The islands of the Mediterranean bring the history of Western Europe and North Africa alive while accentuated with gorgeous beaches and bustling daily life during your 10-day Sicily and Malta tour. Embrace the past while you engage with contemporary culture from Ancient Greek temples to Roman villas, grand Basilicas to hilltop strongholds. Enchanting cafes overlook grand palaces and the golden Mediterranean light washes over outdoor markets during your fabulous getaway.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Palermo – Arrive at the Vibrant city of Palermo, Sicily’s Capital
The city of Palermo bustles with life across the golden cobblestones and the dynamic historical architecture. In the morning, the aromas of pomegranates and persimmons drift through the stalls of the Ballaro Market as fishmongers highlight their daily catch with displays of squid, ruby prawns, and giant marlin. Date palms rustle in the breeze and the exterior of the Norman cathedral glints along the crenulated walls and arabesque windows. Before taking your first wander of the streets, your flight will land at Falcone-Borsellino Airport, and your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival.
Travel into the heart of the captivating city that embodies the soul of the Mediterranean Sea with its comfortable climate, soaring palm trees, and preserved architecture that express the various cultures and kingdoms that have passed through the island over three millennia. Your hotel will provide a mix of enchanting antique 16th-century architecture with modern luxury as the old cloister at the heart of the hotel features an opulent trickling fountain. In the summer, a breeze drifts through the courtyard and carries refreshing mist beneath the encircling arcade in the tradition brought by Arab kingdoms.
What's Included:
Day 2
Palermo – Relish a Private Full Day Tour of Antique Palermo and Monreale
Day 3
Agrigento – Visit Medieval Erice and Sweet Marsala en route to Agrigento
Day 4
Agrigento – Discover Ancient Greek Ruins on a Guided Tour of Agrigento
Day 5
Syracuse – Find Roman Art and Greek Remnants around Syracuse
Day 6
Valletta – Enjoy the Scenic and Relaxing Ferry from Sicily to Valletta, Malta
Day 7
Valletta – Explore the Artistic and Architectural Charms of Valletta
Day 8
Valletta – Delight in a Half-Day Expedition to Mosta and Mdina
Day 9
Valletta – Treasure the Island Landscape as you Tour Victoria, Capital of Gozo
Day 10
Valletta – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Discover the preserved ancient temples and artifacts of Greek life in Sicily in the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento
- Immerse yourself in the gilded nave and halls of Monreale Basilica and see the remarkable mosaics that decorate the more than 68,000 square feet
- Take in the spectacular colors and opulent features of the Villa Casale, a home to lavish, unspoiled Roman mosaics
- Wander along the medieval lanes of Erice, located on a triangular plateau, to find confectionaries, marvelous vistas, and remnants of the Temple of Venus
- Travel to Mosta with a guide to learn about the Miracle at Mosta inside the magnificent domed church during World War II
- Stroll the nearly silent streets of Mdina, the ancient capital of Malta, where the marvelous architecture and serene setting will captivate you
- Explore the incredible coastal landscape of Gozo Island where a 200-foot tall cliff features a naturally carved window that looks into the Mediterranean Sea
- Relish the culture of Sicily on an in-depth tour of Palermo as you visit the antique architecture, engage with the celebrated art, and wander the vibrant markets
Detailed Description
Historical splendor, delicious cuisine, and a well-preserved culture will bring the marvels of Sicily and Malta to you during your 10-day tour of Italy on the coast of the Mediterranean. You will immediately find grace and beauty abounding upon your arrival in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Your private transfer will greet you at the airport and escort you to your gorgeous hotel at the heart of the historical city center. You will have the remainder of the day at your leisure to enjoy the luxuries of your accommodation and stroll through the vibrant streets of the old city.
Wake the next morning, and your guide will greet you in the hotel lobby and take you on an engaging tour of Palermo’s cultural history that spans thousands of years. Enjoy the elegance of Norman architecture and the prestige of Spanish kings, along with the preserved Arab traditions of the market before you continue to Monreale to discover the gold-leaf mosaics in the magnificent Basilica. Venture the next day to Agrigento, with a stop in the cities of Erice and Marsala along the way. The former contains medieval walls and lanes that lead to ancient temples while the latter is known for growing grapes for dessert wine and producing delectable treats. Settle into the comforts of your countryside villa for the remainder of the evening, and then move the next day to dive into the Valley of the Temples to walk among the oldest and best-preserved Greek temples in Sicily.
Journey next to Syracuse with a stop en route at the captivating site of Villa Casale and view the incredibly maintained Roman mosaics before touring the ancient sites of Syracuse, including the amphitheaters and temple remains. You will then take the fast ferry from Pozzalo to Valletta, Malta the following and enjoy the scenic view of the treasured antique harbor. Your private transfer will collect you after you disembark and lead you to your opulent hotel near the center of the capital city. The next day, your guide will take you on a fabulous half-day tour through the streets of Valletta to visit the lavish churches and impressive palaces and gardens that overlook the water.
