Highlights of Sicily & Malta

(14 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Palermo, Sciacca & Agrigento, Noto & Syracuse, Taormina & Mount Etna, Valletta with Mdina, Rabat & Gozo

Experience the best of Sicily and Malta on this private luxury tour. Stay at the best luxury hotels, enjoy exclusive private touring of the cultural and scenic highlights, and sample outstanding local cuisine and wine.

Begin in Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily. During private touring, explore the city’s cultural and culinary highlights, including lively food markets, favorite Sicilian specialty shops, private museums, and UNESCO sites such as the Norman Palace and Cappella Palatina. Also take a private excursion to the UNESCO-listed Monreale Cathedral, a masterpiece of Arab, Norman, and Byzantine art and architecture.

Transfer through the Sicilian countryside, stopping to visit the well-preserved ancient theater and Doric temple of Segesta. Also visit Erice, a hilltop medieval village filled with cobblestone streets, flowering vines and the aroma of almond pastries, a local specialty. Continue to Verdura Resort, one of Sicily’s top luxury resorts, which is in a beautiful seaside location in the countryside. During ample leisure time, enjoy the resort’s large spa, excellent restaurants, wide range of facilities and great sea views. If desired, visit ceramics and coral studios in the nearby town of Sciacca, take a private excursion to a renowned local winery to sample top Sicilian wines, and venture to a nearby hill town for breathtaking views over the region.

Next, you will be transferred to Agrigento to tour the Valley of the Temples, an outstanding archaeological site of well-preserved ancient Greek ruins that has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Next, visit the UNESCO-inscribed Baroque towns of Noto, Modica and Ragusa. During private touring, explore important architectural highlights, atmospheric backstreets, renowned gelato and pastry shops, and a chocolate shop that uses Aztec recipes brought from Mexico by the Spanish conquistadors.

En route to Taormina, enjoy a private tour of Syracuse, one of the largest and most powerful cities in antiquity and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the historic city center on the island of Ortygia, including the fascinating cathedral and charming neighborhoods filled with elegant architecture. Also see highlights such as the Greek theater, the Roman amphitheater and the cave known as the Ear of Dionysius.

Continue to spectacular Taormina, an ancient clifftop town overlooking the sea that has a Greek theater, beautiful gardens, bougainvillea-lined backstreets and upscale boutiques. One day, enjoy a private excursion to Mount Etna, an active volcano with fertile slopes that support vineyards, orchards and farms. Tour some of the most interesting volcanic sites on the mountain and enjoy a lunch that incorporates fresh local produce and wine.

There will also be free time to enjoy Taormina and its wonderful shops, restaurants, gardens, views, and leisure facilities at your luxurious resort overlooking the Bay of Naxos.

Next, fly to Malta, a fascinating Mediterranean country with a rich multicultural history. The capital city of Valletta is the perfect base for exploring the highlights of Malta. Positioned between two harbors, Valletta has been at the center of Maltese cultural life for centuries. Its unusually diverse architecture provides a visual palimpsest of Maltese history, with overlapping layers of Arabic, Renaissance, Baroque, neoclassical, modern and contemporary design. With your private guide, explore the city’s alleys, overhung with traditional Maltese enclosed balconies, and learn about Valletta’s many notable buildings, such as historic palaces, the Palace Armoury, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the National Library of Malta, the Grand Master’s Palace and more. Enjoy exclusive after-hours access to St. John’s Co-Cathedral to see its intricate frescoes and renowned Caravaggio paintings in private, and learn about the history of a local noble family during a private tour of their palazzo with the owner. Also stroll through the city’s historic gardens, visit notable museums, and sample traditional Maltese cuisine.

One day, take a full-day excursion around southern Malta. Along the coast, take in the dramatic scenery of the Dingli Cliffs and St. Peter’s Pool, explore the UNESCO-listed megalithic temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra and visit the charming fishing village of Marsaxlokk.

Another day, tour the highlights of northern and central Malta, including Mdina, an ancient fortified hill town and former capital of Malta. Explore winding medieval alleyways, see the Baroque interiors of St. Paul’s Cathedral, and admire open views over the rolling countryside from high atop the impressive walls. Also tour Roman catacombs and browse for upscale glassware in the town of Rabat, take in views over the pretty bay of Ghajn Tuffieha (with the option to hike to hidden beaches), and explore other notable cultural and scenic sights.

Venture to idyllic Gozo, Malta’s second-largest island. Explore highlights such as the imposing Cittadella fortress in the town of Victoria, ancient Roman salt pans along the coast, and the rugged cliffs and inlets of dramatic Dwejra Bay. If desired, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange a private tasting at a local boutique winery.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities such as meetings with local artisans, private food touring, decorative arts tours, hiking and biking, World War II touring, private yacht excursions, behind-the-scenes tours, and more.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Palermo Private transfer to luxury hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private city tour Day 2 Palermo & Monreale Private city touring and excursion to Monreale Cathedral Day 3 Palermo – Segesta & Erice – Sciacca Private transfer to luxury resort for 2 nights, with touring en route Day 4 Sciacca Morning private winery tour and gourmet lunch. Afternoon at leisure Day 5 Sciacca – Agrigento – Noto Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights, with tour of Valley of the Temples and picnic lunch en route Day 6 Noto, Ragusa & Modica Full-day private tour of Baroque cities, including chocolate tasting in Modica Day 7 Noto – Syracuse – Taormina Private transfer to luxury hotel for 2 nights, with touring en route Day 8 Taormina & Mount Etna Morning private excursion, including lunch at local winery. Afternoon at leisure Day 9 Taormina – Catania – Valletta, Malta Private transfer to airport for flight to Valletta (flight not included). Private arrival transfer to luxury hotel for 5 nights Day 10 Valletta Full-day private city tour, including after-hours access to St. John’s Co-Cathedral and private tour of a local palazzo Day 11 Valletta & environs Full-day private excursion to southern Malta Day 12 Valletta, Mdina & environs Full-day private excursion to northern and central Malta Day 13 Valletta & Gozo Full-day private excursion Day 14 Depart Valletta Private airport transfer

Hotels

Palermo: Villa Igiea Sciacca: Verdura Resort Noto: Seven Rooms Villadorata Taormina: Four Seasons San Domenico Palace or Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo Valletta: The Phoenicia or Iniala Harbour House

Cost

Upon request