Mediterranean Medley - Malta & Sicily

Day 1 - Friday 16 September 20202

Melbourne - Malta

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel.  Meet your Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Airport for our flight to Malta.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the inflight entertainment as we head towards our next adventure.

Day 2 - Saturday 17 September 2022

Welcome to Malta!

Welcome to Malta!   Malta is a blend of Morocco, Greece and Italy, yet totally unique in its own right, making sense given it's location in the Mediterranean Sea.  With its Mediterranean seas and endless sunshine not to mention old historic cities with loads of history, fascinating culture, old fishing villages, and ancient temples, Malta is an interesting blend of old and new with a laid back, relaxed atmosphere.

Upon arrival we'll be transferred to our accommodation to settle in.  Tonight we'll meet for dinner and a tour briefing.

Overnight -  Hotel Golden Tulip Vivaldi 

Day 3 - Sunday 18 September 2022

Visit to Gozo - Island of Calypso (B)

This morning we begin our sightseeing of Malta with a drive through the eastern coast of Malta until we reach the port of Cirkewwa.  After a 20 minute ferry crossing we'll arrive into the port of Gozo which immediately sets the pace to Gozo’s unique atmosphere. Our guide will lead us around the Megalithic Temples of Ggantija, the oldest free standing monuments in the world, pre-dating the Pyramids of Egypt. We then continue onto the medieval citadel in Victoria – capital city of the island of Gozo to visit the Cathedral, the fjord-like Xlendi Bay and Dwejra to see the inland sea.  Weather permitting we'll take a boat trip before stopping for lunch (own cost). Gozo is well known for its crafts, particularly hand-made lace and knitted garments. Visitors cannot fail to be impressed by the island’s lush countryside, its serene atmosphere and how different it is from the larger island of Malta. Returning back to our hotel for dinner at leisure.

Overnight -  Hotel Golden Tulip Vivaldi 

Day 4 - Monday 19 September 2022

Malta - Mdina & Valletta (B)

This morning after breakfast we'll check out to begin our full day tour visiting the former capital city of Mdina and the present capital city of Valletta. We'll drive through the central part of the island to reach Rabat, a town outside the city walls of the medieval town of Mdina, also known as “the silent city”.  We'll enjoy a walking tour of Mdina admiring the various types of architecture from the Norman-Siculo, Gothic and Baroque periods. On reaching the main square we'll find the main Cathedral of Malta dedicated to St. Paul, patron Saint of the Maltese islands and enjoy a visit .  We then visit the bastions surrounding the town to enjoy an almost 360 degree view of the whole of Malta.  With free time for lunch (own cost) before heading towards Valletta to start our walking tour including the Upper Barracca Gardens from where we'll enjoy a beautiful view of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities of Victoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea.  Continuing with a visit to St. John’s Cathedral passing by Auberge de Castille y Leon which today is the office of the Prime Minister of Malta.  St John’s Co-Cathedral is home to the splendid Caravaggio painting “The Beheading of St. John”. Should the cathedral museum open by then, we will include in a visit (closed at moment for restoration).

We then walk down the main street of the city “Republic Street” until we reach St. Geoge’s Square also known locally as the Palace Square where we can admire the Grand Master’s Palace.

Returning to our hotel this afternoon with dinner at leisure.

Overnight -  Hotel Golden Tulip Vivaldi 

Day 5 - Tuesday 20 September 2022

Blue Grotto & South Malta - Catania (B)

