SOUTHERN ITALY, SICILY & MALTA - Fully Escorted From Phillip Island GOING PLACES TRAVEL
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GOING PLACES TRAVEL
SOUTHERN ITALY,
SICILY & MALTA
Fully Escorted From Phillip Island
22 DAYS DEPARTING 18 MAY 2018
Economy Class Airfare with Emirates Airways, inclusive of taxes*
Return Coach Transfers from Phillip Island to Tullamarine
SOUTHERN ITALY, Assunta. We will then have some free time to explore at leisure, before
SICILY & MALTA reboarding our cruise and returning to Amalfi. (BB, HD)
Tonight enjoy dinner and music in the hills above Sorrento before returning
18 MAY – 8 JUNE 2018 to our hotel in Naples.
DAY 5 TUE 22 MAY 2018
NAPLES TO MATERA
Leave colourful Naples behind and head to the striking and
atmospheric town of Matera in the region of Basilicata. With a Local
Expert explore the “Sassi di Matera,” an ancient settlement of carved
cave dwellings and the most extensive example of their kind in the
Mediterranean. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mel Gibson chose
Matera as the setting for his film ‘The Passion of the Christ’. (BB,D)
Tonight enjoy traditional Lucanian cuisine on the enchanting terrace of our
hotel, with superb views over the Stassi.
Sant Angelo Resort – 1 night
DAY 6 WED 23 MAY 2018
MATERA TO PUGLIA
After a leisurely breakfast head South through sunbaked landscapes to
the region of Puglia and on to spectacular Alberobello. With a Local
Expert, admire another of Italy’s record number of World Heritage
sites, the Trulli of Alberobello - circular structures with conical roofs
and domed within, built with local limestone and stacked without
using mortar. Our accommodation for the next two nights is a five
DAY 1 FRI 18 MAY 2018 star luxury fortified Masseria (farmhouse) of the 17th century, nestled
DEPART MELBOURNE amongst the majestic green olive trees of the Apulian countryside and
Transfer by coach to Melbourne Airport for our flight to Rome with the blue of the Adriatic Sea. (BB, D)
Emirates Airways. Tonight enjoy an incredible, authentic Puglian style dinner in a beautiful
setting at our hotel, all served up with great wines from this region.
DAY 2 SAT 19 MAY 2018 Il Melograno Hotel - 2 nights
WELCOME TO NAPLES
On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, we DAY 7 THU 24 MAY 2018
will be met by our Travel Director and transferred by coach to our PUGLIA
hotel in Naples, where we will stay for the next three nights. Bright, Driving down into the Salentine Peninsula – the ‘heel of Italy’
buzzing and echoing with tales from millennia of history, Naples is our – spend the morning exploring the city of Leece, the Baroque
springboard for exploring Southern Italy. (WD) masterpiece of Southern Italy, on a walking tour with our Local
Later, join our Travel Director for an early Welcome Dinner at our Expert. Dating back to the early Greek empire, the city boasts
hotel followed by an Illumination Drive to enjoy Naples at night, with numerous baroque monuments and also has a Roman amphitheatre
spectacular views across the Bay of Naples. on the central square. Later we visit a Mill to taste the renowned olive
Royal Continental Hotel – 3 nights oil produced in this area. Then it’s on to ‘La Città Bianca’ (the ‘white
city’) of Ostuni. Perched high above the beautiful sea, with its stark
white-washed buildings, narrow cobbled streets and arched stairways,
DAY 3 SUN 20 MAY 2018 Ostuni is reminiscent of a North African Arab Medina. Enjoy free
NAPLES time to explore the winding streets and white washed alleys. Later
After breakfast enjoy a walk on the seafront promenade, lungomare is in the evening, after time to relax back at our hotel, we drive to the
a classic Sunday pastime of the Neapolitans. With our Local Expert seaside town of Polignano a Mare, famous for its special gelato. (BB)
visit the Cappella Sansevero, home to the Veiled Christ, one of the
finest sculptures in the world. Admire Piazza del Gesu, one of the most DAY 8 FRI 25 MAY 2018
central and beautiful squares of Naples, before visiting the cloister and PUGLIA - MARATEA
astonishing Church of Santa Chiara. After walking down the famous
street of Spaccanapoli reach Piazza San Domenica, where we will taste The local roads take us south to the coastal town of Maratea. Known
Naples’ typical pastry, the sfogliatella, with a legendary espresso. Visit as ‘the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian’, its beautiful and peaceful location has
the National Archaaeological Museum, Galleria Umberto, Santa Lucia offered an idyllic hideaway for many of the rich and famous over the
and the semicircular Piazza Plebiscito. (BB, HD) years, including Frank Sinatra and Princess Diana. After checking
into our hotel, the afternoon is at leisure. You may wish to spend it
This evening we will enjoy dinner at Naples Zi Teresa. This enchanting climbing to the top of Monte San Biagio to see Maratea’s own Christ
restaurant is located in one of the most beautiful spots of Naples, at the base of the Redeemer Statue, relaxing on one of its many pocket-sized beaches
the majestic Castel dell’Ovo in the inlet of the old Borgo Marinari. or sipping cocktails with the jet-set at the stylish harbour. (BB, HD)
Dinner tonight is included at a local trattoria.
