Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands Cruise

The Italy & malta cruise has been withdrawn for 2023 due to re-seployment of the vessel to a full season private charter elsewhere. Whilst we hop-e that variety Cruises will return to this fantastic area in the future, please see alternative cruises we are recommending in tis area below.

Visiting Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

10-Day package holidays

This corner of the Mediterranean is volcano-central – most of the islands owe their existence to tectonic activity which continue to this day. It’s a place where raw nature takes centre-stage, but it’s also an area of wonderful history and culture. Many experts argue that the Greek and Roman ruins at Syracuse are the equal of any in the Eastern Med and we’re not about to disagree. This is a new itinerary for us – we’re very excited.

Your Holiday Includes:

Return flights from the UK
In-destination transfers
7 Night Cruise on a Full board Basis
2 Night Hotel in Valletta on a Bed & Breakfast basis
Port Charges
ATOL Protection

Don’t miss…

The Citadel & Baroque Cathedral on Gozo

Jaw-droppingly fabulous Greek and Romas ruins at Syracuse

Neolithic (stone age) relics on Lipari

Vulcano Island with its volcanic crater and mud baths

Lava eruptions on Stromboli

Mount Etna – still smoking after millennia of activity

The hidden treasures of old Catania

The medieval streets of Taormina

Mdina – the Silent City

Valletta with a wonderful choice of restaurants and nightlife

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Thursday – Valletta

Fly to Malta. On arrival you will be transferred to the La Falconeria hotel for a 2 night stay. Afternoon at leisure. The waters plunge deep and blue around the island – brilliant for swimming. Don’t miss Mdina, right in the middle of the island. Once the capital, it has since been more or less abandoned – hence its other name, «The Silent City».

Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Friday – Valletta

Day at leisure to explore this fascinating island. Malta is also a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the presence of Neolithic temples dating back to 3,600 BCE, predating the pyramids and generally considered the oldest structures in the world. Valletta, built by the Knights of St. John, is Europe’s smallest capital city with some lovely culture and jaw-droppingly good Caravaggio in the Cathedral.

Meals included: Breakfast

Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Friday – Valletta

You will be transferred from your hotel to Valletta Port for embarkation.
Welcome cocktails and cruise briefing. Dinner on board but a chance to explore this wonderful old port. Overnight in port.

Embarkation Time: 15:00

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Saturday – Valletta – Gozo Island

After a swim stop at one of Gozo’s beautiful beaches we dock after lunch. There is an optional excursion to the Citadel, the Baroque Cathedral and other sites, followed by a wine tasting. Overnight at sea.

Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Sunday – Syracuse, Sicily

Many people are unaware that Syracuse rivalled Athens in importance in the Hellenic world – the Greek theatre seats 15,000. The Roman ruins are equally impressive and, altogether, it’s a Culture Vulture’s delight. We promise you’ll be amazed. Overnight at sea.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Monday – Lipari

Due to the volcanic rock, Homer claimed that this, the largest of the Aeolian Islands, looked like a ‘wall of bronze’. Civilisation here dates back to 1700 BCE although the most impressive buildings are of 16th century Spanish creation. Loads of time to explore as we overnight in harbour.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Tuesday – Vulcano Island – Panarea – Stromboli

A day of nature at it’s most powerful, starting the day on Vulcano Island with its mud baths, and ending cruising past the active volcano of Stromboli. In between there’s a chance to stroll and relax over a drink on quaint Panarea.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Wednesday – Catania

The chance to get really up close and personal volcano style with an optional visit to Mount Etna, highest point on Sicily and still active. Later we explore the old Italian city of Catania. Don’t miss the chance to sample a glass of Grappa as a nightcap.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch or Dinner

Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Thursday – Catania – Taormina

Taormina is a delight of medieval streets and piazzas around the famous Corso Umberto where the locals stroll and pose. Today’s optional tour also includes the wonderful Greek Amphitheatre. Afternoon at leisure before farewell dinner on board en route back to Malta.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch or Dinner

Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Friday – Valletta

Disembarkation after breakfast and transfer to Malta International Airport.
If your flight departs late we can organize a sightseeing tour for you. Please ask for details.