Today, after breakfast and check out, we'll begin our sightseeing tour of the south of Malta. We drive past the town of Zurrieq and down to Wied iz-Zurrieq to visit the Blue Grotto. Here you have the chance to enjoy an optional boat ride to take a closer look at the Blue Grotto (weather dependent).  We then continue onto visit the archaeological site of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ħaġar Qim, was discovered under rubble in 1839, dates from around 2400 - 2000 B.C. The largest megalith at Hagar Qim is some seven metres high and weights around 20 tons. Much of interest has been unearthed at Hagar Qim, notably a decorated pillar altar, two table-altars and some of the `fat lady' statues. The Mnajdra Temple stands isolated, about 600 metres further down from Hagar Qim. It is made up of two sizeable temples and is thought to date from around 3400B.C. The third temple at Mnajdra is perhaps the finest surviving temple in Malta. We then drive through local vineyards to reach the idyllic fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Some free time to walk on promenade and walk through the little local market to admire the typical colourful fishing boats called “luzzu”. We leave Marsaxlokk to visit the temples of Tarxien. They date to approximately 3150 BC. The site was accepted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 along with the other Megalithic temples on the Island of Malta. They consist of 3 separate temples, but attached structures. Of particular interest at the temple site is the rich and intricate stonework, which includes depictions of domestic animals carved in relief, altars, and screens decorated with spiral designs and other patterns.

After our day's sightseeing, with time for dinner before our trasfer to Malta  Airport for our flight to Catania where upon arrival we'll be greeted and transferred to our hotel.

Overnight - Hotel Romano House 

 

Day 6 - Wednesday 21 September 2022

Catania Sightseeing (B.D)

This morning we'll begin our half day tour of Catania.  Catania, second largest Sicilian city, lies on the Jonian coast at the feet of majestic Mount Etna. It is a lively city with plenty of bars, restaurants and shops. Strolling through the Centro Storico with its artful baroque buildings, we'll visit the grand Piazza Duomo with the huge Baroque cathedral devoted to St. Agata ant the Fontana dell’Elefante, symbol of Catania, the prestigious avenue Via Etnea with its elegant shops and neat café-bars and the Roman Odeon.

Just a few steps from the elegant Piazza Duomo, we can immerse ourselves in the noisy and colourful fish market, La Pescheria, where locals shop every day, not only for fish but also for vegetables, cheese and fruit etc.

We'll then continue onto our HALF DAY SHOPPING experience at the big city outlet of Dittaino.

At the end of the day we'll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight - Hotel Romano House 

Day 7 - Thursday 22 September 2022

Catania - Acireale - Syracusa (B,L)

Our day begins with a fascinating drive along the coast, the so-called Ciclopi Riviera, towards Acireale. The winding road follows the rugged coastline and plunges amongst the houses of picturesque fishing villages such as Acitrezza and Acicastello, where we'll see the huge lavic stacks emerging from the seabed.

Stop in Acireale, the biggest town in this area, on a rocky terrace overlooking the sea. We'll have time to admire the beautiful Baroque buildings embellishing the old town centre, such as the Cathedral and the Town Hall and to taste a delicious Sicilian ice cream!

Lunch today will be at a local winery with dinner at leisure upon arrival back into Syracusa.

Overnight - Hotel Dei Coloniali 

Day 8 - Friday 23 September 2022

Syracusa - Noto - Syracusa Sightseeing (B,D)

Today we'll visit Siracusa, one of the most ancient towns in the world. We'll walk in the island of Ortygia, the picturesque and densely built original centre of Syracuse. Here we'll admire the wonderful Piazza Duomo where stands the Cathedral. Inside, traces remain of a Doric temple dedicated to Athena which date from the early decades of the 5th century BC.  Directly north of the Cathedral is the Palazzo Vermexio, now Town Hall. Attached to the Cathedral's southern side is the elegant, 17th century Palazzo Arcivescovile. Nearby is the Chiesa Di Santa Lucia Alla Badia. The church's baroque façade is decorated with a wrought iron balustrade.  We cannot miss a visit to the magnificent Archaeological Park where we'll admire the 5th‐century BC Greek Theatre, the ear of Dionisus, the stone quarries, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Paradise Quarry.  Free time for lunch before continuing on to Noto the capital city of baroque art in Europe.

Old Noto was completely destroyed in the extremely violent earthquake that struck Eastern Sicily in 1693, a quake that heavily damaged Catania and Syracuse also. The present site of Noto was rebuilt from scratch, and almost entirely in the Baroque style, the prevailing style of building in Sicily at the time. UNESCO World Heritage, it represents a considerable undertaking, successfully carried out at a high level of architectural and artistic achievement.  We return to Syracusa with dinner tonight a local restaurant.

