Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica & Malta

Travelabout Tours Cruises &

Travelabout... professional and accurate travel advice based on first-hand personal experience!

A well-paced 26 Day exclusive and unique tour of the magnificent islands in the Mediterranean Sea, including internal flights, island crossings and incorporates

mostly 2 night-stays, most meals and all ‘must do’ sightseeing... with no optional tours necessary and no hidden extras!

Featuring… Valley of the Temples, Mt Etna, Aelonian Isnads, Alghero, Maddalena Islands, Bonifacio, Ajaccio,Valletta & Gozo

Depart 14 September 2017 (from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Perth)

Tour price: $9880pp (twin share)

Single supplement $1960

2017

Day 1 14 Sep Depart AustraliaDepart Australia on Thai Airways and arrive in Bangkok the same day, with private hotel transfer. Overnight in Bangkok. O/n Asia Hotel Departure cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Perth

Day 2 15 Sep Bangkok - At lesiure - InflightFree day in Bangkok. Mid-evening group transfer to Bangkok Airport for Thai Airways flight to Paris departing around midnight. O/n Inflight (B)

Day 3 16 Sep Arrive in Paris – Ajaccio (Corsica) – Panorama Tour – Wine tasting - At leisureAn early arrival in Paris and later connect with EasyJet flight to the French island of Corsica. Arrive in Ajaccio around 1:30pm and met by our tour director and begin a short panoramic tour of Ajaccio. Followed by a wine tasting at a local vineyard of their red, rosé and white wines, plus Corsican cheese and bread. Then continue to our hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner included. O/n Hotel Fesch Ajaccio (D)

Day 4 17 Sep Ajaccio – City tour, Napoleon Museum - Sartene - Bonifacio Today we join a local guide for a walking tour of Ajaccio, the hometown of Napoleon, including the Monument to Napoleon I, Maison Bonaparte Napoleon’s birth place and former home (now a museum and the Citadel. Then continue with a visit to medieval Sartene, one of Corsica’s most authentic towns. Later arrive in Bonifacio located south on Corsica. Dinner is in our hotel.O/n Hotel Solemare Bonifacio (B,D)

Day 5 18 Sep Bonifacio – Santa Teresa Gallura - Costa Smeralda (Sardinia)We begin with a mini cruise to discover the caves and the famous white limestone cliffs of Bonifacio. Then tour the 9th century citadel, which is located on the promontory overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The Citadel has been reconstructed and renovated many times since its construction. Late afternoon we leave Corsica on a short ferry crossing to Santa Teresa Gallura in, northern Sardinia, then a short drive to our resort-style hotel. Dinner is in our hotel. O/n Tenuta Pilastru Costa Smeralda (B,D)NB 2016 ferry schedule to be advised

Day 6 19 Sep Costa Smeralda - Cruise the Maddalena Archipelago excursion An unforgettable cruise of the magnificent emerald/turquoise pristine waters of the Maddalena archipelago, consisting of seven main islands and numerous other small islets. We cruise on a large comfortable boat and visit the island of Spargi for a swim or walk, and followed by a light lunch served on board, we cruise to the island of Budelli for a photographic stop of the famous Pink Beach “Spiaggia Rosa”. Visit the Island of Caprera for a fantastic swimming stop in the natural aquarium at “Cala Coticcio”. Our final stop is in the mother Island La Maddalena, a charming historical centre to explore and shopping. Included dinner. O/n Tenuta Pilastru Costa Smeralda (B,L,D)

Sicily, sardinia, corsica & malta… DETAILED ITINERARYDay 7 20 Sep Costa Smeralda – Castelsardo – Bosa - AlgheroThis morning we enjoy a scenic drive around the Costa Smeralda visiting towns such as Porto Cervo and Baja Sardinia. Then continue to the extraordinary small town of Castelsardo, which developed around the castle and is set on a rock overlooking the sea. Ample time to visit the historical town centre and lunch. Then onto Bosa, a charming medieval town set on the Temo river valley the only river side town in the whole of Sardinia. Later continue to Alghero, where dinner is included. O/n Hotel Catalunya Alghero (B,D)

Day 8 21 Sep Alghero – Neptune’s Cave – Nuraghe Losa - CagliariWe start with a guided walking tour of the ‘old town’ of Alghero, a unique medieval town with strong presence of its past Spanish rule, with its Catalan language is co-official, unique in Italy. Then travel via Capo Caccia for a mini cruise of the Neptune’s grotto and the striking seafront caves (weather permitting). Later visit Nuraghe Losa, one of the largest and best preserved Nuraghe on the island, and its distinctive culture of the Nuragic civilization dating to the 15th-13th centuries BC. Late afternoon we arrive in Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital. O/n Hotel Regina Margherita Cagliari (B,D)

