Malta & Sicily THY 5 Nights New Year's Special (FLY019)
We start our tour by meeting our guide at the Turkish Airlines check-in counter in İstanbul Airport at 05:15 AM. After completing the ticket and luggage procedures, we take our scheduled flight TK1369 with Turkish Airlines at 08:15 AM from Istanbul to Malta. We arrive in Malta at 08:50 AM local time, after which we will have a panoramic city tour of three cities. Sit back and explore the cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua, and Senglea, known as Cottonera, built and supported by the Knights of Malta. After our bus tour in Cospicua, we will walk through the mystical and mysterious narrow streets of Vittoriosa, seeing its historic churches and palaces. Finally, Senglea awaits us, located in the center of the Grand Harbour with its observation tower and magnificent harbor view. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel and check-in. Guests who wish can join an additional tour organized by our guide to Popeye Village and the fishing village of Marsaxlokk (60 Euro). We arrive at Popeye Village, where the film “Popeye” was shot in 1980. Here, we will explore the village and watch performances by Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Bluto. Then, we will visit the fishing village named "Marsaxlokk". You shouldn't miss the view of the small charming fishing boats, called Luzzo, unique to Malta. While in this charming fishing village with an open market, guests can taste fresh fish and seafood during their free time. After the tour, we return to our hotel. Accommodation at the hotel.
2nd Day MALTA | Mosta & Rabat & Mdina & VallettaAfter breakfast at our hotel, we enjoy a free day. Guests who wish can participate in an additional tour organized by our guide to Mosta & Rabat & Mdina & Valletta (65 Euro). Our first stop is Mosta. During this tour, we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, which has the third-largest dome in Europe. The outer diameter of this massive basilica is 56.2 meters, and the interior paintings were mainly created by the painter Giuseppe Cali. We will see a replica of the 200 kg bomb that was dropped by German Nazi planes during World War II in 1942, which penetrated the dome and got lodged in the church's floor but did not explode, as well as receive information about the church's interior and exterior architecture. After leaving Mosta, we will head to Rabat, which is surrounded by the ancient streets of Mdina dating back to 700 BC. After seeing Rabat, we will then visit Mdina, the former capital of Malta and the filming location for many scenes from the famous series Game of Thrones. While wandering through the narrow streets of this medieval city known as the Silent City, we will see the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Falson House built by the noble Falson family in the 13th century, the Baroque-style Carmelite Monastery built in the 17th century, the Vilhena Palace, and the old houses of Mdina. After some free time, we will head to Valletta for our city tour. Valletta was selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2018 by the European Union Council. During the tour, we will have the opportunity to see the magnificently fortified city of Valletta from the outside. After our bus tour, we will explore the vibrant streets of Valletta with our guide. Our first stop will be the Barracca Gardens, built on the upper part of the defensive walls that surround this magnificent city, providing a wonderful view of the Grand Harbour and the three ancient cities surrounded by walls. After our break in Valletta, we will return to our hotel. Accommodation at the hotel.
3rd Day MALTA – CATANIA | Siracusa & NotoTransfer to Malta Luqa Airport in the morning. After completing the ticket and luggage procedures, we depart with Ryan Air for Catania at 07:35 AM. Upon arrival in Catania at 08:25 AM, we will have a panoramic city tour of Catania. During this tour, we will see the Elephant Fountain, the Republic Square, Etna Street, and the Cathedral of Duomo. Guests who wish can join the Siracusa and Noto tour (50 Euro). Our tour will take us to Siracusa, the city where the famous mathematician Archimedes lived, starting with a visit to the Duomo Square in the Ortygia peninsula, which is connected to Siracusa by bridges. Here, we will see the Siracusa Cathedral built on top of the Temple of Athena and the Church of Santa Lucia, known as the patron saint of the city. We will also explore the Arethusa Fountain and Arkimed Square, wandering through the narrow streets filled with cafes and shops. After free time, we will head to Noto, one of the most important towns of the Baroque style in Sicily. We will see many historical structures and architectural marvels that were rebuilt in the 18th century after being completely destroyed in the earthquake of 1693. Afterward, we will return to Catania. Upon arriving, we will check into our hotel. After some free time and rest, guests who wish can celebrate the New Year in recommended venues by our guide, ensuring a healthy and happy New Year’s Eve. Accommodation at the hotel.
4th Day CATANIA | Savoca & Taormina
After breakfast at our hotel, guests who wish can join an additional tour organized by our guide to Savoca, one of the filming locations for The Godfather, and Taormina, a popular spot for famous figures like Oscar Wilde and Richard Wagner (70 Euro). Our tour begins in Savoca, where one of the most important scenes of "The Godfather Part 2" was filmed. You will hear stories about the famous mafia families in Sicily while enjoying a local drink decorated with photos of the film's characters Michael and Apollonia at Bar Vitelli, which is adorned with film memorabilia. After this, we will see the San Nicolo church from the 14th century, where Michael and Apollonia got married in the film, following the narrow cobbled path. We will then move on to Taormina, passing through Naxos. The beautiful beach and nature of Naxos will enchant you. Upon arriving in Taormina, the most luxurious town in Sicily, we will visit Chiesa di San Giuseppe, Porta Catania, and Porta Messina. While in Taormina, we especially recommend trying Pasta alla Norma and Cannolo Siciliano, delicacies from Sicilian cuisine. After the tour, we head back to the hotel, where we will accommodate.
