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Gems of Sicily & Malta 2027
10 days from Palermo to Sliema
Tour Description:
Small groups translate to great experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour. Designed from the ground up for a maximum of 18 guests in Europe, this Small Group Discovery tour has everything you need to explore with up-close-and-exclusive experiences that go beyond traditional tours. Treasures galore are yours to discover in Sicily and Malta. From the sacred sites of churches and cathedrals that have stood the test of time to timeless recipes passed down through the generations—now yours to master! Explore by catamaran, ferry, farming traditions, and fine art and architecture along the way to unwrap the gems of Sicily and Malta on this Small Group Discovery Tour for the ages!
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Dates & Pricing
Start Dates Listed Below are US departure dates, please verify specific dates with your Pavlus Travel Planner
| Friday 30 Apr 27 — Monday 10 May 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,599 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 14 May 27 — Monday 24 May 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,819 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 28 May 27 — Monday 07 Jun 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,699 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 11 Jun 27 — Monday 21 Jun 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,819 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 25 Jun 27 — Monday 05 Jul 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,819 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 27 Aug 27 — Monday 06 Sep 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,719 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 10 Sep 27 — Monday 20 Sep 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,929 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 24 Sep 27 — Monday 04 Oct 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,599 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 08 Oct 27 — Monday 18 Oct 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $5,059 | Get a Quote |
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingSpecial Features Included in this Tour:
- Highlights of Palermo with a Local Guide, featuring a visit to the Church of Santa Caterina, and tasting of local pastries
- Visit to the Norman Cathedral of Monreale with views of the Conca d’Oro
- Guided sightseeing of Taormina including a visit to the Greek Theater
- Hands-on small-group Sicilian Street Food Cooking class
- Catania guided sightseeing tour featuring main highlights and a visit the Museo Storico dello Sbarco (Historical Museum of the Landing in Sicily) focusing on Operation Husky
- Small Group experience, including dinner with a visit to a farm specializing in medicinal and aromatic herbs
- Catamaran ride to Valletta, Malta
- Sights and tastes sightseeing tour of Valletta including pastizzi, coffee and chocolate tasting
- Guided sightseeing of Gozo Island, featuring a return ferry crossing, a visit to the Ggantija Temples, and a local farm experience with lunch
- Small Group Exclusive cooking workshop to prepare your own farewell dinner during a small group class with a professional chef
MEALS
MEALS ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1 ARRIVE IN PALERMO, ITALY
Your Small-Group Discovery Begins! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
Dinner
DinnerDay 2 PALERMO
A sweet start! Your Sicilian discovery starts this morning with a guided sightseeing tour of Palermo, including a visit to the cathedral. End the sightseeing on a sweet note! Visit the Church of Santa Caterina and the “Segreti del Choistro” a historically significant bakery located in the cloisters. Sample the pastries, still made the traditional way using ancient recipes handed down by the nuns. This afternoon and evening, enjoy free time to see more of Palermo. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL INFLUENCES
Palermo is often referred to as the most “conquered city in the world”! It’s strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea, placed it on the “wish list” of many ancient civilisations. As you stroll around the city it is easy to see the blend of cultural influences which has given it many unique aspects, from its architecture to its traditions, to the delicious street food that can be found everywhere
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 3 PALERMO–CEFALU–TAORMINA RIVIERA
Picture Perfect Panoramas This morning, take a scenic drive to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro and a visit to the Norman Cathedral. Continue to the coastal town Cefalú famous for its stunning cathedral with soaring twin towers. Enjoy free time to explore the center with its charming medieval squares. Later, reach Taormina Riviera and enjoy and evening at leisure. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
MESMERIZING MOSAICS The story of the splendid Monreale Cathedral began as Arabs took control of Palermo and transformed the cathedral into a mosque, banishing the Bishop of Palermo. Not wishing to venture too far, 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 4 TAORMINA RIVIERA
Grand Greek Drama Follow your Local Guide on a walking tour of Taormina’s historic center. Stroll along Corso Umberto, see the Cathedral, and enjoy the view from Piazza IX Aprile. Visit the Greek Theater, one of the largest in Italy. Later, get to grips with Sicilian Street Food as a professional chef shares knowledge and tips during a hands-on small group cooking class, taste the dishes you’ve prepared accompanied by local wine. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The Greek Theatre of Taormina is considered one of the most impressive examples of auditorium engineering and architecture for its superb natural setting and acoustical design. This ancient marvel was dug into the hard rock slopes of Mount Tauro in the 3rd-century BC, with seating to accommodate thousands of spectators. The Teatro Antico di Taormina was built in the Greek tradition of incorporating the natural surroundings to become part of the performance, with light and air permeating the columns to become part of the story
