Compare Easter In Malta by Academy Travel vs Sicily in Depth - With 6 Days Malta Option, Small Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
0 | Poor
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 14 days |
| Price From | $ 3,780 | $ 5,075 |
| Price Per Day | $ 540 | $ 363 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included |
5 Breakfasts and 4 Lunches |
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| Description |
The celebrations of Easter take place all over Malta, where the faithful gather in large numbers to commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. From its earliest beginnings, Christianity has been interwoven with Malta’s history. This specially designed 7-day tour explores sites of history, culture, faith and art throughout Malta during the Easter period. Every stop on our journey has a fascinating history and our visits include prehistoric ruins, Phoenician settlements and places influenced by the Sicilians, Romans, Arabs, Knights of St John, French and British in succession. This has endowed the small island nation with an eclectic heritage, a quirky character and a unique charm. |
See every slice of Sicily and experience the heart of Malta during this 13-day guided tour. Take off to Paradise Quarry in Syracuse with a Local Expert, who will show you its Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped limestone grotto: call out to your fellow travelers here, and your voice may echo as many as 16 times. Visit the Palermo Cathedral, a blend of architecture styles that combine for a stunning sight. Sample fresh olive oil at a lunch made of local produce from a farm near Trapani. Travel to the quaint fishing town of Cefalu, where you will stroll to the Porta Marina for a picture-perfect view of the harbor. In Taormina, perched above the Ionian Sea, join a Local Expert at the city’s cliffside Greek theatre, from which you can see Mount Etna, the island’s active stratovolcano. Venture from your waterfront hotel in Sliema to the capital of Malta: In Valletta, you will meet a Local Expert who will guide you through the Fortress City, filled with golden-hued buildings and anchored by St. John's Cathedral. Later, in Mdina, join a Local Expert on a walk through the fortified Silent City, nicknamed for its peaceful atmosphere. Then, toast to an incredible journey during a final celebration dinner with your fellow travelers. |
Day 1: Arrival
Meals: Dinner
Meet your tour leader, Dr Estelle Lazer, at Rome airport and together fly to Valletta, arriving in the early afternoon. After time to settle in and freshen up we meet for a light dinner in the hotel. Overnight Valletta
Day 2: Valletta, Tarxien and Hal Saflieni
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Valletta
The city of Valletta is our focus today. Built by the Knights of the Order of Saint John after their victory over the Turks in 1565, its massive bastion walls were designed to discourage any further invasion. Our walking tour includes the Upper Barracca Gardens, which command a breathtaking view of the Grand Harbour. We also visit St John’s Co-Cathedral which holds, amongst its treasures, two paintings by Caravaggio – St Jerome and the vast Beheading of St John, painted in 1608 while the artist was briefly serving as a novice of the Order of Saint John in Valletta. This afternoon we visit the Neolithic temple complex at Tarxien, a site of extraordinary archaeological significance consisting of three temples built around 3000-2500 BC and a fourth dating from an earlier building phase. In small groups we visit the recently reopened Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a complex underground burial chamber.
Day 3: Good Friday
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight Valletta
Mid-morning, we meet for a guided tour that focuses on the south of Malta, starting with a visit to the Blue Grotto Caves. We take a short boat trip to view at close range the magnificent underwater flora in these grottoes. We then proceed to the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk, to admire the waterfront lined with the colourful Maltese luzzu boats painted in the traditional reds, blue and yellows. We have lunch together at a local restaurant before continuing on to the Good Friday Procession in the Village of Zebbug. The Zebbug procession is particularly well known, and we can expect to see people in costume as Roman soldiers wearing armour, biblical characters and children carrying symbolic items. The procession takes place around the village, accompanied by the village band and scout groups.
Day 4: Mdina and Rabat
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight Valletta
We visit Mdina, one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city, with an extraordinary mix of medieval and baroque architecture. Archaeological evidence traces settlement back over 4000 years to the Phoenicians. Its strategic location on the highest point of the island has made it home to Arab, Norman, Sicilian and Spanish rulers and earned it the name of Citta Notabile, the noble city. After lunch together at a local restaurant, we continue to Rabat and visit the atmospheric catacombs. We stop at the Dingli Cliffs for spectacular views over the Mediterranean before proceeding to the botanic gardens of San Anton, nowadays the official residence of Malta’s President.
Day 5: Three Cities and Harbour Cruise
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight Valletta
Today we explore the old three cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. We start in Vittoriosa, the original home of the Knights of St. John and where the Great Siege of 1565 took place. There is time to watch the fascinating and famous Easter Sunday procession in Vittoriosa, to see the locals running with the statue of the Risen Christ. In the afternoon, we take a cruise around the two natural ports of Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour, whose natural creeks make these ports unique. The views of the fortifications from the seaward side are unique and a treasure trove for photographers.
Day 6: Gozo
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight Valletta
Today we travel to the north coast and join a private boat to the island of Gozo, Malta’s smaller and more relaxed neighbour. Our visit includes the Ggantija Temples, the most complete temple complex on the islands, part of which predates Stonehenge and the Pyramids. We also visit the Calypso’s Cave and Old Citadel in Victoria. After lunch together in a local restaurant, we visit Xlendi Bay and Dwejra. In the later afternoon, we return to Valletta by boat.