Day 9 22 Sep Cagliari - City Tour – At leisure - Overnight FerryOur guided walking tour in the old town of Cagliari includes the castle, city gates, fortifications, bastions, towers, narrow streets and a warren of arched passageways. We see port and huge marina, and drive to the south-east of Sardinia surrounded by unspoilt natural environment with the most amazing beaches. We enjoy an included lunch in a popular restaurant, where the afternoon is free to relax, before our late afternoon transfer to the Port of Cagliari to embark on our overnight ferry to Palermo. Dinner onboard. Overnight on ferry. (B,L,D)

Day 10 23 Sep Palermo – Food Markets & Morning at leisure – Afternoon City tour We disembark our ferry and farewell our tour director, then meet Franco our new tour director. We board our coach and following a short briefing the rest of the morning is at leisure to visit the famous Palermo food markets. After lunch a local guide will take us on a panorama tour of the city. We pass by Politeama square, Piazza Verdi square, Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele (opera house) and visit the historical centre with the four corners, the Cathedral and Palermo’s Norman Palace with the Palatine Chapel as its centerpiece. We end at our hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure to independently explore the city. Dinner is included tonight. O/n Hotel Excelsior Palace (B,D)

Day 11 24 Sep Palermo – Monreale & Mondello excursion Firstly this morning we travel inland and visit Monreale, for guided tour of this small hilltop town with wonderful panoramic views over Palermo, where we admire the magnificent Norman Cathedral, rich with precious byzantine mosaics. Later travel to the sea to the very popular seaside town on Mondello, located between 2 cliffs. Ample time for lunch and leisure before returning to our hotel. O/n Hotel Excelsior Palace (B,D)

Day 12 25 Sep Palermo – Marsala – Agrigento This morning we travel south to Marsala, via the coast from Trapani to the salt-works characterised by large mirrors of saltwater. See how salt is produced from seawater. Marsala is a historic port city and famous for its fortified wines where we visit a winery to sample their wines. In the afternoon we travel to Castvetrano and visit an Olive Oil Mill with tastings. Later we follow the coast to Agrigento for our overnight stay and included dinner. O/n Hotel Delle Valla Agrigento (B,D)

Day 13 26 Sep Agrigento – Valley of the Temples - Piazza Armerina – Sicilian Feast luncheon - EnnaOur morning starts with a guided tour of the magnificent Valley of the Temples, UNESCO Listed and is Sicily’s major historical site of classic Greek Doric temples. Seven temples were built in the 6th century BC and later ruined by earthquakes over the years. Later we continue to a farm-stay near Piazza Armerina for a magnificent Sicilian feast luncheon of local specialities and wine. Then onto Enna for dinner and overnight stay. O/n Hotel Federico Enna (B,L,D)

Day 14 27 Sep Enna - Cefalu – Santo di Stefano - MilazzoFirstly we visit the nearby hilltop town of Enna with Castello di Lormbardis. Then travel north to Cefalù, a captivating seaside town in the shadow of a steep mountain. Cefalu has a beach, winding, narrow, medieval streets and its imposing two-towered Norman cathedral. Later visit Santo Stefano di Camastra, a beautiful ceramic town and see how they are produced with an opportunity to purchase. Dinner is in our hotel. O/n Hotel Eolian (B,D)

Day 15 28 Sep Milazzo – Aeolian Island Cruise – Taormina/Mazzaro This morning we take ferry service to Lipari the biggest island of the Aeolian Islands. Firstly we enjoy a bus ride around the island, with panorama views over the Aeolian archipelago where the islands of Vulcano, Salina, Panarea and Stromboli can be seen. Lunch is included today at local typical restaurant and with ample time to explore the charming town of Lipari and a popular holiday destination. In the afternoon we return to Milazzo and continue to the most famous Sicilian town of Taormina, known as the ‘pearl’ of the Mediterranean sea. O/n Hotel Caparena (B,L,D)

Day 16 29 Sep Taormina – Morning at leisure - Afternoon walking tour Most of today is at leisure where we can enjoy the facilities of this seaside resort hotel or swim at their private beach, and/or take the free shuttle bus into beautiful Taormina perched on the side of a mountain with magnificent sea views. In the afternoon our guided walking tour will take us past quaint buildings, the town gates and along the cobbled lanes to the ruins of the Greek-Roman amphitheatre. Dinner will be in a local restaurant. O/n Hotel Caparena (B,D)

