Sicilian Escape with Malta
Escape to Sicily for seven days of beauty, cuisine, and history—without the crowds you’d find in the high season. Begin in Palermo and meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. Spend the following day on a guided sightseeing tour of Palermo’s ornate Piazza Bellini and Capo Market. See the stunning baroque features of the Church of the Immacolata and visit the historic Palermo Cathedral. Enjoy the panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro in Monreale and visit the 12th-century Norman Cathedral with its treasured byzantine mosaics. Walk through the 24-centuries-old Valley of the Temples with your Local Guide in Agrigento, visit Piazza Armerina’s Villa Romana del Casale to admire the world’s largest collection of Roman mosaics. In Syracuse, the birthplace of mathematician Archimedes, you’ll take a guided visit to the archaeological site of the 5th-century-BC Greek Theater, Garden of Paradise, Ear of Dionysus, Altar of Hieron II, Roman Amphitheater, and the Cordmaker’s Cave. Visit Catania en route to the spectacular Taormina Riviera, your base for a fascinating excursion to Mount Etna—the largest active volcano in Europe. Explore Taormina and complete your Sicilian Escape with a fabulous dinner at a local restaurant. Discover the marvelous sights of Malta to explore the ancient archaeological sites and amazing seaside sights along the way. Join us to experience these two countries' exquisite beauty that will stay with you for years to come—a guided vacation in Sicily and Malta you’ll treasure forever.
Tour Itinerary
Welcome to Palermo! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
Sicilian Specialties Your introduction to Palermo starts this morning with a guided sightseeing tour of Palermo’s highlights, including a visit to the cathedral. Take a scenic drive to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro and a visit to the Norman Cathedral. This afternoon and evening, enjoy free time to see more of Palermo. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC FAITH The story of the splendid Monreale cathedral starts when the Arabs took control of Palermo. They transformed the cathedral into a mosque and banished the Bishop of Palermo from town. Not wishing to venture too far from his beloved cathedral, the bishop settled in a small village in the hills overlooking Palermo, the site of modern-day Monreale. There, he built a modest church to keep the flame of local Christian worship alive. Today the cathedral is known for its stunning mosaics that cover an area of over 64.500sq ft.
Timeless Temples This morning, depart Palermo and drive to Agrigento, location of a real cultural treasure, the UNESCO nominated Valley of the Temples. Join your Local Guide for a walk through this remarkable archaeological site to see the beautiful Greek temples. (B,D) 87 mi / 140 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGY The ruins of Akragas remain Sicily's most amazing archaeological site. The impressively well-preserved Tempio della Concordia sits in a spectacular setting upon a ridge where it served as a beacon for homecoming sailors and today draws enthralled visitors to revel in the remarkable Valley of the Temples.
Ancient Artistry In Sicily Travel through Central Sicily and stop in Piazza Armerina for a guided visit of the Villa Romana del Casale, housing one of the largest and richest collections of Roman mosaics, including the famous “Ancient Bikini Girls.” [LOCAL FAVORITE] Enjoy lunch with regional specialties at a local restaurant before continuing to Syracuse. Enjoy an evening at leisure. (B,L) 162 mi / 260 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT ART & ARCHITECTURE Explore the extraordinary example of Roman power in one of the most luxurious villas of its kind in the Italian countryside. Marvel at the magnificently preserved mosaics that embellish the Villa Romana del Casale, designed and installed by African mosaic workers and the strength of the Roman influence and power throughout the Mediterranean region.
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