Malta & Sicily

The tour starts at 4.00pm on Monday 29 April, at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Valleta.

The tour ends at 6.30pm on Tuesday 14 May, at Rome Fiumicino airport.

We meet tour leader Dr Eireann Marshall at 4.00pm in the hotel to embark on an orientation stroll of the local area, followed by a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Valletta (D)

Built by the Knights of the Order of Saint John after their victory over the Turks in 1565, the UNESCO listed city of Valletta features massive bastion walls, designed to discourage any further invasion. Our half-day guided walking tour will take us to the Upper Barracca Gardens and St John’s Co-Cathedral, which holds two paintings by Caravaggio. After a break for lunch, we head south to the Neolithic temple complex at Tarxien, a site of extraordinary archaeological significance before journeying through an underground burial chamber at the Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni. Making our way further south, we then visit Malta’s oldest prehistoric site, Ghar Dalam. This cave and museum contain the skeletal remains of animals that were stranded and subsequently became extinct in Malta at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum. Returning to the hotel, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Valletta (B)

Today we travel by ferry to the small island of Gozo to marvel at the ancient and awe-inspiring Ggantija Temples. The UNESCO world heritage listed site is home to a complete megalithic temple complex, part of which predates Stonehenge and the Pyramids. We also visit the fortified Citadella at Victoria and admire Gozo’s natural beauty at Xlendi Bay and Dwejra. Lunch is enjoyed together at a local restaurant situated right on the edge of Marsalforn seafront. Returning to Valletta, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Valletta (B, L)

Much of today is at leisure in Valletta. In the mid-afternoon, we transfer to the ferry terminal for a late afternoon ferry to Pozzallo, with dinner and drinks onboard. Upon arrival in Sicily, we travel by coach to our hotel in Siracusa. Overnight Siracusa (B, D)

After a talk in the hotel, we visit the main archaeological sites of the town. Highlights of our visit include the famed theatre of Siracusa, the altar of Hieron II, and the ancient quarries (where thousands of Greek prisoners were held during the Peloponnesian War). In the later afternoon we’ll visit the Museo Aretuseo dei Pupi, housing a collection of traditional Sicilian puppets, followed by a performance of traditional puppetry at the adjoining theatre. This evening we have our welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Siracusa (B, D)

This morning we make our way to the excellent Paolo Orsi Regional Archaeological Museum. Extensively renovated in recent years, the Paolo Orsi is one of the most important archaeological museums in southern Italy. Its artefacts, found throughout Sicily, survey the Greek, Roman, and early Christian epochs. In the afternoon we’ll visit the Byzantine-era Jewish baths which are over 1,500 years old. Overnight Siracusa (B)

We depart Siracusa this morning, heading westward through the geographic centre of Sicily. Today’s highlight is the Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina, featuring a series of intact floor mosaics from the 4th century AD, created by North African artisans. After lunch we continue to Agrigento, located on the south coast of Sicily, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner tonight is in our hotel. Overnight Agrigento (B, D)

Agrigento – ancient ‘Akragas’ — was founded in the 6th century BC and enjoyed a reputation as one of the wealthiest colonies of the Greek world. The extensive and well-preserved sacred area is testament to these riches, comprising four wonderfully preserved large temples as well as a number of smaller structures. Today we tour the temple site with a local guide and visit the nearby archaeological museum. The afternoon is free to relax. Tonight, we have dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Agrigento (B, D)

Our first stop is to see the larger than life-size Dancing Satyr of Mazara del Vallo, a Greek bronze statue that was found by a Sicilian fisherman in 1998 in the waters of the Mediterranean. We continue to Selinunte (ancient Selinus), the last of the important Greek cities on our itinerary. At its peak, Selinus had a population of 25,000 but it was comprehensively sacked and its ruins inspired generations of Romantic poets and artists, such as Goethe. Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant. Overnight Palermo (B, D)

Palermo is a colourful city, with the atmosphere of North Africa or perhaps Asia rather than of Europe. Its heritage as a meeting point between European civilisation and the Arab and Byzantine worlds is borne out in the splendid medieval buildings of the Norman kingdoms. Today we tour some of the main historic sites of the old city, including the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel, with its gold mosaics, and the Byzantine-influenced church of La Martorana. After lunch we visit the 12th-century retreat of La Zisa, inspired by Moorish pleasure palaces, and then stroll through some of the markets and characteristic back streets of the old city. Overnight Palermo (B)

The cathedral and abbey of Monreale, in the hills overlooking Palermo, were founded by the Norman King William II in the 12th century to demonstrate the power of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily. There are more than 6,000 square metres of mosaics here, using 2,200 kg of real gold. We spend the morning visiting the cathedral and enjoying the surrounding medieval hill town. After returning to Palermo, the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight Palermo (B)

Today we take a ferry to Mozia where, among the salt pans, we explore the ruins of the former Carthaginian settlement. The island also houses a small museum with some unique pieces. Followng lunch in a local restaurant, we then continue to Segesta, an evocative ruin perched on a hill. The theatre and temple here are truly memorable, and have inspired artists and writers for centuries. In the late afternoon we head back to Palermo. Overnight Palermo (B, L)

We depart Palermo this morning, heading along the north coast. We spend the greater part of the day in Cefalù, a fishing town dominated by a splendid Norman cathedral, reputedly built after King Roger II survived a shipwreck near the town. There is also a Greek sanctuary above the town (a steep walk) and an idiosyncratic art gallery with some fine works. After a break for lunch, we travel to the city of Messina to visit the fine Norman cathedral and the Regional Museum of Messina, home to masterpieces by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina. We continue on to Taormina on the east coast of Sicily, our base for the next three nights. After checking into our hotel, we have dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Taormina (B, D)

Sitting above the sea with superb views to Mount Etna, Taormina is a memorable final destination for our journey. We spend this morning visiting the Graeco-Roman theatre and other highlights of the town. This afternoon and evening are at leisure. Overnight Taormina (B)

Today we join our coach for an excursion to the summit of Mount Etna itself. Europe’s largest and most spectacular volcano, Mt Etna is still very active. Assuming conditions are safe we will explore the south side of the volcano, travelling by coach, cable car and finally jeep to a height of 2,900 metres. The landscape and the views are unforgettable. (Please note that the last part of the excursion involves walking over uneven surfaces. It may not be possible for all passengers to undertake this segment.) Returning to Taormina there is time for a stroll around the town before we meet for our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Taormina (B, D)

Our flight departs mid-afternoon for Rome, arriving in time to meet the late evening departing flight for Australia. (B)

Hotels have been selected principally for their central location. All hotels are a comfortable 4 and 5-star standard.

• Valleta, Grand Hotel Excelsior (3 nights)

• Siracusa, Grand Hotel Ortigia (3 nights)

• Agrigento, Grand Hotel Mosè (2 nights)

• Palermo, Eurostars Central Palace (4 nights)

• Taormina, Hotel Monte Tauro (3 nights)