Malta Sicily Tour 6 Nights with THY (FLY015)

1st Day ISTANBUL – MALTA | Mosta & Rabat & Mdina We begin our tour by meeting our guide at the Istanbul New Airport International Terminal at 05:30. After completing our ticket and baggage procedures, we take Turkish Airlines flight TK1369 at 08:15 from Istanbul to Malta. Arriving in Malta at 08:50 local time, we will conduct our city tour of 3 cities. Sit back and explore Vittoriosa, Cospicua, and Senglea, also known as Cottonera, 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, visiting its historic churches and palaces. Finally, we will be welcomed by Senglea, located at the center of the Grand Harbor with a lookout tower offering magnificent harbor views. After the tour, we will proceed to our hotel. In the afternoon, those who wish can join our optional tour to Mosta & Rabat & Mdina (50 Euros) organized by our guide. Our first stop is Mosta. During this tour, we will visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, which has the third-largest dome in Europe. The dome has an external diameter of 56.2 meters, and its inner paintings were notably created by the painter Giuseppe Cali. We will see a replica of a 200 kg bomb dropped by German Nazi planes in 1942 during World War II, which pierced the dome and lodged itself in the church's floor without exploding, and we will receive information about the interior and exterior architecture of the basilica. After leaving Mosta, we will proceed to Rabat, which is surrounded by historic narrow streets that date back to 700 BC. After visiting Rabat, we will walk to Mdina, the ancient capital of Malta, which served as a natural set for many scenes of the famous series Game of Thrones. While wandering the narrow streets of this medieval city known as the quiet city, we will see the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Palazzo Falson built by one of Malta’s noble families in the 13th century, the Carmelite Monastery constructed in Baroque style in the 17th century, the Vilhena Palace, and the old houses of Mdina. After our free time, we will move to our hotel for accommodation. 2nd Day MALTA | Popeye Village & Marsaxlokk & Valletta After breakfast at our hotel, those who wish can join our optional tour organized by our guide to Popeye Village, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, and the capital Valletta (65 Euros). We arrive at Popeye Village, where the movie Popeye was filmed in 1980. Here, we explore the village and watch shows featuring Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Bluto. You can stroll along the promenade in Sliema, known as the face of New Malta, and visit various shops. Sliema is home to numerous restaurants and cafes, offering a lively atmosphere. After our Sliema tour, we will continue our tour by visiting the fishing village of Marsaxlokk. You must not miss the view with the small fishing boats known as Luzzu, which have unique colors and designs typical of Malta. In this charming fishing village, an open market is also set up, where guests can sample fresh fish and seafood during their free time. After the tour, we will head to Valletta. We will conduct a city tour of Valletta, which was selected as the European Capital of Culture in 2018 by the European Union Council. During our tour, we will have the opportunity to see the magnificent city of Valletta, surrounded by walls, from the outside. After the bus tour, we will explore the lively streets of Valletta with our guide. Our first stop will be the Barracca Gardens, located along the upper section of the defensive walls surrounding this magnificent city. Created by the Knights of St. John, these gardens also offer breathtaking views of the Grand Harbor and the three ancient cities surrounded by walls. After a break in Valletta, we return to our hotel for accommodation. 3rd Day MALTA – CATANIA | Siracusa & Noto In the early morning, we transfer to the Malta Ferry terminal. After about a 1 hour and 45-minute journey, we arrive at Pozzallo Port in Sicily. From Pozzallo, we head to Catania. For those who wish, we will go on a tour of Siracusa and Noto (50 Euros). In Siracusa, the city where the famous mathematician Archimedes lived, we start our tour by crossing to the Ortygia peninsula, connected to Siracusa by bridges. We will visit the Duomo Square, where Siracusa Cathedral is built on the site of the Temple of Athena and see the church of Santa Lucia, known as the city's saint. After visiting the Arethusa Fountain and Archimedes Square, we will get lost in the narrow streets adorned with cafes and shops. After some free time, we will proceed to Noto, one of the most important Baroque-style towns in Sicily. We will explore many historical buildings and architectural wonders reconstructed faithfully in the 18th century after being completely destroyed in the 1693 earthquake. Then, we will move to Catania. After arriving in Catania, we will take a panoramic city tour that includes the Elephant Fountain, Republic Square, Etna Street, and the Duomo Cathedral. Afterward, we will transfer to our hotel and spend the night there. 