Overnight - Hotel Dei Coloniali 

Day 9 - Saturday 24 September 2022

Free day in Syracusa (B.D)

A free day today to explore Syracusa at leisure.  

This evening, we'll regroup for dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight - Hotel Dei Coloniali 

Day 10 - Sunday 25 September 2022

Syracusa - Modica - Ragusa (B,D)

This morning after breakfast we'll check out and depart for Modica and Ragusa. We visit the baroque village of Modica with our most comfortable walking shoes. With its steeply stacked medieval centre and spectacular baroque cathedral, Modica is one of southern Sicily's most atmospheric towns. Visit to Chiesa di San Giorgio, one of Sicily's most extraordinary baroque churches. Modica is known for its chocolate and its main street has several good chocolate shops. We'll stop to enjoy a chocolate tasting on our walking tour.  Afterwards, we'll continue on to Ragusa Ibla to visit the historical centre with their impressive baroque monuments.  This sloping area of tangled alleyways, grey stone houses and baroque palazzi is effectively Ragusa's historic centre and it's quite magnificent. Continuing onto our hotel in Ragusa with dinner at our hotel.

Overnight - Hotel Mediterraneo Palace 

Day 11 - Monday 26 September 2022

Visit to Caltagirone (B,D)

Today we'll visit the UNESCO Heritage Site of Caltagirone with its monumental heritage, centuries-old ceramics tradition and picturesque folklore events.

The name Caltagirone derives from the Arab term Qalat-Jerun, that means “Castle of the burial grounds” because of the presence of vast necropolises in its territory.  We'll enjoy a walking tour of this stunning city before continuing onto Piazza Armerina for a guided tour of the magnificent Villa Romana del Casale. The remnants of this 3rd – 4th century Roman villa contain some of the most well preserved and fantastic mosaics in the world. 

Return to Ragusa for dinner at our hotel

Overnight - Hotel Mediterraneo Palace 

Day 12 - Tuesday 27 September 2022

Ragusa - Favara - Agrigento (B,L,D)

Today after breakfast we'll check out and depart for Favara to enjoy a traditional sicilian cooking class before continuing onto Agrigento.  We'll visit the Valley of Temples and the Archaeological Museum.  The museum illustrates the history of the ancient city of Agrigento and its territory from prehistory to the period of Hellenization.  We'll visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Temple of Heracles and the Temples of Concord and Hera.

Dinner at our hotel tonight.

Overnight - Hotel Dioscuri Bay Palace 

Day 13 - Wednesday 28 September 2022

Agrigento - Selinunte - Marsala (B,D)

Today we'll check out and travel to Selinunte to visit an archaelogical area considered to be one of the most striking archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.

We continue onto Marsala to visit the historical centre before checking in to our hotel.

Dinner tonight at our hotel.

Overnight - Baglio Donnafranca 

Day 14 - Thursday 29 September 2022

Marsala - Palermo (B,D)

This morning after breakfast and check out we head off for a full day visit to the Salt Pans, Erice and Segesta.  Our tour starts with the salt pans bordering to the coast. The whole area is a wildlife oasis as it hosts thousands of migrating birds in spring and autumn. In the summer, salt is still produced according to age old traditions.  We then continue to Erice to wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous pastry homemade shops, world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastry.

Next we head to Segesta for a tour of the magestic Greek ruins including the great Doric Temple with its well preserved 36 colossal columns built in the 5th century BC and the renowned Greek theatre.

Arriving into Palermo late afternoon with dinner at a local restaurant tonight..

Overnight - Hotel Principe di Villafranca

Day 15 - Friday 30 September 2022

Palermo (B,D)

Today, a fabulous full day tour of Palermo known as a capital of the "Kingdom of Sicily" for centuries. Founded by the Phoenicians, who named it Ziz. Greeks called it Panormos, meaning "all port" Invaded by Saracen Arabs ("Moors"), who turned many churches into mosques and then became one of the Muslim world's most splendid cities, surpassed only by Baghdad. A mixture of Moorish, Norman and Spanish Baroque styles. Rich in monuments, royal palaces and churches: Cathedral, the Norman Palace with the Palatine Chapel in Norman-Arab style, the "Quattro Canti" and Piazza Pretoria.  Our tour includes a visit to the Marionette Musuem and Cappuccini catacombs.

