DAY 1 - SUNDAY: ARRIVAL – WELCOME TO SICILY
Arrive in Catania from Riga by Airbaltic flight. (the rooms will be ready after 14:00). After having collected your luggage, meeting with your tour leader and departure to Taormina area. Arrival at the hotel. Free time to discover the surrounding of the hotel or to go for a swim on the beach on your own. Dinner and Overnight.
(*) All customers who have booked an individual transport service (at extra charge), will meet our taxi driver at the airport arrivals with a sign displaying their name that will bring them to their hotel.
DAY 2 - MONDAY: OPTIONAL EXCURSION TAORMINA
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning you are free to relax and explore the city or go for a swim on the beach on your own.
In the afternoon you can opt to book our excursion to Taormina
OPTIONAL EXCURSION TAORMINA: € 29
Transfer to Taormina. As you walk and discover the amazing town of Taormina, hear tales about the history and the evolution of Sicilian culture. Pass by beautiful old buildings, including the 15th-century Palazzo Corvaja and an ancient Roman theatre the 2nd largest classical theatre in Sicily (Admission fee €10 not included). Discover the medieval area of the town with its narrow strest and old shops. Re-entry at your hotel in the afternoon. Dinner and Overnight.
DAY 3 – TUESDAY: CATANIA AND SIRACUSA
Breakfast in the hotel and departure to Catania by Bus for a walking tour through the streets into Catania’s UNESCO-listed historical center with its Baroque palazzi and amazing monuments. Before hopping on the bus, visit of the open-air fish market, famous for its particular colours. Continuation to Syracuse and meeting with our local guide to discover one of the most interesting archaeological sites of the island with its Archeological Park (Admission fee €10 not included), the Roman Amphitheatre, the Greek Theatre, the Ear of Dionysus, the Cave of the Cordari We will then visit the Island of Ortigia, the most ancient nucleus of the city with its stunning cathedral.
At 17:30 a group transfer to the port of Pozzallo. Arrival in Malta. Meeting with Russian speaking assistant. Overnight.
DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY: VALLETTA AND AUDIOVISUAL SHOW – OPTIONAL EXCURSION HARBOUR CRUISE
Our guided tour through the vibrant streets of Valletta will allow you to discover the beauty and charm of the fortified city built by the Knights in 1566. The Order of St. John ruled over the islands for 268 years and left a unique cultural legacy of which Valletta is the prime example. We first enjoy a breathtaking view of the Grand Harbour from the Upper Barracca Gardens. Then we visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral, including the Caravaggio masterpieces in the Oratory. The Co-Cathedral houses one of the most beautiful marble inlaid floors in the world. Going down Republic Street you will walk past the Grand Masters’ Palace and the recently restored St. George’s Square before watching the Malta Experience, an audiovisual show where Malta’s history throughout the centuries is brought back to life.
This afternoon you are free to relax and explore the city or go for a swim on the beach on your own or opt to join our half day excursion Harbour Cruise.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION HARBOUR CRUISE: € 32
On this boat trip you will discover the beauty of Valletta’s two natural harbours – Marsamaxett and the Grand Harbour – which have played a vital role in Malta’s history. Seen from the sea, Valletta appears in all its grandeur, providing photographers with the best opportunity for original pictures. After the cruise you will have time to stroll along Sliema’s main shopping area, where you can also relax in one of the many cafes. Return transfer from Sliema at 18.00hrs.
Overnight.
DAY 5 -THURSDAY: OPTIONAL EXCURSION THE OTHER MALTA
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning you are free to relax and explore the city or go for a swim on the beach on your own or opt to join our half day excursion The other Malta
OPTIONAL EXCURSION THE OTHER MALTA: € 38
This is a very special tour, combining Malta’s foremost aristocratic palace with 400-year-old wine cellars where Malta’s premium wines are allowed to mature. Palazzo Parisio has been justly described as ‘a miniature Versailles’.
Its intricate interiors contain fine frescoes, magnificent marble works, mirrored walls, tromp l’oeil, rare paintings and extravagant guilding. The beautiful landscaped gardens, acclaimed as being among the finest in Europe, reflect the splendour of this gracious home. After the opulence of the palazzo, one of Malta’s leading wineries welcomes you to its cellars where you will be given a detailed explanation of local wine making and invited to sample a selection of wines and local savouries.