DAY 4 MON 21 MAY 2018
II Grand Hotel di Maratea – 1 night
NAPLES – AMALFI COAST EXCURSION
This morning we will travel to the medieval town of Amalfi to wander the
winding streets and see the Duomo Ravello, an 11th-century cathedral
DAY 9 SAT 26 MAY 2018
perched on a mountain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We then MARATEA - SICILY & THE TAORMINA RIVIERA
board a cruise, to spend a relaxing day exploring the breathtaking In the morning we travel along the Purple Coast to the very toe of Italy
Amalfi Coast. Arrive in beautiful Positano and take a short tour of and board our ferry bound for Sicily. According to ancient legend, it
the town past the beach and to the main church of the Madonna was here at the Straits of Messina where the twin whirlpools of Scylla
and Charybdis carried unwary seafarers away to their doom! Arrive at Continue around the southeastern corner of Sicily to Ragusa, where we
our hotel where we will spend two glorious nights in Taormina. Time will join our Local Expert to explore the jumble of churches, houses,
to relax before joining our Local Expert in the late afternoon for a visit old squares and civic palazzi that make up Ragusa Ibla. (BB,HD)
to the Greek Theatre, graced with the most spectacular of backdrops. Tonight indulge in the varied and complex flavours of Sicily, at this
Stroll on to the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja, Taormina’s evening’s dinner. Of course any Italian meal wouldn’t be complete without
grandest building. Further along the elegant Corso Umberto, the Piazza the wonderful local wine. Buon Appetito!
IX Aprile offers panoramic views. (BB) Mediterraneo Palace Hotel - 1 night
Villa Diodoro – 2 nights
DAY 15 FRI 1 JUN 2018
DAY 10 SUN 27 MAY 2018 ANCIENT SYRACUSE EN ROUTE TO CATANIA
TAORMINA & THE DAWN COAST OF EUROPE This morning depart for the baroque town of Noto, home to one of
After breakfast join our Local Expert to experience the unhurried pace Sicily’s most beautiful historic centres. Continue to Syracuse, at one
of life in Savoca, the rustic village chosen by Frances Ford Coppola stage even more powerful than Athens. The fascinating archaeological
for scenes in his movie “The Godfather”. Amid stunning mountain remains give you an inkling of the glories of its past. Sightseeing with a
views, visit the charming wedding church and Bar Vitelli, where Al Local Expert takes us to the Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry and its unusual
Pacino fell in love (famous for its ice cold granita di limone!) We ‘Ear of Dionysius’ - a grotto in the shape of an earlobe with an unusual
will then continue to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, echo. Next door stands the superb Greek Theatre, carved out of solid
ascending through the lush fertile foothills to the craters and barren rock,Austria
one of the largest of the ancient world. There is also time to explore
lunar landscapes near the top. The views over the eastern Sicilian coast the atmospheric Old City, a maze of narrow streets lined with palaces,
and Ionian Sea are spectacular. Then it is back to Taormina where we sprawling over the medieval island of Ortygia. Continue on to Catania
can enjoy an afternoon of leisure. (BB, HD) and settle in to our hotel where we will enjoy a free evening. (BB)
Slovenia
Later tonight enjoy Dinner in the Clouds, in the enchanted village of Hotel: NH Catania Centro Hotel – 2 nights
