Mediterranean Islands of Malta, Sicily, Sardinia & Corsica

After arriving in Malta, make your way to the hotel. In the evening the group will meet at the hotel for a tour briefing, followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

In the morning we set off for a tour of the main sites around our hotel, commencing at Paola, home of the enigmatic Tarxien Temples. We will also visit Birzebugga, to visit the prehistoric Ghar Dalam cave. Next we will move on to the picturesque Marsaxlokk, famous for its market, to Marsakala where we stop to have lunch. In the afternoon we transfer to Three Cities, where we have some free time to explore or perhaps take a cruise along the shore (not included, paid locally, approx. EUR 20 per person). We will transfer back to the hotel in the later afternoon. (B,L)

Today's activities centre around Valletta, the capital of Malta. We visit the Upper Barakka Gardens, the Grandmaster’s Palace, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, and the Museum of Archaeology. In the late afternoon we take in the ‘Malta Experience’, an audio-visual attraction set in a purpose-built auditorium overlooking Valletta’s magnificent Grand Harbour. We return to our hotel for a short rest and later take an evening walk to a local restaurant for dinner. (B,D)

We spend today further exploring the island, We learn about Malta’s natural and cultural heritage, strategic Mediterranean importance, centuries-old fortifications, settlements, and religious sites. Typical of the islands of the Mediterranean, Malta has played host to waves of several great civilisations including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, and the Spanish. The Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, also known as the Knights of St John, were Malta’s Masters from 1530 to 1798, when Napoleon’s French forces invaded. Then, in 1800, the British assumed control until Malta was granted independence in 1964. The island and its people were awarded the George Cross for their bravery during World War II. We then enjoy a full-day tour of local sites, starting with the ancient fortified city of Mdina where we enjoy a walking tour and stop to view the Cathedral. We visit Mosta to see the Mosta Rotunda, then travel to Rabat for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we explore St. Paul’s Church and Grotto, and St. Paul’s Catacombs, then make our way back to our hotel and the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B,L)

This morning we’ll take a morning ferry ride across to Gozo, Malta’s second largest island, where we have a full day island tour. We visit the citadel at Victoria and the coastal village of Xlendi, which is still guarded over by a 17th century tower built by the Knights of St John. Following lunch, we will travel up the western coast of Gozo to visit Dwejra. Here we will take a boat ride to Fungus Rock, then on to the Ta Pinu basilica in Gharb, followed by a tour of the megalithic Ggantija Temples in Xaghra. In the evening we’ll return via ferry and coach to our hotel. We have dinner at our hotel this evening. (B,L,D)

This morning begins with an early morning ferry across to Pozzallo in Sicily. Here we join our coach and continue to the UNESCO world heritage town of Noto, the finest Baroque town in Sicily, home to sights like the San Francesco Church, Monastery of Santa Chiara and Palazzo Ducezio. We have free time for lunch, and continue on to Syracuse. The remainder of the day in Syracuse is free to relax or explore on your own until we meet as a group again for dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

Today we enjoy a half day tour of Syracuse, where a visit to the Neapolis Archaeological Park will be followed by a trip to Ara di Ierone, the Great Altar of Syracuse, a monumental grand altar in the ancient quarter of Neapolis. In the evening we attend a traditional "puppet theatre" (Opera dei Pupi - Sicilian marionette show) and then return to our hotel. (B)  

Today we depart to Agrigento for a visit to Piazza Armerina and see its famous mosaics during our guided tour of the Villa Romana del Casale, a large Roman Villa situated in a rural setting, and famous for its mosaics which date to the early 4th century AD. Later we transfer to our hotel and the evening is free to explore the town on your own. (B)

In the morning we tour Agrigento and visit the Valley of the Temples, one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greece art and architecture. We then depart towards Trapani, with a stop in Segesta, an archaeological site outside Palermo, where we’ll take a guided tour to see the Doric Temple and ancient theatre. We arrive in Trapani later in the afternoon and the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Dinner this evening is at a local restaurant (B,D)  

This morning we’ll enjoy a walking tour of Trapani to view its main attractions, we’ll then transfer to San Leonardo for a ferry trip across to the island of Mozia. We’ll visit the main archaeological sites here, including the Whitaker Museum, followed bylunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we Erice where we take the funicular to the medieval eyrie of Erice, to enjoy its sweeping views of the valley and sea. We then transfer back to our hotel for the evening. (B,L)  

This morning we transfer to Monreale, to visit its cloistered Cathedral followed by Palermo, Sicily's capital where we overnight. In Palermo we visit Quattro Canti, the “Theatre of the Sun”, and La Martorana, the city’s most famous medieval church, visit Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina and then take a guided tour of Teatro Massimo, Palermo’s magnificent Opera House. Dinner this evening is at our hotel. (B,D)      

Today is a travel day. We transfer to the airport for our flight to Cagliari in Sardinia (currently, there are no direct flights between Sicily and Sardinia, so will travel via one of Italy's major cities - Rome or Milan). On arrival in Cagliari we'll be met and transferred to our hotel. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening. (B,D) The island of Sardinia is the second largest island of the Mediterranean but remains surprising unexplored. It has rugged mountainous interiors with stunning coastal scenery as well as quaint hilltop towns and pretty fishing ports. Sardinia has a rich Neolithic history and the island still boasts over 7,000 “nuraghi” fortified tower houses from a civilisation which lasted from 1800 to 500BC. Later the island was settled by the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Vandals, the Byzantines, and the Saracens. In the Middle Ages, the island was fought over by the Pisans and Genoese before falling to the Spanish in 1295. It briefly fell to the Austrians in 1713 before the Kingdom of Sardinia was created by Vittorio Amedeo of Savoy in 1718. Sardinia finally became part of the unified Italy in 1861. Many say that Sardinia offers an almost primeval landscape of rocks sculpted by the wind and sea. D.H Lawrence noted that the island was “left outside time and history.”

