Malta & Sicily Tour with Turkish Airlines for 7 Nights MLA-PMO

1st Day ISTANBUL – Malta | 3 Cities

We begin our tour by meeting our guide at 05:10 at Istanbul New Airport, International Terminal. After completing our ticket and baggage procedures, we will depart for Malta on Turkish Airlines flight TK1369 at 08:15. During our flight, we commemorate our Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. We will arrive in Malta at 09:55 local time, and after that, we will have a panoramic tour of the 3 cities. Sit back and explore the cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua, and Senglea, also known as Cottonera, which were built and supported by the Knights of Malta. After our bus tour in Cospicua, we will wander through the mystical and mysterious narrow streets of Vittoriosa, seeing its historic churches and palaces. Finally, we will be welcomed by Senglea, located at the center of the Grand Harbour, with its magnificent lookout tower offering a stunning port view. At the end of our tour, we return to our hotel for accommodation.

2nd Day MALTA | Mosta & Rabat & Mdina & Valletta

After having breakfast at our hotel, we will have the whole day at our leisure. Those who wish can join the optional tour organized by our guide to Mosta & Rabat & Mdina & Valletta for (45 Euros). Our first stop is Mosta. During this tour, we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, which has the third largest dome in Europe. This massive basilica has a dome with an outer diameter of 56.2 meters, and its interior paintings were created by the painter Giuseppe Cali. We will also see a replica of the 200 kg bomb that was dropped during World War II in 1942 by German Nazi planes, which pierced the dome and stuck into the church floor but did not explode, and receive information about the church's interior and exterior architecture. After leaving Mosta, we will proceed to Rabat, which dates back to 700 BC and has ancient narrow streets surrounding Mdina. After seeing Rabat, we will visit Mdina, the former capital of Malta and a natural set for many scenes of the famous series Game of Thrones. While wandering through the narrow streets of this medieval city, known as the silent city, we will see the magnificent Saint Paul Cathedral, the Falson Palace built by one of Malta's noble families in the 13th century, the Carmelite Monastery built in the 17th century in Baroque style, the Vilhena Palace, and the old houses of Mdina. After our free time, we will head to Valletta. We will carry out a city tour of Valletta. Valletta was chosen as the European Capital of Culture by the European Union's Council of Ministers in 2018. During our tour, we will have the opportunity to see the beautifully walled Valletta city from the outside. After our bus tour, we will explore the lively streets of the capital Valletta with our guide. Our first stop will be the Barracca Gardens, located on the upper part of the defensive walls surrounding this magnificent city. These gardens, built by the Knights of St. John, also offer a breathtaking view of the Grand Harbour and the three ancient cities surrounded by walls. After a break in Valletta, we return to our hotel for accommodation.

3rd Day Malta | Gozo Island

After having breakfast at our hotel, we will have the whole day at our leisure. Guests wishing to join the optional Gozo Island Tour organized by our guide can do so (65 Euros). We will move towards Cirkewwa harbor to transition to Gozo Island, where we will take a ferry. Gozo Island is greener than Malta, a place where life slows down. First, we will see the Inner Sea and the Fungus Rock. Gozo Island is a region where famous films like Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Troy were filmed. Next, we will visit the T'pino Church, which was a small chapel in ancient times but is now a large offering church. Then, we will go to see the historical salt pans of Marsalforn, where natural production is still maintained. We will head to Victoria Rabat for free time. At the end of our tour, we will return to Malta and go back to our hotels for accommodation.

4th Day Malta - Catania | Siracusa & Noto

After having breakfast at our hotel, we will transfer to Malta Luqa Airport early in the morning. We will depart for Catania on KM Malta Airlines flight KM640 at 06:00. Upon arrival in Catania, we will have a panoramic city tour of Catania. During this tour, we will see Fontana dell’Elefante, Republic Square, Etna Avenue, and Duomo Cathedral. After that, we will transfer to our hotel and leave our luggage until check-in time. Those who wish can join the optional Siracusa and Noto tour in the afternoon (60 Euros). We will start our tour in Siracusa, the city where the famous mathematician Archimedes lived, crossing the bridge to the Ortygia peninsula. We will begin at the Duomo Square, which is considered the main center, and see the Siracusa cathedral built on the ruins of the Temple of Athena, and the Santa Lucia Church, known as the patron saint of the city. After visiting the Arethusa Fountain and Archimedes Square, we will get lost in the narrow streets lined with cafes and shops. After our free time, we will head to Noto, one of the most important Baroque towns in Sicily. We will explore many historic buildings and architectural wonders that were rebuilt in the 18th century after being completely destroyed in the 1693 earthquake. After our tour, we will head back to our hotel in Catania for the night.

