18 Day Italy, Sicily & Malta Premium Small Group Tour

Welcome to Rome! Upon arrival please make your own way to your hotel. You have the option to book transfers for added convenience.

This evening is free for you to explore Rome at your leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning before we leave the bustling capital of Rome for Southern Italy. We head to Pompeii, arguably the most famous archeological site of the Roman era. While there are some exemplary remains of the Roman Empire left behind, Pompeii is unique in that almost a whole town has been preserved, rather than a standalone villa or temple, but at the cost of tragic circumstances. In AD79, nearby Mount Vesuvius, had a major eruption completely destroying surrounding towns and cities in metres of volcanic ash, wiping Pompeii off the map. But while Pompeii ceased to exist, the volcanic ash that now blanketed the town acted as a preservation for the city. What remains is a striking insight into the daily life and social structure of the Roman Empire. 

You will enjoy a guided tour through the ancient ruins, which includes multiple villas, an amphitheatre, intact frescoes and probably the world’s oldest take-away restaurant.

Following the tour, we will indulge in a wine tasting and lunch at Cantine del Vesuvio, situated on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. This visit promises both pleasure and discovery, including a tour of the cellars to understand the unique production methods of Lacryma Christi Vesuvian wines, a stroll through the vineyard and gardens, and lunch set against a panoramic backdrop. Concluding the meal, we drive to the still-active Vesuvius, reaching an elevation of 1277 metres. From 1000 metres above sea level, we embark on a short hike to the crater's rim, where smoking solfataras on the steep slopes of the 200-metre-deep crater create an impressive spectacle.

Afterwards, we proceed to nearby Torre Del Greco, on the outskirts of Naples, where we will spend the next two nights. Dinner in the hotel.

We leave the Italian mainland behind and set course for one of its renowned islands, Capri. This island is a true gem, boasting breathtaking beauty at every turn. Capri's allure dates back to Roman times, with Tiberius himself constructing a remarkable 12 villas on the island, designating it as his primary residence. In the present day, Capri has become synonymous with luxury, attracting the elite with its opulent hotels and streets adorned with high-end designer boutiques.

During today's excursion, you'll have the opportunity to embark on a day trip, including the chance to visit to the Blue Grotto (optional) and a tour of Villa San Michele, one of Capri's most exquisite residences.

We return to Torre Del Greco in the early evening, where you can enjoy an overnight stay and dinner at the hotel.

This morning, we embark on a journey to Naples, often described as the 'true Italy.' As a major cosmopolitan hub in Southern Italy, Naples stands out, particularly for its culinary delights. Whether you're savoring a meal at a charming curbside café or indulging in the offerings of high-end restaurants, Naples is hailed as the capital of Italian cuisine, boasting some of the finest food and wine in Europe.

Naples invites us to delve into its rich history, featuring two royal palaces, three castles, and ancient ruins that will captivate us throughout our tour. Today, we'll have the opportunity to relish fantastic local cuisine during lunch at a nearby restaurant and enjoy some leisure time for exploration.

Later, we'll board an overnight ferry for the next leg of our journey, venturing towards the enchanting island of Sicily.

The charming island of Sicily is strategically nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. Its shores bear witness to the passage of major civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines.

Today, the island encapsulates a rich tapestry of its intricate historical legacy, making it one of the most captivating destinations in Europe. Our journey brings us to Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily. 

Upon checking in, you'll have the entire day and evening to discover the city at your own pace.

Time to escape the hustle of the capital and immerse ourselves in the authentic beauty of Sicily. Our journey takes us to Agrigento, renowned for its iconic Greek temples, with delightful stops along the way to explore some Sicilian gems. First on the list is the medieval village of Erice, perched atop a hill, adorned with striking medieval fortifications. Wander through its narrow cobblestone streets before we continue our journey to the coastal town of Marsala.

Our final destination is Agrigento, a picturesque city nestled on a hilltop with a profound historical legacy. The highlight of our visit is the Valley of the Temples, home to one of the world's best-preserved Greek Doric temples—the Temple of Concordia. We'll marvel at these magnificent structures before relishing dinner at our hotel and spending the night in the charming town of Agrigento.

We bid farewell to the southern part of the island and set our course toward the enchanting east coast, reaching the picturesque seaside village of Taormina. Along our journey, we make a captivating stop at Piazza Armerina.

Piazza Armerina is home to the renowned Villa Romana del Casale, constructed in the 4th century AD as a hunting lodge. This villa boasts some of the best-preserved and extensive examples of Roman mosaics.

Our visit to the villa precedes our onward journey to the hotel, conveniently situated near Taormina, in the beachside town of Giardini di Naxos.

Following breakfast, we embark on an early journey to explore one of the island's natural marvels, Mount Etna. Boasting over 400 craters, it stands as the largest active volcano in Europe, consistently in a state of perpetual activity. For the adventurous, there's an opportunity to ascend 1900 meters above sea level, offering breathtaking panoramic views from the volcano's peaks.

After our Etna adventure, we return to Taormina, where the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure—whether you choose to relax or explore at your own pace.

After breakfast, we drive north of Toarmina to the quaint villages of Savoca and Forza D’Agro, known for being the filming locations for Francis Ford Coppolla’s The Godfather. After some time to explore the hilltop towns on foot, we then drive south towards Catania, the other major city on the east coast of the island.

A rich history in itself, Catania is the major entry point for visitors into Sicily, a cosmopolitan hub, Catania boasts large piazzas, countless restaurants, bars and shopping to explore. Highlights include the mediaeval Castello Ursino, the Roman theatre dating back to the 2nd century AD and the Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena, the second largest Benedictine monastery in Europe.

