2012 | Mediterranean Gate Tour | 10 days
Saturday from Palermo (Sicily)

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Mediterranean Gate ~ Sicily & Malta Experience
9 nights/10 days
Palermo (3 nights) Taormina (3 nights) Malta (3 nights)
Language: English Only



Day 1 (Saturday) Palermo
Welcome to the warm, beautiful and pleasant island of Sicily! Upon arrival at Palermo airport (PMO) please proceed through the Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area. Then transfer to your hotel. Tonight we meet our staff at hotel for a short briefing. Then together we gather for dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Day 2 (Sunday) Monreale, Palermo & Cefalů
Breakfast at hotel. Our first stop is Monreale to see where the Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle of its glory with the Duomo, launched in 1174 by William II. It represents scenes from the Old and New Testaments all in golden mosaics. Then onto Palermo to explore the lively Capo Market, a large open air street market that captures the flavor of Palermo's Saracen Arab past. Capo is a blend of general confusion and a jumble of vendors' stalls, winding toward the old gate --Porta Carini-- of what used to be the city wall. Later we continue by seeing Piazza Pretoria and Via Maqueda, whose “four corners” converge Palermo at a quartet of baroque palaces left over from the heyday of Spanish rule dating from 1560. This afternoon depart for Cefalů, a charming coastal town home to a massive Norman Cathedral with outstanding mosaics. Here we visit the city center and stroll down main street to reach the Cathedral. Later we return to Palermo (BB)

Day 3 (Monday) Palermo/Erice, Salt Flats, Olive Oil, Segesta & Winery/Palermo
Early departure to tour western Sicily where we reach Erice uptown. The Elymians settled the medieval town of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry shops—world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. Later we travel to Trapani on the Salt Way Road.  We tour the historic salt flats works, where the ancient tradition of harvesting salt from the sea is still practiced. Then, to an olive oil factory-farmhouse to enjoy a light lunch. This afternoon we continue onto Segesta, one of the major cities of the ancient indigenous Elymian people, to visit the unfinished Doric temple (Admission Fee: not included), late 5th century BC, built on a hilltop just outside of the ancient city and has a commanding view of the surrounding area.  Then to a local winery to taste Sicilian wine. We then return to Palermo. (BB L)

Day 4 (Tuesday) Palermo/Agrigento & Piazza Armerina/Taormina
Following breakfast, we drive through the interior of Sicily to reach Agrigento where we visit the finest of all ancient Greek sites—the complete Doric Temples (Admission Fee: not included). Later we continue to Piazza Armerina. This afternoon we view the ruins of the Roman Villa of Casale (Admission Fee: not included). The mosaics discovered here are celebrated among scholars of antiquity. Then we continue to Taormina, the world famous resort town of Sicily. Tonight dinner in a local trattoria. (BB D)

Day 5 (Wednesday) Taormina/Syracuse/Taormina
Today we depart for Syracuse, founded by colonists from Cornith in 735 B.C. and once the most important competitor to Athens.  On arrival stroll through the streets of Ortygia Island, the heart of the city center. Light lunch at local restaurant. This afternoon visit through the Archaeological Park (Admission Fee: not included) highlights the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Paradise Quarry.  Later we return to Taormina. (BB L)

Day 6 (Thursday) Taormina
Today at leisure or Optional Excursion. (BB)

Day 7 (Friday) Taormina/Catania flight to Malta/Malta
Time to say goodbye to Sicily.  Today transfer to Catania airport (CTA). Upon arrival check-in and departure to Malta (airline ticket from Catania to Malta: included). Upon arrival at Malta airport (MLA) please proceed through the Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area. Then transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. (BB)

Day 8 (Saturday) Malta: Valletta, Mdina, Marsaxlokk & Hagar Qim Temple
Today, our first stop is the capital Valletta, which was built by the Knights of St. John in 1565. Here we include the Barraka Gardens, which offer stunning views of the Grand Harbour and magnificent fortifications, a walk down Triq Republikka where you can admire numerous historical buildings built by the Knights of St. John (Admission Fee: not included) including the Aubereges, the Grand Masters Palace and the St. John's Co. Cathedral, the church of the order and also home to Caravaggio's masterpiece "Beheading of St. John" amongst other treasures. After our tour of the capital we will then visit the south west of the island where the ancient Hagar Qim Temple (Admission Fee: not included) site stands. Set in a rural area this ancient temple is particularly interesting as it has the largest and heaviest megaliths out of all the temple sites around the Maltese Islands, some slabs weighing a staggering 20 tons. This temple which dates back 3300BC, an era dominated by Neolithic man. We then continue to our next stop and an opportunity to experience a little local culture when visit the pretty traditional fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Marsaxlokk, is a quaint fishing village and is characterized by low lying buildings and the colourful traditional fishing boats known as the 'luzzu'. Our final stop during this tour will be to Mdina. Mdina is built on a plateau in the centre of the island, the cities old Baroque buildings, cathedral and magnificent bastion walls dominate the rural skyline. Mdina, once the capital of Malta until the modern city of Valletta was built had many names including Melita (Roman occupation), Medina (Arabic occupation), Citta Notabile (Knights of St. John) and Citta Vecchia (after Valletta was built). Today it is also referred as the Silent City since it inspires tranquility at any time of the day or night. The only way to really experience and enjoy this city is on foot, explore the quaint alleys, narrow streets, ancient buildings and magnificent far reaching views form the high bastion walls. Our tour at this point comes to an end and we head back. (BB)

