Malta, Sicily & The Aeolian Islands | 8 Days

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TRIP IN BRIEF

Malta, Sicily & The Aeolian Islands

5
(3 Reviews)
From $5,256 AUD
  • 8 Days
  • Cities Visited

    Valletta, Gozo, Syracuse, Lipari, Vulcano Island, Panarea, Stromboli, Catania, Taormina

    Group Size:
    1 to 72
    Age Range:
    5 to 99
    Languages: English
    Type: Cruise, Small Ship: Variety Cruises

Or contact your local travel agent.

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Cruise at a Glance

Cruise at a Glance

History rich, Malta and Sicily welcome you for your next small ship cruise adventure

  • Accommodation in a cabin with private SH/WC & air conditioning
  • Full-board: Buffet breakfast and two meals daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, Captain’s dinner, local theme night, and a fun BBQ (weather permitting)
  • Explore the UNESCO-protected Aeolian Islands (Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi)
  • Admire the stunning waters of Sicily’s northeastern coast
  • Start Point:
  • End Point:
  • Stops:
  • Map is an indication of destinations visited and may not depict the exact route taken.

Itinerary

Embarkation at 3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Overnight in port.

Meals Included:
Dinner

Morning sailing to Gozo Island. Morning swim stop at one of Gozo’s beautiful beaches. Arrival in Gozo harbor after lunch. Optional excursion with visits of the Citadel and its baroque Cathedral, our Lady of Ta Pinu Basilica, the St George Basilica and the Cathedral Museum. Late in the afternoon, after a short wine tasting, we will return to the ship. Late night departure for Syracuse, Sicily. Overnight at sea.

Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early morning arrival in the port of Syracuse. Syracuse, one of the most and prestigious cities of the Hellenic World, was a rival of Athens. Our morning optional excursion will bring us to the spectacular 15,000-seat Greek theatre, the elliptical Roman amphitheatre, the Archaeological Museum, the Temple of Apollo, the Fountain of Aretusa, and the Cathedral, which incorporates the remains of the famed Temple of Athena. After lunch you can take our afternoon optional excursion taking you inland, into Sicily’s southeast region, known for its baroque towns. You will visit exquisitely-preserved Noto, a jewel of a town situated on plateau. Late in the evening we leave Syracuse for the Aeolian Islands. Overnight at sea.

Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning arrival in Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands, sitting on the red volcanic rock looking like a “wall of bronze”, according to the Greek poet Homer. Archaeological remains found here have yielded clues to civilizations which date back to 1700 BC, including the Neolithic stones that sit alongside ancient tombstones, and ruins of Greek walls and Roman villas. The Spaniards found their way here in the 16th century, building the Castello (castle) and the 17th century cathedral that is perched above the harbor; all these sites will be available for seeing them on your morning optional sightseeing excursion. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Lipari.

Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave Lipari in the morning to reach Vulcano Island, famous for its majestic volcano crater and the mud baths. Morning optional walking tour along the slopes of the volcano towards the crater, while enjoying gorgeous views over the sea and the archipelago. In the afternoon we sail to Panarea, a quaint old style Aeolian Island. Late in the afternoon, we reach Panarea. Time at leisure in port, and in the evening we start our trip to Catania and sail slowly past the island of Stromboli, famous for its live volcano. The sight of live lava eruptions is not to be missed. Overnight at sea.

Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning optional excursion to the Etna Volcano, the highest point in Sicily and a live volcano. A resident volcanologist will provide you with full details on its activity and volcano activity in South Italy. In the afternoon you can take our optional walking tour of Catania and discover the hidden treasures of this old Italian city. Overnight in port.

Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our day starts with an optional tour at nearby Taormina, a city with endlessly winding medieval streets and secluded gardens hidden by stone walls. Our optional full day excursion to this city boasting such beauty and history, features a stroll along the Corso Umberto, lined with piazza, Duomos and palazzo such as the Palazzo Santo Stefano. Later you will take a guided tour of the ancient Greek Theatre with wonderful uninterrupted views of the seal. Our lunch break is followed by time at leisure explore the city and its shops. After our farewell dinner, we start our return sailing to Malta. Overnight at sea.

Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Disembarkation at 9 am after breakfast. End of our services.

Meals Included:
Breakfast

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What’s included?

7 nights Variety cruise

Professional English speaking cruise escort

Tours as per itinerary

7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners

Cruise by M/Y Harmony G

Optional Gozo tour on day 2

Optional excursion of Syracuse on day 3

Optional Lipari sightseeing excursion on day 4

Optional Vulcano Island walking tour on day 5

Optional excursion to Etna Volcano on day 6

Optional walking tour of Catania on day 6

Optional Taormina tour on day 7

Regular filter coffee, tea and drinking water

Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (subject to availability)

Port taxes

Beverages (except those mentioned above)

Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements

Crew tips

Passenger personal expenses

Wi-Fi (available at an additional charge)

Any items of personal nature

Pricing & Availability

Filter Dates
2023
2024
Departing Ending
Valletta Valletta  
From $5,256 per person
class deck status    
Category C Lower On Request
$5,256pp
Book
Category B Main On Request
$6,359pp
Book
Category A Main On Request
$7,067pp
Book
Category P Upper On Request
$8,012pp
Book
Valletta Valletta  
From $5,256 per person
class deck status    
Category C Lower On Request
$5,256pp
Book
Category B Main On Request
$6,359pp
Book
Category A Main On Request
$7,067pp
Book
Category P Upper On Request
$8,012pp
Book
Valletta Valletta  
From $5,256 per person
class deck status    
Category C Lower On Request
$5,256pp
Book
Category B Main On Request
$6,359pp
Book
Category A Main On Request
$7,067pp
Book
Category P Upper On Request
$8,012pp
Book

All rates are based on twin/double share. Please enquire for single and triple rates. Rates are based on AUD. Availability is conditional on final confirmation from the supplier and is subject to change.

