Treasures of Italy, Sicily and Malta

Arrive in Venice and be transferred to your hotel. Tonight, head to a local restaurant for a Welcome Dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travellers and delight in your first taste of traditional Italian cuisine.

After an engaging Insider Experience this morning, join a guided tour of Venice's most iconic landmarks, including St Mark's Square and St Mark's Basilica, a masterpiece blending Byzantine, Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance influences. You'll also pass the impressive 14th-century Doge's Palace, once the residence of the Venetian doges and the seat of government, before exploring the maze of narrow streets and canals that define the city.

Insider Experience - Gondola Workshop Visit a local squero (gondola workshop) and learn about the craftsmanship behind these iconic boats and the centuries-old trade that keeps the tradition alive.

This morning, discover the traditional art of glassblowing during a visit to a working furnace on Murano, where local artisans demonstrate their craft. Afterwards, continue to Florence. Arrive this afternoon and enjoy time to explore before an Insider Experience this evening.

Insider Experience - Florence Sensory Exploration Experience Florence through its flavours and hidden corners. Widely regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance, the city is rich in artistic heritage and local traditions. Sample regional dishes and visit one of Florence's famous wine windows, where you can order a glass of Italian wine through a small opening set into a historic wall.

Today is yours to enjoy Florence at your own pace. Wander the historic streets, browse local shops or relax in one of the city's lively piazzas. Art lovers may wish to visit the renowned Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by artists such as Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci, or admire landmarks including the Ponte Vecchio.

Enhance Your Journey - Explore Pisa Join an optional excursion to Pisa to see the world-famous Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli, also home to the striking cathedral and baptistery. Alternatively, spend time soaking up the atmosphere of this historic city.

Today venture into the Tuscan countryside. Visit Siena and explore its medieval streets, seeing the impressive Piazza del Campo and Siena Cathedral. Afterwards, continue to a special Insider Experience.

Insider Experience - Tuscan Winery Experience Meet the family behind a local Tuscan winery, hear their stories and enjoy a farm-to-table lunch paired with regional wines. This relaxed experience offers an authentic taste of Tuscany's hospitality and flavours.

Enjoy a relaxed start to the morning before travelling to Naples. Continue on to Sorrento, where the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Spend the day at leisure, exploring Sorrento at your own pace. Renowned for its breathtaking coastline, charming piazzas, fragrant lemon groves and dramatic cliffs, this captivating town invites you to discover its many delights. Wander the bustling Piazza Tasso - Sorrento's lively central square - or gaze down into the Valley of the Mills, a collection of atmospheric ruins nestled within a green gorge. This evening, a memorable Insider Experience awaits.

Insider Experience - Interactive Cooking Experience Join a hands-on cooking class in Sorrento and learn the art of traditional Italian cuisine with expert local chefs. Prepare authentic dishes using fresh regional ingredients, then savour the flavours of your own creations.

Enhance Your Journey - Discover Capri Visit the island of Capri and explore its villas and picturesque villages, set against the sparkling blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Today, travel by coach to Rome, stopping en route at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Archaeological Park of Pompeii. Enjoy a guided tour of the ancient city, remarkably preserved beneath layers of ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Afterwards, continue on to Rome.

Begin your first full day in Rome with a skip-the-line guided visit to the Vatican Museums. Discover remarkable artworks and treasures, gaze up at the iconic Sistine Chapel and admire the grandeur of St Peter's Basilica. Afterwards, set out on a walking tour of the city, taking in landmarks such as the Spanish Steps and views of the Colosseum. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

Enhance Your Journey - Colosseum Guided Visit Join a guided visit inside the Colosseum for deeper insight into the history and significance of this world-famous monument.

Transfer to the airport and board your included flight to the beautiful island of Sicily. On arrival at Catania Airport, transfer to your hotel in Giardini Naxos, set along the Sicilian coastline near Taormina and just a short distance from the town centre. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

Set out for Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, where you'll explore the lower slopes and view striking lava formations shaped by past eruptions. Later, continue to the beautiful hilltop town of Taormina for a guided walking tour. Visit the historic 13th-century Duomo, admire its blend of architectural styles, and explore the remarkable ancient Greek Theatre. Afterwards, enjoy time to wander Taormina's charming lanes and boutiques before returning to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Spend today at leisure to enjoy Taormina at your own pace. Wander lively streets lined with boutiques and cafes, stroll through peaceful gardens, or relax by the beach and soak up the Sicilian sunshine.

