YOUR LOGO H E R E MALYOUR TRAVEL DTA & SICILATES HERE Y Highlights: Manoel Theatre; Grandmaster’s Palace; silent city of Mdina; St. Paul’s Catacombs; Marsaxlokk market; Blue Grotto cruise; Hagar Qim & Mnajdra temples; walking tour of Taormina; volcanic cave & winery on Mt. Etna starting at $4,235per person St. John’s Co-Cathedral Blue Grotto DAY 1 FLIGHT TO VALLETTA Today we will transfer to the airport for our overnight flight to Valletta, Malta. Note: The airport location and airline will be confirmed no sooner than nine months before departure. DAY 2 SLIEMA, MALTA (Dinner) Welcome to Malta! Upon arrival in Valletta, we will settle into our hotel in nearby Sliema for the next five nights. Although Sliema is a European town, the quaint, flat limestone roofs and ornate baroque churches adorned with limestone carvings make this place one- of-a-kind, with a touch of history and a slower pace of life. Dinner will be enjoyed as a group this evening. DAY 3 SLIEMA, MALTA (Breakfast, Dinner) Following breakfast, we will get to know the capital city of Malta. Valletta was built by the Knights of St. John after the Ottoman’s “Great Siege of Malta” in 1565. The fortified city boasts over 320 monuments in a 0.2 square mile radius and is the 2018 European Capital of Culture. Within its main gates is a great mix of history and lively culture. We will begin with a walk in the Upper Barrakka Gardens to enjoy a breathtaking view of the only natural harbor in the Mediterranean before visiting the Manoel Theatre, one of the oldest working theaters in Europe. Up next is a tour of the Grandmaster’s Palace staterooms and armory before we head to St. John's Co-Cathedral. Built shortly after the Great Siege of Malta, the church’s austere exterior is in drastic contrast to its splendid, high baroque interior. The artistry is amazing, from its tombstone laid floors to the vaulted ceiling painted scenes from the life of John the Baptist. In the oratory are two wonderful masterpieces by the artist Caravaggio – St. Jerome and his only signed piece, The Beheading of St. John the Baptist. We will end our day with an entertaining folklore dinner. DAY 4 SLIEMA, MALTA (Breakfast, Lunch) Today we’ll head out into the countryside. The agricultural sector here is small but diverse, and almost all of the products grown are consumed on the island. We’ll learn about life on a small farm and enjoy a special farmer’s lunch of local foods and wine. Then we’re off to explore the silent city of Mdina, Malta’s only medieval city with a range of architecture that includes Norman and Arabic features. Next up is a walking tour of the village of Rabat and a visit to St. Paul’s Catacombs, a series of underground Christian, Jewish, and Pagan tombs that are the earliest evidence of Christianity in Malta. Back above ground, our next stop is the coastline to take in the spectacular views of the Dingli Cliffs and discover the mysterious cart ruts in the limestone at Clapham Junction. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. DAY 5 SLIEMA, MALTA (Breakfast) After breakfast this morning, we will join our guide for a lovely countryside walk with jaw-dropping views. Today is a special market day in Marsaxlokk, known as the main fishing village in Malta and the best place to see the brightly painted fishing boats. We’ll learn about the village and its fishing culture and browse the fish and souvenir market. This afternoon will involve more sightseeing, beginning with the famed Blue Grotto. We will board a boat for a ride through the series of sea caverns that highlight the beautiful waters in the area. It's a very refreshing experience! Not far away are the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples. These temples date back 5,500 years and are thought to have been built to worship a fertility goddess. DAY 6 SLIEMA, MALTA (Breakfast) Enjoy a full day at leisure. Explore the Sliema waterfront or make your way back to Valletta. No matter where you go, there are countless opportunities for shopping, dining, and sightseeing! Cathedral of Syracuse Taormina DAY 7 TAORMINA, SICILY (Breakfast, Dinner) This morning we will depart Malta and travel to Sicily by catamaran. Upon arrival in Sicily, we will visit Syracuse’s Archaeological Area with its Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, and Altar of Hieron II. A visit to the nearby island of Ortigia will have us seeing the Temple of Apollo, the Cathedral, and the Fountain of Arethusa with the famous papyrus plant. Free time will be available this afternoon to walk to the Grand Harbour to explore and have lunch on your own before we board our motorcoach for the drive to Taormina. After settling into our hotel, the group will gather for a delicious dinner. DAY 8 TAORMINA, SICILY (Breakfast) Today we will take a walking tour of Taormina, a town that sits near the active volcano of Mount Etna. The town is known for the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-Roman theater still used today. Cliffs drop to the sea forming coves with sandy beaches near the theater, and a narrow stretch of sand connects the beach to the tiny island of Isola Bella. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Do some shopping and people watching in the squares or along the lively main street of Corso Umberto, visit the public gardens, or dive deeper into the history of the medieval quarter. DAY 9 TAORMINA, SICILY (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) We will get a closer look at Mt. Etna today as we walk through the volcano’s ancient woods and past eccentric craters and unique lava formations. Along the way, we’ll be able to admire the summit craters in the distance and visit a volcanic cave. Next, we are off to a winery and vineyards for a wine tasting and lunch made with fresh, local products. The grapes grown in the area around Etna benefit from the rich volcanic soil and result in wines that any traveler to Sicily must try! On the way back to the hotel, we will also have the opportunity to taste some honey and liquors directly from the local producers. A wonderful farewell dinner is in store this evening. DAY 10 HOME (Breakfast) We will transfer to the airport after breakfast for our flight home. Colorful Maltese boats Hagar Qim STARTING PRICE* $4,235 per person, Double Occupancy $4,789 per person, Single Occupancy *Tour pricing based on a minimum of 25 full-fare passengers OPTIONAL TRAVEL PROTECTION Club Name RECOMMENDS all travelers purchase a Travel Protection Plan. For your convenience, we offer a Travel Protection Plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services: $XXX per person, Double or Single (Payment may be sent with your deposit or with final payment to Club Name) INCL• Private Motorcoach USIONS • Audio Listeners Travel Protection Plan may be purchased any time before or with final payment to Club Name. Transportation • 1 Single Occupancy Comp (based on 25 full-fare passengers; Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Travel Insurance is underwritten by • 8 Nights’ Accommodations Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company; NAIC #22276. To view state specific fraud airfare not included) warnings, visit: https://www.travelexinsurance.com/company/fraud-warning. YIE • 14 Meals (8 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 4 Dinners) • Travel Show • Admission to Attractions as • Pre-Departure Meeting A $500 deposit per person is required with your registration form in order to reserve your spot. Stated on Itinerary • 100 Brochures/Marketing FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE TO XXX: • Porter Service of One Bag Materials Per Person at Hotels XXX X, 202X • Complete Document Packet • Taxes & Gratuities for for Each Traveler For further information or questions, please contact: Included Services • Special Surprises Club Director Name • Professional Tour Manager (XXX) XXX-XXXX Not included in the price of this tour: local airport transfers, airfare, rebate, meals/beverages [email protected] other than those listed on the itinerary, beverages other than tea or coffee with included meals, items of a personal nature/souvenirs, phone calls and faxes from hotels, travel protection Custom designed plan, fee to obtain a passport and/or visa, current baggage fees at the airport as assessed by tour by the airline, and any service not listed in the above inclusions. Activity Levels 1. Easy to Minimal: Mostly panoramic sightseeing; 1-2 hours of easy-paced walking at a time; minimal stairs and uneven surfaces; must be able to physically get on/off the motorcoach. 2. Minimal to Moderate: 2-3 hours of easy-paced walking at a time; some stairs and uneven surfaces due to nature of attractions. 3. Moderate: 3-4 hours of walking/standing at a time; some stairs, inclines, and uneven surfaces due to nature of attractions. 4. Moderate to Energetic: 4-6 hours of walking/standing/physical activity; stairs, inclines, and uneven surfaces due to nature of attractions. 5. Energetic: Excellent health is required for this on-the-go tour; involves strenuous activities and more than 6 hours of activity at a more vigorous pace. DOCUMENTATION: Each U.S. citizen must have a valid passport through XXX X, 202X, to participate. If you don't have a passport, call our office and we'll tell you how to apply for one. Holders of non­U.S. passports have different entry requirements. Please NOTE: Due to airline security measures, your passport name must match your airline ticket name and your tour reservation name or you may be denied aircraft boarding.