Old World Sicily & Malta
Explore Sicily and Malta - two island paradises nestled amongst the deep blue waves of the Mediterranean. Sample specialties in Palermo's colorful food market. Taste award-winning olive oil and learn about the Slow Food movement at a local farm. Explore Agrigento's Valley of the Temples (UNESCO) with a guide. Spend three nights in Taormina, perched above the Ionian Sea. See Mount Etna from a different perspective on an off-road excursion. Engage with Malta's dynamic past on a leisurely 3-night stay. Discover how ancient traditions blend into modern society as you travel along timeless Italian and Maltese towns.
Call (716) 675-1190 for more information or to book today! Mention code 17513775
- Tour Operator
- Collette
- Offer
- Offer valid through 12/31/2023
- Duration
- 15 Days
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Palermo | You're on your way to Sicily - an island paradise nestled amongst the deep blue waves of the Mediterranean. Look past the Italy you think you know and see how this coastal farmland balances ancient traditions and modern comforts. |
| Day 2 | Palermo | Start your journey in Palermo (UNESCO), Sicily's welcoming capital city. Uncover the island's deeply rooted heritage, teeming with Arab-Norman architectural masterpieces and delicate Classical designs. Come to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner. |
| Day 3 | Palermo | Begin your adventure tasting your way through Palermo's lively markets on a walking tour unveiling the city's historical center and introducing you to traditional Sicilian street food, which layers Oriental and Norman influences with local produce such as wild fennel, olives and spices. This afternoon, head to Monreale Cathedral, ascending on foot to see its majestic Byzantine mosaics. Then, it's your choice! Explore the cathedral's cloisters, taking in their serene atmosphere of the monastic complex -OR- ascend the southern tower to the panoramic terraces for a bird's-eye view over Palermo. |
| Day 4 | Palermo | Experience an impact moment with Addiopizzo, an anti-Mafia nonprofit that supports locals who refuse to pay the Mafia's protection fees. Visit Capaci and Cinisi, the site of two terrorist acts led by the Mafia, and pay tribute to fallen activists. Chat with locals for a personal perspective and learn how they overcame the Mafia's reign. As the day draws to a close, settle into Trapani for two nights and watch the sunset fade against the crashing waves and whirling windmills. |
| Day 5 | Trapani | Venture to the isle of Mozia, once a great trading port for the Phoenician, Greek and Roman civilizations. On the way, sail next to a submerged Roman road, once traversed on foot. Explore Mozia with a guide, visiting the ruins of its ancient port, and a museum featuring impressive Greek statuary. Then continue to Marsala, heading down into a cellar for a sampling of its renowned wines paired with a tasting of locally produced foods. The remainder of the day is yours. Perhaps you will join an optional tour to Erice to visit Maria Grammatico's famous bakery for a pastry-making class. |
| Day 6 | Trapani | Take in the rugged landscape of the Belice Valley scarred by the 1968 earthquake, which transformed the humble village of Gibellina into a sprawling piece of contemporary land-art. Head to an award-winning olive grove and learn about the Slow Food movement, which supports local cultures and preserves traditions. Try their unique olive oil at lunch before departing for Agrigento, where ancient roots and medieval buildings blend into modernity. Wander through the Valley of the Temples (UNESCO) with a guide. |
| Day 7 | Agrigento | Venture deep into Sicily's countryside to Piazza Armerina, home of the ancient Villa Romana del Casale (UNESCO), and explore the site with an expert insider for a locally guided tour of its impressive mosaics. In the afternoon, journey along the Ionian Coast to Taormina, a seaside hub of ancient Greek theaters and hilly walkways. Settle into your new home for the next three nights before enjoying Sicilian food at dinner, surrounded by local musicians. |
| Day 8 | Taormina | Discover Taormina with a local guide, leading you to the city's Duomo, public gardens, and the well-preserved Greek theater. Walk in the footsteps of ancient attendees and take in an unparalleled viewpoint of the adjacent ocean. Spend the afternoon on your own. Perhaps you'll grab a bite to eat at a sidewalk cafE, or peruse the local boutiques for handcrafted souvenirs. |
| Day 9 | Taormina | See Sicily's wilder side on an off-road adventure to Mount Etna. 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. |
| Day 10 | Taormina | Make your way to Ragusa (UNESCO), an ancient city perched upon a hill. Meander through its 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, retreat to your countryside resort just outside the city. |
| Day 11 | Ragusa | The entire day is yours. With free time, you might choose to relax in the countryside and enjoy the resort's amenities. Or, perhaps you will join an optional tour to the picture-perfect towns of Scicli and Modica, where you'll enjoy a savory brunch at a ricotta farm before continuing to an Aztec chocolate shop for some sweet samples. |
| Day 12 | Ragusa | Grab your bags* and hop on a ferry** in Pozzallo. Say goodbye to Italy and venture to the island paradise of Malta, one of the smallest countries in the world. Start your exploration in Three Cities, a conglomeration of three fortified cities of medieval heritage. Once the setting of battles by the Knights of Malta, this area preserves endless layers of the past. Connect with the heart of the neighborhood at a Band Club, where locals gather to learn music and marching for the local festivals. Your day ends in St. Julian's, your home for the next three nights. |
| Day 13 | St. Julian's | The day is yours to experience the island of Malta however you please. Soak up the sunshine, relax on the beach, or even explore the colorful harbor on foot. Perhaps you'll join an optional excursion to a temple complex older than Stonehenge, followed by an intimate look at Mdina - the 'Silent City.' |
| Day 14 | St. Julian's | Your adventure continues in Valletta, the capital of Malta. Discover this fortified city on a guided walking tour. You'll take in the picturesque Barrakka Gardens overlooking the harbor, featuring a charming blend of natural beauty and terraced arches. Then it's your choice! Visit the private home of a modern-day Knight of Malta -OR- tour the masterpieces of Valletta's Cathedral featuring Mattia Preti and Caravaggio. As the day draws to a close, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers as you recount memories of the Mediterranean islands. |
| Day 15 | St. Julian's | Say goodbye to Malta and the Mediterranean as your tour comes to a close today. |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging
- Hotel Porta Felice - Palermo, Italy
- I Mulini Resort - Trapani, Italy
- Baia di Ulisse Hotel - Agrigento, Italy
- NH Collection Hotel - Taormina, Italy
- Poggio del Sole Hotel - Ragusa, Italy
- The George Urban Boutique Hotel - St. Julian's, Malta
- Disclaimer
- * NOTE: Tour prices are land only rates based on per person, double occupancy. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. Government taxes and fees are additional. Land rates are guaranteed at time of deposit. Certain taxes and fees are to be paid upon exiting the country in local currencies.
Airfare is additional and is available through Collette Vacations.