Today we say arrivederci to Sicily and bongu (hello) to Malta. Before we depart Italy, we drive to Syracuse for a quick visit. Syracuse is one of the oldest and historical towns in Sicily. At its peak, it was the largest city in the ancient world, once bigger than Athens and Corinth. Now, it is a beautiful seaside city with an old town located on the fortified island, Isola di Ortigia. We will have some time to explore on foot before we drive to Pozzallo to board our ferry.

Our destination is Malta, one of the most fascinating countries in Europe. One of the smallest countries in the world, it is often referred to as a city-state. However, its influence on history and global diaspora is impressive for a tiny island positioned in the middle of the Mediterranean. Over the next week, we will be spending time on its two main islands – Gozo and Malta itself.

A country that is completely unique, with its own culture, cuisine, and incredibly distinct language, Malta has charmed civilisations for centuries. With historical sites aplenty, all the while wrapped with the magnificent coast of the Mediterranean, Malta has it all. Our first few days are spent on the smaller island of Gozo. 

Once arriving into Malta, we have another short ferry journey to Gozo, where we will be transferred over to our hotel to check in where we have an evening at leisure.

We begin our exploration of Gozo today. We drive to Xagħra, where our first stop is the Dream of Horses Farm, a multi-purpose Equestrian farm where we will enjoy lunch.  Afterwards, we will visit a local winery for a wine tasting experience.

After trying local wine, we will drive to the picturesque area of Sannat where we will stop by the famous Ta' Ċenċ Cliffs, a long stretch of 150 metre high cliffs dominating the south coast of Gozo where you will get the chance to get a photo of this incredible natural wonder of Malta.

We start with a morning drive to the renowned Saltpans of Xwejni Bay, a historical site dedicated to salt production before we arrive at the iconic Citadella. With records of occupation since the Bronze Age, and the site of the acropolis of the Roman city of Gaulos, the Cittadella has had a long history of human settlement. 

What you see today was mostly developed when the ancient acropolis was converted into a fortress during the medieval period. For centuries the citadel was a refuge for the population of Gozo, and held strong until it was conquered in the 16th century by the Ottoman Empire. Today, the entire citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Next up is a visit to Ta' Pinu, one of the most important religious sites in the country. We then drive to Dwejra Bay, where we will take a refreshing stroll to see Fungus Rock, known for its fungus which for centuries has been used for medicinal purposes. We will have the opportunity to taste some local delicacy at a local bakery where we will enjoy the famous Maltese ftira. 

In the evening, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning back to our hotel.

We say addiju (farewell) to the island of Gozo as we are transferred back to the island of Malta. On the way to our hotel in Malta, we make a brief stop at Popeye Village to capture some memorable photos.

The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore the local area.

Today is spent exploring Malta’s capital and largest city, Valletta.

A guided walking tour will get us acquainted with this truly unique city. With the entire of the fortified old town being of unique historical significance, the entire city has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the Upper Barakka - Saluting Battery, St John’s Cathedral and the Sacra Infermeria.

Following our visit, we head to a nearby eatery for lunch, situated in the vibrant heart of Valletta. This restaurant is nestled within the National Community Art Museum at Auberge d’Italie.

After lunch, enjoy some free time in the afternoon. 

Return to the hotel in the early evening for time at leisure.

We continue our exploration of Malta after breakfast, when we visit the Mosta Rotunda. Modelled on the Pantheon in Rome, it features the third-largest unsupported dome in the world. The Maltese miracle happened here, when a German aerial bomb pierced the dome during World War II and fell into the church during mass, but did not explode.

We then enjoy a visit to Dingli cliffs, followed by the Buskett Gardens whose history goes back to pre-Christian times where Pagan rituals would take place. Our day is highlighted by a visit to Mdina, whose striking fortified hilltop location will take your breath away. The city was founded by the ancient trading civilisation known as the Phoenicians, and was later taken over by the Romans.  Mdina was the capital of Malta throughout the Middle Ages, when some magnificent buildings were built. We enjoy a guided tour of the city before enjoying a local cheese making experience and lunch. 

Return to the hotel. In the evening we will head to a local restaurant for dinner and a traditional folklore show.

After breakfast, we visit one of the most important archeological sites in the region, Hagar Qim. 

A megalithic temple complex, dating back to approximately 3600-3200 BC, these are among the most ancient religious sites on Earth. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the complex is thought to be older than sites in Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece. 

Afterwards, we visit the nearby Tal-Hamrija coastal tower, built in the 17th century. We will then drive through the village of Birżebbuġa to go see the nearby Blue Grotto. Weather permitting, you can take a short boat trip to get a closer look (paid locally). 

We then return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

We venture out for a final day of touring with a tour fondly known as the ‘three cities tour’: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Marsaxlokk. The tour itself is of three neighbouring areas to the south of Valletta’s old town, and offers travellers a more off-the-beaten-track experience. One of the first settlements in the modern-day Grand Harbour, settlers in Valletta used the many harbour inlets from Phoenician times, resulting in locals identifying the three cities as the cradle of Maltese history. The area is known also for being the original settlement for Knights of St. John in the 16th century. 

Afterwards visiting Vittoriosa and Senglea, we will discover the quaint fishing village of Marsaxlokk and enjoy a local lunch.

Today your tour concludes upon checking out of your hotel. We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey. 

At the appropriate time, make your way to the airport for your onward arrangements. You have the option to book transfers for added convenience, or to extend your stay with an additional night in Malta.