Okay European travelers, here's
a a destination we did several years ago that was one of my all
time favorites! If you like Italy, and who doesn't, you
are sure to love Sicily and the Maltese Islands! This is another 10-night trip that offers a well-rounded tour of
these incredible islands.
We will have three
stops total with 1-night in Palermo, 4-nights in Taormina on the
opposite coast and finally 5-nights in Malta.
Our hotels are all excellent, 4 and even 5-star category chosen
also for their prime location. This will certainly be an incredible
trip. Here is all the information you need to know about
this trip.
Sicily, the Mediterranean's biggest island, is separated from the mainland by the
strait of Messina.
A mountainous spot, Sicily's coast and its small islands sit at
the foot of volcanoes, including Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano.
The Greeks, Romans, Normans and Catalans all left their mark on
the island in the form of Byzantine palaces, Gothic castles and
Baroque flourishes in capital Palermo.
Sicilians
are heir to an impressive cultural legacy, from the refined architecture
to a beguiling, if contradictory, artistic fusion of Arab craftsmanship
and Norman austerity. This complexity of culture is matched by
a startling diversity of landscape that includes the smoldering
Mt Etna, and a coastline with a tiara of
Aeolian Islands and National Parks. Sicily also has a refreshing
lack of neon-blazing entertainment and theme parks, which further
helps preserve its individuality and appeal.
We will start off with
1-night in the capital of Palermo. Palermo is full of worthy destinations,
and in the historic district in can seem as though they are all
competing for your attention. Among all of the attractions in
Palermo, the palaces and museum stand shoulder to shoulder with
the cathedrals and markets as must-see destinations. A large part
of the thrill has to do with the layers of Sicilian culture that
have their roots in Palermo. The port city has seen empires rise
and fall, kings come and go, and artists emerge and retreat. We
will set up day tours to visit some of the most compelling sites
including the palaces, museums, churches and beaches. There are
also the two main squares - The Piazza Verdi and the Piazza Castelnuovo
which are packed from early morning into the wee hours of the
night. Both are ringed with cafes, street vendors, and boutiques
to entertain those whiling away the hours in the main
squares. For me, this is one of the most enjoyable qualities of
a European vacation - time to relax and take it all in.
Our hotel, located in the very
heart of the sixteenth-century district and most evocative part
of the city, is one of the four historic markets in Palermo. The
best-known monuments and attractions, from the Medieval Age to
the Contemporary one, are
easily reachable by foot. Ten minutes walk to the third biggest
theatre in Europe, i.e. Massimo Theatre, and five minutes walk
to the Politeama Theatre, jewel of the 19th century architecture.
The gourmets will enjoy the best Sicilian and international dishes
in the restaurants and cafe's located in the area.
From there we will bus across
the island, making a stop at the beautiful seaside town of Cefalu
for lunch. Our last trip to Sicily we spent 3 nights in Taormina,
this year we've cut off one night in Palermo and added a night
in Taormina and when you see this town you will understand why.
It really is a magical
town and our hotel there is beautiful.
Taormina
is a mountaintop town overlooking the Ionian coast and is Sicily's
most famous resort town, full of restaurants and shops, with beautiful
beaches nearby. The Greek
amphitheatre, with its famous panoramic view of
Mount Etna and the coast, is used for concerts and plays,
and medieval walls enclose the town's stone streets. There are
several castles, including those in the Castelmola overlooking
Taormina. There is a great jeep
or ATV tour that will make a great optional tour taking us up
to visit Mt. Edna. Another optional tour
will take us to the
Aeolian Islands known for their exceptional
beaches. Perhaps take a motor-scooter ride there! 
Our
hotel there is another 4-star gem. Build in 1904 and
situated on the promontory it is in a spectacular location
on the sea. The
brilliant location of this historic four star hotel in
Taormina is one of the most spectacular outposts from where to
admire an incomparable view of nature, whereby the sea, Mount
Etna and Taormina stand out. A short distance away from
the hotel is the historic center of Taormina with its poetic atmosphere,
steeped with history, traditions and literature, with Corso Umberto,
very seducing for its boutiques, handicraft shops and the "sweet
life" in its famous pubs and restaurants; with its romantic
promenades, between delightful street corners and with views that
fill your heart.
Now we will ferry over to another
island and country - Malta, part of the Maltese Islands. The Maltese Islands are an archipelago o
f
six islands of which, Malta,
Gozo and Comino are inhabited. They are situated in the
centre of the Mediterranean,
58 miles from Sicily. Malta
is the more urban and cosmopolitan 
of
the islands. It has
every amenity from modern residential and commercial areas to
a vibrant nightlife and numerous leisure options. The
Maltese Islands are soaked in history covering nearly 7000 years, for example there are
temples on Malta that date
from 5000 BC, the Phoenicians colonized the islands around 800
BC. The Romans made Malta part of their empire in 218 BC.
St Paul was shipwrecked on Malta in AD 60 and converted the Maltese
people to Christianity.
