Itinerary

1. Overnight Flight

   You’re on your way to Malta and Sicily – legendary isles nestled amongst the deep blue waves of the Mediterranean. Discover how ancient traditions blend into modern society as you travel along timeless Italian and Maltese towns.

2. Sliema, Malta

   Accommadation: Land's End Boutique Hotel

   Meals: Dinner

   Start your journey with a 4-night stay in Sliema, a welcoming Maltese resort town with a lively waterfront promenade. As travelers’ arrival times will vary, we have not included any sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. Stretch your legs and take in views of Marsamxett Harbour and Manoel Island. Uncover Malta’s deeply rooted heritage, teeming with mysterious prehistoric temples and Renaissance architectural masterpieces. This evening, get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner.

3. Sliema - Valletta - Sliema

   Accommadation: Land's End Boutique Hotel

   Meals: Breakfast

   Begin your adventure with a panoramic sailing of Valletta’s (UNESCO) Grand Harbour aboard traditional dghajsa boats* before exploring the Maltese capital during a walking tour led by a local expert. View the skyline of the Three Cities from the Upper Barrakka Gardens and take in the elegant profile of the Grand Master’s Palace. Then, enjoy some free time to explore on your own. This afternoon, visit the private home of a modern-day Knight of Malta before hopping on the local ferry* back to Sliema for an evening at leisure.

4. Sliema - Maltese Village Experience

   Accommodation: Land's End Boutique Hotel

   Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

   Enjoy a morning at leisure. Perhaps you’ll join a half-day optional tour to Mdina – the “Silent City” and Malta’s ancient capital. This afternoon, immerse yourself in Maltese traditions as you board a retro bus for a village where daily life and customs remain unchanged. Experience an Impact Moment as you are hosted for dinner at a traditional band club. Band clubs have a special place in the community. A source of intense pride and with a solid place in Maltese social culture, the band club's premises are an ideal meeting point for locals to exchange gossip, play a game of pool, or engage in village festa activities.

    

   Available Options:

   Mdina, the “Silent City” $89

   • 4 Hours
   • 10 Passengers Minimum
   • Transportation Included

   Spend your morning in Mdina, the "Silent City". Your tour begins with an exploration of the site that is traditionally identified with St. Paul’s Grotto, where legend holds is where Paul the Apostle stayed when he arrived on the island in 60 CE. Then, set off on foot through the narrow, winding streets of Mdina for an intimate look at Malta’s ancient capital, absconded in the countryside and protected for centuries before the arrival of the Knights of Malta.

   St. Paul's Grotto can only be reached via a steep staircase and may be unsuitable for travelers with claustrophobia.

5. Sliema

   Accommodation: Land's End Boutique Hotel

   Meals: Breakfast

   The entire day is yours. With free time, you might choose to relax in Sliema or venture back to Valletta for a visit to Caravaggio’s masterpiece housed in Saint John’s Co-Cathedral. Or, join an optional full day exploration of the Isle of Gozo,* the second-largest island of the Maltese archipelago and home to the Ggantiha temple complex (UNESCO), which is older than Stonehenge.

    

   Available Option: 

   A Day in Gozo Island

   • 9 Hours
   • 10 Passengers Minimum
   • Transportation Included

   Embark on a full-day exploration of the isle of Gozo, the second largest island of the Maltese archipelago. A short ferry ride takes you to across to Malta’s greener neighbor, home to the Ggantija temple complex (UNESCO), which is older than Stonehenge. Uncover this UNESCO site with a local expert and learn about Gozo’s 7000 years of history. Pause for lunch at a local restaurant before enjoying a panoramic drive highlighting the many captivating legends of Gozo. Discover for yourself why the great epic poet Homer identified Gozo as the home of the nymph Calypso who kept Ulysses captive here for 7 years.

   This option must be booked at least 30 days prior to departure. The ferry boat ride is 20-25 minutes each way and is dependent on weather and sea conditions.