Day 7: Departure
There will be a midday group flight to Rome Fiumicino airport, where the tour ends.
Day 1: Welcome to Sicily
On arrival at Catania airport, transfers leave for your hotel at 10:00, 12:30 and 15:30. Relax and settle in before meeting your Travel Director at 17:30, for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
NH Catania Centro.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Ancient Syracuse
Sightseeing with your Local Expert takes you to Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry with its unusual Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped grotto with an unusual echo. Continue to the superb Greek theatre, carved out of solid rock, one of the largest of the ancient world. There is time to explore the atmospheric Old City, a maze of narrow streets lined with palaces, sprawling over the island of Ortygia. It was here that the famous geometrician Archimedes ran naked through the streets, crying ‘Eureka!' Continue around the southeastern corner of Sicily to Ragusa.
Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa.
Breakfast
Day 3: Explore the Valley of the Temples and on to Palermo
Journey along the southern coast of the island, past the oil producing town of Gela to Agrigento. Explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. See the massive Temple of Concordia and the clifftop Temple of Juno overlooking the sea. Your travels continue to the Sicilian capital of Palermo.
NH Palermo.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Palermo & the Golden Age of the Normans
Explore Palermo with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the spectacular Arab-Norman Monreale Cathedral with a Local Expert. Alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walk through the lively market. This afternoon, visit Palermo Cathedral which has been altered many times over the years and observe its unique blend of architectural styles. For your dining pleasure, you are offered a selection of local restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening, each with their own ambience and cuisine.
NH Palermo.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 5: Exploring Erice
Venture to the charming hilltop walled town of Erice and explore the labyrinth of quiet alleyways. Pause to enjoy the sea views from the gardens alongside the Castle of Venus. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the enchanting Villa Immacolatella near Trapani, enjoy a light lunch and a tasting of some of the island's freshest olive oil and Sicilian wines. The estate employs innovative farming techniques that favour the productive rhythm of the olive grove, including organic pest control and natural decantation of the oil. Back in Palermo the evening is at your leisure.
NH Palermo.
Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Day 6: Cefalu and the Taormina Riviera
Travel to the quaint fishing town of Cefalu. The town's imposing cathedral was erected to fulfil a vow made by the Norman King Roger II. Stroll down to the medieval stone fountain and seek out the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina for a picture-perfect view of the little harbour.
RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina.
Breakfast
Day 7: Taormina and the Dawn Coast of Europe Relaxed Start
Your hotel faces east, so early risers may experience why D.H. Lawrence christened this 'The Dawn Coast of Europe.' After breakfast, perhaps take an Optional Experience through the vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. Travel to the old town of Taormina, which clings to the side of Mount Tauro overlooking the Ionian Sea and the peak of Mount Etna. With your Local Expert, visit the Greek theatre set on a cliff and open to the sky. Take a moment to sit in this ancient theatre and absorb the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Stroll on to the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja, Taormina’s grandest building and further along the elegant Corso Umberto, the Piazza IX Aprile offers panoramic views. At a local restaurant, rejoice with your new-found friends over your Celebration Dinner of delicious, freshly prepared Farm-to-Table cuisine, accompanied with exquisite Italian wines.
RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8: Fly from Catania to Malta
During your private transfer to Catania airport, appreciate the vistas of Mount Etna one last time. Board your short flight to Malta where on arrival you are met and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and settle into your hotel. Join your Travel Director at 18:30 for a Welcome Dinner with wine.
Waterfront Hotel, Sliema.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 9: Southern Delights Relaxed Start
Venture south to Valletta, Malta’s striking capital, with a Local Expert. Once here you’ll visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the impressive St. John's Cathedral, designed in a baroque fashion. Find yourself captivated by the abundance of history as you walk through the elegant streets to see why it is named The Fortress City with its restored golden-stone buildings that mould the cityscape. For lunch feast on delicious meal made from fresh local ingredients.This afternoon visit the National War Museum. Learn about Malta’s important role in WWII with a lecture from an historian.
Waterfront Hotel, Sliema.
Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Day 10: Free time in Sliema Relaxed Start
Today is free for you to laze on the rooftop terrace and enjoy the marvellous seascapes from the seafront hotel. Perhaps take a relaxing stroll along the promenade filled with many restaurants and bars. If you’re feeling more active, why not take an Optional Experience with lunch on Gozo Island? Calypso Cave, found on the island, is said to be the one Homer wrote about in his acclaimed epic poem, The Odyssey.
Waterfront Hotel, Sliema.
Breakfast
Day 11: Free Day in Malta Relaxed Start
Your day is at leisure.
Waterfront Hotel, Sliema.
Breakfast
Day 12: Mdina the Silent City
Head to Mdina with a Local Expert in the late afternoon to explore this golden city, known also as the silent city for its shady streets and peaceful atmosphere. Enjoy a Celebration Dinner at a wonderful local restaurant where you’ll toast to your trip with your fellow travellers.
Waterfront Hotel, Sliema.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 13: Depart Malta
It’s time to say goodbye to this beautiful island and your fellow travellers, as a transfer takes you to Malta International Airport for your onward journey.
Breakfast