4th Day CATANIA | Etna & Savoca & Taormina After breakfast at our hotel, those who wish can join our optional tour organized by our guide to Mount Etna, Savoca where the movie Godfather was filmed, and Taormina, a favorite destination for famous figures such as Oscar Wilde and Richard Wagner (80 Euros). We start our tour with Mount Etna, which at 3350 meters is Europe’s largest and highest volcano, active for almost half a million years and recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. We will ascend to 1900 meters, to the Silvestri craters, located at the foot of the lava-covered mountain. Afterward, we will proceed to Savoca, where some important scenes of the Godfather 2 were filmed. In Savoca, we will listen to tales of famous mafia families on the island and have a local drink at Bar Vitelli, where the walls are adorned with pictures of characters Michael and Apollonia from the film while picturing iconic scenes in our minds. After leaving, we will follow the cobbled narrow path to see the San Nicolo church from the 14th century, where Michael and Apollonia were married in the film. Afterward, we will head to Taormina via Naxos. Naxos will enchant you with its wonderful coastline and nature. Upon arrival in Taormina, the most luxurious town in Sicily, we will see Chiesa di San Giuseppe, Porta Catania, and Porta Messina. We recommend that you sample the delicious Sicilian cuisine, including Pasta alla Norma and Cannolo Siciliano. After the tour, we move back to our hotel for accommodation. 5th Day CATANIA – PALERMO | Outlet & Cefalu After breakfast at our hotel, we check out and hand over our room keys at the reception. Then, we head to Palermo. Those who wish can join our optional tour organized by our guide to the Outlet & Cefalu fishing village (30 Euros) along the way. Cefalù is a historic and beautiful fishing village located on Sicily's northern coast, known for its historic streets, magnificent beaches, and the famous Cefalu Cathedral. After observing the city from the Rocca di Cefalù mountain, we will wander down to the historic city center and its narrow streets. We will see the magnificent Cefalu Cathedral, which boasts a unique blend of Arab and Norman architecture. After relaxing at cafés by the sea, we will transfer to Palermo. Upon arrival in Palermo, during our panoramic city tour, we will visit Via Libertà and Via Roma streets, Quattro Canti, Fountain of Shame, Norman Palace, Teatro Massimo, Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, and Palermo Cathedral. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel for accommodation. 6th Day PALERMO | Erice & Trapani After breakfast at our hotel, those who wish can join our optional tour organized by our guide to Erice and Trapani (65 Euros). We start our tour in Erice, where you can experience a medieval atmosphere. We will stroll through the stone streets of Erice and enjoy the magnificent views from Venus Castle. Erice is famous for its chocolate shops and patisseries, and we recommend you try its delicious treats. Next, we will head to the fishing village of Trapani. We will walk along the fishing port and see the colorful fishing boats. In Trapani, known for its unspoiled beaches like Lido di Paradiso, we will take a break during which guests can enjoy seafood. After the tour, we will return to our hotel for accommodation. 7th Day PALERMO – ISTANBUL | Monreale After breakfast at our hotel, those who wish can join our optional tour to Monreale organized by our guide (35 Euros). Monreale captivates visitors with its charm and beauty and is one of Sicily's most important cultural sites, home to Sicily's most significant cathedral, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After our exploration of Monreale, we will pick up guests who did not join the tour and transfer to the airport. After completing our ticket and baggage procedures, we will take Turkish Airlines flight TK1376 at 18:45 to Istanbul. We arrive in Istanbul at 23:15 local time, concluding our tour.