Travel inland the following day to visit the Church of St. Mary and learn about the legend of World War II before strolling the peaceful, whitewashed streets of Mdina, the ancient capital of Malta. Travel on the fast ferry to the island of Gozo the next day to enjoy the treasured citadel of Victoria. Visit historical temples and view the marvels of the coastline before returning to Malta, and then conclude as your private transfer will greet you at your hotel and escort you to Malta International Airport for your flight home. You could also work with an Italy tour operator to extend your stay and enjoy another region of the country before flying home.
Starting Price
$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5938 reviews.
The trip was very well planned by Zicasso's travel company and all of the stops and pick-up points, cars, trains, boats, etc., were there and reliable. We had a fantastic time.
Reviewed By Jeffrey C.
I am writing to express my immense gratitude to the entire team at Zicasso’s travel partner for curating the most spectacular trip to Italy for my family. From start to finish, the level of service was beyond impeccable and truly set a new standard for what we consider luxury travel.
The planning process was an absolute pleasure. Communication was one of their greatest strengths; our contact was consistently available and responses to our questions were nearly instantaneous. This travel company made us feel like we were their only clients. They took the time to understand the different ages and interests within our family, and built a bespoke itinerary that perfectly balanced history, leisure, and unique local experiences.
This was genuine white-glove service in every sense of the word. From the moment we landed, every detail was flawlessly executed. Private drivers were waiting for us, guides were engaging and knowledgeable, and our accommodations were magnificent. We never once had to worry about a single logistic, allowing us to be fully present and enjoy our time together.
If you are looking for a travel partner that offers unparalleled personalized service and flawless execution for a trip to Italy, look no further. Thank you for giving our family memories we will cherish forever.
Reviewed By Christopher L.
My husband and I were thrilled with our recent trip to Italy that Zicasso’s travel designer put together. We began by attending a family friend’s wedding, held in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast. Due to my husband’s mobility issues, we were met by a driver and headed to the Amalfi Coast. The driver was first class and the trip was very comfortable.
After the wedding festivities, we were able to have the most wonderful experiences visiting the towns of Amalfi and Positano, and our base for one week was in beautiful Sorrento. We attended a cooking class and enjoyed eating what we prepared. We had in-depth learning opportunities in Naples and Sorrento. Every guide we had spoke excellent English and was so knowledgeable. We especially enjoyed Pompeii! A super-fun day was had on the small group tour of Capri. The crew was fantastic and very accommodating in consideration of my husband’s mobility issues.
From beginning to end everything went well. The use of a messaging app was great for making sure everyone was on the same page.
The only thing that was a disappointment was the pizza in Naples. It wasn’t the best.
The hotel in Sorrento was phenomenal - it couldn’t have been better. The view of Mt. Vesuvius from our balcony helped create memories we will have forever. The hotel in Rome was also very nice. It was right in the middle of the main attractions.
We are very happy with our experience with this travel company and would not hesitate to recommend it!
Reviewed By Anne F.
Zicasso had two travel companies provide their itinerary of what we wanted to do on our two-week trip to Italy and Greece. We chose this company because we felt they put together a nice itinerary that clearly defined what we would expect day to day. We were a little apprehensive about choosing a travel agent we had not heard of, but the communication from them prior to our trip settled our nerves. We were not disappointed because it ended up being the trip of a lifetime.
Reviewed By Thomas W.
Overall, our trip went very smoothly, even with the couple of changes we made on the fly. The drivers and guides were always prompt and courteous. All in all, we loved Malta! We want to give special thanks to Zicasso's travel consultant, who was a great help to us in all of our planning.
The hotel was beautiful, with a great location. The general manager was superb, as were all the front-desk staff. The manager offered excellent restaurant suggestions and general assistance.
Our room was quite nice and spacious. One issue with it was that it was a separate room from the other guest rooms, with access through the restaurant. The proximity to the restaurant meant that late at night and early in the morning we could hear noises from the kitchen and restaurant (tables and chairs scaping on the floor). However, we did love the hotel overall and would highly recommend it.
Reviewed By Deb B.
Our trip was a family one, two grandparents over 70, two parents and one adult son, one teenage girl, and one younger girl, 12. Three of us had been to Italy while the others had not. We wanted as complete a trip as we could in 14 days, so we included all the traditional places, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples/Pompeii. We spent three days in each and one day in Ferrara. While it was a lot for 14 days, we did not feel rushed.
What I like about Zicasso is they give you options to pick the best fit for your trip—we worked with two other agencies before we picked Zicasso’s travel partner. This travel partner took the time to understand our needs: three hotel rooms, all different in sizes, and tours and timing. Very important was the degree of coordination before the trip with the travel agent; she was available and knowledgeable, and took the time to adjust our needs. One of the best things about this travel partner was they used a van for all the travel, except from Rome to Naples. This was a much better option than the train for seven people and baggage.
During the trip, we were met on time by every driver and every guide. The hotels were excellent and the whole trip went well. When we had a delay on the train, the driver knew it and adjusted our pick-up.
Reviewed By Fred S.