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Sicilian Escape with Malta 2027
10 Day Tour from Palermo to St. Julian
Tour Description:
Escape to Sicily for seven days of beauty, cuisine, and history—without the crowds you’d find in the high season. Begin in Palermo and meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. Spend the following day on a guided sightseeing tour of Palermo’s ornate Piazza Bellini and Capo Market. See the stunning baroque features of the Church of the Immacolata and visit the historic Palermo Cathedral. Enjoy the panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro in Monreale and visit the 12th-century Norman Cathedral with its treasured byzantine mosaics.Walk through the 24-centuries-old Valley of the Temples with your Local Guide in Agrigento, visit Piazza Armerina’s Villa Romana del Casale to admire the world’s largest collection of Roman mosaics. In Syracuse, the birthplace of mathematician Archimedes, you’ll take a guided visit to the archaeological site of the 5th-century-BC Greek Theater, Garden of Paradise, Ear of Dionysus, Altar of Hieron II, Roman Amphitheater, and the Cordmaker’s Cave. Visit Catania en route to the spectacular Taormina Riviera, your base for a fascinating excursion to Mount Etna—the largest active volcano in Europe. Explore Taormina and complete your Sicilian Escape with a fabulous dinner at a local restaurant. Discover the marvelous sights of Malta to explore the ancient archaeological sites and amazing seaside sights along the way. Join us to experience these two countries' exquisite beauty that will stay with you for years to come—a guided vacation in Sicily and Malta you’ll treasure forever.
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Dates & Pricing
Start Dates Listed Below are US departure dates, please verify specific dates with your Pavlus Travel Planner
| Saturday 13 Feb 27 — Tuesday 23 Feb 27 | Starting at $2,101 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 18 Feb 27 — Sunday 28 Feb 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $2,881 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 20 Feb 27 — Tuesday 02 Mar 27 | Starting at $2,351 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 22 Feb 27 — Thursday 04 Mar 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $2,881 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 25 Feb 27 — Sunday 07 Mar 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,001 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 27 Feb 27 — Tuesday 09 Mar 27 | Starting at $2,461 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 04 Mar 27 — Sunday 14 Mar 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,061 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 06 Mar 27 — Tuesday 16 Mar 27 | Starting at $2,501 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 08 Mar 27 — Thursday 18 Mar 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,061 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 11 Mar 27 — Sunday 21 Mar 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,061 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 13 Mar 27 — Tuesday 23 Mar 27 | Starting at $2,501 | Get a Quote | |
| Thursday 18 Mar 27 — Sunday 28 Mar 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,061 | Get a Quote | |
| Monday 22 Mar 27 — Thursday 01 Apr 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,061 | Get a Quote |
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingSpecial Features Included in this Tour:• Guided sightseeing in Palermo followed by a scenic drive and visit to Monreale• Guided walking tour of Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples • Guided visit to Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina • Guided visit to Syracuse’s Archaeological Park • Visit to Catania • Guided excursion to Mount Etna• Orientation walk in Taormina• Sicilian specialty lunch• Orientation walk in Valletta, featuring the Barrakka Gardens Full-day excursion to visit Mdina, Mosta, and Rabat • Included flight between Sicily and Malta
Notes:
High altitudes may be challenging for some guests. The ascent to Mount Etna reaches an elevation of 6,500 ft. (1,981 m).
High altitudes may be challenging for some guests. The ascent to Mount Etna reaches an elevation of 6,500 ft. (1,981 m).