Dinner tonight at a local restaurant.

Overnight - Hotel Federico II (or similar)

Day 16 - Saturday 1 October 2022

Palermo - Monreale - Cefalu (B,D)

Today, we visit Monreale which overlooks the "Conca d'Oro," (beautiful valley) beyond Palermo. Mosaics in Monreale Cathedral are said to be one of the world's largest displays of this art. The Cloister of the Benedictine abbey alone would make Monreale famous. Located next to the cathedral, these 228 columns, some with mosaic inlay, each with a meticulously stone carved capital, enclose the gardens of the cloister.  We then return to Palermo for a walking tour visiting Piazza San Francesco with the beautiful church, Corso Vittorio, Piazza Marina and Porta Felice.

We continue onto Cefalu with dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight - Hotel Artemis 

Day 17 - Sunday 2 October 2022

Cefalu (B)

This morning we explore Cefalu a medieval town on the northern coast of Sicily, about 60 km east of Palermo. It was built on the site of an ancient Greek settlement. Old megalithic boundaries one of the most ancient parts of the inhabited area can be seen on the picturesque mountain rising at the back of the town.   Cefalù has a long, sandy beach, which you can freely attend if you want to go swimming.

Walking along its pedestrian main road and down the nice side streets, you’ll find plenty of delightful restaurants, cafés and shops.

The most important monument of Cefalù is the Cathedral, an amazing building in southern Romanesque style built by King Roger II, featuring beautiful golden mosaics. Also worth seeing are the medieval washing place and the ancient Osterio Magno palace.

With an afternoon at leisure then dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight - Hotel Artemis (or similar)

Day 18 - Monday 3 October 2022

Cefalu - Messina - Taormina (B,D)

Today after breakfast we'll check out and depart for Messina.  We'll visit the Fontana D’Orione and Nettuno and the Cathedral with the famous tower. Then a visit to the beautiful Regional Museum. Located in a former spinning mill of the late nineteenth century, suitable for exhibition purposes, the Museum illustrates the figurative art of Messina from the twelfth to the eighteenth century. The collections of paintings and sculptures, works of art and decorative artifacts include works by prestigious authors such as Antonello, Caravaggio, Laurana.

With free time for lunch before continuing onto Taormina.

Dinner tonight at a local restaurant.

Overnight - Hotel Isabella 

Day 19 - Tuesday 4 October 2022

Taormina (B,D)

Today we'll enjoy a tour of Taormina.  Its narrow stone paved streets are lined by elegant shops and cafés.  Spending time in Taormina is an unforgettable experience between natural beauties, shores wet by crystal blue seas and the deep culture of the island, it's a visual splendour.  We'll visit the San Nicola Church and the beautiful Greek theatre before an afternoon at leisure.

Tonight we'll regroup for dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight - Hotel Isabella 

Day 20 - Wednesday 5 October 2022

Free Day in Taormina (B)

Today we have a free day in Taormina to explore this magical town.  A perfect day to try Sicily's world famous cannoli!  Try the orange one - it's delicious!
 

Overnight - Hotel Isabella

Day 21 - Thursday 6 October 2022

Free Day in Taormina (B,D)

Today we have a free day in Taormina to explore this magical town or some last minute souvenir shopping.

We'll regroup tonight for our Farewell Dinner to celebrate great times shared with new friends.

A great way to end an amazing adventure.

Overnight - Hotel Isabella 

Day 22 - Thursday 7 October 2022

Taormina - Catania - Home

Time to Arrivederci Sicily and begin our journey back to Australia. Sit back, relax and enjoy the inflight entertainment of our airline as we head home.

Day 23 - Friday 8 October 2022

Home

Welcome Home!  Thank you for joining us and we look forward to welcoming you back to your next adventure!