Siclian restaurant. One thing you must do is have gelato here. Some of the best food in the world, and especially gelato, is to be had on Sicily. Ask any Italian where the best food is and they'll all admit to Sicily, Puglia and Emiglia-Romagna as the three champions of excellence. We overnight here for four nights.
Day 2
We're off to Taormina with the driver/guide to explore the Greek Temples and sample more seaside culture. We'll continue on to Catania to explore the culture and beauty of Sicily's second city. The late afternoon is yours to explore this great city.
Day 3
We're going to the heart of the island to explore the culture in deeper Sicily. With stunning hilltop villages, idyllic farmland, olive groves, vineyards and much more, we're going to eat well and pause at certain locations to get a more detailed understanding to the many aspects of this island cutlure. We'll finish our day on Favignana island with the short ferry from Trappani, the island's third city.
Day 4
Today we're leaving Sicily behind for Malta. The ferry is a comfortable sailing and goes from Pozzallo to Valletta. Once on the island we'll check into our hotel so everyone has time to freshen up, get something to eat and then spend the afternoon exploring the coast. We'll go to Hagar Qim Ancient Temple from 3200BC and the Limstone Heritage Park and Gardens.
Day 5
Today we're doing a day trip to Gozo and Comino islands. We'll hop on a ferry as foot passengers and we'll join up with a driver/guide to see the islands learning from the locals. The waters are incredibly clean and clear and we'll be able to look at the coastline in all its beauty.
Day 6
Today is a day to relax and see all of the sights you want to following a walking tour with the guide in the morning in Valletta. There's a lot of history to see here and we'll make the best recommendations for you. Our favourites are the WW2 Malta at War Museum and the Knights of the Order of Malta Exhibition and Fort.
Day 7
Today we're off to see the fascinating Arabic city of Mdina on the west of the island and explore places a little more off the beaten track.
Day 8
Today is a day at the discretion of the driver and guide to decide with the group what they would like to do. You'll have the driver/guide and vehicle from 9am-5pm so it's really about how you are feeling at this stage on the trip. It just depends on how active you are today - take a walk together, explore more ancient sites or have a more relaxed day in Valletta, it's up to you, there's a lot of culture to explore. One of our things to do is to drive around the coast, stopping for lunch in a small town, enjoying the local culture and living like a local.
Day 9
That's the end of the trip folks, we hope you have enjoyed these two Magical Mediterranean Islands and will enjoy your flights from Valletta homeward bound from sundrenched southern Europe.