Sicily, Malta & Gozo: Mount Etna, Historic Cities and Coastal Adventures

Trip overview

• Dates: Saturday, September 26 to Saturday, October 3, 2026.
• Start: Catania, Sicily. Seven-night participants can meet the guide at the accommodation from 17:00 on Saturday. Six-night participants meet in Catania by 09:00 on Sunday; the exact location is provided to confirmed participants.
• Finish: Valletta or Malta International Airport. A guide drop-off at the airport may be possible depending on individual departure times.
• Language: English.
• Group size: up to 15 people.
• Level: easy to intermediate, with a reasonable level of fitness required.

Participants may arrive in Catania at any time on Saturday. Arrival details and the accommodation address are coordinated after booking. Flying is the quickest way to reach Catania Airport, with direct services from many major European cities.

Highlights

• Mount Etna: explore Europe's highest and most active volcano with a guided experience across black lava landscapes, recent craters and volcanic vents, with views over the Ionian Sea and Sicilian coast.
• Taormina: discover the Greek Theatre, medieval streets, Piazza IX Aprile, the Cathedral of San Nicolò, gardens and panoramic terraces, followed by time beside the sea at Isola Bella.
• Syracuse and Ortygia: walk through ancient Greek heritage, Baroque piazzas, historic streets, sea walls and waterfront views.
• Sicily-to-Malta ferry: cross the Mediterranean and arrive in Valletta.
• Valletta: explore Malta's capital, its harbours, grand churches, historic architecture, viewpoints and Mediterranean street life.
• Gozo salt pans: hike beside traditional salt pans and peaceful coastal scenery.
• Inland Sea and Xlendi coast: take a boat through the natural sea tunnel, then continue along cliffs and rugged coastline past the Blue Hole and Fungus Rock towards Xlendi.

Complete itinerary

Day 0 - Arrival in Catania

Arrive in Catania, meet the guide and other participants, and settle into the accommodation without rushing into a fixed program. Depending on arrival times, there may be time to explore the historic centre, stop for a Sicilian gelato or espresso, and have dinner at a traditional trattoria. Food and drinks are at participants' expense.

Day 1 - Guided Mount Etna volcano experience

After breakfast, travel towards Mount Etna. The guided experience includes the cable car, walking across black lava fields, exploring recent volcanic craters, feeling heat from volcanic vents, seeing steam from fissures and taking in views over the Ionian Sea and coastline. Return to Catania for a relaxed evening after descending.

Day 2 - Taormina and Isola Bella

Travel to the hilltop town of Taormina for a guided exploration of the Greek Theatre, medieval streets and balconies, Piazza IX Aprile, the Cathedral of San Nicolò, gardens and panoramic terraces. The visit introduces the Greek, Roman, Arab and Norman influences that shaped the town.

Later, choose a restaurant overlooking the sea or in the old town for a meal at your own expense. Possible local dishes include pasta alla Norma, fresh Sicilian seafood, Sicilian wine and other Mediterranean specialities. In the evening, take the cable car towards Isola Bella for optional swimming, sunbathing and relaxation by the sea.

Day 3 - Syracuse and Ortygia, then ferry to Malta

Leave Catania and travel south along the Sicilian coast to Syracuse. Explore Ortygia's ancient Greek heritage, historic ruins, Baroque piazzas, sea walls, waterfront views and narrow streets. Continue by ferry across the Mediterranean to Malta, check into the Valletta accommodation and enjoy the first evening on the island.

Day 4 - Valletta and Malta

Spend a full day discovering Valletta's historic architecture, grand churches, Mediterranean harbours, charming streets and viewpoints. There is time for photographs, local cafés and Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine before a second night in Valletta.

Day 5 - Ferry to Gozo, Victoria and salt pans hike

Take the ferry to Gozo after breakfast, check into the accommodation and begin exploring the island. In the early evening, complete a scenic 7 km hike beside ancient salt pans and the Gozo coast, with peaceful Mediterranean landscapes and extensive sea views. Return to Victoria for dinner at your own expense and a relaxed evening.

Day 6 - Inland Sea and Xlendi coastal adventure

Begin with a boat experience through the natural sea tunnel connecting the Inland Sea with the Mediterranean. Continue on foot along the coast towards Xlendi, passing towering limestone cliffs, the Blue Hole, Fungus Rock and rugged coastal scenery. Return to Victoria for dinner at your own expense and the final evening on Gozo.

Day 7 - Return to Valletta and departure

After breakfast, take the morning ferry back to Malta and continue towards Valletta and Malta International Airport according to individual flight times. Depending on the schedule, there may be time for a final coffee overlooking the Grand Harbour before departure.

Walking level and terrain

The overall level is easy to intermediate. Activities combine volcanic mountain terrain, coastal trails, uneven limestone paths, waterfront walks, historic-city walking, exposed coastal sections and salt pans. Some routes include stairs and elevation changes. Participants need reasonable general fitness, comfortable walking shoes and sure-footedness on uneven ground.

Equipment

• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Day backpack and reusable water bottle
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Sun protection, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Camera or smartphone
• Swimwear and beach essentials

Included

• Community leader and English-speaking guide throughout the booked trip
• Shared accommodation for six or seven nights, according to the ticket selected
• Ferry transport from Sicily to Malta and from Malta to Gozo
• Transport required for the planned activities
• Mount Etna cable car and guided volcano experience
• Guided Taormina experience
• Guided Gozo salt pans hike and Gozo coastal hiking experience
• Access after booking to the participants' coordination group, trip briefing and shared photo album

Not included

• Flights to Sicily and home from Malta
• Lunches and dinners
• Drinks and personal snacks
• Travel insurance and other personal expenses
• Personal beach and swimming expenses
• Shopping and souvenirs
• Any optional activity not explicitly listed as included
• Room upgrades unless the corresponding Billetweb add-on is purchased

Prices and room options

• Seven-night trip, September 26 to October 3: €1,195.
• Six-night trip, September 27 to October 3: €1,130.
• Twin-sharing supplement: €250 for seven nights or €225 for six nights.
• Single-room supplement: €395 for seven nights or €345 for six nights.

Room supplements are add-ons to the corresponding main trip ticket, not standalone trip prices.

After booking

• A dedicated group lets confirmed participants meet one another, coordinate arrivals and stay in touch.
• The group description links to a detailed trip briefing explaining what to expect and how to prepare.
• A group video information session is planned closer to departure.
• A shared photo album is provided for participants' pictures and videos.

Weather, safety and operating conditions

Weather and local conditions can change rapidly around Mount Etna and on exposed coastal routes. For safety and logistical reasons, activities, routes, timings, ferry arrangements, volcano activities and hikes may be modified because of weather, sea or trail conditions, ferry schedules, group fitness or other safety considerations.

• The itinerary, activities, venues and accommodation may be adjusted when conditions or the group's size and needs require it.
• A minimum of five participants is required. The trip may be cancelled if that threshold is not reached.
• The operator may cancel the trip, change routes or accommodation, or reschedule hikes and activities when necessary.
• A participant may be removed if their behaviour is disruptive or unsafe, or if they are not fit for the activity concerned.
• Participants remain responsible for their belongings, health, travel insurance and personal safety, subject to applicable law.

Cancellation terms

• The official trip page states a 100% refund of the trip price, excluding flights, when cancellation is made at least 14 full days before departure.
• It then states a 50% refund of the trip price, excluding flights, for cancellation up to five days before departure.
• If the operator cancels the trip, the official page states that the trip price is refunded in full. Airfare is excluded unless a flight-inclusive package was purchased directly from the operator.

Check the complete current cancellation conditions on the official event page before booking.