The real secret of this tour is that smaller is better. Maximum number of participants is 25. By thinking small you avoid the crowds. Attention to little details is important, too... When you compare tours, that's a BIG difference!

Reservation info (with departure dates) follows the itinerary and summary. Visit our general tours page for faqs and purchase conditions.

A new tour for 2008! Malta (Valletta, Mdina, Hagar Qim), plus eastern Sicily (Siracusa, Catania, Taormina and Mount Etna). Discover the central Mediterranean with 4 star lodging (2 nights in Malta and 4 nights in Taormina). All ground transportation during this escorted tour is included. Tour includes breakfasts and two lunches (see the summary for details). Small group size of 2-25 participants.

Itinerary:

(Please note: Summary follows. Meals included are indicated in bold face. Locality and site names link to detailed descriptions on Best of Sicily.)

Friday: Arrival in Malta, met by your guide, and transfer to your hotel. Time at leisure. Overnight at your hotel in coastal Saint Julian's near Sliema and the Paceville shopping district.

Saturday: See Valletta, Mdina and Marsaxlokk. Following breakfast, city tour of Valletta, Maltese capital constructed in the 16th century by the Knights of Saint John (Hospitallers and later "Knights of Malta"). We'll visit the Upper Barakka Gardens overlooking the Grand Harbour, and the magnificent St. John's Cathedral, then the Grand Masters Palace --now the parliament building. Then we'll stop at the fishing village of Marsaxlokk in the south of the island, twhere you'll have time at leisure for lunch. In the afternoon we'll visit the neolithic Hagar Qim Temple archeological site, dating to circa 3300 BC. Here are some of the world's largest megaliths, some weighing as much as 20 tons. Today's outing ends at the medieval city of Mdina, Malta's "Silent City." This was the island's initial capital, built in the 9th century by the Arabs. This medieval city is a maze of narrow alleys and magnificent architecture with Arab and some Norman influences. We'll see the highlights and visit Saint Paul's Cathedral. Return to hotel and overnight at Saint Julian's.

Sunday: Day at leisure for shopping or independent sightseeing. Optional excursion to Gozo.

(This excursion begins after breakfast with a ferry crossing to the smaller island of Gozo to see the oldest free-standing temples in the world, known as Ggantija Temples, dated to around 4000 BC. Natural beauties include Calypso Cave, Ramla Bay and other features. We'll stop at the bay of Xlendi in the south of the island, where you'll have free time for lunch. In the afternoon we continue with visits to Ta'Pinu Basilica, Victoria and the Citadel. The story of this fortified city dates back to the Roman and Arab periods. Return by ferry to Malta.)

Evening departure for Catania, where you'll be greeted and escorted to your hotel. (Please note that airfare is not included in the price of this tour but we can arrange it for you.) Overnight in Taormina.

Monday: Following breakfast full day at leisure in this charming hilltop town. Overnight in Taormina.

Tuesday: After breakfast, excursion to Catania and Siracusa. Catania is a charming Baroque city, where we'll visit the Cathedral and other sights of the old historic centre. Then on to Siracusa, beginning with a walking tour of the charming, ancient island of Ortygia. Following lunch in a local restaurant, we'll spend the afternoon exploring the archeological site. Syracuse was ancient Sicily's capital, and one of the most important cities of the Greek world. Return to Taormina. Overnight in Taormina.

Wednesday: Following breakfast we'll trek off by jeep to Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano and greatest natural wonder. Weather and volcanic conditions permitting, we'll explore the highest regions of the summit. Later, we'll enjoy a wine tasting and light lunch on a farm nearby and, en route to Taormina visit the Alcantara Gorge carved by the action of Etna's streams. Evening at leisure and overnight in Taormina.

Thursday: Breakfast and check-out followed by transfer to Catania airport for departure.

Summary:

Prices: €1080.00 per person double occupancy (i.e. two persons per room), €1275.00 single occupancy, payable by bank wire transfer or major credit card. See our general tours page for purchase conditions and cancellation policies.

Includes: Six (6) nights double occupancy (2 nights 4-star accommodation in St Julian's, Malta, 4 nights 4-star accommodation in Taormina, Italy), admission fees to archeological sites, airport transfers, buffet breakfast daily, air-conditioned mini-coach, English-speaking assistance, 2 lunches, 1 full-day jeep excursion to Mount Etna

Does not include: Airfare from Malta to Catania (but we can reserve this for you), porterage or luggage handling at hotel/airport, gratuities to drivers or guides, meals or beverages not indicated above, travel insurance, cost of optional excursion to Gozo, anything not mentioned under "Includes" above. (We recommend Air Malta for flights to Malta and between Malta and Sicily.)

Accomodation: Double room with private bathroom. Single room with supplement. In Malta, the Hotel Corinthia Marina (in Saint Julian's). In Sicily, the Hotel Lido Caparena (on the coast below Taormina). Both are rated 4-stars. In the event that substitutions are necessary, these will be of comparable or superior quality.

Guide/Escort Language: English.

Dates offered: Tour begins at Valletta as indicated.

Tours begin on: Friday April 4th, Friday April 11th, Friday April 18th, Friday May 2nd, Friday May 9th, Friday May 16th, Friday May 23rd, Friday May 30th, Friday June 6th, Friday June 13th, Friday June 20th, Friday June 27th, Friday October 3rd, Friday Oct 10th, Friday Oct 17th 2008.

Reservations:

To reserve contact us at historic-tour@bestofsicily.com indicating "Sicily-Malta" in the subject line, or by phone at 39 091 626 9685, or fax 39 091 380 9900. From the United States or Canada you may also contact us by SkypeIn at 718-473-0803. (Please remember that there's a six-hour time difference between Central European Time here in Italy and American Eastern Time in Toronto and New York.)

This tour is organized by Chat & Tour (Tradizione Turismo), Via Autonomia Siciliana 23, 90143 Palermo, Italy. Visit our general tours page for faqs and purchase conditions regarding this and other tours.

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