SICILY - MALTA with Turkish Airlines, 6 Nights

Our tour begins with a meeting with our guide at Istanbul New Airport International Terminal at 04:00. After ticketing and baggage formalities, we depart from Istanbul for Palermo at 06:50 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1373. Upon arrival in Palermo at 08:25 local time, we take a panoramic city tour, with sights including Via Liberta and Via Roma, Quattro Canti, the Fountain of Shame, the Norman Palace, Teatro Massimo, Teatro Politeama Garibaldi and Palermo Cathedral. Guests who wish may join the optional Monreale tour organised by our guide (35 Euro). In addition to its charm and beauty, Monreale is one of Sicily's most important cultural destinations, with a medieval atmosphere that creates a magical impression. We explore Monreale, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Sicily's most important cathedral. After free time in Monreale, we depart for 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 Erice and Trapani tour organised by our guide (65 Euro). We begin in Erice, where you can experience a medieval atmosphere. We stroll through its stone streets and admire magnificent views from the Castle of Venus. We recommend sampling the delicious treats of Erice, famous for its chocolate shops and pastry shops. We then continue to the fishing town of Trapani. We walk around the fishing harbour and see its colourful fishing boats. During our break in Trapani, home to unspoilt beaches such as Lido di Paradiso, guests who wish can enjoy some seafood. After the tour, we depart for our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, we check out and return our room keys to reception. We then depart for Catania. Guests who wish may join the optional tour organised by our guide en route, visiting the fishing town of Cefalu and one of Sicily's largest outlet centres, where many brands are available at discounted prices (30 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 views of the town from the hill known as Rocca di Cefalu, we descend to the historic City Centre and its narrow streets. We see the magnificent Cefalu Cathedral, which features a unique blend of Arab and Norman architecture. After relaxing at the seaside cafés, we depart for the outlet centre. Following a shopping break, we transfer to Catania. Upon arrival, we take a panoramic city tour. Sights include Fontana dell’Elefante, Republic Square, Via Etnea and the Duomo Cathedral. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, guests who wish may join the optional tour organised by our guide to Mount Etna, Savoca, one of the filming locations for The Godfather, and Taormina, a destination frequented by famous figures such as Oscar Wilde and Richard Wagner (80 Euro). We begin at Mount Etna, Europe's largest and highest volcano at 3350 metres, active for approximately half a million years and listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. We ascend from the lava-covered foothills to the Silvestri crater at 1900 metres, the level of the extinct craters. We then continue to Savoca, where some of the most important scenes in The Godfather 2 were filmed. Listen to stories of Sicily's famous Mafia families and picture the film's scenes 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. We then follow a narrow cobbled lane to see the 14th-century Church of San Nicolo, where Michael and Apollonia were married in The Godfather. We continue to Taormina via Naxos, whose beautiful coastline and scenery will enchant you. 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 Sicilliano. After the tour, we depart for our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, we check out. Guests who wish may join the optional Syracuse and Noto tour en route (50 Euro). On our tour of Syracuse, where the famous mathematician Archimedes lived, we cross to the Ortygia peninsula, connected to Syracuse by bridges, and begin at Duomo Square, considered its main centre. Here, we see Syracuse Cathedral, built over the Temple of Athena, and the Church of Santa Lucia, the city's patron saint. After visiting the freshwater spring of the Fountain of Arethusa and Archimedes Square, we wander through the city's narrow streets lined with cafés and shops. Following free time, we visit Noto, one of Sicily's most important Baroque towns. We explore numerous historic buildings and architectural wonders faithfully rebuilt in the 18th century after the town was completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1693. We then depart for Catania and take a panoramic city tour. Sights include Fontana dell’Elefante, Republic Square, Via Etnea and the Duomo Cathedral. After the tour, we head to Pozzallo harbour and depart for Malta by high-speed ferry at 19:30. Arrival in Malta at 21:15 and check-in at our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, we take a panoramic tour of the 3 Cities. Sit back and discover Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, collectively 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, viewing its historic churches and palaces. Finally, Senglea awaits us with magnificent harbour views and its watchtower overlooking the heart of the Grand Harbour. Guests who wish may join the optional Rabat & Mdina & Valletta tour organised by our guide (50 Euro). Our first stop is Rabat, settled in 700 BC, with its historic narrow streets surrounding Mdina. After visiting Rabat, we walk to Malta's former capital, Mdina, a natural filming location for many scenes in the popular series Game of Thrones. As we explore the narrow streets of this medieval town, known as the Silent City, we see the magnificent Saint Paul's Cathedral, the 13th-century Falson Manor built by the noble Maltese 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 and take a city tour. During our tour, we have the opportunity to view the city and its magnificent fortifications from the outside. After our coach tour, we explore the lively streets of the capital, Valletta, on foot with our guide. Our first stop is Barracca Gardens, built on the upper section of the defensive walls surrounding this splendid 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.

After breakfast at our hotel, we return our room keys to reception. Enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Guests who wish may join the optional tour of Popeye Village, Sliema and the fishing village of Marsaxlokk organised by our guide (65 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. In Sliema, known as the face of modern Malta, you can stroll along the waterfront and browse the shops. With its lively atmosphere, Sliema also offers numerous restaurants and cafés. After our Sliema tour, we continue with a visit to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Do not miss the sight of the charming little fishing boats known as Luzzo, with their distinctly Maltese colours and designs. This lovely fishing village also hosts an open-air market, and guests who wish can sample fresh fish and seafood during their free time. Transfer to the airport after the tour. Following ticketing and baggage formalities, depart for Istanbul at 19:30 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1372. Arrival in Istanbul at 23:00 local time marks the end of our tour.