Departure to Pozzallo Port. Group transfer to the hotel in Taormina and arrive in the late evening. Cold dinner and overnight.
DAY 6 - FRIDAY: OPTIONAL EXCURSION PALERMO AND MONREALE or UNDISCOVERED SICILY
Breakfast in the hotel. This day you are free to relax and explore the city or go for a swim on the beach on your own or opt to join our full day excursion Palermo & Monreale or our half day excursion Undiscovered Sicily
OPTIONAL EXCURSION PALERMO AND MONREALE: € 65
Start your day trip by boarding your air-conditioned coach at your hotel or at a meeting point and then relax and admire the scenery on the 3-hours journey west across the island to Palermo, Sicily’s main town. Firt stop is Monreale, a lovely town on the slopes of Monte Caputo overlooking Palermo. Monreale was named for the once numerous citrus orchards that dotted the fertile La Conca d’Oro valley below. Walk with your guide to Monreale Cathedral, considered one of the finest Norman constructions in the world. Hop on the coach for a quick drive to Palermo, Enjoy the visit at the Royal Palace (from outside), pause for photos outside of Palermo Cathedral (Admission fee € 3 not included), with its elegant Arabic arches and blue-gray dome. Enjoy a walking tour of Sicily’s capital, teeming with impressive art and ruins, Byzantine buildings and Baroque churches. You will also visit Piazza Pretoria, The Martorana Church (from outside), “I Quattro canti”, Via Maqueda, Politeama Theatre (from outside). Continue to Teatro Massimo (from outside), the opera house. Light lunch Light lunch with typical Sicilian food specialities (drinks are not included). Reboard the coach at 15:30 and head back to Taormina.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION UNDISCOVERED SICILY: € 35
Departure to Casiglione di Sicilia, a small medieval town also known as the “wine city”, where we you can admire Its legendary castle, rich palaces and churches. "Cannizzu" - a lookout tower split in two after being hit by lightning - is really impressive. Santa Domenica’s Church is also worth a visit; it is a rare, valuable example of Byzantine domed building of the seventh century. Then we discover Francavilla di Sicilia, a stunning town in the Alcantara valley, where a violent battle occurred between the Spaniards and Austrians in the 16th Century. Here we will also visit the Capucin Monastery (Admission fee €2 not included), founded in the 16th Century. After having tasted some local food and wine, we then head to the Alcantara Gorges (Gole dell’Alcantara). The water in the river is always cool, it attracts hundreds wishing to take a refreshing dip on hot summer days. To get down into the gorge you can either take the stairs or there is an elevator (fee € 13 not included) that will whisk you down the 50 meters to the river. The small beach area is great for getting your feet wet, sunbathing, or if you desire to jump in there are areas you can dive in.
DAY 7 – SATURDAY: OPTIONAL EXCURSION SICILIA OUTLET FASHION VILLAGE
Breakfast in the hotel. This day you are free to relax and explore the city or go for a swim on the beach on your own or opt to join our half day excursion Sicilia Outlet Fashion Village
OPTIONAL EXCURSION SICILIA OUTLET FASHION VILLAGE: € 15
Start your day trip to the “Sicilia Outlet Village”, that offers discounts from 30% to 70% off the list price, to enjoy some hours of exiting shopping. More than 120 shops including Gucci, Armani, Trussardi, Versace, Zegna, Tod's, Hogan, La Perla, Ferrari, Calvin Klein, Abercrombie and Fitch, Brooks Brothers, Borbonese and many other brands are present at “Sicilia Outlet Village”, the celebration of Made in Italy. Head back to Taormina. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 8 – SUNDAY: TOUR OVER AFTER BREAKFAST
Breakfast in the hotel. Check out at 10:00 (*). This morning you are free to relax and explore the city or go for a swim on the beach on your own. Transfer to Catania airport. Departure to Riga(**). Grazie e arrivederci!
(*) Rooms must be left before 10:00 am. You can bring your baggage with you or you can leave it in the storage room of your hotel for free. On request and at extra charge, it is possible to keep the room until late afternoon.
(**) For clients who have booked an extension of the tour in a hotel in Taormina area, a transfer to the hotel can be provided (extra charge). The return transfer from the hotel of the extension to Catania Airport after the stay is included for all clients departing with a charter flight to Riga.
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