MALTA-SICILY with Turkish Airlines, 5 Nights

Our tour begins at 05:15 with a meeting with our guide at the International Terminal of Istanbul New Airport. After completing ticketing and baggage procedures, we depart from Istanbul for Malta at 08:15 on scheduled Turkish Airlines flight TK1369. Following our arrival in Malta at 08:50 local time, we take a panoramic tour of the 3 Cities. Sit back and discover Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea with us, also known as Cottonera, built and fortified by the Knights of Malta. After our coach tour of Cospicua, we explore the narrow streets of mystical and mysterious Vittoriosa on foot, seeing historic churches and palaces. Finally, Senglea awaits us with magnificent harbour views and its watchtower overlooking the heart of the Grand Harbour. After the tour, transfer to our hotel and check in. Guests who wish may join the optional Popeye Village and Marsaxlokk Fishing Village Tour arranged by our guide (60 Euro). We arrive at Popeye Village, where the film Popeye was shot in 1980. Here, we explore the village and watch shows featuring Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto. We then continue our tour with a visit to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Be sure to admire the charming little Luzzo fishing boats, with their distinctive Maltese colours and designs. During free time in this charming fishing village, which also hosts an open-air market, guests who wish may sample fresh fish and seafood. At the end of our tour, we return to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, enjoy a full day of free time. Guests who wish may join the optional Mosta & Rabat & Mdina & Valletta & (65 Euro) tour organised by our guide. Our first stop is Mosta, where we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, which has Europe's third-largest dome. The interior paintings of this immense basilica, whose dome has an external diameter of 56.2 metres, were largely created by the painter Giuseppe Cali. We will see a replica of the 200 kg bomb dropped by Nazi German aircraft in 1942 during World War 2, which pierced the dome and embedded itself in the church floor without exploding, and learn about the church's interior and exterior architecture. After leaving Mosta, we continue to Rabat, settled in 700 BC, with its historic narrow streets surrounding Mdina. After exploring Rabat, we walk to Malta's former capital, Mdina, a natural filming location for many scenes in the famous series Game of Thrones. As we stroll through the narrow streets of this medieval city, known as the Silent City, we will see the magnificent Saint Paul's Cathedral, the 13th-century Falson Manor built by Malta's noble Falson family, the Baroque Carmelite Monastery built in the 17th century, Vilhena Palace and Mdina's old houses. After free time, we depart for Valletta for our city tour. Valletta was designated the 2018 European Capital of Culture by the Council of Ministers of the European Union. During our tour, we will have the opportunity to view the city and its magnificent surrounding fortifications from the outside. After our coach tour, we explore the capital's lively streets on a guided walk. Our first stop will be Barracca Gardens, built on the upper section of the defensive walls surrounding this majestic city. Created by the Knights of St. John, these gardens also offer magnificent views of the Grand Harbour and the 3 old fortified cities. After a break in Valletta, we return to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

Morning transfer to Malta Luqa Airport. After ticketing and baggage procedures, we depart for Catania with Ryan Air at 07:35. Upon arrival in Catania at 08:25, we take a panoramic city tour. Sights include Fontana dell’Elefante, Republic Square, Via Etna and the Duomo Cathedral. Guests who wish may join our Siracusa and Noto tour (50 Euro). Our tour of Siracusa, the city where the famous mathematician Archimedes lived, begins by crossing to the Ortygia peninsula, connected to Siracusa by bridges, and visiting its main square, Piazza Duomo. Here, we will see Siracusa Cathedral, built over the Temple of Athena, and the Church of Santa Lucia, the city's patron saint. After visiting the freshwater Fountain of Arethusa and Archimedes Square, we will wander through the city's narrow streets lined with cafés and shops. After free time, we continue to Noto, one of Sicily's most important Baroque towns. We will explore numerous historic buildings and architectural wonders faithfully rebuilt in the 18th century after the town was completely destroyed by the 1693 earthquake. We then depart for Catania. Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel. After free time to relax, guests who wish may welcome the New Year at venues recommended by our guide and enjoy a happy and healthy New Year's Eve. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, guests who wish may join our guide's optional tour of Savoca, a filming location for The Godfather, and Taormina, a favourite destination of famous figures such as Oscar Wilde and Richard Wagner (70 Euro). We begin in Savoca, where some of the most important scenes in The Godfather Part 2 were filmed. Hear stories of Sicily's famous Mafia families and picture scenes from the film as you sip a local drink at Bar Vitelli, where iconic scenes were shot, surrounded by photographs of the characters Michael and Apollonia adorning the walls. Afterwards, we follow a narrow cobbled street to see the 14th-century Church of San Nicolo, where Michael and Apollonia married in The Godfather. We then depart for Taormina via Naxos. Naxos will enchant you with its beautiful coastline and natural scenery. Upon arrival in Taormina, Sicily's most luxurious town, sights include Chiesa di san Giuseppe, Porta Catania and Porta Messina. In Taormina, we particularly recommend trying the Sicilian specialities Pasta alla Norma and Canolo Siciliano. After the tour, we return to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, guests who wish may join our guide's optional tour of the fishing town of Cefalu and Palermo (80 Euro). Cefalù is a beautiful, historic fishing town on Sicily's northern coast, known for its historic streets, magnificent beaches and famous Cefalu Cathedral. After admiring the town views from the hill known as Rocca di Cefalu, we descend to the historic City Centre and its narrow streets. We will see the magnificent Cefalu Cathedral, with its unique blend of Arab and Norman architecture. After relaxing at the seaside cafés, we transfer to Palermo. Upon arrival, our panoramic city tour includes Via Liberta and Via Roma, Quattro Canti, the Fountain of Shame, the Norman Palace, Teatro Massimo, Teatro Politeama Garibaldi and Palermo Cathedral. After free time, we return to our hotel in Catania. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, we check out and return our room keys to reception. Guests who wish may then join our guide's optional Mount Etna tour (35 Euro). Our tour begins at Mount Etna, Europe's largest and highest volcano at 3350 metres, active for approximately half a million years and listed by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site. From the lava-covered foothills, we ascend to the Silvestri crater at 1900 metres, at the level of the extinct craters. After the tour, we return to Catania for free time, collect the guests who did not join the tour and transfer to the airport. After ticketing and baggage procedures, we depart for Istanbul at 19:25 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1396. Arrival in Istanbul at 23:50 local time marks the end of our tour.