This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Cagliari’s main sights, including the National Archaeological Museum. We stop at a local restaurant for a group lunch, along with free time to explore the city on your own. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B,L)

Today we explore the archaeological treasures at Nora, Sardinia’s best preserved Roman city. Following lunch at our leisure, we continue on to Capo Spartivento via the scenic coastal road. The evening is free for you to explore the local restaurants on your own. (B)

This morning we travel to Barumini and take a guided tour of Su Nuraxi, the UNESCO world heritage site of the nuraghe towers. We have some free time for lunch then continue on to Fonni via Nuoro, at the foot of Monte Ortobene. We arrive in Fonni late afternoon and dinner is at our hotel. (B,D)

After breakfast, we depart to Olbia in the morning, we pause along the way to view the Tomb of the Giants (S’Esna e Thomes). After some free time for lunch in Olbia, we’ll met our local guide for a walking tour of the city to see the main sight and later enjoy a group dinner. (B,D)

We travel by coach to Palau where we take the ferry to Maddalena Island. We explore the island with our local guide. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Later catch the ferry back and return to Olbia arriving late afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free to explore at your own pace. (B,L)

Today we enjoy a full day touring northwest Sardinia. From Olbia we head to Alghero, a town still protected by its medieval walls and towers. After a self-guided walk of the town centre, we pause for lunch (own arrangements) and then transfer our tour one of the a local grotto. Later we return to our hotel in Olbia and the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)  

This we transfer to the resort town of Santa Teresa di Gallura. Where catch the ferry across to the port of Bonifacio in Corsica. Following our arrival at the beautiful harbour town of Bonifacio we’ll enjoy a guided tour followed by some free time to explore on your own. Later in the afternoon we continue to the town of Propriano where we will overnight. En route we stop at the town of Sartene to walk around the medieval streets of this historic town. Dinner tonight is at our hotel. (B,D) The island of Corsica is the fourth largest island of the Mediterranean and combines a stunning juxtaposition of mountain and coastal scenery. In the Middle Ages, Corsica was a colony of Pisa and later of Genoa but enjoyed a brief period of independence in the 18th century under the revered leadership of Pasquale Paoli. Therefore, the “sale” of the island by the Genoese to Louis XV of France for 40 million francs in 1769 has been a source of resentment for the islanders ever since. Ironically, the island was the birthplace of perhaps history’s most famous Frenchman, Napoleon Bonaparte, and French and other visitors outnumber the locals approximately 6 to 1 in the busy periods of July and August. For all of this, Corsica remains one of the last unspoiled corners of the Mediterranean: poor, depopulated, beautiful, old-fashioned, and aloof. Despite its history of conflict with France it has now come to an agreement with its dominant, continental neighbour, although there is still some talk of independence from France among the Corsicans.

Today we explore Propriano before departing to Ajaccio. En route to Ajaccio, we stop to visit Filitosa’s 4,000 year old, life-size stone warriors. We continue on to Ajaccio and a guided tour including the Palais Fesch Musee des Beaux Arts, then transfer to our hotel. Tonight we make our own arrangements for dinner. (B)

Today we travel along the picturesque and extraordinary Calanque di Piana to the UNESCO listed Golfe de Porto, considered as one of the most beautiful bays in the Mediterranean. We’ll have free time to explore and make our own arrangements for lunch, then continue to the spectacular mountainside city of Calvi, in the late afternoon. Dinner this evening will be at our hotel. (B,D)

In the morning we enjoy a guided walking tour of Calvi to view the main sights and the Citadelle. We then take the costal train to L'Ile Rousse where we have some free time to explore on our own. Later we meet our coach again and drive back to Calvi via the old villages road, stopping along the way in Pigna and Sant'Antonio. The remainder of the day is free for you to rest or continue exploring this beautiful town at your own pace (B)

Today we drive take a make our way to Corte, with at Bocca di Vezzu viewpoint. In Corte we board Le Petit Train which is the local tourist train travelling across the town allowing us to see all the main sights. We then visit the Museum of Corsican Life and pause for lunch (own arrangements). We return to Bastia with some time to explore the town and later we meet for dinner at a local restaurant.  (B,D)  

In the morning we transfer to Saint-Florent, stopping along the way in Cape Corse and explore the pretty villages there with photo stops in Nonza, Pino and Centuri. In Saint-Florent we enjoy a guided tour of this lovely port town, we then return to Bastia for a guided tour of the town. After some rest we'll regroup and walk to a local restaurant for our farewell dinner. (B,D)

The tour concludes today after breakfast. (B)