Best of Sicily & Malta 2026
Tour Essentials
Included as per the program (daily breakfast, 2 dinners, 3 lunches, plus select tastings)
Tour Details
This itinerary blends two Mediterranean classics in one seamless trip: a fully escorted small-group tour across Sicily, followed by time in Malta with included shared excursions on selected days. In Sicily, you travel with an English-speaking tour escort and local guides where needed, exploring baroque towns, ancient ruins, coastal cities, and the dramatic landscapes of Mount Etna.
After flying from Catania to Valletta, you’ll continue with an independent-style stay in Malta, complemented by regular (not small-group) guided excursions with English guaranteed. The experience is enriched throughout by included tastings and regional meals—designed to give you both structure and breathing space in every destination.
Inclusions
- 11 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels (Sicily & Malta)
- Welcome drink (Day 1)
- Meals and tastings as specified in the program (11 breakfasts; select lunches/dinners; tastings/experiences)
- Two cellar visits + wine tastings (Marsala and Mount Etna)
- Almond pastries tasting in Erice (Day 5)
- Cheese & Sicilian products tasting/light lunch in Ragusa (Day 3)
- Mineral water at hotel meals in Sicily only (as specified)
- Deluxe motor coach transport in Sicily (with free Wi‑Fi); minivan with driver/guide may be used for groups of 8 or fewer (typically without Wi‑Fi)
- English-speaking tour escort (Sicily only)
- Local guides where necessary
- Whisper audio devices for groups over 10 (Sicily only)
- Porterage at hotels (Sicily only)
- Transfers: Taormina hotel to Catania airport (Day 8)
- Malta transfers: airport/harbour to hotel return (Days 8 and 12)
- Flight Catania → Valletta (economy), including 1 checked bag up to 20 kg + 1 hand luggage up to 10 kg (as specified)
- Malta excursions on Days 9–11 as regular shared sightseeing, multilingual local guides with English guaranteed
- Entrance fees (as included in the program)
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Saturday - CATANIA
Independent arrival at the hotel in Catania, accommodation, welcome cocktail, dinner at Hotel and overnight.
Day 2 Sunday - CATANIA – SIRACUSA (street food Light lunch) – CATANIA
After a buffet breakfast, departure to Syracuse: visit the World Heritage Site “Neapolis”. The visit of this archaeological area includes the famous Greek theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomie of Paradise and the “Dyionisios Ear”.
Continue to the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city centre of Siracusa; Visit of the beautiful Cathedral, which is built upon the site of the Doric Temple of Minerva, the legendary Arethusa’s Fountain, and the Temple of Apollo. We will enjoy a “street food” light lunch in the centre of Ortigia.
Afternoon at disposal to stroll through the streets of the centre and for shopping. Return to your hotel in Catania.
Free evening at your disposal to experience the city and its nightlife and to dine in one of the typical restaurant in the city centre.
Overnight
Day 3 Monday - CATANIA (fish market) – RAGUSA (tasting of sicilian specialties /light lunch)
After a buffet breakfast, departure for a nice walk in Catania, stroll through the city centre and visit the famous fish market “A PISCARIA”, one of the largest fish markets in Sicily. As old as the city itself, it’s a great way to experience the abundant fishing and seafood culture of Sicily, with a very special and authentic atmosphere.
Depart to Ragusa, renowned for its cheese production; stop for a tasting of artisan cheeses and Sicilian specialties (light lunch). We will enjoy an enchanting panoramic tour of the historical centre “Ibla” by the “Baroque train”. We’ll admire its stunning baroque palaces and churches; together with other seven cities in the Val di Noto, Ragusa is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will continue to the reserved hotel.
Free time at disposal to relax at the swimming pool or at the Spa.
Dinner in hotel and Overnight
Day 4 Tuesday - RAGUSA – AGRIGENTO – MARSALA (wine tasting & overnight in a wine resort)
After a buffet breakfast, departure to Agrigento, a hillside town famous for its magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; visit of the Valley, including the Temple of Concordia, which is in almost perfectly preserved condition, the temples of Juno and Heracles. Free time at disposal for lunch.