Meals included: Breakfast

Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Flights from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted & Manchester

All local transfers

2 nights at La Falconeria hotel on a bed and breakfast basis

 

On board M/Y Harmony G

Accommodation in your chosen grade of cabin with private SH/WC & air conditioning, mini fridge and flat-screen TV with complimentary movies.

Full-board: Buffet breakfast and two main meals daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, a local themed party evening, fun BBQ on the beach or on deck (weather permitting) and Captain’s Dinner.

Regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water free all day, plus abundant fresh fruit.

Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment, sea kayak and stand up paddle boards (subject to availability).

Professional English speaking Cruise Director.

Port charges

Below flight times are indicative and subject to availability. You will be advised exact flight details at the time of booking.

London Heathrow

  • Thursday Depart Heathrow: 10:50 Arrive Malta: 15:00
  • Friday Depart Malta:17:00 Arrive Heathrow: 19:30

London Gatwick

  • Thursday Depart Gatwick: 06:25 Arrive Malta: 10:40
  • Friday Depart Malta:11:20 Arrive Gatwick: 13:40

London Stansted

  • Thursday Depart Stansted: 08:15 Arrive Malta: 12:35
  • Friday Depart Malta:16:30 Arrive Stansted: 18:55

Manchester

  • Thursday Depart Manchester: 06:15 Arrive Malta: 10:45
  • Friday Depart Malta:11:00 Arrive Manchester: 13:40

All local transfers are included in your package.

  • Malta airport to La Falconeria hotel – approximately 30 min
  • La Falconeria hotel to Valletta cruise port – approximately 15 min
  • Valletta cruise port to Malta airport – approximately 20 min
  • Beverages, except regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water.
  • Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements.
  • Crew gratuities (optional –  recommend  Eur10-14 per passenger per day).
  • Passenger personal expenses
  • Wi-Fi (available at charge)

Ports of call: Valletta - Gozo - Syracuse - Lipari - Panarea - Stromboli - Catania - Taormina - Vulcano Island

In the interests of the comfort and safety of guests, cruise routes may need to be varied in the event of adverse weather conditions at the captains discretion. The Captain and Cruise Director will will keep you fully briefed on the daily programme.

The Weather

Reliable sunshine between early May and late October. Temperatures from the low 20s early and late season, to mid 30s mid-summer. Winds moderate (Force 3-4) from the NW.

Your Vessel: Mega Yacht Harmony G

The Harmony “G” is a modern mega yacht with a sleek high-tech profile, boasting spacious and comfortable accommodation . At 53 meters long / 7.2 meters wide, she is large enough to offer superior comfort for up to 42 guests in 21 guest cabins.  whilst permitting access to small harbours and islands beyond the reach of large cruise ships. There is a spacious lounge and bar plus a dining room and a spacious sun deck. The vessel was launched in January 2001 and renovated most recently in 2019. She complies with the most stringent SOLAS safety regulations ,while its powerful engines and state of the art stabilisers allow for safe and comfortable cruising.

Home at Sea

  • Single seating dining Indoor & Outdoor Lounge – Bar
  • Indoor Restaurant
  • Audiovisual in Lounge
  • Mini library
  • Beach Towels
  • Snorkeling equipment
  • Kayak
  • Board Games
  • Wi-Fi

Comfort Zone

  • Large portholes: upper deck cabins
  • Portholes: lower deck cabins
  • Triple Occupancy cabins: Category A
  • Flat-Screen TV
  • Mini Safe
  • Mini Fridge
  • Individually controlled A/C
  • En suite bathroom with shower
  • Hairdryers
  • Telephone for internal use
  • Central music

Category C

LOWER DECK- 1 DOUBLE OR 2 LOWER BEDS.

(10-11 sq.m. / 108-119 sq.ft.)

The Category C cabins are located on the lower deck. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).