Castelmola, high above the sea and a world apart from the areas that
tourists tread. k
DAY 16 SAT 2 JUN 2018
CATANIA
DAY 11 MON 28 MAY 2018 k Catania’s historic core is a UNESCO listed wonder, where black-and-
TAORMINA – CEFALU – PALERMO white palazzi tower over sweeping baroque piazzas. After breakfast join
After breakfast, drive to the quaint picture perfect fishing village of Cefalu. our Travel Director for an orientation of this bustling port town and
We will enjoy some time experiencing the local culture as we stroll along k
the extraordinary fish market. See the magnificent Duomo and Piazza
the narrow streets. Admire one of the most important Norman Byzantine and the elegant noble buildings of the Palazzo Senatorio. (BB, HD)
k
churches in Sicily, walk along the beach, take a look at the shops, seek
out the oldest gate in town, Porta Marina or stop in the local bakery for
Later, enjoy a seafood dinner and local wine.
k
irresistible treats in your free time! We then continue to the Sicilian capital
of Palermo, where we stay for the next three nights. (BB)
Hotel Plaza Opera – 3 nights
k
ALBEROBELLO
DAY 12 TUE 29 MAY 2018
ROME Italy (Day 6 and 7)
PALERMO & MONREALE k MATERA
(Day 5)
Polignano
This morning a Local Expert shows us the highlights of the city. Pass Ostuni
through the baroque Quattro Canti Square and glimpse the beauties NAPLES
of the ‘Fountain of Shame’. Visit Palermo Cathedral, a mixture of (Day 2, 3 and 4) Amalfi
styles having been altered many times over the years. We will also visit Positano
the Palatine Chapel, the Royal Chapel of the Norman Kings of Sicily. MARATEA
Later this afternoon we travel to Monreale, where we will visit the Amalfi (Day 8)
finely decorated Cathedral - its magnificent gold mosaics serving as a Coast
masterpiece of Arab-Norman art. (BB,HD)
ts.
Tyrrhenian
ria M
Then a highlight as we experience a hands-on Sicilian cooking class! Sea
Calab
DAY 13 WED 30 MAY 2018 PALERMO
EXPLORING ERICE (Day 11 , 12 and 13) Cefalu
In the morning we will wind our way up to the charming hilltop walled Erice TAORMINA
Monreale Mt Etna (Day 9 and 10)
town of Erice. With our Local Expert, walk through the labyrinth of
quiet alleyways, past medieval churches and enjoy sea views from the Sicily
gardens next to the Castle of Venus! At a farm in Trapani, sample some CATANIA
of the freshest olive oil produced on the island and savour a tasting Agrigento (Day 15, 16 and 17)
of Sicilian wine, followed by a light lunch of delicious local produce. RAGUSA
Back in Palermo the evening is free, a perfect opportunity to discover (Day 14)
Palermo’s famous street food. (BB, HL)
Gozo Malta
DAY 14 THU 31 MAY 2018 Dwejra
AGRIGENTO AND RAGUSA
(Day 17 to 21)
Today drive to Agrigento on the southern coast of Sicily, where the
Valley of the Temples once formed part of the ancient Greek colony Malta
of Akragas. Meet with our Local Expert and walk along the fortified
ridge of the Valley of the Temples. Especially impressive are the massive Marsaxlokk
Temple of Concord and cliff top Temple of Juno, overlooking the sea. Blue Grotto
PACKAGE PRICE
$10,950*pp DAY 17 SUN 3 JUN 2018
Twin Share
CATANIA – MALTA
Take your final glimpse of Mount Etna this morning before transferring
$1,780* Single Supplement to Catania airport for our short flight to Malta, the hidden jewel of the
Mediterranean. On arrival we will be transferred to our hotel where we
can relax and settle in. (BB, D)
Dinner will be at your hotel this evening.
