Overview
Exploration
4 Star
Premium
5-99 Years
24
Fully Guided
COL667A
Itinerary
Start your journey with a 4-night stay in Sliema, a welcoming Maltese resort town with a lively waterfront promenade. Stretch your legs and take in views of Marsamxett Harbour and Manoel Island. Uncover Malta's deeply rooted heritage, teeming with mysterious prehistoric temples and Renaissance architectural masterpieces.
This evening, get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner. (D) Stay: Land's End Boutique Hotel (4 Nights)
Begin your adventure with a panoramic sailing of Valletta's (UNESCO) Grand Harbour aboard traditional Dghajsa boats before exploring the Maltese capital during a walking tour led by a local expert. View the skyline of the Three Cities from the Upper Barrakka Gardens and take in the elegant profile of the Grand Master's Palace. Then, enjoy some time to explore on your own.
This afternoon, visit the private home of a modern-day Knight of Malta before hopping on the local ferry back to Sliema for an evening at leisure. (B)
The entire day is yours. With free time, you might choose to relax in Sliema or venture back to Valletta for a visit to Caravaggio's masterpiece housed in Saint John's Co-Cathedral. Or join an optional full day exploration of the Isle of Gozo, the second largest island of the Maltese archipelago and home to the Ggantija temple complex (UNESCO), which is older than Stonehenge. (B)
Enjoy a morning at leisure. Perhaps you'll join a half-day optional tour to Mdina – the “Silent City” and Malta's ancient capital.
This afternoon, immerse yourself in Maltese traditions as you board a retro bus for a village where daily life and customs remain unchanged. Experience an Impact Moment as you are hosted for dinner at a local band club. Band clubs have a special place in the community. A source of intense pride and with a solid place in Maltese social culture, the band club's premises are an ideal meeting point for locals to exchange gossip, play a game of pool or engage in village festa activities. (B/D)
Early this morning, grab your bags and hop on a ferry to Sicily. Pause in the seaside town of Pozzallo for a Sicilian breakfast. As in most of Italy, breakfast in Sicily is a simple but tasty affair, traditionally consisting of a pastry and cappuccino.
Continue your culinary exploration of the Sicilian countryside with a visit to a family-owned herb farm to learn about their production of organic aromatic plants. Then, during lunch, enjoy dishes enlivened with herbs grown on the farm. A delightful way to experience the region's unique and delicious flavors.
This afternoon, settle into your hotel for a leisurely 3-night stay in the Ragusa countryside. (B/L/D) Stay: Hotel Villa Carlotta (3 Nights)
Make your way to Ragusa-Ibla (UNESCO), a time-worn city perched upon a hill. Meander through its late-Baroque neighborhood with an expert guide, passing by winding lanes, cobblestone streets, and wrought iron balconies. Make the most of a free afternoon to explore on your own. As the sun sets, retreat to your countryside resort just outside the city or linger in town for a dinner on own. (B)
The day is yours to do as you please. With free time, you might choose to relax in the countryside and enjoy the resort's amenities. Or, perhaps you will join an optional tour to the picture-perfect towns of Scicli and Modica (UNESCO), where you'll enjoy a savory brunch featuring fresh ricotta at a countryside restaurant before venturing to an Aztec chocolate shop for some sweet samples. (B)
Take in the rugged landscape of South-Eastern Sicily en route to Siracusa (UNESCO). Then, it's your choice! Discover the expansive Neapolis, the ancient Greek colony established 27 centuries ago -OR- take in the ancient city's most precious treasures during a visit of the archeological museum in company of a local expert.
