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Gems of Sicily & Malta

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Operated by Globus
Tripcode: DU
Overview
Destination:
Italy
Malta
Start:Palermo, Italy
Finish:Sliema, Malta
Duration:10 days
Type:Group tour (max 44)
Travel Period
May 2026 - October 2027
10 days from Palermo to Sliema
Small groups translate to great experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour. Designed from the ground up for a maximum of 18 guests in Europe, this Small Group Discovery tour has everything you need to explore with up-close-and-exclusive experiences that go beyond traditional tours.

Treasures galore are yours to discover in Sicily and Malta. From the sacred sites of churches and cathedrals that have stood the test of time to timeless recipes passed down through the generations—now yours to master! Explore by catamaran, ferry, farming traditions, and fine art and architecture along the way to unwrap the gems of Sicily and Malta on this Small Group Discovery Tour for the ages!

All This. Included
Special Features Included in this Tour:
  • Highlights of Palermo with a Local Guide, featuring a visit to the Church of Santa Caterina, and tasting of local pastries
  • Visit to the Norman Cathedral of Monreale with views of the Conca d’Oro
  • Guided sightseeing of Taormina including a visit to the Greek Theater
  • Hands-on small-group Sicilian Street Food Cooking class
  • Catania guided sightseeing tour featuring main highlights and a visit the Museo Storico dello Sbarco (Historical Museum of the Landing in Sicily) focusing on Operation Husky
  • Small Group experience, including dinner with a visit to a farm specializing in medicinal and aromatic herbs
  • Catamaran ride to Valletta, Malta
  • Sights and tastes sightseeing tour of Valletta including pastizzi, coffee and chocolate tasting
  • Guided sightseeing of Gozo Island, featuring a return ferry crossing, a visit to the Ggantija Temples, and a local farm experience with lunch
  • Small Group Exclusive cooking workshop to prepare your own farewell dinner during a small group class with a professional chef
Highlights:
Standard inclusions
  • 9 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinner
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Itinerary
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ARRIVE IN PALERMO, ITALY
Your Small-Group Discovery Begins!
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

PALERMO
A sweet start!
Your Sicilian discovery starts this morning with a guided sightseeing tour of Palermo, including a visit to the cathedral. End the sightseeing on a sweet note! Visit the Church of Santa Caterina and the “Segreti del Choistro” a historically significant bakery located in the cloisters. Sample the pastries, still made the traditional way using ancient recipes handed down by the nuns. This afternoon and evening, enjoy free time to see more of Palermo. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL INFLUENCES
Palermo is often referred to as the most “conquered city in the world”! It’s strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea, placed it on the “wish list” of many ancient civilisations. As you stroll around the city it is easy to see the blend of cultural influences which has given it many unique aspects, from its architecture to its traditions, to the delicious street food that can be found everywhere.


PALERMO–CEFALU–TAORMINA RIVIERA
Picture Perfect Panoramas
This morning, take a scenic drive to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro and a visit to the Norman Cathedral. Continue to the coastal town Cefalú famous for its stunning cathedral with soaring twin towers. Enjoy free time to explore the center with its charming medieval squares. Later, reach Taormina Riviera and enjoy and evening at leisure. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
MESMERIZING MOSAICS The story of the splendid Monreale Cathedral began as Arabs took control of Palermo and transformed the cathedral into a mosque, banishing the Bishop of Palermo. Not wishing to venture too far, the bishop settled in a small village in the hills overlooking Palermo, the site of modern-day Monreale. There, he built a modest church to keep the flame of local Christian worship alive. Today the cathedral is known for its stunning mosaics that cover an area of over 64.500sq ft.


TAORMINA RIVIERA
Grand Greek Drama
Follow your Local Guide on a walking tour of Taormina’s historic center. Stroll along Corso Umberto, see the Cathedral, and enjoy the view from Piazza IX Aprile. Visit the Greek Theater, one of the largest in Italy. Later, get to grips with Sicilian Street Food as a professional chef shares knowledge and tips during a hands-on small group cooking class, taste the dishes you’ve prepared accompanied by local wine. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The Greek Theatre of Taormina is considered one of the most impressive examples of auditorium engineering and architecture for its superb natural setting and acoustical design. This ancient marvel was dug into the hard rock slopes of Mount Tauro in the 3rd-century BC, with seating to accommodate thousands of spectators. The Teatro Antico di Taormina was built in the Greek tradition of incorporating the natural surroundings to become part of the performance, with light and air permeating the columns to become part of the story.


