1st Day ISTANBUL – MALTA | Mosta & Rabat & Mdina
Our tour begins at 05:30 by meeting our guide at Istanbul New Airport International Terminal. After completing ticket and baggage procedures, we will take flight TK1369 by Turkish Airlines at 08:15 from Istanbul to Malta. We will arrive in Malta at 08:50 local time, after which we will embark on our city tour. Sit back and explore the cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua, and Senglea, known as Cottonera, which were built and supported by the Knights of Malta. After our bus tour in Cospicua, we will walk through the narrow streets of the mystical and mysterious city of Vittoriosa where we will see historic churches and palaces. Finally, the watchtower located in the center of the Grand Harbor with its magnificent waterfront view will be waiting for us in Senglea. After the tour, we will head to our hotel. In the afternoon, guests wishing to join can participate in our extra tour of Mosta & Rabat & Mdina (50 Euro) organized by our guide. Our first stop is Mosta, where we will visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, which has the third largest dome in Europe. This massive basilica, with a dome diameter of 56.2 meters, features interior paintings done by artist Giuseppe Cali. We will also see the replica of a 200 kg bomb that was dropped by German Nazi aircraft during World War II in 1942, which penetrated the dome but did not explode, and learn about the church's interior and exterior architecture. After leaving Mosta, we will proceed to Rabat, which has narrow streets that date back to when it was colonized in 700 BC, surrounding Mdina. After exploring Rabat, we will visit Mdina, the old capital of Malta, known as the silent city, where many scenes from the famous series Game of Thrones were filmed. As we stroll through the narrow streets of this medieval city, we will see the magnificent Saint Paul Cathedral, the Falson Palace constructed by the noble Falson family in the 13th century, the Baroque-style Carmelite Monastery built in the 17th century, Vilhena Palace, and the old houses of Mdina. After free time, we will return to our hotel. Accommodation at our hotel.
2nd Day MALTA | Popeye Village & Marsaxlokk & Valletta
After breakfast at our hotel, guests wishing to join can participate in the extra tour organized by our guide to Popeye Village, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, and the capital Valletta (65 Euro). We will arrive at Popeye Village, where the movie Popeye was filmed in 1980. Here we will tour the village and watch shows featuring Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Bluto. Also known as the new face of Malta, you can walk along the promenade in Sliema and visit shopping stores. Sliema has a vibrant atmosphere with many restaurants and cafes. After our tour of Sliema, we will continue to visit the fishing village named Marsaxlokk, where you should not miss the view of the small fishing boats decorated with unique colors and designs known as Luzzo. Additionally, in this charming fishing village where an open market is held, guests can taste fresh fish and seafood during their free time. After the tour, we will head towards Valletta. We will have a city tour of Valletta. Valletta was selected as the European Capital of Culture by the European Union Council in 2018. During our tour, we will have the opportunity to see the magnificent walled city of Valletta from outside. After our bus city tour, we will explore the lively streets of the capital Valletta with our guide. Our first stop will be the Barracca Gardens, located on the upper part of the defensive walls surrounding this magnificent city. Created by the Knights of Saint John, these gardens also offer a fantastic view of the Grand Harbor and the three ancient cities surrounded by walls. After our break in Valletta, we will return to our hotel. Accommodation at our hotel.
3rd Day MALTA – CATANIA | Siracusa & Noto
Early in the morning, we will transfer to the Malta Ferry port. After approximately a 1 hour and 45-minute journey from Malta, we will arrive at Pozzallo Port in Sicily. After leaving Pozzallo, we will head to Catania. Guests wishing to join can participate in the Siracusa and Noto tour (50 Euro). Our tour begins in Siracusa, the city where the famous mathematician Archimedes lived. We will start by crossing to the Ortygia peninsula, which is connected to Siracusa by bridges, and visit Duomo Square, where 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. After visiting the fountain of Arethusa and Archimedes Square, we will wander through the narrow streets adorned with cafes and shops. After free time, we will head to Noto, one of the most significant Baroque towns in Sicily, which was completely destroyed in the 1693 earthquake and was rebuilt accordingly in the 18th century, where we will explore many historical buildings and architectural wonders. After this, we will proceed to Catania. Upon arrival in Catania, we will have a panoramic city tour. During this tour, we will see the Fontana dell'Elefante, Republic Square, Etna Street, and the Duomo Cathedral. We will then transfer to the hotel and spend the night at our hotel.
