Mediterranean Gems: Sicily & Malta
$4899.00
Discovery
10 nights in Italy & Malta
What to expect
UNESCO-listed Marvels
Discover Catania & Valletta's sights
Natural Wonders
Explore Mount Etna & the Blue Grotto
Historic Towns & Islands
Visit Palermo, Taormina & Gozo
Traditional Cuisine
Enjoy Sicilian & Maltese delicacies
About this trip...
What's included?
Return transfers-
Ferry from Sicily to Malta
Private Room
Daily breakfast & seven dinners
Welcome drink
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
What's extra:
- International flights are not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals where not included in the itinerary
- Activities when not included in the itinerary
- Accommodation tax: Palermo €5 ppd, Agrigento €4.00 ppd, Naxos - Taormina €3.00 ppd, , Catania €3.50 ppd
Itinerary
- Arrive in Palermo
- Palermo - Erice - Marsala - Agrigento
- Agrigento - Taormina
- Mount Etna
- Taormina - Savoca - Forza D’Agro - Catania
- Catania - Ortigia - Syracuse
- Pozzallo (Syracuse) - Malta
- Valletta
- Mdina, Rabat, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto & Dingli Cliffs
- Gozo
- Depart Malta
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrive in Palermo
- Dinner at hotel included
Day Two: Palermo -> Erice -> Marsala-> Agrigento
- Breakfast & dinner at hotel included
Day Three: Agrigento -> Taormina
We leave the southern part of the island to drive towards the east coast, to the beautiful seaside village of Taormina which offers a mix of historical, cultural, and natural attraction. On the way, we stop at Piazza Armerina, a town rather than a square, and one of Sicily’s most popular tourist spots. The town is home to Villa Romana del Casale, built in the 4th century AD as a hunting lodge, and known for its extensive and well-preserved Roman mosaics. After exploring the villa, we continue to our hotel located near Taormina, in the beachside town of Giardini di Naxos.
- Breakfast & dinner at hotel included
Day Four: Mount Etna
After breakfast, we set off early to visit one of the island's natural marvels - Mount Etna. Boasting over 400 craters, it is the largest active volcano in Europe and is in a perpetual state of activity. For the adventurous, there is an opportunity to ascend to 6233 feet above sea level and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from its summits. We then return to Taormina for the remainder of the day, allowing us to relax or explore at our own pace*.
- Breakfast & dinner at hotel included
Day Five: Taormina-> Savoca -> Forza D’Agro -> Catania
We start our day with breakfast at the hotel, before meeting our driver and heading to the charming villages of Savoca and Forza D’Agrò, famous for being filming locations of iconic scenes from Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather trilogy. In the afternoon, we enjoy some leisure time exploring Catania's UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center, featuring stunning baroque palaces and ancient Roman ruins, during a guided city tour.
- Breakfast & dinner at hotel included
Day Six: Catania-> Ortigia -> Syracuse
We begin our day by meeting our guide and driver at our accommodation or a designated meeting point. Enjoy a comfortable transfer to Syracuse, one of Sicily's oldest and most historically significant towns. At its zenith, Syracuse was the largest city in the ancient world, surpassing even Athens and Corinth. Today, it is a charming seaside city with its old town situated on the fortified island of Isola di Ortigia. We can take a break for lunch at a local restaurant, where we can savour traditional Sicilian cuisine.
- Breakfast & dinner at hotel included
Day Seven: Syracuse -> Malta
Today we say bongu (hello) to Malta as we prepare for the next leg of our adventure before driving to Pozzallo to board the ferry* to Malta and transfer to our hotel for four nights.
- Breakfast included
Day Eight: Valletta
Our day begins in Valletta, Malta’s stunning capital city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valletta seamlessly blends culture, history, and leisure, offering picturesque streets, vibrant squares, and breathtaking architecture. We’ll take a leisurely stroll to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, where we’ll enjoy sweeping panoramic views over the Grand Harbour and the historic Three Cities: Senglea, Vittoriosa, and Cospicua. From there, we proceed to one of Malta’s greatest treasures—St. John’s Co-Cathedral. A true masterpiece of baroque architecture, the interior will leave us in awe with its intricate details and rich history. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore more of Valletta at our own pace or grab a coffee at one of the charming cafés (coffee break not included). The final stop of the day is 'The Malta Experience', a captivating 45 minute audio-visual show presented in a specially designed panoramic auditorium. This must-see production brings to life 7,000 years of Maltese history, offering an engaging and enriching overview of the island’s past—perfect for setting the scene for the rest of your journey.
- Breakfast included
Day Nine: Discover Mdina, Rabat, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto & Dingli Cliffs
Our tour begins with a journey back in time to the silent city of Mdina. Known as Città Vecchia or Città Notabile, this ancient fortified city was once Malta’s capital and is one of Europe’s finest examples of a medieval walled town. Stroll through its narrow, winding streets and admire the elegant mix of medieval and baroque architecture. A stop will also be made to view the beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral from the outside. Next, we move to neighbouring Rabat, home to the St. Paul’s Catacombs—an intriguing network of underground burial chambers that date back to early Christianity in Malta. A walk through Rabat offers a more local flavour, with charming alleys and traditional townhouses. We then make our way to the southern coast to visit the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk, known for its colorful luzzus (traditional fishing boats) and its vibrant Sunday market (if visiting on a Sunday). Enjoy some free time to stroll along the waterfront promenade or sample fresh seafood at one of the seaside restaurants (lunch not included). Our next stop is the breathtaking Blue Grotto, where, weather permitting, you’ll have the opportunity to take an optional boat ride (not included) through the stunning sea caves known for their crystal-clear waters and brilliant reflections. The day concludes with a peaceful visit to the Dingli Cliffs, Malta’s highest point, offering dramatic views over the open sea. It’s the perfect spot to relax, take photos, and reflect on a day filled with history, culture, and natural beauty.
- Breakfast included
Day Ten: Gozo
Today we have an earlier start as we travel over to Gozo. There's no better way to discover the island's highlights than on this full-day tour. We'll explore all four corners of Gozo, taking in attractions such as Qala Point, Xlendi Bay, the Inland Sea, and the Victoria Citadel, amongst others. We also have the chance to see some of the island's most famous landmarks, including the Neolithic
Ġgantija Temples and the medieval charm of Victoria, the island’s capital. We’ll visit the salt pans and limestone quarries, as well as a craft centre and the renowned Inland Sea — a peaceful lagoon linked to the open sea by a natural rock tunnel.
Gozo is known for its many natural beauty spots and this excursion packs a lot into one day!
This evening we head to the heart of Valletta for our farewell dinner.
- Breakfast at hotel & dinner in a local restaurant included
Day Eleven: Depart Malta
After breakfast, we bid goodbye to an amazing adventure exploring the best of Sicily and Malta and transfer to Malta International airport for our onward flight.
Accommodations
Mediterranean Gems: Malta & Sicily
- Principe Di Villafranca, Palermo - 1 night
- Mosè Hotel, Agrigento - 1 night
- Hotel Olimpo - Le Terrazze, Taormina-Letojanni - 2 nights
- Airone Wellness Hotel Catania - 1 night
- Hotel Relax Syracuse - 1 night
- Argento Hotel, St Julians - 4 nights
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
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