>Category B

MAIN DECK – 2 LOWER BEDS

(10.50-11 sq.m. / 113.5-119 sq.ft.)

The Category B cabins are located on the main deck. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).

Category A

MAIN DECK – 2 LOWER BEDS.

(10.50-11 sq.m. / 113.5-119 sq.ft.)

The Category A cabins are located on the main deck. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).

Category P

UPPER DECK – 1 DOUBLE BED OR 2 LOWER BEDS.

(15-18 sq.m. / 162-195 sq.ft.)

The Category P suites are located on the upper deck. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).

Interior Lounge

Life on board centers around the Indoor/Outdoor lounge and its American Bar (inside/outdoor). The interior lounge has relaxing couches and comfortable lounge chairs where you can have a drink and gaze out of the large windows into the breathtaking sceneries you are cruising to, relax and read a book, watch television on the satellite TV or one of our documentaries on the next place you are visiting.

Sun Deck

The spacious sun deck is the ideal place to bask under the sun and just completely unwind, or you can just sit under the shaded area and let your senses drift while looking at the view.

Outdoor Dining Area

Located on the Upper Deck, the outdoor dining area provides beautiful views of the ports of call visited, and meals are served “al fresco” depending on the weather and the ship location. It accommodates all guests in one single seating and provides a high standard of cuisine, always with some local flavour.

Dining Area

The classy Dining Room offers large windows providing for the most beautiful views of all destinations the ship cruises to, while accommodating all guests at one single seating and provides a high standard of cuisine, always with some local flavours.

Sun Deck

Malta Sicily Aeolian Islands Mega Yacht Cruise, Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Upper Deck

Malta Sicily Aeolian Islands Mega Yacht Cruise, Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Main Deck

Malta Sicily Aeolian Islands Mega Yacht Cruise, Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Lower Deck

Malta Sicily Aeolian Islands Mega Yacht Cruise, Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Your Hotel: La Falconeria Hotel

Stay in Valletta

Each elegantly decorated room at this hotel is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV. Some rooms have views of the city. Rooms include a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries.

You can start the day with an à la carte breakfast, which provides a selection of sweet and savoury products, served hot and cold, as well as fresh fruit, hot drinks, and fruit juice.

There is a 24-hour front desk at the property.

The hotel also offers car hire. Upper Barrakka Gardens is 350 yards from La Falconeria Hotel, while National Museum of Archaeology is 100 yards from the property. The nearest airport is Malta International Airport, 3.1 miles from the property.

Facilities

  • Free WiFi
  • Airport shuttle
  • Family rooms
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Room service
  • Tea/coffee maker in all rooms

Double room (Included in your Holiday)

The following room types are available with a supplement

  • Large double room
  • Double room with balcony
  • Superior double room with balcony
  • Deluxe double room with patio
  • Executive suite with a large terrace

Valletta is known as ‘a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen’ and you couldn’t hope for a more traditional hotel than La Falconeria. There is wonderful history here as, back in the days of The Knights of St. John, the nobles bred and trained their Maltese Falcons in this street, one of which was sent to the King of Spain every year as rent! The very front of the hotel building is hundreds of years old – the rear was destroyed during WWII and rebuild in more modern style around a central courtyard. Its rooms are well-appointed and comfortable, and you’ll find all the creature comforts you would expect. The real beauty of the hotel is its location – you can easily stroll to all the ‘must see’ places, you can catch a ferry across to Sliema, the bus station
is within walking distance and the streets around the old town are full of colourful eateries and bars in which to sit, quench thirst and appetite, and watch the world go by. Finally, whilst you’re here, make sure you make the trip to M’Dina – the silent city. It’s totally mesmerising. We’re huge fans.

december, 2023

Book your flights with us to ensure full financial protection for your holiday.

Malta Sicily Aeolian Islands Mega Yacht Cruise, Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Islands Your flight inclusive holiday with us is financially secure as we are ATOL licensed and the full package is ATOL protected.
We have been trading since 1995 so  you can book with total confidence.

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