4th Day CATANIA | Etna & Savoca & Taormina
After breakfast at our hotel, guests wishing to join can participate in the extra tour organized by our guide to Mount Etna, Savoca (where the movie The Godfather was filmed), and Taormina, a favorite spot of famous figures like Oscar Wilde and Richard Wagner (80 Euro). Our tour begins with Etna, the largest and highest volcano in Europe, which has been active for about half a million years and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will ascend to the Silvestri crater at an altitude of 1900 meters, where we will see the landscape covered with lava. Next, we will continue to Savoca, where significant scenes of the film The Godfather were shot. You can listen to the stories of famous mafia families on the island of Sicily and enjoy a local drink at Bar Vitelli, decorated with photos of the film's characters Michael and Apollonia, while reminiscing about the film's scenes. After this, we will check out the San Nicolo church, which dates back to the 14th century, where Michael and Apollonia got married in the film. Then we will head to Taormina via Naxos. The splendid beach and nature of Naxos will dazzle you. After arriving in Taormina, Sicily's most luxurious town, we will see Chiesa di san Giuseppe, Porta Catania, and Porta Messina. We recommend trying Pasta alla Norma and Canolo Siciliano, flavors from Sicilian cuisine. After the tour, we will return to our hotel and spend the night at our hotel.
5th Day CATANIA – PALERMO | Outlet & Cefalu
After breakfast at our hotel, we will check out and return the room keys to the reception. Then we will head to Palermo. Guests wishing to join can participate in the extra tour organized by our guide to the Outlet & fishing village of Cefalu (30 Euro). Cefalu is a historic and beautiful fishing village located on Sicily's north coast. It is known for its historic streets, splendid beaches, and the famous Cefalu Cathedral. After enjoying the view from the Rocca di Cefalu hill, we will descend into the historical city center and its narrow streets. We will see the magnificent Cefalu Cathedral, which features a unique blend of Arab and Norman architecture. After a break at cafes by the sea, we will transfer to Palermo. Upon arrival in Palermo, we will have a panoramic city tour, where we will see Via Liberta and Via Roma streets, Quattro Canti, the Shame Fountain, the Norman Palace, Teatro Massimo, Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, and the Palermo Cathedral. After the tour, we will return to our hotel and spend the night at our hotel.
6th Day PALERMO | Erice & Trapani
After breakfast at our hotel, guests wishing to join can participate in the extra tour organized by our guide to Erice and Trapani (65 Euro). Our tour begins in Erice, where you will experience a medieval atmosphere. We will stroll through the cobblestone streets of Erice and enjoy the magnificent view from Venus Castle. We recommend trying the delicious treats from the famous chocolate shops and pastry shops in Erice. Then we will go to the fishing village of Trapani. We will walk in the fishing harbor and see the colorful fishing boats. During our break in Trapani, which has unspoiled beaches like Lido di Paradiso, guests can enjoy seafood. After the tour, we will return to our hotel and spend the night at our hotel.
7th Day PALERMO – ISTANBUL | Monreale
After breakfast at our hotel, guests wishing to join can participate in the extra tour organized by our guide to Monreale (35 Euro). With its charm and beauty, Monreale is one of Sicily’s most important cultural sites, creating a magical experience with its medieval atmosphere. We will explore Monreale, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to Sicily's most important cathedral. After free time in Monreale, we will pick up guests who did not participate in the tour from Palermo and transfer them to the airport. After completing ticket and baggage procedures, we will depart for Istanbul at 18:45 on flight TK1376 by Turkish Airlines. We will arrive in Istanbul at 23:15 local time, marking the end of our tour.