5th Day CATANIA | Etna & Savoca & Taormina

After having breakfast at our hotel, those who wish can join the optional tour organized by our guide to Mount Etna, Savoca (where The Godfather was filmed), and Taormina (90 Euros). We will start our tour at Mount Etna, Europe's largest and highest volcano, which is around half a million years old and is also on UNESCO's World Heritage list. We will ascend the mountain to the Silvestri crater at an altitude of 1900 meters, which is at the base of the lava-covered mountain. Afterward, we will continue to Savoca, the location of many important scenes from The Godfather 2 movie. Listening to stories about famous mafia families in Sicily, we will enjoy a local drink while looking at the photos of Michael and Apollonia on the walls of Bar Vitelli, where the cultural scenes of the film were shot. After leaving here, we will follow the cobblestone narrow paths to the 14th-century San Nicolo Church, where Michael and Apollonia wed in the film. Afterward, we will move to Taormina via Naxos. Naxos will captivate you with its beautiful beach and nature. Once we arrive at Taormina, the most luxurious town in Sicily, we will visit Chiesa di San Giuseppe, Porta Catania, and Porta Messina. In Taormina, we recommend trying local delicacies from Sicilian cuisine, such as Pasta alla Norma and Cannolo Siciliano. After the tour, we will move back to our hotel for accommodation.

6th Day Catania – Palermo | Cefalu

After having breakfast at our hotel, we will check-out and return our room keys to the reception. We will then head to Palermo. Those who wish can join the optional Cefalu Fisherman's Town tour organized by our guide on the way (30 Euros). Cefalù is a historic and beautiful fishing village located on the northern coast of Sicily, famous for its historical streets, magnificent beaches, and the famous Cefalù Cathedral. After enjoying the view from the Rocca di Cefalu hill, we will descend to the historic city center and its narrow streets. We will see the magnificent Cefalù Cathedral, which has a unique combination of Arab and Norman architecture. After relaxing at the seaside cafes, we will transfer to Palermo. Upon arriving in Palermo, we will have a panoramic city tour, where we will see Via Liberta and Via Roma streets, Quattro Canti, the Shame Fountain, Norman Palace, Teatro Massimo, Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, and Palermo Cathedral. After the tour, we will move to our hotel for accommodation.

7th Day PALERMO | Erice & Trapani

After having breakfast at our hotel, those who wish can join the optional Erice and Trapani tour organized by our guide (65 Euros). We will begin our tour in Erice, where you can experience a medieval atmosphere. We will stroll through the stone streets of Erice and enjoy the magnificent view from Venus Castle. We also recommend trying the delicious treats of Erice, known for its chocolate shops and bakeries. Next, we will go to the fishing village of Trapani. We will walk along the fishing port and see the colorful fishing boats. In Trapani, which has unspoiled beaches such as Lido di Paradiso, we'll take time to enjoy seafood if you wish. After the tour, we will return to our hotel for accommodation.

8th Day Palermo - Istanbul | Monreale

After having breakfast at our hotel, those who wish can join the optional Monreale tour organized by our guide (30 Euros). Monreale enchants with its charm and beauty and is one of the most important cultural sites in Sicily, showcasing a medieval atmosphere. We will visit the cathedral of Monreale, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After free time in Monreale, we will pick up guests not participating in the tour and transfer to the airport. After the ticket and baggage procedures, we will depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK1376 at 19:20. We will arrive in Istanbul at 22:55 local time, marking the end of our tour.

IST MLA 08:15 – 09:55 - TK1369

MLA CTA 06:00 – 06:45 - KM640

PMO IST 19:20 – 22:55 – TK1376