2026 Malta & Sicily inc. Valletta, Taormina & Agrigento

Late this afternoon, we report to the airport and join the flight to Dubai.

We arrive in Dubai early this morning and after clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a two-night stay. There is time to rest up after the flight until mid-afternoon when we visit the Palm Jumeirah – one of the world’s most daring developments. Jutting out into the Arabian Gulf, this man-made archipelago was built in the shape of a palm tree, with a 3-mile-long trunk and a fan of fronds lined with luxury villas and five-star hotels. From water parks and wildlife encounters to beach clubs and restaurants, there is an array of different activities on offer. One of the first things that strike you when visiting the Palm Jumeirah is its size. This giant archipelago is visible from space and the outer crescent is more than 10 miles long. Afterward, we visit the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 160 stories high. We travel to the observation deck which will provide you with a breath-taking unobstructed 360-degree view of the city, desert and ocean. We return to the hotel where we have dinner this evening.

We start our day with a visit to the Museum of the Future. One of Dubai’s most famous landmarks, the museum takes pride of place along the city’s superhighway, Sheikh Zayed Road. Founded by the Dubai Future Foundation and launched on 22 February 2022, the museum explores how society could evolve in the coming decades using science and technology. Termed a ‘living museum’, it incorporates elements of traditional exhibitions, immersive theatre and themed attractions, so visitors can look beyond the present and towards the future’s limitless possibilities. Visitors have the chance to engage with this game-changing technology. Each floor of the museum is designed like an expansive, interactive movie set, brought to life by expert storytellers, technologists and visionary artists. In the afternoon, we return to the hotel with time at leisure before meeting for dinner again this evening.

A leisurely morning, until we transfer to the airport around midday to join the flight to Rome, with an onward connection to Palermo. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel, where we stay for 3-nights. Note, we arrive very late evening, so will have a late morning start tomorrow to rest and recover.

Welcome to Sicily! Late morning, we enjoy a guided tour of Palermo. Palermo has been at the crossroads of civilizations for thousands of years and is famous for its history, culture and architecture. We visit UNESCO’S World Heritage Monreale Cathedral and experience the vibrancy of local foods and flavors at the historic Capo Market. As we make our way through the stalls, you may wish to taste Sicilian staples like panelle (chickpea fritters), crocche (fried mash potatoes), and caponata e sfincione (thick pizza). The day continues with a tour of the ancient Old City and its incredible mix of architecture styles. This evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner overlooking Palermo’s Cathedral.

This morning we visit the Temple ruins at Segesta before driving up to the top of Mount Erice, 750 metres above sea level and overlooking the port of Trapani.  Here you will still find the remains of the ancient Phoenician fortifications and in the old city there are still two castles. Pepoli Castle which dates from Saracen times and the Venus Castle built by the Normans. There is time to relax and wander through the quaint old alleys and cobblestoned streets of the old town and find a trattoria in a peaceful courtyard to enjoy lunch. This evening before dinner we will enjoy a wine tasting.

Today we travel inland towards Agrigento. First, we will have an excursion to the UNESCO site of the Valley of Temples, the largest and best preserved temple ruins outside of mainland Greece. Here we will walk and explore the well preserved archaeological remains of the Greek Temples. Continue to a rural farmhouse rich in authentic traditions and quality agricultural products. Enjoy a traditional Sicilian lunch with local olive oil, cheese, grilled meat and cassata cake. Continue to Taormina where we will check into our hotel. This evening is at leisure.

Today we will visit the area around Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano and UNESCO site. We’ll visit the Silvestri craters where lava flows from previous eruptions, and then visit a farmhouse at the foot of Mount Etna with a tasting of homemade honey, olives, olive oil and wine. Learn about the fascinating world of bees from the beekeepers, with the possibility of assisting in the extraction of honey from the hive. Back in Taormina, we’ll sample the pistachios that are often used in Sicilian cuisine, then enjoy a panoramic tour finished with a visit to the ancient Greek Theater, where we’ll enjoy remarkable views of the city and countryside. The rest of the day is at leisure in Taormina to enjoy the delights of the city, before we meet up again this evening for dinner.

We’ll start the morning with a guided visit to the historical food and fish market of Catania, Piscaria. Here we’ll gather ingredients for a cooking class hosted in the private home of a Sicilian chef. Learn how to make some of the best traditional Sicilian street food specialties while sipping local wine. Discover the connections between recipes and Sicilian history and culture with storytelling by the chef. At the conclusion, we enjoy a delicious lunch together. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure.

Departing Taormina, we make our way to Ragusa, a town of two faces: Ragusa Superiore, a busy working town with grid-pattern streets, and Ragusa Ibla, a protected UNESCO historic city center. The Ilba district is located above a hill and is filled with narrow alleys, bridges, and small streets with Sicilian Baroque architecture. Next, visit Noto, another example UNESCO town with beautiful Baroque architecture and an elegant walkway flanked by palazzos and churches. Throughout the day, we’ll have the chance to try refreshing Sicilian gelato, which typically does not contain eggs or cream as well as enjoy a traditional Sicilian cannoli tasting. Afterward, we’ll continue to our hotel in Syracuse, where we stay for two nights.

Step back in time to the glorious days of Grecian Sicily. Syracuse encapsulates Sicily’s timeless beauty with ancient Greek ruins, citrus orchards, cafe tables on baroque piazzas and medieval streets leading down to the blue sea. Across the water is Ortygia, a beautiful island with beautiful streetscapes and attractive dining and shopping. In the afternoon, we will visit an ancient castle, which is a farm owned by the same family for over a century. Here we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the winery and historic garden followed by a tasting of their wines. We’ll return to our hotel to join together for a delicious dinner as we prepare for Malta the next day.