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 5 TAORMINA RIVIERA
The Pearl of the Mediterranean Enjoy a free day on the Taormina Riviera, take a stroll on the seafront, browse the stores, laze on the beach, or try local specialties at a traditional eatery. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION With a backdrop of the Volcanic Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea providing the cinematic setting for the resort town of Taormina, this Pearl of the Mediterranean is a picturesque coastal gem that will spoil you with its stunning beaches, village beauty, and sumptuous culinary specialties
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 6 TAORMINA RIVIERA–CATANIA–POZZALLO
Natural Aromas This morning, drive to the vibrant city of Catania. Visit the Museo Storico dello Sbarco (Historical Museum of the Landing in Sicily) which focuses on Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily, an important factor in Europe’s liberation. Join a guided walking tour of the center, featuring Piazza del Duomo with views of the Cathedral. Later, enjoy a special small group experience; drive to a farm that specializes in medicinal and aromatic herbs. A guided visit will introduce you to their unique characteristics and uses before you are served a delicious dinner of local products accompanied by live music. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Catania is an ancient port city on Sicily's east coast. It sits at the foot of Mt. Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano. The city's wide central square, Piazza del Duomo, features the whimsical Fontana dell 'Elefante statue and richly decorated St. Agata Cathedral. Nearby, La Pescheria weekday fish market is a rowdy spectacle surrounded by seafood restaurants
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 7 POZZALLO–VALLETTA, MALTA–SLIEMA
Island Hopping This morning leave Italy behind and board a catamaran for a ride across the Mediterranean Sea to Malta. After disembarking, start your small group Maltese discovery with a sightseeing tour of Valletta, the capital city. As you explore the city you will also discover local food traditions when you stop to try pastizzi (savory pastries), Maltese coffee, and chocolate. Later, arrive at Sliema. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
TRADITIONAL DISHES Maltese cuisine may not be as famous as that of its neighbour Italy, but it definitely packs a punch! Mediterranean flavors, with strong Italian and North African influences. Some of the best dishes are the rustic ones that are found easily in local shops and bakeries. The pastizzi is a golden pastry parcel, with a delicious filling that is much loved by the locals
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 8 SLIEMA. EXCURSION TO GOZO ISLAND
Home of the Giants Enjoy a scenic ferry ride to Gozo, Malta’s sister island. Highlights of the day include a visit to the awe inspiring Ggantija Temples, one of the world’s oldest and best-preserved sites. Plus, visit a local farm to learn about the age-old process of cheese making with a tasting and light lunch. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT SITES The Ggantija temples are a unique prehistoric complex and are among the oldest free-standing stone buildings in the world, said to outdate even the Egyptian Pyramids. They demonstrate amazing engineering skills as they were built using only stone tools, quite a feat! Although local legend does say that they were actually built by giants!
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 9 SLIEMA
Grandma’s Cooking Enjoy free time to explore more. Later, take advantage of the small group size for a hands-on cooking class to prepare your farewell dinner! Don your aprons and chef’s hats to learn the rustic tricks of Grandma’s cooking as you prepare a three-course meal. Together with your traveling companions sit down to enjoy the meal you have prepared. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Local heritage and family history are preserved and continued through traditional home cooking. During your small group cooking class don’t just learn the recipes and technical tips, the chef will share with you the family stories and local traditions that are connected to the dishes being prepared
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 10 SLIEMA
Safe travels until we meet again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. The nearest airport is Valletta. (B)
Accommodations
Accommodations| Palermo | Taormina Riviera | Pozzallo | Sliema |
Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa
Superior First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Via Dei Cartari 18 Palermo Italy
Set in 3 historical buildings, including a beautiful 16th-century cloister, this upscale hotel has retained many original architectural details. There is a restaurant with a seasonal outdoor terrace, two bars and a fitness room, Free WiFi internet access is available in the lobby and Free wired internet access is available in the guestrooms.
Superior First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Via Dei Cartari 18 Palermo Italy
Set in 3 historical buildings, including a beautiful 16th-century cloister, this upscale hotel has retained many original architectural details. There is a restaurant with a seasonal outdoor terrace, two bars and a fitness room, Free WiFi internet access is available in the lobby and Free wired internet access is available in the guestrooms.