6. Sliema - Ferry to Sicily - Ragusa, Italy

   Accommodation: San Giorgio Palace Hotel

   Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

   Early this morning, grab your bags** and hop on a ferry*** to Sicily. Pause in the seaside town of Pozzallo for a Sicilian breakfast. As in most of Italy, breakfast in Sicily is a simple but tasty affair, traditionally consisting of a pastry and cappuccino. Continue your culinary exploration of the Sicilian countryside with an Impact Moment at a visit to a family-owned herb farm to learn about their sustainable production of organic aromatic plants. Then, during lunch, enjoy dishes enlivened with herbs grown on the farm. A delightful way to experience the region’s unique and delicious flavors. This afternoon, settle into your hotel for a leisurely 3-night stay in the heart of Ragusa.

7. Ragusa - Ragusa-Ibla - Ragusa

   Accommodation: San Giorgio Palace Hotel

   Meals: Breakfast

   Explore Ragusa-Ibla (UNESCO), a time-worn city perched upon a hill. Meander through its late-Baroque neighborhood with an expert guide, passing by winding lanes, cobblestone streets, and wrought iron balconies. Make the most of a free afternoon to explore on your own. As the sun sets, linger in town for dinner on your own.

8. Ragusa

   Accommodation: San Giorgio Palace Hotel

   Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

   Today, journey to Sicily’s Baroque Valley, known for its ornate historic architecture. Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites in Scicli and Modica. The town of Scicli dates back to the 3rd century BC and is home to a number of centuries-old churches. Visit a local farm for brunch and learn about 2 local specialties: ricotta cheese and sausage. The hilly city of Modica, dating back to the 2nd century BC, is renowned for its baroque architecture and breathtakingly detailed facades. Taste Modica’s historically rooted artisanal chocolate, based on flavorful Aztec recipes of millennia ago. This tour will immerse you in the alluring culture and history of the Baroque Valley.

    

   Available Option: 

   Sicily's Baroque Valley:Scicli & Modica with lunch *included

   • 8 Hours
   • 8 Passengers Minimum
   • Transportation Included

   Journey to Sicily’s Baroque Valley, known for its ornate historic architecture. Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites in Scicli and Modica. The town of Scicli dates back to the 3rd century BC and is home to a number of centuries-old churches. Visit a local farm for brunch and learn about 2 local specialties: ricotta cheese and sausage. The hilly city of Modica, dating back to the 2nd century BC, is renowned for its baroque architecture and breathtakingly detailed facades. Taste Modica’s historically rooted artisanal chocolate, based on flavorful Aztec recipes of millennia ago. This tour will immerse you in the alluring culture and history of the Baroque Valley.
    

9. Ragusa - Siracusa - Taormina

   Accommodation: Excelsior Palace Hotel Taormina

   Meals: Breakfast

   Take in the rugged landscape of southeastern Sicily en route to Siracusa (UNESCO). Then, it’s your choice! Explore the fascinating streets of Ortigia and find out more about local culture and traditions in the company of a local expert -OR- take in the views of the old town during a panoramic boat ride. This afternoon, relax during a bus transfer to Taormina, a charming resort town perched high above the Mediterranean Sea.

10. Taormina - Mount Etna - Taormina

    Accommodation: Excelsior Palace Hotel Taormina

    Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

    See Sicily’s wilder side on an off-road adventure to Mount Etna (UNESCO). Stare up at the iconic peak as your vehicle climbs along the sides of Europe’s largest active volcano. Spend the day exploring this legendary giant, passing by lava formations and basalt rocks before pausing for lunch at a local home. Back in Taormina, enjoy an evening at leisure.

11. Taormina

    Accommodation: Excelsior Palace Hotel Taormina

    Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

    Discover Taormina with a local guide, leading you to the city’s Duomo, public gardens, and the well-preserved Greek theatre. Walk in the footsteps of ancient attendees and take in an unparalleled viewpoint of the adjacent ocean. Enjoy a free afternoon in town. Perhaps you’ll grab a bite to eat at a sidewalk café or peruse the local boutiques for handcrafted souvenirs. In the evening, gather with your fellow travelers as you recount memories of the Mediterranean islands accompanied by Sicilian food at dinner, surrounded by local musicians.

12. Taormina - Tour Ends

    Meals: Breakfast

    Say goodbye to Sicily and the Mediterranean as your tour comes to a close today.