Semi Escorted
Individual arrival to your hotel in Catania for check-in (optional private transfer on request). In the evening, meet the tour leader and your travel companions for a short briefing. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
After breakfast, we depart to Syracuse to visit the most beautiful and greatest Greek colony in Sicily and World Heritage Site! Our visit will start at the Archaeological Park of Neapolis with its Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomie of Paradise and the Ear of Dionysius. Afterwards, we continue on and visit of the splendid Ortigia, a small island that is the historical centre of Syracuse. In Ortigia admire the beautiful Cathedral, which dominates the square with its authoritative presence. The façade is a powerful Sicilian-Baroque composition but it gives no hint that this building was once Doric Temple! From Piazza Duomo you will reach a wide terrace on the waterfront surrounding the famous Arethusa’s Fountain, which is one of the most famous freshwater sources of the Greek world. Enjoy some free time for lunch before departing to Noto, the Capital of Sicilian Baroque, famous for its fine buildings of the early 18th Century and declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inspired by Baroque ideals of 'open city', Noto is a rare masterpiece and the clearest example of theatrical tastes in 18th Century architecture whose local limestone has been burnt gold by the sun. Noto’s Baroque is a game of elegant curves, floral weaves, perspective views, Palaces and gardens, Capitals and ornaments that adorn the façades of Churches and Monasteries. Free time for a walk along the town. Transfer to Ragusa for dinner and overnight in hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Today, we will visit of Ragusa Ibla and its historical centre cradle of Sicilian Baroque. Used as a location of the extremely popular Police Inspector Montalbano TV series, it is today stated among the 44 Italian World Heritage Sites. This little precious ancient town hosts more than 50 Churches and many Baroque architectural treasures! You will be fascinated by its Cathedral, situated in the beautiful Dome Square and you will love the 'Giardino Ibleo', the oldest of the four main gardens in Ragusa. At 383 metres above sea level, from this beautiful garden admire a spectacular panorama! The tour proceeds towards Modica chest of innumerable Baroque architectural treasures and for this reason stated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking along the tiny streets of this charming town, you will have a stop to visit Sabadì, which is one of the most renowned Chocolate manufacturers whose Chocolate has been awarded the best Modica Chocolate in the last 9 years! Enjoy a multisensorial Chocolate tasting experience, discovering the authentic Sicilian perfumes of the local Nepitella (wild Mint), the Orange Blossom Honey, the Raw PGI, which is quality Sicilian Lemon and the PGI, which is quality Sicilian Red Orange. Just some of the many flavours you can taste! Then, enjoy some local delicacies under the shadow of the amazing Orti di San Giorgio, 7 gardens suspended between light and beauty. A breathtaking panorama will be the setting of your relaxing lunch! The day goes on to the charming Piazza Armerina to visit the famous Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to admire the splendid polychrome Mosaics! This majestic Villa, which once belonged to a member of the Roman Senatorial aristocracy, hosts prestigious Mosaics representing mythological and historical episodes as well as scenes of hunting and entertainments. You will love it! Afterwards, we depart to Agrigento for our overnight stay. Dinner and overnight in hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, our tour continues in Agrigento visiting the famous Valley of the Temples stated World Heritage Site. As one of the most prosperous of the Ancient Greek cities on the island, Agrigento presents a remarkable series of Doric Temples of the 5th Century. Among hundreds of Almond trees, admire the rests of the Ancient Akragas. You will see the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Heracles. Continue on to visit of the charming and well known town of Marsala, where Garibaldi went ashore in May 1860. You will walk through the streets of the centre where you overlook Ancient Noble Palaces, Monuments and impressive Baroque Churches. Afterwards, enjoy a exclusive guided tour inside the historic Florio Cellars. This visit starts in front of the majestic giant vats, built at the end of the 19th Century and still used for the refinement of Marsala Wine, and it continues inside the 3 fascinating Barrel Chambers. After a thirty minute tour through the barrel vaults, you will reach the Avant-Garde tasting rooms named Donna Franca and Duca Enrico. Enjoy a delicious light lunch and a memorable wine tasting experience! The tour will continue visiting the popular Salt Road. Here, the salt marshes have given rise to one of the oldest salt extracting industries in the world! Between Trapani and Marsala, the Salt Road is now protected for its interesting birdlife and also as an important site of industrial Archaeology. Afterwards, transfer to Palermo for your overnight stay. Enjoy the evening free for dinner on your own. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast this morning, we will visit Monreale and its huge Norman Cathedral, which waws proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World, and its splendid Cloister in Arab-Norman style, which is an admirable masterpiece of art, sculpture and semiprecious stones marquetry! Later you will discover the stunning Palermo, one of the richest towns in the island for its history and art. Palermo stands on a bay dominated by Mount Pellegrino. While the Baroque predominates, there is a profusion of different architectural styles reflecting the city’s multicultural past. Visit of the wonderful eclectic Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the amazing Cappella Palatina, which are admirable examples from an historical and an artistic point of view. During the day, you will have a stop to enjoy a typical lunch with local food. Along the path admire the famous Teatro Massimo and the debated Fountain in Pretoria Square, adorned with 16th Century sculptures. Dinner on your own is on your own this evening. