- Malta
- The Best of the Mediterranean, Malta & Sicily
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Mediterranean, exploring the rich heritage and stunning landscapes of Malta and Sicily. This cruise will take you through ancient cities, picturesque villages, and UNESCO World Heritage sites, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Dinner
Depart on your flight to Malta. Upon arrival, your adventure begins in the beautiful city of Valletta, Malta’s captivating capital. Boarding will commence at 6 p.m, where you’ll settle into your cabin before being welcomed with a refreshing cocktail. You’ll have the chance to meet the crew, who will ensure your journey is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. In the evening, indulge in a delightful dinner on board, followed by live entertainment.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wake up to explore the architectural grandeur of Valletta, a city that stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, the city boasts impressive stone structures, perched high atop steep cliffs. As part of the day’s explorations, visit the iconic Saint John’s Co-Cathedral, a magnificent Baroque structure adorned with intricate carvings and home to Caravaggio’s famous artwork. After enjoying the beauty of Valletta, venture into the countryside to discover the Hagar Qim temple complex, an ancient Bronze Age site that offers a glimpse into Malta’s prehistoric past. The tour continues to the charming fishing village of Marsaxlokk, known for its colourful boats and peaceful harbour. After a day of exploration, return to the ship for a special evening filled with Maltese-inspired festivities.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Set off for a full-day excursion to Gozo, Malta’s tranquil sister island. Your journey begins with a ferry ride from Cirkewwa, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. On arrival, visit the capital city of Rabat, home to an impressive fortified citadel. You’ll have the chance to explore the remains of the famous Azure Window, a natural limestone arch that was one of Gozo’s most beloved landmarks until its collapse in 2017. The excursion also includes a visit to Xlendi Bay, a scenic spot known for its crystal-clear waters and dramatic cliffs. After a delicious lunch, visit the Ggantija Temple Complex, one of the oldest freestanding stone structures in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to the ship in the evening as we set sail for Sicily, with a relaxing cocktail on deck to enjoy the beautiful views as we depart from Valletta’s Grand Harbor.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Arrive in Sicily, where the day’s exploration takes you to the enchanting Baroque towns of Ragusa and Modica, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In Ragusa, wander through the city’s two distinct areas: the modern section, rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1693, and the ancient part, with its stunning Baroque architecture. Visit the majestic Duomo of San Giorgio, a true architectural gem. Next, travel to Modica, a hillside town with oversized churches and steep staircases that offer a glimpse into its rich history. Modica is also famous for its chocolate, and you’ll enjoy a visit to a local chocolate factory to sample its unique, ancient Aztec-inspired recipe. Return to the ship in the afternoon for a leisurely cruise towards the next destination.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, dock in the vibrant city of Catania, situated on the banks of the Ionian Sea and shadowed by the imposing Mount Etna. Catania is known for its vast squares, wide streets, and buildings made from lava rock, creating a strikingly unique cityscape. Take in the historic charm of Catania’s city center, before setting off for the highlight of the day: an excursion to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Journey up the mountain to reach the Silvestri Craters at nearly 6,400 feet, where you’ll experience the hauntingly beautiful volcanic landscape. The rugged terrain and panoramic views from the summit make this one of the most memorable experiences of the trip. After a day of discovery, return to the ship for a peaceful evening on board.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Sail into the ancient city of Syracuse, once one of the most powerful cities of the Mediterranean. Begin your day with a visit to Ortygia, the historical center of Syracuse, where you’ll explore the ruins of the Greek Temple of Apollo and stroll through the charming Piazza Archimede and Piazza Duomo. Ortygia offers a fascinating mix of ancient and Baroque architecture, all set against the backdrop of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Later, travel to the nearby town of Noto, renowned for its beautifully preserved Baroque architecture. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Noto is a true gem, with its grand churches and stately palaces. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring the historic center or relax in one of the town’s many cafés.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Return to Malta, sailing back into Valletta’s spectacular Grand Harbor, surrounded by imposing fortifications and Baroque-style architecture. Spend the afternoon exploring Mdina, Malta’s ancient capital. Known as the “Silent City,” Mdina is a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with elegant palaces and historical landmarks. Step back in time as you walk through this open-air museum, taking in the city’s rich history and stunning architecture. From Mdina, continue to the neighbouring town of Rabat, where you’ll visit Saint Paul’s and Saint Agatha’s Catacombs, early Christian burial sites that offer a fascinating insight into Malta’s Roman past. After an enriching day of exploration, return to the ship for a special gala evening, celebrating the final night of your journey.
Breakfast
Your Mediterranean adventure comes to an end as you enjoy a final breakfast on board. Disembark the ship at 9:00 a.m.
The Captain and CroisiEurope reserve the right to alter/modify an itinerary at any time, should safety or external circumstances make this necessary, changes are also subject to tides. This also means that included excursions will alter/modify to match the cruise itinerary.
Some of the highlights may only be seen on optional excursions at an additional cost, or by exploring independently.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £390.14pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
It is your responsibility to check your passport validity. To enter Europe (and all Schengen countries) your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. Sources of information include; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
A visa is not required for your trip however further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.
Airport Extras: If you wish to arrange Airport car parking, lounges or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras Tel. 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This cruise is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves getting on and off the cruise vessel managed by gangways and climbing stairs on all decks on board the vessel. On moderate days the level terrain on walking excursions are cobbled streets. This cruise is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in Malta is the Euro. You can exchange your currency before you travel, or whilst you are in Malta. Cash machine will be available throughout your tour for you to withdraw money in the local currency. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country
The currency in Italy is the Euro (EUR). We recommend that you exchange you currency before you leave the UK, however cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
This cruise is All-Inclusive, so you will only need to take a little extra money with you to cover any premium drinks on board and souvenirs, drinks and snacks purchased when off the ship, as well as any optional excursions you wish to book. Tipping is at your discretion. There is an envelope in your cabin for these purpose that can be handed to reception at the end of your cruise.
Your cruise is shared with international clients from other companies.
An English-speaking Cruise Director will be on board your cruise to help with any queries that you may have. While on excursions included in your itinerary, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking local tour guide. When exploring locally during your leisure time you will not be accompanied by a tour guide.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily are taken onboard the ship. Tables seat 6 people, so you’ll be able to converse and socialise with new friends, whilst never feeling crowded together.
Tea and coffee are available on-board the cruise vessel as well as unlimited soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, including a variety of wines and beer, both during meals and at the bar. (Premium brands are available at an extra cost).
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
When entering churches shoulders should be covered and you should be dressed respectfully, some churches will provide shawls to cover your shoulders.
On your arrival in Malta, you will be met by a representative from our local agent, CroisiEurope, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/ CroisiEurope representative will show you to your transfer vehicle.
In case of emergency:
MS La Belle de l'Adriatique: +33(0)6 70 89 39 40