Day 17 30 Sep Taormina – Mt Etna – Cooking Class & Lunch – Siracusa This morning we travel to Mt Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano and up to 1900m to Silvestri craters, where we can see deposits of coloured lava flow. Then onto the town of Mascalucia where we have a hands-on cooking class of some typical Sicilian recipes, followed by lunch. In the afternoon we travel to Syracuse and onto the historical centre of Ortigia and our waterfront 5 star hotel. Dinner is included tonight. O/n Grand Hotel Ortigia (B,D)

Day 18 1 Oct Syracuse – Walking tour Nota - Pozzallo - VallettaToday’s guided walking tour will include the archaeological area including the famous Latomie of the Paradise, Dyionisios “Ear”, Arethuse fountain and archeological parc Neapoli with the Greek theatre, the Cordaros Followed by some free time and lunch, then we visit the beautiful baroque town of Noto. Later we continue to the port of Pozzallo, for the 7.30pm catamaran service to Valletta, where we arrive around 9.00pm and transferred to our hotel, located in St Julian seaside area. Supper snack is provided. O/n Vivaldi Hotel St Julian (B)

Day 19 2 Oct Malta – Valletta & Mdina ExcursionOur full day excursion will include the UNESCO Listed city of Valletta, with its magnificent architecture, the Barrakka Gardens, the fortified Grand Harbour and ‘Malta Experience’ slide show. Later travel inland to visit Mdina, the former capital built on a plateau in the central highlands. Visit medieval Rabat with its narrow alleyways and imposing St Pauls Church. Dinner is not included. O/n Vivaldi Hotel St Julian (B)

Day 20 3 Oct Malta – Gozo Island ExcursionAnother full day excursion to Gozo Island, the second biggest island of Malta. Gozo, is a three-hilled island with a character of its own and is greener and more picturesque than Malta. Highlights include Victoria, Azure Window at Dwejra, Cgantija Temples and the magnificent Rabat Citadel. Also the beautiful seaside village of Xlendi Bay and Ggantija Temples the oldest free standing temples in the world. Local handmade lace and woolen goods are popular on the island. Dinner is included. O/n Vivaldi Hotel St Julian (B,D)

Day 21 4 Oct Malta - Marsaxlokk & Hagar Qim Excursion – At leisureThis morning’s half day excursion takes us to Marsaxlok, a colourful traditional fishing village with its boats known as the ‘luzzu’. We visit Qrendi an authentic Maltese village, the Temple of Hagar Qim and the Blue Grotto where sea caverns mirrors the brilliant phosphorescent colours. The afternoon is at leisure. Dinner is not included. O/n Vivaldi Hotel St Julian (B)

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Travelabout Tours Cruises &

Tour inclusions...• Return economy international flights on Thai Airways • 2 internal flights including airlines taxes and charges • 2 island crossings • An overnight ferry crossings in outside cabin • Overnight stopover in Bangkok in each direction • Selection of superior tourist standard, 3 & 4 star hotels

• 44 meals (23 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 16 dinners) • Airport/hotel transfers in Ajaccio, Malta and Bangkok • All ‘must do’ guided sightseeing tours as per itinerary • Accompanying tour manager • Entry fees and local English speaking guides

Contact Marlene or SamSydney callers: 9807 5188 Outside Sydney FreeCall: 1800 067 649

Day 22 5 Oct Malta – At leisureThe entire day is at leisure and maybe revisit Valletta or Marsaxlokk or enjoy the hotel’s pool. Tonight is a farewell dinner in our hotel restaurant. O/n Vivaldi Hotel St Julian (B,D)

Day 23 6 Oct Malta – Rome - InflightA morning transfer to Malta airport for our flight to Rome and later connecting flight to Bangkok on Thai Airways departing around 2:00pm. O/n Inflight (B)

Day 24 7 Oct Arrive in BangkokArrive in Bangkok at 6:05am and later transferred to our hotel, where the rest of the day is free. Tonight is an optional Siam Naravit dinner and show with over 150 talented artists. O/n Asia Hotel

Day 25 8 Oct Bangkok Leisure – InflightToday is at leisure until our airport transfer to meet our homebound flights. Sydney passengers depart Bangkok at 7.15pm. O/n Inflight

Day 26 9 Oct Arrive in AustraliaSadly our tour comes to an end, but our friendships and memories will continue. Sydney passengers arrive at 7.15am.