MALTA-SICILY with Turkish Airlines, 6 Nights

Our tour begins with a meeting with our guide at 05:30 at Istanbul New Airport's International Terminal. After ticketing and baggage procedures, we depart from Istanbul for Malta at 08:15 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1369. Upon arrival in Malta at 08:50 local time, we embark on our 3 Cities tour. 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, seeing its historic churches and palaces. Finally, Senglea awaits us with magnificent harbour views and its watchtower overlooking the heart of the Grand Harbour. At the end of the tour, we depart for our hotel. In the afternoon, guests who wish may join our guide's optional Mosta & Rabat & Mdina (50 Euro) tour. 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 our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, guests who wish may join our guide's optional tour of Popeye Village, the fishing town of Marsaxlokk and the capital, Valletta (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, also known as the face of modern Malta, you can stroll along the promenade and visit 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 distinctive Maltese colours and designs. During free time in this delightful fishing village, which also hosts an open-air market, guests who wish may sample fresh fish and seafood. We then 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.

Early morning transfer to Malta's ferry port. After a journey of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes from Malta, we arrive at Pozzallo Port in Sicily. We depart from Pozzallo for Catania. 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 take a panoramic city tour. On this tour, sights include Fontana dell’Elefante, Republic Square, Via Etna and the Duomo Cathedral. Afterwards, we transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay.

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 and return our room keys to reception. We then depart for Palermo. Guests who wish may join our guide's optional Outlet & Cefalu Fishing Town tour en route (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 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 the tour, we depart for our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, guests who wish may join our guide's optional Erice and Trapani tour (65 Euro). We begin in Erice, where you can experience a medieval atmosphere. We stroll through its stone-paved streets and admire the magnificent views from the Castle of Venus. Famous for its chocolate shops and patisseries, Erice offers delicious treats that we recommend trying. We then continue to the fishing town of Trapani. We will walk around the fishing harbour and see the colourful fishing boats. During our break in Trapani, which boasts unspoilt beaches such as Lido di Paradiso, guests who wish may enjoy some seafood. 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 Monreale tour (35 Euro). Beyond its charm and beauty, Monreale is one of Sicily's most important cultural destinations, with a medieval atmosphere that creates a magical feeling. We explore Monreale, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and home to Sicily's most important cathedral. After free time in Monreale, we collect the guests who did not join the tour from Palermo and transfer to the airport. After ticketing and baggage procedures, we depart for Istanbul at 18:45 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1376. Arrival in Istanbul at 23:15 local time marks the end of our tour.