Malta and Sicily

Tour of Malta and Sicily

The Tour of Malta and Sicily will let you discover these two gorgeous islands separated by a stretch of sea but yet with a common past of traditions, dominations, architectonic styles and also earthquakes.

In this Tour of Malta and Sicily we sail the 90 km of sea between the two islands in order to appreciate all the aspects, colours and flavours.

The crystal-clear water, the enchanting beaches, the breathtaking views, Caravaggio’s paintings, the historical buildings will make your Tour of Malta and Sicily an unforgettable journey.

Despite all the rulers who have conquered and subjugated them because of their position in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, these two islands have always laid themselves open to outsiders and been captivated by them all.

With the Tour of Malta and Sicily you can enjoy and personally feel the warmth of the local inhabitants famous all over the world.

The Tour of Malta and Sicily starts in Sicily, reaches Malta and goes back to Sicily for a holiday in the holiday, an island in the island.

For this Tour of Malta and Sicily Uzeda Viaggi suggests you:

Day 1

Catania and the “Garden in Stone” of Noto

Arrival in Catania. Visit of the historical centre of Catania, a Baroque city in Eastern Sicily. Visit of the Cathedral, built for the first time during the second half of the 11th century, rebuilt in 1169 and again after the earthquake in 1693. The façade, composed of two tiers of columns, is one of G.B. Vaccarini’s best works. Piazza Duomo is on the site of the mediaeval Platea Magna but was enlarged after the earthquake of 1693. Via Crociferi is one of the most beautiful and monumental way of the city where you can find a series of churches and baroque buildings, notably the church of San Benedetto (St. Benedict), the church of San Giuliano (St. Julian)and the former Collegio Gesuitico. Via Etnea, the high street, is rich of churches, squares, baroque and 19th century buildings.
In the afternoon visit of the beautiful town of Noto, known as the “garden in stone”, built after the earthquake of 1963 is an astonishing example of Baroque architecture: the Cathedral, the churches of San Francesco (St. Francis), of Santa Chiara (St. Clare), the Monastero del Salvatore, Palazzo Ducezio (the local Town Hall), Palazzo Nicolaci di Villa Dorata, the church of San Domenico (St. Dominique) and the theatre.
At the end transfer to Modica. Dinner and night in hotel.

Day 2

Going to Malta

Breakfast in hotel. Transfer to Pozzallo and boarding to Malta, that will be reached in 1 hour and 45 minutes. The guided tour begins in Malta’s capital city, Valletta, the “city built by gentlemen for gentlemen”, the heart of Malta’s history. From the Barrakka Gardens you can admire the breathtaking view over the deep Grand Harbour and the impressive bastions of the Three Cities. Then visit of St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the museum of the Knights of Malta. Inside the Oratory you can admire two famous painting by Caravaggio: The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Jerome. To follow visit of the former capital city Mdina. Walking through the old medieval streets of the town admiring the imposing building of the Knights and of the Maltese aristocrats. The Mdina’s bastions offer a magnificent view of the island against the Mediterranean blue. On the way back you will go through the centre of Malta passing by the aqueduct built by the Knights.
In the evening return to Pozzallo. Dinner and night in hotel.

Day 3

The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and Pirandello’s Birthplace

Breakfast in hotel. Visit of the Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples): The place is not a proper valley but rather a mountain plateau along which, during the fifth and sixth centuries BC, where built a series of temples evidence of the welfare the town enjoyed at that time. Notably visit the Tempio di Zeus Olimpico (Temple of Olympian Zeus), Castore e Polluce (Castor and Pollux), the Tempio di Ercole (Temple of Hercules) and the Temple of the Concordia (Temple of the Concorde), which is very well preserved.
In the afternoon short visit to the Birthplace of Luigi Pirandello.
In the evening you will reach Marsala. Accomodation, dinner and night in hotel.

Day 4

Segesta and Medieval Erice

Breakfast in hotel. Visit of Segesta: the archaeological area located in an enchanting position, overlooked by the solemn Doric Temple, the city was one of the most important centre of the Elymians and the strongest rival of Selinunte.
In the afternoon visit of Erice, cosy medieval village characterized by narrow and winding alleys.
Back to Marsala. Dinner and night in hotel.

Day 5

The Saltpans, Marsala’s wines and the island of Morzia

Breakfast in hotel. Visit of the Natural Reserve of Saltpans. Afterwards boarding to the island of San Pantaleo, today’s name for the ancient Motya (meaning “spinning mill”), where Phoenicians founded a thriving settlement. It is due to an Englishman, Joseph Whitaker, the “rediscovery” of the island. Whitaker’s excavations brought to light the town walls with towers and gateways, an open-air sanctuary – the “tophet” where used to be laid the remains of human sacrifices -, a necropolis and the cothon – a dry dock for repairing ships. You can also visit the nineteenth century Villa Whitaker, now a museum.
On the way back visit to a winery in Marsala with wine testing.
Transfer to Palermo. Accommodation, dinner and night in hotel.

Day 6

Palermo capital city of the Region

Breakfast in hotel. Visit of the city with its main monuments: the Royal Norman Palace, now the site of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, with The Palatine Chapel, situated on the first floor, built by Roger II between 1130-1140. The interior is highly suggestive marked by the extraordinary quality and beauty of its mosaics and the very fine wooden ceiling (Arab handicrafts). The visit of the city goes on to the Cathedral, the Quattro Canti (the Four Corners), the Martorana church.
Dinner and night in hotel.

Day 7

End of the tour

Breakfast in hotel. Transfer to the airport and departure

Malta and Sicily

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Group Tour

Sicily Escape

MICE

Service

Uzeda Viaggi