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we will transfer to Cefalù, which is charming Medieval Town situated at the northern coast of Sicily. Visit of its stunning Norman Dome, free time to stroll through the town or to visit the famous and well known Mandralisca Museum. You will have a stop for lunch in a famous restaurant before arriving in Catania to visit Catania’s historical centre stated a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its original Baroque style and its unique streets built with black Lava stone. The colour scheme of the city centre buildings is black and dark grey, relieved with white limestone details around doors and windows. The effect is extremely elegant! Our walking tour will start from the scenic Duomo Square with its magnificent Cathedral and the famous 'Liotru' statue, antique Lava stone Elephant, which are symbols of the city. Not far from here we will reach University Square where we will walk along the splendid Baroque Via dei Crociferi, the most representative 18th Century street in Catania. Here we will admire the famous S. Benedict Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, enjoy a break in a historical bar of the city centre to taste the typical 'Granita & Brioche'. Dinner on your own and overnight stay in Catania. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning after a short visit of the famous 'Pescheria', the Ancient Fish Market in Catania, the tour will continue with an excursion to Mount Etna, the highest (3,350 metres) Volcano in Europe and one of the largest and most active in the world, nowadays a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its regional park protects 59,000 hectares of unique geology, flora and fauna, villages and farms, and traditional methods of forestry, beekeeping, wine manufacture, stonework and carpentry. Here, the stunning landscapes will amaze you before we head to Rifugio Sapienza. You will reach the 'Crateri Silvestri', which are small Volcanic cones that are now inactive and surrounded by ancient Lava flows. The view beyond the mountain’s, hundreds of subsidiary cones and craters, can extend across the whole of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands and Calabria. The spectacle is unique! You will have the chance to enjoy the local homemade Honey and some typical products of the area. Afterwards, the tour continues towards Taormina, where you will have lunch in a lovely restaurant in the historical centre of the city. Taormina is a charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna. Visit Taormina’s fascinating Greek Theatre, which will leave you breathless due to its commanding view on Giardini Naxos Bay and the Etna Mountain! Enjoy some free time for a nice walk among the picturesque medieval typical narrow streets, to go shopping and look around the local handicrafts. Later we return to Catania for our overnight stay. You will have the evening free for dinner on your own. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, you will have some free time to discover the city centre of Catania. According to flights’ schedule, you will take a private transfer to the airport for your direct flight to Malta. Here, the tour continues without the tour leader. Upon arrival to Malta, you will take a private transfer to the hotel. Free time for dinner and overnight stay in Valletta. Meals: Breakfast
Today, the tour continues with a full day excursion with private driver and guide to discover the beauty of this magical Island. You will reach Cottonera, also called 'The Three Cities' due to the three Fortified cities of Senglea, Vittoriosa and Cospicua. Afterwards, you will visit the charming fishing village of Marsaxlokk whose waterfront is decorated with traditional colourful fishing boats called 'luzzi'. Enjoy some free time to stroll along the streets of the city centre and browse among the stalls of the famous local market. Continuing on, you will visit the town of Wied iz-Zurrieq where you will embark on a sea excursion towards the famous Blue Grotto, which is a beautiful and picturesque natural cave that reflects the fluorescent colours of the underwater flora. Your tour will continue onboard a private vehicle in the direction of Dingli through the Maltese countryside. Afterwards, return to your hotel for your overnight stay. Day 9 (Alternative): Valletta - Comino - Blue Lagoon - Gozo - Malta Caves - Valletta After breakfast in hotel, a private driver will pick you up for a day of excursion in the Maltese Archipelago. You will be accompanied to Bugibba, where you will board a comfortable boat for a fantastic mini cruise. Sailing through the north of the Maltese coast to the island of Comino; you will stop at the famous Blue Lagoon for about an hour. Enjoy time to take some pictures, sunbathe and have a swim in the turquoise waters of the bay or, if you prefer, you can relax at the bar of the boat, which is equipped with drinks and snacks. Afterwards you will reach Gozo for a visit of about 3 hours, discovering the most charming places of the island including Ta 'Pinu, Dwejra, the Capital Victoria with its historic Market Square and the Citadelle St. Georges. At the end of tour, you will return onboard to circumnavigate Comino and visit the famous caves. Afterwards, return to Bugibba at late afternoon before transferring to your hotel in Valletta for your overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast
Today, your guide will lead you through a half day excursion to discover the treasures of the charming Capital Valletta. You will visit the wonderful Casa Rocca Piccola, which is an Ancient Palace of the 16th Century that belonged to the Maltese nobility and today is still a private residence of the Marquis De Piro. Afterwards, we continue on to visit the Cathedral of St. John where you can admire the beautiful 'Beheading of St. John the Baptist', Caravaggio masterpiece and the Barraca Gardens from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the picturesque Port of Valletta. Later, you will visit the Grand Master's Palace, nowadays the seat of the Maltese Parliament. Your tour continues on to Mdina, the former Capital of Malta. Here, you will visit the Cathedral of St. Paul before having some free time to walk along its lovely streets and discover its viewpoints to enjoy a splendid view. After the visit, you will be transferred to your hotel in Mdina for your overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast in hotel, check-out and end of our services. Meals: Breakfast
Tour Prices are per person twin share in Australian Dollars. Conditions apply and group tours are subject to change and availability. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations. (ds)