We will have some time to explore on foot and visit the Archaelogical museum of Neapolis before we drive to Pozzallo to board our ferry. Our destination is Malta, one of the most fascinating countries in Europe. One of the smallest countries in the world, it is often referred to as a city-state. However, its influence on history and global diaspora is impressive for a tiny island positioned in the middle of the Mediterranean. Over the next week, we will be spending time on its two main islands – Gozo and Malta itself. A country that is completely unique, with its own culture, cuisine, and incredibly distinct language, Malta has charmed civilisations for centuries. With historical sites aplenty, all the while wrapped with the magnificent coast of the Mediterranean, Malta has it all. Our first few days are spent on the smaller island of Gozo. Once arriving into Malta, we have another short ferry journey to Gozo, where we will be transferred over to our hotel to check in, before enjoying dinner together.

We begin our exploration of Gozo today. We drive to Xagħra, where our first stop is the Dream of Horses Farm, a multi-purpose Equestrian farm where we will enjoy lunch.  Afterwards, we will visit a local winery for a wine tasting experience. After sampling the local wine, we will drive to the picturesque area of Sannat where we will stop by the famous Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs, a long stretch of 150 metre high cliffs dominating the south coast of Gozo where you will get the chance to get a photo of this incredible natural wonder of Malta.

Today, we enjoy a drive to the renowned Saltpans of Xwejni Bay, a historical site dedicated to salt production before we arrive at the iconic Citadella. With records of occupation since the Bronze Age, and the site of the acropolis of the Roman city of Gaulos, the Cittadella has had a long history of human settlement. What you see today was mostly developed when the ancient acropolis was converted into a fortress during the medieval period. For centuries the citadel was a refuge for the population of Gozo, and held strong until it was conquered in the 16th century by the Ottoman Empire. Today, the entire citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Next up is a visit to Ta’ Pinu, one of the most important religious sites in the country. We then drive to Dwejra Bay, where we will take a refreshing stroll to see Fungus Rock, known for its fungus which for centuries has been used for medicinal purposes. We will have the opportunity to taste some local delicacy at a local bakery where we will enjoy the famous Maltese ftira. In the evening, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning back to our hotel.

After breakfast, we bid farewell to the island of Gozo as we are transferred back to the island of Malta. On the way to our hotel in Malta, we make a brief stop at Popeye Village to capture some memorable photos. The Film Set of the 1980 Musical Production “Popeye”, also known as ‘Popeye Village’ is one of Malta’s major tourist attractions. The film set was constructed in Anchor Bay during the last 7 months of 1979. We check into our hotel and the remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore the local area.

Today is spent exploring Malta’s capital and largest city, Valletta. A guided walking tour will get us acquainted with this truly unique city. With the entire of the fortified old town being of unique historical significance, the entire city has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the Upper Barakka – Saluting Battery, St John’s Cathedral and the Sacra Infermeria. Following our visit, the rest of the day is yours until such time as we meet for dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

We continue our exploration of Malta after breakfast, when we visit the Mosta Rotunda. Modelled on the Pantheon in Rome, it features the third-largest unsupported dome in the world. The Maltese miracle happened here, when a German aerial bomb pierced the dome during World War II and fell into the church during mass, but did not explode. We then enjoy a visit to Dingli cliffs, followed by the Buskett Gardens whose history goes back to pre-Christian times where Pagan rituals would take place. Our day is highlighted by a visit to Mdina, whose striking fortified hilltop location will take your breath away. The city was founded by the ancient trading civilisation known as the Phoenicians, and was later taken over by the Romans.  Mdina was the capital of Malta throughout the Middle Ages, when some magnificent buildings were built. We enjoy a guided tour of the city before enjoying a local cheese making experience and lunch. We return to the hotel where there is time to relax before we head to a local restaurant for dinner and a traditional folklore show this evening.

After breakfast, we visit one of the most important archeological sites in the region, Hagar Qim. A megalithic temple complex, dating back to approximately 3600-3200 BC, these are among the most ancient religious sites on Earth. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the complex is thought to be older than sites in Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece.  Afterwards, we visit the nearby Tal-Hamrija coastal tower, built in the 17th century. We will then drive through the village of Birżebbuġa to go see the nearby Blue Grotto. Weather permitting, we will take a short boat trip to get a closer look before we return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

We venture out for a final day of touring with a tour fondly known as the ‘three cities tour’: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Marsaxlokk. The tour itself is of three neighbouring areas to the south of Valletta’s old town, and offers travellers a more off-the-beaten-track experience. One of the first settlements in the modern-day Grand Harbour, settlers in Valletta used the many harbour inlets from Phoenician times, resulting in locals identifying the three cities as the cradle of Maltese history. The area is known also for being the original settlement for Knights of St. John in the 16th century. After visiting Vittoriosa and Senglea, we will discover the quaint fishing village of Marsaxlokk and enjoy a local lunch. We return to the hotel where there is time to refresh before we meet for our final dinner together on tour.

A leisurely morning, before we head to the airport around midday in time to join our mid-afternoon flight to Dubai.

We arrive in Dubai just after 1.00am local time. We have reserved rooms at the hotel located within the airport – rest for a few hours before we join the last leg of our journey on our flight home, departing around 10.00am

Arrival time is mid-morning.