[ Print This Page ]
9-Nights Sicilian Escape With Malta - Escapes from $2,199
Globus
OFFER ID 1517528
Escape to Sicily for seven days of beauty, cuisine, and history-without the crowds you’d find in the high season. Begin in Palermo and meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. Spend the following day on a guided sightseeing tour of Palermo’s ornate Piazza Bellini and Capo Market. See the stunning baroque features of the Church of the Immacolata, and visit the historic Palermo Cathedral. Enjoy the panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro in Monreale, and visit the 12th-century Norman Cathedral with its treasured byzantine mosaics.
Walk through the 24-centuries-old Valley of the Temples with your Local Guide in Agrigento, visit Piazza Armerina’s Villa Romana del Casale to admire the world’s largest collection of Roman mosaics. In Syracuse, the birthplace of mathematician Archimedes, you’ll take a guided visit to the archaeological site of the 5th-century-BC Greek Theater, Garden of Paradise, Ear of Dionysus, Altar of Hieron II, Roman Amphitheater, and the Cordmaker’s Cave. Travel to Catania, where you’ll sample Sicily’s famous Arancino, and spend two nights on the spectacular Taormina Riviera, your base for a fascinating excursion to Mount Etna-the largest active volcano in Europe. Explore Taormina, and complete your Sicilian Escape with a fabulous dinner at a local restaurant. Discover the marvelous sights of Malta to explore the ancient archaeological sites and amazing seaside sights along the way.
Join us to experience these 2 countries' exquisite beauty that will stay with you for years to come-a guided vacation in Sicily and Malta you’ll treasure forever.
9 nights from $2,199 per person
Sicilian Escape With Malta
Day 1 ARRIVE IN PALERMO, ITALY Welcome to Palermo! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
PALERMO-PIAZZA.jpg
Day 2 PALERMOSicilian Specialties PALERMO Guided sightseeing includes the Church of Immacolata, and a visit to the cathedral. Drive up to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro and visit the Norman Cathedral. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
The story of the splendid Monreale cathedral starts when the Arabs took control of Palermo. They transformed the cathedral into a mosque and banished the Bishop of Palermo from town. Not wishing to venture too far from his beloved cathedral, the Bishop settled in a small village in the hills overlooking Palermo, the site of modern-day Monreale. There, he built a modest church to keep the flame of local Christian worship alive. Today the cathedral is known for its stunning mosaics that cover an area of over 64.500sq ft.
MONREAL-CATHEDRAL.jpg
Day 3 PALERMO–AGRIGENTO Timeless Temples AGRIGENTO Take a guided walking tour of the Valley of Temples. (B,D) 87 mi / 140 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGY The ruins of Akragas remain Sicily's most amazing archaeological site. The impressively well-preserved Tempio della Concordia sits in spectacular setting upon a ridge where it served as a beacon for homecoming sailors and today draws enthralled visitors to revel in the remarkable Valley of the Temples.
AGRIGENTO.jpg
Day 4 AGRIGENTO–PIAZZA ARMERINA–SYRACUSE Ancient Artistry In Sicily PIAZZA ARMERINA Take a guided visit of the Villa Romana del Casale with the largest and most complex collection of Roman mosaics in the world. Enjoy lunch with regional specialties at a local restaurant. (B,L) 162 mi / 260 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE Explore the extraordinary example of Roman power in one of the most luxurious villas of its kind in the Italian countryside. Marvel at the magnificently preserved mosaics that embellish the Villa Romana del Casale, designed and installed by African mosaic workers and the strength of the Roman influence and power throughout the Mediterranean region.
PIAZZA-ARMERINA-VILLA-ROMANA-DEL-CASALE.jpg
Day 5 SYRACUSE–CATANIA–TAORMINA RIVIERA Coastal Treasures SYRACUSE Guided visit to the Greek and Roman ruins of the Archaeological Park features the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheater.
CATANIA [LF] Arancino tasting and free time on the way to Taormina Riviera. (B) 75 mi / 120 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Sicily’s love affair with food goes back a long way. Cooking traditions originating from the Greeks, Arabs, and Normans blend with those from Spain and North Africa resulting in a fabulous melting pot of flavors and unique dishes. Celebrate this feast of cultures with a traditional arancino tasting one of Sicily’s most famous street food.
CATANIA-ARANCINO.jpg
Day 6 TAORMINA RIVIERA The Pearl of the Mediterranean TAORMINA RIVIERA Guided excursion to Mount Etna. Orientation walk through Taormina town and free time. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDER Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano and one of the most active in the world. Learn how in 1669, an eruption that lasted 112 days developed a record long stream of lava that destroyed the city of Catania.
TAORMINA-MOUNT-ETNA.jpg
Day 7 CATANIA-LA VALLETTA, MALTA–ST. JULIANGardens and a Grand Harbor CATANIA Fly to La Valletta airport.
LA VALLETTA Orientation walk includes the Barakka Gardens. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Welcome to the marvelous sights of Malta with an overnight stay in St. Julian. Named for the patron Saint that bears his name, this seaside town is rich with history and lovely views of the rocky stretch along the promenade.
ST-JULIAN.jpg
Day 8 ST. JULIAN Home of Giants
ST. JULIAN Free day to explore the city. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with a visit to the little island of Gozo home’s oldest freestanding structures in the world: the 5,500-year-old complex of the Ggantija Temples. Locals claim the site was built by giants, hence the name “Ggantija.”
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM When the capital city was moved out of Mdina, the city was left uninhabited so people started to consider it a ghost town and the “silent city” nickname was born. This name is still fitting today as there are many signs around the city urging to be silent and no cars are allowed in the city.
GOZO.jpg
Day 9 ST. JULIAN: EXCURSION TO RABAT-MOSTA & MDINA Catacombs & Silent Cities
RABAT Stop in the city famous for its catacombs
MOSTA Take pictures of the stunning Roman Catholic church with a unique architectural history.
MDINA Walk through the “Silent City” and take in views of the ancient walls followed by a glass blowing demonstration.
Farewell dinner at local restaurant. (B,D)
MDINA.jpg
Day 10 ST. JULIAN Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
ST-JULIAN-BOAT.jpg
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.
Arta Travel
5700 West Plano Parkway, Suite 1400
Plano, TX 75093
USA
(972) 422-4000