TAORMINA RIVIERA
The Pearl of the Mediterranean
Enjoy a free day on the Taormina Riviera, take a stroll on the seafront, browse the stores, laze on the beach, or try local specialties at a traditional eatery. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION With a backdrop of the Volcanic Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea providing the cinematic setting for the resort town of Taormina, this Pearl of the Mediterranean is a picturesque coastal gem that will spoil you with its stunning beaches, village beauty, and sumptuous culinary specialties.


TAORMINA RIVIERA–CATANIA–POZZALLO
Natural Aromas
This morning, drive to the vibrant city of Catania. Visit the Museo Storico dello Sbarco (Historical Museum of the Landing in Sicily) which focuses on Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily, an important factor in Europe’s liberation. Join a guided walking tour of the center, featuring Piazza del Duomo with views of the Cathedral. Later, enjoy a special small group experience; drive to a farm that specializes in medicinal and aromatic herbs. A guided visit will introduce you to their unique characteristics and uses before you are served a delicious dinner of local products accompanied by live music. (B,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Catania is an ancient port city on Sicily's east coast. It sits at the foot of Mt. Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano. The city's wide central square, Piazza del Duomo, features the whimsical Fontana dell 'Elefante statue and richly decorated St. Agata Cathedral. Nearby, La Pescheria weekday fish market is a rowdy spectacle surrounded by seafood restaurants.


POZZALLO–VALLETTA, MALTA–SLIEMA
Island Hopping
This morning leave Italy behind and board a catamaran for a ride across the Mediterranean Sea to Malta. After disembarking, start your small group Maltese discovery with a sightseeing tour of Valletta, the capital city. As you explore the city you will also discover local food traditions when you stop to try pastizzi (savory pastries), Maltese coffee, and chocolate. Later, arrive at Sliema. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
TRADITIONAL DISHES Maltese cuisine may not be as famous as that of its neighbour Italy, but it definitely packs a punch! Mediterranean flavors, with strong Italian and North African influences. Some of the best dishes are the rustic ones that are found easily in local shops and bakeries. The pastizzi is a golden pastry parcel, with a delicious filling that is much loved by the locals.


SLIEMA. EXCURSION TO GOZO ISLAND
Home of the Giants
Enjoy a scenic ferry ride to Gozo, Malta’s sister island. Highlights of the day include a visit to the awe inspiring Ggantija Temples, one of the world’s oldest and best-preserved sites. Plus, visit a local farm to learn about the age-old process of cheese making with a tasting and light lunch. (B,L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT SITES The Ggantija temples are a unique prehistoric complex and are among the oldest free-standing stone buildings in the world, said to outdate even the Egyptian Pyramids. They demonstrate amazing engineering skills as they were built using only stone tools, quite a feat! Although local legend does say that they were actually built by giants!


SLIEMA
Grandma’s Cooking
Enjoy free time to explore more. Later, take advantage of the small group size for a hands-on cooking class to prepare your farewell dinner! Don your aprons and chef’s hats to learn the rustic tricks of Grandma’s cooking as you prepare a three-course meal. Together with your traveling companions sit down to enjoy the meal you have prepared. (B,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Local heritage and family history are preserved and continued through traditional home cooking. During your small group cooking class don’t just learn the recipes and technical tips, the chef will share with you the family stories and local traditions that are connected to the dishes being prepared.


SLIEMA
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. The nearest airport is Valletta. (B)

Dates

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Travellers

Operator
Globus

At Globus, we’re not just hooked on travel as a destination, but on the way travel makes you feel. Our promise is to craft adventures you’ll want to re-live forever. Our story began more than 90 years ago, when a young Swiss Antonio Mantegazza began transporting tourists across Lake Lugano on his rowboat, sharing stories and revealing local secrets along the way. On that lake, Globus was born. Discovering a passion for tourism and a knack for business, Antonio’s services expanded beyond river transport to bus touring, from Switzerland to Europe and then, the world. After 90 years curating travel wonderment, our passion for curating the perfect trip remains. At Globus, we have the experience and local knowledge to craft immersive adventures that make you feel alive. Expect to see all the major sites, but then go deeper, to the beating heart of every new discovery. As they say, when you’re in the moment, it’s not what you know, but who you know, and you’ll quickly discover our Tour Directors know all the local secrets and insider tips. Let us connect you with a new world of people, places and experiences that will ignite your imagination. It's time to tour with Globus.

Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use
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