This afternoon, relax during a bus transfer to Taormina, a charming resort town perched high above the Mediterranean Sea. (B) Stay: Hotel Villa Diodoro (3 Nights)
Discover Taormina with a local guide, leading you to the city's Duomo, public gardens, and the well-preserved Greek theater. Walk in the footsteps of ancient attendees and take in an unparalleled viewpoint of the adjacent ocean. Spend the free afternoon on your own. Perhaps you'll grab a bite to eat at a sidewalk café, or peruse the local boutiques for handcrafted souvenirs. (B)
See Sicily's wilder side on an off-road adventure to Mount Etna (UNESCO). Stare up at the iconic peak as your vehicle climbs along the sides of Europe's largest active volcano. Spend the day exploring this legendary giant, passing by lava formations and basalt rocks. Back in Taormina, gather with your fellow travelers as you recount memories of the Mediterranean islands accompanied by Sicilian food at dinner, surrounded by local musicians. (B/D)
Say goodbye to Sicily and the Mediterranean as your tour comes to a close today. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Soak up the island ambiance of Malta with a 4-night stay in Sliema.
- Delve into Maltese culture during a tour of a traditional limestone village.
- Ascend the sides of Mount Etna (UNESCO) in off-road vehicles.
- Explore Valletta (UNESCO), the capital of the Knights of Malta, a city “built by gentlemen for gentlemen.”
- Pass by Baroque architecture and wrought iron balconies on a winding walking tour of Ragusa (UNESCO).
- Spend three nights in Taormina (UNESCO) and explore its iconic Greek theater.
- Explore the flavors of Maltese cuisine during a family-style dinner at a local band club.
- Pause for a Sicilian cappuccino and pastry breakfast at a local “bar.”
- Visit a family-owned organic herb farm and enjoy a lunch flavored with delicious aromatic plants.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Operator
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Trip Optionals
- Location: Sicily. Cost: $125.
- Journey to Sicily’s Baroque Valley, known for its ornate historic architecture. Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites in Scicli and Modica. The town of Scicli dates back to the 3rd century BC and is home to a number of centuries-old churches. Visit a local farm for brunch and learn about 2 local specialties: ricotta cheese and sausage. The hilly city of Modica, dating back to the 2nd century BC, is renowned for its baroque architecture and breathtakingly detailed facades. Taste Modica’s historically rooted artisanal chocolate, based on flavorful Aztec recipes of millennia ago. This tour will immerse you in the alluring culture and history of the Baroque Valley. Duration approximately 8 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 8 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.
- Location: Malta. Cost: $139.
- Embark on a full-day exploration of the isle of Gozo, the second largest island of the Maltese archipelago. A short ferry ride takes you to across to Malta’s greener neighbor, home to the Ggantija temple complex (UNESCO), which is older than Stonehenge. Uncover this UNESCO site with a local expert and learn about Gozo’s 7000 years of history. Pause for lunch at a local restaurant before enjoying a panoramic drive highlighting the many captivating legends of Gozo. Discover for yourself why the great epic poet Homer identified Gozo as the home of the nymph Calypso who kept Ulysses captive here for 7 years. Duration approximately 9 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 10 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. This option must be booked at least 30 days prior to departure. The ferry boat ride is 20-25 minutes each way and is dependent on weather and sea conditions.
- Location: Malta. Cost: $65.
- Spend your morning in Mdina, the "Silent City". Your tour begins with an exploration of the site that is traditionally identified with St. Paul’s Grotto, where legend holds is where Paul the Apostle stayed when he arrived on the island in 60 CE. Then, set off on foot through the narrow, winding streets of Mdina for an intimate look at Malta’s ancient capital, absconded in the countryside and protected for centuries before the arrival of the Knights of Malta. Duration approximately 4 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 10 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. St. Paul's Grotto can only be reached via a steep staircase and may be unsuitable for travelers with claustrophobia.
Trip Reviews (2)
Huge shoutout to Hannah from Global Journeys — she was absolutely amazing! She made the whole process so easy from start to finish, handled everything perfectly, and kept me in the loop the whole time. All in all, it was an incredible trip — great company, beautiful destinations, and so many laughs. I’d definitely travel with Collette again and book through Global Journeys in a heartbeat! 💖✨
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Collette Explorations (2025-26)
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Collette. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
