This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is categorised as 4 out of 5
Packed itinerary with maximum exploration: Embark on a whirlwind sightseeing tour with minimal downtime. This tour maximises your exploration, keeping you on the move and ticking off must-see locations. A good fitness level and mobility are required to keep pace with this action-packed adventure!
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Intimate small group tour with a maximum of 24 passengers
✓ Incredible sightseeing including the Blue Grotto in Gozo, a guided exploration of Valletta and the historic capital of Mdina, a cheese making and tasting experience, and a plethora of other exciting experiences!
✓ 9 nights in central 4-star accommodation
✓ Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 2 dinners
✓ Fully escorted by a professional English-speaking Tour Director
✓ Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
✓ Hotel porterage included for your convenience
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Catania! Upon arrival please make your own way to your hotel. You have the option to book transfers for added convenience.
Today is yours to enjoy as a free day. Take the opportunity to explore Catania at your leisure.
Stroll through the vibrant La Pescheria market, where the sights and sounds of locals haggling over fresh produce create a lively atmosphere. Don't miss the chance to savour authentic Sicilian cuisine at a local trattoria, indulging in specialties like arancini and cannoli. For a touch of history, explore the ancient Roman Theater or visit the Catania Archaeological Park. End your day with a leisurely walk along the scenic waterfront at dusk, taking in the stunning views of Mount Etna in the distance. Catania's blend of history, culture, and culinary delights promises a delightful day of exploration.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Today we say arrivederci to Sicily and bongu (hello) to Malta. Before we depart Italy, we drive to Syracuse for a quick visit. Syracuse is one of the oldest and historical towns in Sicily. At its peak, it was the largest city in the ancient world, once bigger than Athens and Corinth. Now, it is a beautiful seaside city with an old town located on the fortified island, Isola di Ortigia. We will have some time to explore on foot and visit the Archaelogical museum of Neapolis before we drive to Pozzallo to board our ferry.
Our destination is Malta, one of the most fascinating countries in Europe. One of the smallest countries in the world, it is often referred to as a city-state. However, its influence on history and global diaspora is impressive for a tiny island positioned in the middle of the Mediterranean. Over the next week, we will be spending time on its two main islands – Gozo and Malta itself.
A country that is completely unique, with its own culture, cuisine, and incredibly distinct language, Malta has charmed civilisations for centuries. With historical sites aplenty, all the while wrapped with the magnificent coast of the Mediterranean, Malta has it all. Our first few days are spent on the smaller island of Gozo.
Once arriving into Malta, we have another short ferry journey to Gozo, where we will be transferred over to our hotel to check in where we have an evening at leisure.
We begin our exploration of Gozo today. We drive to Xagħra, where our first stop is the Dream of Horses Farm, a multi-purpose Equestrian farm where we will enjoy lunch. Afterwards, we will visit a local winery for a wine tasting experience.
After trying local wine, we will drive to the picturesque area of Sannat where we will stop by the famous Ta' Ċenċ Cliffs, a long stretch of 150 metre high cliffs dominating the south coast of Gozo where you will get the chance to get a photo of this incredible natural wonder of Malta.
We start with a morning drive to the renowned Saltpans of Xwejni Bay, a historical site dedicated to salt production before we arrive at the iconic Citadella. With records of occupation since the Bronze Age, and the site of the acropolis of the Roman city of Gaulos, the Cittadella has had a long history of human settlement.
What you see today was mostly developed when the ancient acropolis was converted into a fortress during the medieval period. For centuries the citadel was a refuge for the population of Gozo, and held strong until it was conquered in the 16th century by the Ottoman Empire. Today, the entire citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Next up is a visit to Ta' Pinu, one of the most important religious sites in the country. We then drive to Dwejra Bay, where we will take a refreshing stroll to see Fungus Rock, known for its fungus which for centuries has been used for medicinal purposes. We will have the opportunity to taste some local delicacy at a local bakery where we will enjoy the famous Maltese ftira.
In the evening, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning back to our hotel.
We say addiju (farewell) to the island of Gozo as we are transferred back to the island of Malta. On the way to our hotel in Malta, we make a brief stop at Popeye Village to capture some memorable photos.
The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore the local area.
Today is spent exploring Malta’s capital and largest city, Valletta.
A guided walking tour will get us acquainted with this truly unique city. With the entire of the fortified old town being of unique historical significance, the entire city has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the Upper Barakka - Saluting Battery, St John’s Cathedral and the Sacra Infermeria.
Following our visit, we head to a nearby eatery for lunch, situated in the vibrant heart of Valletta. This restaurant is nestled within the National Community Art Museum at Auberge d’Italie.
After lunch, enjoy some free time in the afternoon.
Return to the hotel in the early evening for time at leisure.
We continue our exploration of Malta after breakfast, when we visit the Mosta Rotunda. Modelled on the Pantheon in Rome, it features the third-largest unsupported dome in the world. The Maltese miracle happened here, when a German aerial bomb pierced the dome during World War II and fell into the church during mass, but did not explode.
We then enjoy a visit to Dingli cliffs, followed by the Buskett Gardens whose history goes back to pre-Christian times where Pagan rituals would take place. Our day is highlighted by a visit to Mdina, whose striking fortified hilltop location will take your breath away. The city was founded by the ancient trading civilisation known as the Phoenicians, and was later taken over by the Romans. Mdina was the capital of Malta throughout the Middle Ages, when some magnificent buildings were built. We enjoy a guided tour of the city before enjoying a local cheese making experience and lunch.
Return to the hotel. In the evening we will head to a local restaurant for dinner and a traditional folklore show.
After breakfast, we visit one of the most important archeological sites in the region, Hagar Qim.
A megalithic temple complex, dating back to approximately 3600-3200 BC, these are among the most ancient religious sites on Earth. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the complex is thought to be older than sites in Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece.
Afterwards, we visit the nearby Tal-Hamrija coastal tower, built in the 17th century. We will then drive through the village of Birżebbuġa to go see the nearby Blue Grotto. Weather permitting, you can take a short boat trip to get a closer look (paid locally).
We then return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.
We venture out for a final day of touring with a tour fondly known as the ‘three cities tour’: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Marsaxlokk. The tour itself is of three neighbouring areas to the south of Valletta’s old town, and offers travellers a more off-the-beaten-track experience. One of the first settlements in the modern-day Grand Harbour, settlers in Valletta used the many harbour inlets from Phoenician times, resulting in locals identifying the three cities as the cradle of Maltese history. The area is known also for being the original settlement for Knights of St. John in the 16th century.
Afterwards visiting Vittoriosa and Senglea, we will discover the quaint fishing village of Marsaxlokk and enjoy a local lunch.
Today your tour concludes upon checking out of your hotel. We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.
At the appropriate time. You have the option to book transfers for added convenience, or to extend your stay with an additional night in Malta.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”4”
Lively: This is considered a fast-paced tour. In order to explore as much as possible, this tour may require early starts and long travel days. One to two nights at one destination is standard. While some free time may be scheduled, most sightseeing is included throughout this tour. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage. To ensure this trip is right for you, any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aid, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $1,045.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.
2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement.
You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub
During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Group Size
Minimum of 10 and maximum 24 people
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Post Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Italy.
Australia
New Zealand
United States
India