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1 ARRIVE IN PALERMO, ITALY
Welcome to Palermo! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
Dinner
DinnerDay 2 PALERMO
Sicilian Specialties Your introduction to Palermo starts this morning with a guided sightseeing tour of Palermo’s highlights, including a visit to the cathedral. Take a scenic drive to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro and a visit to the Norman Cathedral. This afternoon and evening, enjoy free time to see more of Palermo. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC FAITH The story of the splendid Monreale cathedral starts when the Arabs took control of Palermo. They transformed the cathedral into a mosque and banished the Bishop of Palermo from town. Not wishing to venture too far from his beloved cathedral, the bishop settled in a small village in the hills overlooking Palermo, the site of modern-day Monreale. There, he built a modest church to keep the flame of local Christian worship alive. Today the cathedral is known for its stunning mosaics that cover an area of over 64.500sq ft
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 3 PALERMO–AGRIGENTO
Timeless Temples This morning, depart Palermo and drive to Agrigento, location of a real cultural treasure, the UNESCO nominated Valley of the Temples. Join your Local Guide for a walk through this remarkable archaeological site to see the beautiful Greek temples. (B,D)
87 mi / 140 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGY The ruins of Akragas remain Sicily's most amazing archaeological site. The impressively well-preserved Tempio della Concordia sits in a spectacular setting upon a ridge where it served as a beacon for homecoming sailors and today draws enthralled visitors to revel in the remarkable Valley of the Temples
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 4 AGRIGENTO–PIAZZA ARMERINA–SYRACUSE
Ancient Artistry In Sicily Travel through Central Sicily and stop in Piazza Armerina for a guided visit of the Villa Romana del Casale, housing one of the largest and richest collections of Roman mosaics, including the famous “Ancient Bikini Girls.” [LF] Enjoy lunch with regional specialties at a local restaurant before continuing to Syracuse. Enjoy an evening at leisure. (B,L)
162 mi / 260 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE Explore the extraordinary example of Roman power in one of the most luxurious villas of its kind in the Italian countryside. Marvel at the magnificently preserved mosaics that embellish the Villa Romana del Casale, designed and installed by African mosaic workers and the strength of the Roman influence and power throughout the Mediterranean region
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 5 SYRACUSE–CATANIA–TAORMINA RIVIERA
Coastal Treasures This morning, join your Local Guide for a visit to Syracuse’s Archaeological Park featuring the Greek Theater, the Roman Amphitheater, the Ear of Dionysus, and the Cordmakers’ Cave. Continue to the bustling city of Catania and enjoy free time, admire the main square, Piazza del Duomo, browse the stores along Via Etnea, and try some of the delicious local specialties such as arancini and cannoli. Later, drive to the Taormina Riviera for free time this evening. (B)
75 mi / 120 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LOCAL TASTES Sicily’s love affair with food goes back a long way. Cooking traditions originating from the Greeks, Arabs, and Normans blend with those from Spain and North Africa resulting in a fabulous melting pot of flavors and unique dishes. Celebrate this feast of cultures and take time to sample some of Sicily’s most famous street food
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 6 TAORMINA RIVIERA
The Pearl of the Mediterranean Come face to face with Europe’s tallest active stratovolcano with a guided excursion to Mount Etna. Enjoy a scenic drive en route to a panoramic viewpoint from where you can observe the extinct craters and solidified lava flows. This afternoon, after an orientation walk, spend some free time exploring the breathtaking town of Taormina. Later, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDER Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano and one of the most active in the world. Learn how in 1669, an eruption that lasted 112 days developed a record long stream of lava that destroyed the city of Catania
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 7 CATANIA-LA VALLETTA, MALTA–ST. JULIAN
Gardens and a Grand Harbor This morning head to Catania airport to board a plane to Malta. Start your Maltese discovery with an orientation walk in La Valletta, the capital city. See the main highlights, including a visit to the Barakka Gardens before driving to St. Julian. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to explore more. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Welcome to the marvelous sights of Malta with an overnight stay in St. Julian. Named for the patron Saint that bears his name, this seaside town is rich with history and lovely views of the rocky stretch along the promenade
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 8 ST. JULIAN
Home of Giants Spend a full day at leisure in St. Julian: explore more sights, browse the stores, and relax, or join an optional excursion to Gozo, Malta’s sister island. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with a visit to the little island of Gozo, home to the oldest freestanding structures in the world: the 5,500-year-old complex of the Ggantija Temples. Locals claim the site was built by giants, hence the name “Ggantija.”
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 9 ST. JULIAN: EXCURSION TO RABAT–MOSTA & MDINA
Catacombs & Silent Cities A full day to get acquainted with some of Malta’s famous towns. First visit Rabat, one of the oldest towns on the island and known for its catacombs. In Mosta, take photos of the stunning “Rotunda of Mosta” a Roman Catholic church featuring an incredible dome. Lastly, stop in Mdina, the former capital of Malta, find out why it is called the “Silent City” when you walk through it and admire the ancient walls. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM When the capital city was moved out of Mdina, the city was left uninhabited, so people started to consider it a ghost town, and the “silent city” nickname was born. This name is still fitting today as there are many signs around the city urging us to be silent and no cars are allowed in the city
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 10 ST. JULIAN
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Accommodations
Accommodations| Palermo | Agrigento | Syracuse | Taormina Riviera | St. Julians |
Central Palace Hotel Federico II
First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Via Principe Granatelli, 60 Palermo Italy
A fusion of classic and innovative design, Hotel Federico II is a family- run 65 room establishment located near the city's most important streets of culture, tourism and shopping, halfway between the Teatro Massimo and the Teatro Politeama. Breakfast is served with a rich buffet while the in-house restaurant offers traditional Mediterranean dishes revisited along with a great wine selection. Free WiFi access is available throughout the property.
First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Via Principe Granatelli, 60 Palermo Italy
A fusion of classic and innovative design, Hotel Federico II is a family- run 65 room establishment located near the city's most important streets of culture, tourism and shopping, halfway between the Teatro Massimo and the Teatro Politeama. Breakfast is served with a rich buffet while the in-house restaurant offers traditional Mediterranean dishes revisited along with a great wine selection. Free WiFi access is available throughout the property.
