Okay European travelers, here's
a a destination we've done twice now that's one of my all time
favorites! If you like Italy, and who doesn't, you are sure
to love Sicily and the Maltese Islands! This is another 10-night trip that offers a well-rounded tour of
these incredible islands. We
will have three stops total with 2-nights in Palermo, 3-nights
in Taormina on the opposite coast and finally 5-nights in
Malta.
Our hotels are all excellent, 4 and even 5-star category chosen
also for their prime location. This will certainly be an incredible
trip. Here is all the information you need to know about
this trip.
Sicily, the Mediterranean's biggest island, is separated from the mainland by the
strait of Messina.
A mountainous spot, Sicily's coast and its small islands sit at
the foot of volcanoes, including Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano.
The Greeks, Romans, Normans and Catalans all left their mark on
the island in the form of Byzantine palaces, Gothic castles and
Baroque flourishes in capital Palermo.
Sicilians
are heir to an impressive cultural legacy, from the refined architecture
to a beguiling, if contradictory, artistic fusion of Arab craftsmanship
and Norman austerity. This complexity of culture is matched by
a startling diversity of landscape that includes the smoldering
Mt Etna, and a coastline with a tiara of Aeolian Islands and
National Parks. Sicily also has a refreshing lack of neon-blazing
entertainment and theme parks, which further helps preserve its
individuality and appeal.
We will start off with
2-nights in the capital of Palermo. Palermo is full of worthy destinations,
and in the historic district in can seem as though they are all
competing for your attention. Among all of the attractions in
Palermo, the palaces and museum stand shoulder to shoulder with
the cathedrals and markets as must-see destinations. A large part
of the thrill has to do with the layers of Sicilian culture that
have their roots in Palermo. The port city has seen empires rise
and fall, kings come and go, and artists emerge and retreat. We
will set up day tours to visit some of the most compelling sites
including the palaces, museums, churches and beaches. There are
also the two main squares - The Piazza Verdi and the Piazza Castelnuovo
which are packed from early morning into the wee hours of the
night. Both are ringed with cafes, street vendors, and boutiques
to entertain those whiling away the hours in the main
squares. For me, this is one of the most enjoyable qualities of
a European vacation - time to relax and take it all in.
Our hotel, located in the very
heart of the sixteenth-century district and most evocative part
of the city, is one of the four historic markets in Palermo. The
best-known monuments and attractions, from the Medieval Age to
the Contemporary one, are
easily reachable by foot. Ten minutes walk to the third biggest
theatre in Europe, i.e. Massimo Theatre, and five minutes walk
to the Politeama Theatre, jewel of the 19th century architecture.
The gourmets will enjoy the best Sicilian and international dishes
in the restaurants and cafe's located in the area.
From there we will bus across
the island, making a stop at the beautiful seaside town of Cefalu
for lunch before arriving in Taormina. This
really is a magical town and our hotel there is beautiful.
Taormina
is a mountaintop town overlooking the Ionian coast and is Sicily's
most famous resort town, full of restaurants and shops, with beautiful
beaches nearby. The Greek
amphitheatre, with its famous panoramic view of Mount Etna and
the coast, is used for concerts and plays, and medieval walls
enclose the town's stone streets. There are several castles, including
those in the Castelmola overlooking
Taormina. There is a great jeep
or ATV tour that will make a great optional tour taking us up
to visit Mt. Edna. Another optional tour
will take us to the
Aeolian Islands known for their exceptional
beaches. 
Our
hotel there is another 4-star gem. Situated
on the promontory it is in a spectacular location
on the sea. The brilliant location of this four star
hotel in
Taormina is one of the most spectacular outposts from where to
admire an incomparable view of nature, whereby the sea, Mount
Etna and Taormina stand out. A short distance away from
the hotel is the historic center of Taormina with its poetic atmosphere,
steeped with history, traditions and literature, with Corso Umberto,
very seducing for its boutiques, handicraft shops and the "sweet
life" in its famous pubs and restaurants; with its romantic
promenades, between delightful street corners and with views that
fill your heart.
Now we will ferry over to another
island and country - Malta, part of the Maltese Islands. The Maltese Islands are an archipelago o
f
six islands of which, Malta,
Gozo and Comino are inhabited. They are situated in the
centre of the Mediterranean,
58 miles from Sicily. Malta
is the more urban and cosmopolitan 
of
the islands. It has
every amenity from modern residential and commercial areas to
a vibrant nightlife and numerous leisure options. The
Maltese Islands are soaked in history covering nearly 7000 years, for example there are
temples on Malta that date
from 5000 BC, the Phoenicians colonized the islands around 800
BC. The Romans made Malta part of their empire in 218 BC.