Ship Details

  • Renovated: 2013
  • Length: 54 m
  • Breadth: 7.10 m
  • Speed: 19 km/h
  • Passengers: 44
  • Cabins: 21
  • Voltage: 220 V
  • Spacious sundeck with lounge beds and shaded area
  • Outdoor and indoor lounge areas with comfortable chairs
  • Two (2) bars. Indoor and outdoor.
  • Main deck dining room. All guests at one single seating
  • Upper deck dining area
  • Satellite TV
Lower Deck
  • Cabin: Category C
  • Bedding: Double/Twin/Triple
  • Size(sqm): 10-11
  • Window: Porthole
Main Deck
  • Cabin: Category B
  • Bedding: Twin
  • Size(sqm): 10.50-11
  • Window: Yes
Main Deck
  • Cabin: Category A
  • Bedding: Twin
  • Size(sqm): 10.50-11
  • Window: Yes
Upper Deck
  • Cabin: Category P
  • Bedding: Double/Twin
  • Size(sqm): 15-18
  • Window: Yes
  • Cabins are individually controlled A/C
  • En-suite with shower
  • Piped music
  • Flat-screen TV (Satellite channels)
  • CD/DVD player
  • Telephone
  • Safe
  • Mini-fridge
  • Hairdryer

Important things to note

Mandatory COVID-19 VACCINE: Until further notice, all guests over 15 years old must be fully vaccinated with a current COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before embarkation. Proof of vaccination will be required at check-in on the pier prior to embarkation. Variety Cruises highly recommends guests to receive their booster vaccinations for extra protection.

Swim stops and port stops are weather permitting.

Itinerary is subject to weather conditions and sailing is not permitted in force 6-7 beauford winds.

The company reserves the right to substitute the vessel.

All itineraries and cruise vessels are subject to change without notice.

Sailing is at the Captains discretion.

Port Taxes are subject to change at any time.

Have a question about this tour?

You can ask your question here, and we’ll get back to you!

Reviews for Malta, Sicily & The Aeolian Islands

avatar default
Anthony Le-Lenhardt
Best services and super friendly

Review for: Malta, Sicily & The Aeolian Islands

Best services and super friendly staff throughout my trip to Greece 🇬🇷 in July. everyone on board so helpful and the cruise 🛳 very clean and the food is outstanding. looking into booking it again for 2024.
avatar default
Life-is-good
Dream Vacation

Review for: Classical Greece

The phenomenal staff made this trip the dream trip for which we were hoping. Our trip was held in May 2022 when Covid was raging, and the United States were requiring a negative Covid test for reentry. Due to this, there were only twenty-five passengers on our ship, and many of the staff told us that this was one of the very first trips they had had since the pandemic began. The long hiatus resulted in some small challenges, but the staff truly went above and beyond to meet our every need. For example, they told us our excursion to Mycenae might be canceled because we did not have the minimum number of subscribers; however, the staff found a way to make it happen as scheduled. Another example is that even though the gym on board was being remodeled, the staff made some quick adjustments which allowed us to use the gym during the voyage. Most importantly, they were able to schedule on board Covid testing on the day prior to final departure so we could be certain we would be able to fly home the next day. These are just some examples of how hard the staff strived to make the trip successful. On the last day of the cruise, the captain announced that three passengers tested positive for Covid, and as a result we would have to miss our last excursion. However, he went out of his way to sail slowly by the stop, and the evening was so beautiful that he had turned a negative into a positive. Since we always tend to sail at night, we hadn’t seen the beauty of the varying shades of blue that the islands take on as the sun begins to set in the gorgeous Aegean Sea. I will never forget that evening, and I can’t thank the captain enough for making the best of a difficult situation.
avatar default
swhipps26
Loved it!

Review for: Jewels of the Cyclades - M/S Galileo

We absolutely loved our cruise. It was our very first cruise experience and it was perfect. The staff was amazing. They went above an beyond. They remembered every preference and were so helpful and enthusiastic. We really enjoyed the swim stops. Seeing only the sea and a remote, uninhabited island was so fun. The crew was great about safety and getting us to and from shore. The islands were amazing. We had just the right amount of time off the boat to explore. They were so helpful with restaurant suggestions and how to get places. The boat itself was beautiful and well taken care of. Our cabin was small but that was expected. I only really had trouble with the size the first night. I would say that if you were choosing Cabin C, to try to be away from the anchor. That was the loudest part. The motor didn't bother us. But bringing up the anchor in the mornings at 4/5am was not pleasant. I would highly recommend this trip. We were the youngest couple on our cruise; however, the other passengers were so great to include us and we had a great time getting to know them. We played cards each night with 2 other couples and went on walks and took taxis to another to see different places on the islands.

Looking for more?

TRIP IN BRIEF

Malta, Sicily & The Aeolian Islands

5
(3 Reviews)
From $5,256 AUD
  • 8 Days
  • Cities Visited

    Valletta, Gozo, Syracuse, Lipari, Vulcano Island, Panarea, Stromboli, Catania, Taormina

    Group Size:
    1 to 72
    Age Range:
    5 to 99
    Languages: English
    Travel Style: Cruise, Small Ship: Variety Cruises

Or contact your local travel agent.

Italy
Speak to our Italy Expert - Natalie

Natalia is in love with Italy. Contact her for advice on Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, Como, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Puglia and Sicily.

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