Le Meriden St Julians Hotel - 4 nights
DAY 18 MON 4 JUN 2018
SOUTHERN DELIGHTS
Drive south to visit the pretty fishing village of Marsaxlokk - its
waterfront lined with ‘Luzzus’ painted in traditional reds, blues, and
yellows. This peaceful bay was once the site of the first Turkish landing
during the great siege of 1565. Take time to browse the local market
stalls. Weather permitting; enjoy an unforgettable boat trip into the
Blue Grotto - a cathedral in stone, famous for its crystal clear water
with beautiful colours passing through it, before returning to our hotel
for a free afternoon. (BB,HD)
Enjoy dinner with wine at a local specialty restaurant.
DAY 19 TUE 5 JUN 2018
FREE TIME IN MALTA
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS: The morning is free to laze by the pool or spend time in the San Anton
Gardens. In the late afternoon enjoy a tour through the bustling streets of
-- Return Coach Transfers from Phillip Island to Tullamarine
Valetta. See the Barracca Gardens with its breathtaking view of the Grand
-- Economy Class Airfare with Emirates, inclusive of taxes Harbour, St. Johns Co-Cathedral with its Caravaggio Painting and the
-- Flight from Sicily to Malta with Air Malta Grand Masters Palace. The evening is then yours to explore at leisure. (BB)
-- Gratuities to Travel Director, Coach Drivers and local guides
-- First Class hotels for 19 nights DAY 20 WED 6 JUN 2018
-- 19 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 13 Dinners GOZO EXCURSION
Drive to the north of Malta for a twenty minute ferry crossing to Gozo.
INCLUDED FIRST CLASS SERVICES Smaller, greener and more rural, Malta’s sister island is a haven of
-- Fully inclusive of sightseeing, Signature Experiences and Dining tranquility. Visit all the popular natural landmarks, such as the Inland
as outlined in the itinerary. Sea and Azure Window at Dwejra. Explore the imposing Citadel in
-- All accommodation in centrally located Premium quality hotels Victoria and the world’s oldest stone temples, predating Stonehenge
throughout. and the Great Pyramids by hundreds of years. A stop is made at a pretty
-- An expert Insight Travel Director. seaside village with time for lunch and to shop for local handmade lace
and woollen goods. Return to Malta by ferry and enjoy the rest of the
-- Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s luxury air conditioned
40 seater coach with Business Class legroom and Wi-Fi. afternoon at leisure. (BB, CD)
-- Maximum group size of 29 passengers. Tonight enjoy a Celebration Dinner with music and wine.
-- Personal radio headsets.
-- Baggage handling everywhere with seamless and prompt
DAY 21 THU 7 JUN 2018
delivery to your door at every hotel. DEPART MALTA
-- Hotel and restaurant tips included – you’ll never have to worry Enjoy a relaxed morning before we transfer to Malta airport where we will
about how much to give. Plus we include all taxes and porterage bid farewell to our Travel Director and board our onward flight home. (BB)
charges at hotels.
-- Insight Flourishes – from time to time your Travel Director will DAY 22 FRI 8 JUN 2018
enchant you with local treats, each representing.
ARRIVE MELBOURNE
-- Exclusive tailor made itinerary.
Arrive into Melbourne and transfer back to Phillip Island by coach.
MEAL KEY: (BB) = BUFFET BREAKFAST, (HL) = HIGHLIGHT LUNCH, (WD) = WELCOME DINNER, (D) = HOTEL DINNER, (HD) = LOCAL RESTAURANT DINNER, (CD) = CELEBRATION DINNER
BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES
Going Places Travel
Shop 3, 130-132 Thompson Avenue, Cowes VIC 3922
P: 03 5952 3700 E: elizabeth@goingplacestravel.com.au
Terms & Conditions. A non-refundable deposit of $2,000.00 per person is required within 7-days of booking. Final payment is required no later than Thursday
the 29th of March 2018. Airfare is non-refundable and subject to airfare rules. See your Going Places travel agent for full terms and conditions. IV178659597You can also read