The sheer
number of archaeological sites sets Malta's history apart from
that of other Mediterranean destinations. There are megalithic
monuments, Bronze Age dolmens, Punic tombs, remains of Roman Villas
and traces of prehistoric man which defy explanation, such as
the mysterious cart tracks. For three millennia, from around
5200 BC, the archipelago was home to a unique, temple-building
civilization. Malta and Gozo's temples are thought to be
the oldest free-standing buildings known to man, predating the
Pyramids in Egypt and Stonehenge! One site above all others
is special to Malta- the Hypogeum, a labyrinth of underground
chambers probably used as both a burial site and a temple.
The Island's temples are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 
There are
plenty of interesting places to see and things to do in Malta
and the surrounding Maltese Islands. There are jeep tours that
we will likely set up as an optional tour; you can rent a
car or motor scooter and drive yourself around Malta where you
can stop by a rural village for a meal or snack at a rustic bar;
there's a
Hop on/ Hop off bus that will take you around to all of the
sites; and a
cruise that will take us to the 2 other Maltese islands of
Gozo and Comino! Gozo
Island is smaller, more rural and quieter than Malta with green
countryside, spectacular cliffs, picturesque bays, coves, rugged
c
liffs
penetrated by steep gorges. We might even arrange for a
horse or a bike along the coast for amazing panoramas. Comino
Island is known for its crystal clear waters and their own Blue Lagoon, an amazing
sheltered inlet. If you are a diver you will enjoy a great variety
of
dive opportunities. The islands of Comino, Cominetto and Gozo
are just a 10 minute ride away offering a large variety of wrecks
and caverns and crystal clear water - some of the best diving
in the Mediterranean.
Our hotel
is once again, ideally located, and we have saved the best for
last - the 5-star Grand
Hotel Excelsior. As
the premier destination among 5-star Valletta hotels, this hotel is
ideally located on the doorstep of a UNESCO World Heritage
Site - the Capital City of Valletta, with all its major attractions,
culture, art treasures, and historical architectural gems. This
acclaimed hotel prides itself in providing the discerning traveler
with magnificent
accommodation, breathtaking views of Marsamxett harbour and
Manoel Island, and an unforgettable
dining experience. You might even enjoy a full day lounging
around the pool and enjoying spa treatments!
INCLUDES:
- 10-nights
accommodation
- All ground
transportation and ferry from Sicily to Malta
- City tour
in Palermo
- Daily breakfast
DOES NOT
INCLUDE:
- Departure tax of $403 (subject to change. Only if you are
using our air)
- Tips for
guides and drivers
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
$950 - We
will match you up with a roommate, however this is if you prefer
your own room
$200
DEPOSIT TO SIGN UP
CLICK
TO SEE PHOTOS FROM OUR LAST SICILY & MALTA TRIP
OUR GROUP AIR:
Price without air is $2,089
LA AIR:
Flight: United Airlines 1640 Departure:Los Angeles
01MAY/800A Arrival:Newark Liberty 01MAY/417P
Flight:United Airlines 30 Departure: Newark Liberty 01MAY/530P
Arrival:Munich 02MAY/740A
Flight: Lufthansa 1970 Departure:Munich 02MAY/900A Arrival:Palermo
02MAY/1055A
Flight: Lufthansa 1313 Departure:Malta 12MAY/630A Arrival:Frankfurt
12MAY/910A
Flight: Lufthansa 456 Departure:Frankfurt 12MAY/1015A Arrival:Los
Angeles 12MAY/115P
JFK AIR:
Flight:Lufthansa 411 Departure: New York Kennedy 01MAY /550P Arrival:Munich
02MAY/755A
Flight:Lufthansa 1970( OPERATED BY AIR DOLOMITI ) Departure: Munich
02MAY /900A Arrival:Palermo 02MAY/1055A **Will
meet with UA group from LAX**
Flight:Lufthansa 1313 Departure: Malta 12MAY /630A Arrival:Frankfurt
12MAY/910A **Will meet with UA group from
LAX**
Flight:Lufthansa 400 Departure: Frankfurt 12MAY /1100A Arrival:New
York Kennedy 12MAY/130P
OUR
HOTELS
Palermo, Sicily
Hotel Garibaldi
4-star
Hotel
Garibaldi, a luxurious 4-star hotel, takes its name from Palermo's
well-known theatre, situated directly opposite. Contemporary and
chic, it is one of the only city's hotels to offer free indoor
parking. The Garibaldi's interior has modern design. All the rooms
are superbly decorated and have free internet access and satellite
television. Junior Suites also boasts their own Jacuzzi bathtubs.
Hotel Garibaldi features
a business centre, an internet point on site, conference rooms
and a stylish American Bar. The
area outside Hotel Garibaldi is great too. You can step out of
your hotel directly onto streets lined with boutiques and designer
stores. Central
in Palermo, Hotel Garibaldi is close to all the city's cultural
sights. There is also a bus stop just outside the hotel. The city's
vivacious port area is 500m away.
Website
- Tripadvisor
Review
You
are going to love this hotel!! 
UNESCO
World Heritage Site -the Capital City of Valletta, with all
its major attractions, culture, art treasures, and historical
architectural gems.