Enhance Your Journey - Taormina Coastline Cruise Discover the dazzling coastline of Taormina and Giardini Naxos, where turquoise waters, hidden grottoes and secluded bays create one of Sicily's most captivating seascapes. Depart from Giardini Naxos and cruise past iconic Isola Bella, with opportunities to swim or snorkel in clear coves and enjoy a refreshing aperitif along the way.

Today travel into the mountains to Castelbuono, a charming town nestled within Madonie Regional Natural Park. Its narrow lanes and beautifully preserved historic centre create an immediate sense of old-world Sicily. Enjoy a special Insider Experience here before continuing to Cefalù, one of the island's most picturesque seaside towns. Wander its atmospheric streets, then journey on to Palermo, where the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Insider Experience - Lunch with Locals in Castelbuono Share a memorable lunch with locals in the hidden hill town of Castelbuono, savouring traditional regional dishes while experiencing the warm hospitality and timeless character of authentic Sicilian life.

This morning, discover the vibrant city of Palermo, one of Sicily's richest centres of history, art and culture. Visit the magnificent Palermo Cathedral, the richly decorated Church of St Mary of the Admiral, and the breathtaking Palatine Chapel, renowned for its glittering Byzantine mosaics. This afternoon, enjoy a memorable Insider Experience, then spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Insider Experience - A Taste of Palermo Set out on a mouth-watering food tour through Palermo, sampling a variety of authentic local dishes and drinks that capture the bold, layered flavours of Sicilian cuisine and everyday life.

Travel to Monreale this morning to visit the Monreale Cathedral and Benedictine Cloister, which form part of the Arab-Norman Palermo route, together with the Cefalù Cathedral - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, continue to Agrigento to explore the remarkable Valley of the Temples, one of Sicily's most significant archaeological treasures. Wander through this vast site, home to the remains of seven ancient Greek temples, all in Doric style, and a collection of well-preserved monuments. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Journey along the Mediterranean coast, stopping in the beautiful city of Ragusa. On arrival, join a local guide for a walking tour through the old town, weaving through a portion of Ragusa's maze of narrow streets. Learn about the city's rich architectural heritage, where centuries-old buildings stand in striking contrast to its modern quarters, before enjoying some free time to explore at your own pace.

Later, continue to the port town of Pozzallo to board the ferry to Malta. Relax on the crossing and take in the salty sea air as the Maltese coastline comes into view. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Sliema, a lively seaside town just across the harbour from Valletta.

Today, discover Valletta, Malta's captivating capital. Founded in 1566 by the Knights Hospitaller, this fortified city rises between the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour, its golden limestone streets laid out with military precision and Baroque grandeur.

Begin along historic Strada Reale - today's Republic Street - where everyday Maltese life unfolds. Visit the magnificent St John's Co-Cathedral, famed for its lavish interior and extraordinary collection of art and marble tombs, before continuing to St George's Square. Here, view the Grandmaster's Palace from the outside and step inside Casa Rocca Piccola, a privately owned 16th-century palace.

End the day with a traditional dhajsa boat cruise through Valletta's natural Grand Harbour, gliding past bastions and fortifications that reveal why this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is often described as an open-air museum.

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. Take time to simply relax and make use of your hotel's facilities, or choose to join an optional excursion to Gozo.

Enhance Your Journey - Full-Day Tour of Gozo with Lunch Travel by ferry to the island of Gozo and discover its distinctive character. Visit Ġgantija, home to the earliest of the Megalithic Temples of Malta, remarkable structures that predate the pyramids of Egypt. Continue to Victoria's historic Cittadella, admire the coastal beauty of Xlendi Bay, and browse for local crafts. Conclude the day with a light lunch at a traditional Maltese restaurant, complemented by a tasting of local Gozitan wine.

Enjoy a leisurely morning before your Insider Experience. This evening, discover the timeless charm of Mdina, Malta's former capital. Nicknamed the ‘Silent City', Mdina is especially enchanting after dark, when lantern light casts a golden glow across its narrow streets. As you explore, your guide reveals the city's layered history and legends, including tales of the White Lady of Mdina. Take in sweeping views from the bastions before enjoying a Farewell Dinner.

Insider Experience - Pastizzi Cooking Experience Join a local chef in the tranquil Ta' Xmun Olive Grove for a hands-on cooking experience, learning the traditional art of making Malta's beloved pastizzi - crisp pastry filled with ricotta or pea puree.

Your journey through Sicily and Malta comes to an end this morning. transfer to the airport for your onward flight. If you're not quite ready to say goodbye, consider extending your travels with our European Gems river cruise.