5th Day CATANIA | Cefalu & PalermoAfter breakfast at our hotel, guests who wish can participate in an additional organized tour by our guide to Cefalù, a fishing village, and Palermo (80 Euro). Cefalù is a historic and beautiful fishing village located on the northern coast of Sicily, known for its historic streets, stunning beaches, and the famous Cefalù Cathedral. After enjoying the view of the city from the Rocca di Cefalù hill, we will descend into the historic center with its narrow streets. We will see the magnificent Cefalù Cathedral, which has a unique mix of Arab and Norman architecture. After relaxing at seaside cafes, we will transfer to Palermo. Upon our arrival in Palermo, we will have a panoramic city tour where we will see Via Liberta and Via Roma streets, Quattro Canti, the Fountain of Shame, the Norman Palace, Teatro Massimo, Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, and the Cathedral of Palermo. After some free time, we will head back to Catania and accommodate at our hotel.
6th Day CATANIA – ISTANBUL | EtnaAfter breakfast at our hotel, we check out and return the room keys to the reception. Afterward, guests who wish can join an additional tour organized by our guide to Mount Etna (35 Euro). Our tour begins with Mount Etna, the largest and highest volcano in Europe at 3350 meters, which has been active for nearly half a million years and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will ascend from the foot of the volcano, covered in lava, to the Silvestri crater, which is at an elevation of 1900 meters. After the tour, we return to Catania, providing free time there for guests not participating in the tour, and then transfer to the airport. After completing the ticket and luggage procedures, we depart for Istanbul on the flight TK1396 with Turkish Airlines at 19:25. Arriving in Istanbul at 23:50 local time, and that concludes our tour.
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ACCOMMODATION AND FLIGHT NOTES |
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IST MLA 08:15 – 08:50 – TK1369 CTA IST 19:25 – 23:50 – TK1396
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IMPORTANT NOTES
- Our tour program is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 40 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved for the trip, the final cancellation notification date is 21 days before the tour departure. Tours canceled due to insufficient participation will be communicated to you through your agency.
- When only category information is provided for the tour program and/or option is available for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be communicated by your agency 48 hours before the tour starts.
- During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than the specified kilometers. In such cases, your agency will inform you 15 days before the tour departure.
- Triple rooms are provided based on hotel availability, and the bed allocated to the 3rd person in these rooms is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since the extra beds are either folding or coach beds, tourist participants in the 3rd person and/or child reservations acknowledge and accept the possibility of tightness in the rooms and agree to the bed type. Child discounts apply to the single child meeting the age group who stays with 2 adults.
- The services included in the tour program, such as breakfasts at the hotel, are offered according to the breakfast culture of the country and are generally offered as a limited menu consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall assigned for groups.
- Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are scheduled to provide a general introduction to the cities and are panoramic tours conducted with guide narration from inside the vehicle for a maximum duration of 2-3 hours. Panoramic tours do not include entrance fees for museums or archaeological sites. Fly Express is not responsible if the mentioned tours cannot be conducted due to local authorities' prohibitions, road closures due to various events, or weather conditions that render the tour impossible. Some tours may be conducted by public transport or on foot where there are closed roads or points where vehicle access is prohibited.
- Extra tours are organized by the local agency providing the service with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If sufficient numbers are not ensured, trips may not take place, or extra tour prices, contents, and the used vehicle may vary based on the number of participants. In addition, the days and hours of the tours may be changed by the guide according to the opening/closing status of museums and archaeological sites at the destinations to be visited and based on weather conditions.
- Participation in extra tours is at the discretion of the participant and is not mandatory. Passengers who do not wish to participate in the extra tours organized during the trip accept to wait at a suitable rest area on the road. These passengers will be dropped off at a roadside rest area before the extra tour starts and picked up afterward from the same spot they were dropped off.
- If only category information is provided and/or there are alternative details for the same destination, you can learn about the hotel(s) you will be staying at 48 hours prior to the tour departure.
- In our promotional and early booking campaign tours, cancellations, and changes cannot be made by the guest.
- Fly Express acts as an intermediary between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955. There may be a risk of delay in scheduled and charter flights, or flight times may change before the trip and flight. Fly Express is obliged to inform of these changes as soon as possible. Our passengers have purchased the tour knowing and accepting that flight details may change. Children aged 0-2 are exempted from airport taxes and airport service fees.
VISA
- There is a visa requirement for Turkish citizens. It is necessary to apply with a passport valid for at least 6 months from the end of the trip, along with the documents specified in the "Documents Required for Visa" list from our agency.
- Guests traveling with a green passport must renew their passports if the date of issuance is older than 10 years; otherwise, they may be denied entry to the country and/or the airline may not carry out their flights. In such cases, the passenger is responsible.
- Green passport holders do not require a visa; a passport valid for at least 6 months from the end of the trip is sufficient.
- Having a visa does not guarantee entry into the country, as the passport police have the authority to deny entry. Fly Express is not responsible for this situation, and the responsibility lies with the passenger.
- To avoid issues with customs at the border of the visited country due to torn, worn, soaked, or similarly damaged passports; those passports need to be renewed, and if T.C. citizens require a visa for the country, the visa must be on the new passport. Otherwise, the responsibility lies with the passenger.
- For underage guests traveling alone or accompanied by only one parent, there may be a query for a document showing the joint consent of both parents by the police officer at the country entrance-exit points; thus, we advise that guests under 18 and their parents be sensitive to this issue.
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