St Paul was shipwrecked on Malta in AD 60 and converted the Maltese
people to Christianity.
The sheer
number of archaeological sites sets Malta's history apart from
that of other Mediterranean destinations. There are megalithic
monuments, Bronze Age dolmens, Punic tombs, remains of Roman Villas
and traces of prehistoric man which defy explanation, such as
the mysterious cart tracks. For three millennia, from around
5200 BC, the archipelago was home to a unique, temple-building
civilization. Malta and Gozo's temples are thought to be
the oldest free-standing buildings known to man, predating the
Pyramids in Egypt and Stonehenge! One site above all others
is special to Malta- the Hypogeum, a labyrinth of underground
chambers probably used as both a burial site and a temple.
The Island's temples are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 
There are
plenty of interesting places to see and things to do in Malta
and the surrounding Maltese Islands. There are jeep tours that
we will likely set up as an optional tour; We'll
set up a
cruise that will take us to the 2 other Maltese islands of
Gozo and Comino! Gozo
Island is smaller, more rural and quieter than Malta with green
countryside, spectacular cliffs, picturesque bays, coves, rugged
c
liffs
penetrated by steep gorges. We might even arrange for a
horse or a bike along the coast for amazing panoramas. Comino
Island is known for its crystal clear waters and their own Blue Lagoon, an amazing
sheltered inlet. If you are a diver you will enjoy a great variety
of
dive opportunities. The islands of Comino, Cominetto and Gozo
are just a 10 minute ride away offering a large variety of wrecks
and caverns and crystal clear water - some of the best diving
in the Mediterranean.
Our hotel
is once again, ideally located, and we have saved the best for
last - the 5-star Grand
Hotel Excelsior. As
the premier destination among 5-star Valletta hotels, this hotel is
ideally located on the doorstep of a UNESCO World Heritage
Site - the Capital City of Valletta, with all its major attractions,
culture, art treasures, and historical architectural gems. This
acclaimed hotel prides itself in providing the discerning traveler
with magnificent
accommodation, breathtaking views of Marsamxett harbour and
Manoel Island, and an unforgettable
dining experience. You might even enjoy a full day lounging
around the pool and enjoying spa treatments!
INCLUDES:
- 10-nights
accommodation
- All ground
transportation and ferry from Sicily to Malta
- City tour
in Palermo
- Tour in Taormina
- Tour in Malta
- Daily breakfast
DOES NOT
INCLUDE:
- Tips for
guides and drivers
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
$1,100 -
Only if you prefer your own room otherwise we will match you up
with a roommate
$200
DEPOSIT TO SIGN UP
SEE
THE OPTIONAL TOURS
CLICK
TO SEE PHOTOS FROM OUR LAST SICILY & MALTA TRIP
OUR GROUP AIR:
Please
let us know upon signing up if you will be taking our optional
group air
May 1st
Austrian Airlines 082 / 01MAY 3 LAX VIE 305P1130A
Austraian Airlines 487 / 02MAY 4 VIE PMO 510P 705P
May 12,
2024
LH 1313 6:15 am MALTA LUQA INTERNATIONAL (MLA) 8:55 am FRANKFURT
INTERNATIONAL APT (FRA)
Layover in FRANKFURT 1 h 35 min
LH 0456 10:30 am FRANKFURT INTERNATIONAL APT (FRA) 1:00 pm LOS
ANGELES INTERNATIONAL APT (LAX)
PRICE:
$1,771
Sign
up for thisTrip!
OUR
HOTELS
Palermo, Sicily
Grand Hotel
Piazza Borsa **** - website
- tripadvisor
The
4-star Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa in central Palermo is located
in an ideal position for exploring the city. Luxurious and spacious
rooms, prestigious conference rooms , Art Nouveau furnishings
, a characteristic cloister, and a smoking room reserved for the
needs of each guest.
In the heart of the
historic centre, from the hotel you can easily reach Palermo airport
and all the most important monuments on foot. Ideal for business
stays , family or couple holidays . The ideal place to enjoy your
holiday in Sicily .
As
the premier destination among 5-star
Valletta hotels,the Grand Hotel Excelsior is ideally
located on the doorstep of a 
UNESCO
World Heritage Site -the Capital City of Valletta, with all
its major attractions, culture, art treasures, and historical
architectural gems.
This
acclaimed Valletta Malta hotel prides itself in providing the
discerning traveller with magnificent
accommodation, breathtaking views of Marsamxett harbour
and Manoel Island, and an unforgettable dining
experience. Its central position allows for easy travel to all
parts of the Maltese islands.