Day 9 (Sunday) Malta
Today is at leisure or Optional Excursion to Gozo Island. (BB)

Optional Excursion: Gozo Island Tour 
Highlights: Panoramic Coast Route, Malta/Gozo Ferry, Ggantija Temple,
Calypso Cave or Ta Pinu Shrine, Inland Sea, Azure Window,
The Citadel & Victoria
We start our tour with a scenic panaromaic route via the northern coast road, passing enroute Mellieha village and the beautiful Ghadria Bay ending at the Cirkewwa, the ferry terminal for our short ferry crossing to the sister island of Gozo. This pleasant 25 minute ferry crossing passes the smaller island of Comino before entering the pretty harbour of Mgarr, Gozo. The charm of Gozo is apparent the moment you arrive there. Greener, more rural and smaller than Malta. Our tour is a combination of scenic spots, historical sites and local culture. We feature most of the main highlights during our tour including the oldest free standing temples in the world, known as Ggantija Temples, we will pass through quaint sleepy villages that characterise Gozo's unique charm, visit stunning sites such as the Calypso Cave vista which offers magnificent views over the red sands of Ramla Bay. Just before lunch we will also stop at the Fontana Cottage where you can sample local delicacies such as sun dried tomatoes, olive pate, local cheeslets, wines liquors and anything made locally, you will also have some time for a spot of shopping for popular buys such as lace. Free time for lunch will be at the pretty bay of Xlendi. After lunch we continue our tour with visits to one of the most photographed sites in Gozo, the Azzur Window and Inland Sea. Here you can take an optional boat trip (Boat trip: not included. Average rate per person Eur 7,00 payable on the spot. This excursion is subject to the good weather forecast) around the sea locked lake. Our final stop before we head back to the ferry for Malta includes a visit to the main town on Gozo, Victoria and The Citadel. The Citadel is a small fortified city that dominates the heights above Victoria. The history of The Citadel dates back to an early period when Gozo was under Roman and Arab occupation. The views from its fortified walls offer panoramas of the whole island. Our tour comes to an end and we make our way back to the ferry terminal for our return to the main island.
Rate per person: eur 105,00 (based on a minimum 2 people)
Inclusions: vehicle with English speaking driver; round trip ferry-boat tickets to Gozo island; VAT.

Day 10 (Monday) Malta
Today transfer to Malta airport. (BB)

Meal Legend: BB Buffet Breakfast L Lunch or Light Lunch  D Dinner
 

FEATURED PROPERTIES USED:
Palermo: Hotel Hilton Excelsior, first class

Taormina: Hotel Villa Diodoro, first class, sea view

Malta: Hotel Le Meridien St. Julian, first class, sea view

Hotel may be substituted with similar categories
 

Sicily:
This tour is operated only with a Driver-Escort up to 7 people. 
The Driver Escort is not a Licensed Tourist Guide --Licensed Tourist Guide: are the only professionals, with a Regional license, permitted to conduct visits and tours in all sites and museums within a city -- and he cannot escort you inside the monuments because this is not allowed by Italian Rules.
 

From 8 people, the tour is operated with a Tour Director.
Licensed Tourist Guide are provided on the spot as below specified:
-Monreale & Palermo: maximum 4 hours;
-Agrigento: maximum 2 hours;
-Piazza Armerina: maximum 2 hours;
-Syracuse: maximum 4 hours.

Malta:
The tour to Valletta, Mdina, Marsaxlokk & Hagar Qim Temple is provided with vehicle and a licensed local guide, full day.
 

DEPARTURE from Palermo (PMO)
9 nights / 10 days
Departure from Palermo | Saturday  Guaranteed (with a minimum of 2 clients)
Small size group: Limited to 25 people
Style of Accommodation: 4 star superior

Meals:
-9 breakfasts;
-one dinner at local restaurant;
-one dinner in a local trattoria;
-one light lunch at olive oil factory-farmhouse;
-one wine tasting at winery;

-one light lunch at local restaurant.

Travel for less with Friends&Family
Inquiry Us
 

24 Guaranteed Departure Dates:

April:  14, 21, 28
May: 5, 12, 19, 26 | June: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 14 | September: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
October: 6, 13, 20, 27 | November: 3, 10

LOW SEASON: November departures
PEAK SEASON: April to October departures
 

Prices below are land-only and includes airfare from Catania to Malta:

Low Season
Eur 1.725,00 in double/twin occupancy

Eur 2.215,00 in single occupancy
Peak Season
Eur 1.925,00 in double/twin occupancy

Eur 2.415,00 in single occupancy

Surcharge, per person:
Gozo Excursion: Eur 105,00

HOW TO BOOK:
A deposit eur 500,00 per person is required to save the space (included the not-refundable ticket from Catania to Malta).
You can pay this amount using the credit card through our secure payment system.

As soon as we receive the deposit we send you the confirmation by H24.

ADMISSION FEE for Sicily:
The price of this tour does not include the Admission Fees, which are usually around Euros 8,00/10,00 per person (per each site as per itinerary) payable directly on the spot. If you are over 65 or under 18 years old and you have EU or Commonwealth Passport,  the admission fees are free of charge for you showing your document (or copy of your document) on the spot.

ADMISSION FEE for Malta:
The price of this tour does not include the Admission Fees, which are usually around
-Euros 9,00 for Hagar Qim Temple
-Euros 6,00 for St. Johns