In the afternoon we’ll proceed to Marsala a city on the western coast famous for its production of sweet Sicilian wine. Arrival at Baglio Donnafranca, a perfectly restored nineteenth-century baglio, in the Marsala countryside, on the hills in front of the Egadi Islands. The baglio was a property of Florio family. Here we will have the opportunity to visit the cellar and learn all about winemaking.
At the end of the tour, we wil enjoy a wine tasting and light dinner at susnset.
Overnight.
Day 5 Wednesday - MARSALA – SALT ROUTE - ERICE (taste of traditional pastries) – MONREALE – PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast, departure to Erice, via the spectacular “Salt Route”, a road flanked by the salt pans, windmills, and the “salt houses” where they still extract the sea salt as the Phoenicians. Arrival in Erice, on the top of a hill overlooking the Trapani and the Egadi Islands: walk through its tiny and characteristic streets, the winding lanes and, inner courtyards and stop for biscuit tasting. Departure to Monreale, light lunch with local specialties on the way.
Arrival in Monreale, situated on a hill, few kms far from Palermo in panoramic position. Visit of the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful monuments in the world with its Moorish architecture, housing very fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments in Arab-Norman style. Proceed to Palermo.
Accomodation at hotel and free time at disposal for shopping and dinner.
Overnight.
Day 6 Thursday - PALERMO – CEFALU’ – MESSINA – TAORMINA
After a buffet breakfast walking tour of Palermo, the capital of Sicily. We will start our visit by walking along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to reach “I Quattro Canti di Città” Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini. We will visit the Cathedral, one of the most important architectural monuments. We will then reach one of the most famous and historical markets of Palermo to experience the authenticity of this wonderful and colourful city.
Continue to Cefalù, a former fishing village, now a charming coastal town. Enjoy a walk to the city centre and down main street to reach the Arab-Norman Cathedral and the medieval washhouse built in the rock.
Free time at disposal to explore the town and shopping.
Lunch on your own.
Proceed to Taormina through the coastal road passing through Messina from where we’ll have the chance to admire the suggestive scenery of the Strait of Messina.
Accomodation at your hotel and free time at disposal for dinner.
Overnight.
Day 7 Friday - TAORMINA – MT. ETNA (wine tasting) – TAORMINA
After a buffet breakfast, excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active Volcano in Europe. We will reach a height of 1800 metres to visit the Sylvester Craters where we’ll enjoy a spectacular panorama over the Ionian Sea. Stop at a local winery on the eastern slopes of Etna and visit a prestigious cellar. We will have the opportunity to taste different local wines accompanied by local cheese and cold cuts.
In the afternoon back to Taormina, charming city called “the pearl of the Ionian Sea”: enjoy time at leisure for shopping or walking through its tiny streets.
Possibility to visit the Greek Roman Theatre on your own.
Free time for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 Saturday - TAORMINA – CATANIA – MALTA
At the appointed time, transfer from Taormina to Catania airport.
Flight to Valletta, Capital of Malta, delightful Mediterranean island. T
ransfer to your 4 stars Hotel.
Arrival in Hotel, accommodation and overnight.
Day 9 Sunday - MALTA “MARSAXLOKK MARKET & THE BLUE GROTTO” Extended Half Day Excursion
After Breakfast, departure to the idyllic fishing village of Marsaxlokk with its colourful luzzus and unique character make the unrivalled setting for the local market.
Continue the tour with a visit to the Blue Grotto (weather permitting – boat ride price not included) and the nearby caves.
Explore one of Malta’s unspoilt village: the main square, the hub of the village with its parish church and band club.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Dinner at your own and overnight
Day 10 Monday - MALTA “VALLETTA + MALTA EXPERIENCE” Half Day Excursion
Breakfast. Enjoy a morning tour of Valletta – Malta’s heritage-rich capital. Highlights include the Upper Barracca Gardens and St John’s Cathedral, home to a splendid Caravaggio painting as well as an intriguing Museum. Going down Republic Street you will walk past the Grandmaster’s Palace before watching the Malta Experience, an audiovisual show where Malta history throughout the centuries is brought back to life.
Spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure.
Free time for dinner and overnight.
Please note from April to June and in October, the excursion “Valletta+Malta experience” could take place in the afternoon.
Day 11 Tuesday - MALTA “MDINA” Full Day Excursion – lunch included
After breakfast, today’s excursion takes us to the central part of Malta, dominated by the medieval fortified city of Mdina, Malta’s former capital city. The narrow streets, dating back to medieval times, lead to the imposing bastions. Leaving Mdina through Greeks’ Gate, we stop at the early Christian catacombs in Rabat before proceeding to the cliffs at Dingli.
After lunch we will visit the San Anton botanical gardens situated near the Presidential Palace, which you will be able to admire from outside. We shall also spend time at the crafts centre at Ta’ Qali.
At the end of the tour, allow us to astound you with Mosta’s majestic dome, one of Europe’s largest.
Free time for dinner and overnight.
Day 12 Wednesday - MALTA
The tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to the port or the airport of Valletta.
Tour Highlights
- Escorted touring in Sicily with an English-speaking tour escort (Sicily portion)
- A rare two-night stay in Taormina’s city centre area (a standout feature of this program)
- Sicily UNESCO highlights including the Val di Noto baroque towns, the Valley of Temples, Mount Etna, and the Arab-Norman Palermo route
- Food and wine experiences: Siracusa street-food lunch, Ragusa tasting/light lunch, Erice almond pastries, plus cellar visits in Marsala and on Etna
- Overnight at a wine resort in Marsala, immersed in vineyard landscapes
- Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù—iconic art, architecture and atmosphere
- Malta guided half-day and full-day excursions: Valletta, Marsaxlokk market, Blue Grotto area, and Mdina
- Flight included from Catania to Valletta, with key transfers included (as listed)
Accommodation
A curated mix of 4-star city hotels and higher-comfort resort stays, chosen for location and atmosphere—staying in the historic centres of key Sicilian towns where possible, plus a memorable overnight in a Marsala wine resort. Malta accommodation is 4-star and well positioned for excursions and free time.
- Catania: Katane Hotel
- Ragusa: Poggio Del Sole Resort
- Marsala: Baglio Donnafranca Wineresort
- Palermo: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa
- Taormina: Hotel Splendid / Hotel Caparena
- Malta: Verdi Gzira Promenade 4 / 113 The Strand (Gzira)
All hotels are subject to availability. If a change is required, alternative accommodation of a comparable standard will be provided.
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
Moderate. Expect regular walking on cobblestones/uneven historic streets, steps at churches/archaeological sites, and full touring days in Sicily. Mount Etna touring reaches higher elevations (around 1,800 m per itinerary), which can be cooler and windier—bring suitable layers and steady footwear. Malta sightseeing includes city walking and optional boat activity at the Blue Grotto area (weather dependent).
Exclusions list
- Arrival transfer into Catania (Transfer in)
- City tax (payable directly to hotels)
- Beverages, except where specifically included (water at certain Sicily meals per program)
- Extra luggage charges beyond included flight allowance (payable by passenger)
- Blue Grotto boat ride ticket in Malta (and subject to weather)
- Anything not clearly specified under “Rate Includes”
General Notes
- Touring style: escorted in Sicily; Malta is an independent stay with included shared excursions (regular sized, not small-group)
- Group size: small group tour, 20 passengers and under; English-only touring is specified
- Departures: from Catania on Saturdays; Low/High season dates listed in the tour outline
- Peak season note: 20 June departure has a $100.00 per person supplement (as stated)
- On certain dates, a separate French-only tour operates in addition to the English-only tour (as stated)
- Optional upgrades/supplements may be available on request (e.g., sea view in Taormina, deluxe room in Palermo, alternative 5* Malta hotel, early check-in in Malta, private Malta excursions)
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
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