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The shared heritage and contrasts between the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Sicily are explored on Saga’s great-value tour Malta and Sicily: A History of Two Islands.

The fascinating history of Malta includes being home to the humanitarian and religious order the Knights of St John, while Sicily is the Mediterranean’s largest island, with a wealth of ancient culture.

The exploration of Malta includes the Church of St Marija Assunta, whose unsupported dome is one of the world’s largest, and the 17th-century cathedral and ancient, walled ‘Silent City’ of Mdina, where many nobles were descended from Sicilian aristocracy.

There’s a visit to Valletta, the European Capital of Culture 2018, built by the Knights of St John and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Blue Grotto, San Anton Gardens, the traditional Ta Qali Crafts Village, the island of Gozo and pilgrimage centre of the Ta’ Pinu Basilica and Marsaxlokk fishing village complete the Maltese leg of the holiday.

Amid the cooled lava flows and black rocks of Sicily’s Mount Etna, guests can take a cable car ride up the highest active volcano in Europe.

There’s wine-tasting and a call at Taormina for spectacular views of the sea and Mount Etna from the town’s ancient Greek theatre.

The final day is spent in Syracuse, Ortygia island – with another breath-taking theatre for 16,000 spectators, a Roman amphitheatre and the remains of a 5th-century Greek temple now incorporated into the baroque cathedral. 

Accommodation is in four-star hotels –at the Urban Valley Resort, on Malta and the Hotel Panoramic in the Giardini Naxos, beside the beach promenade in Sicily.

10 nights from £1,249 per person departing Gatwick Airport March 9, April 16, May 14 and September 3, 2019.

For details call free on 0800 074 8021 or visit saga.co.uk/Malta

Price includes return flights, airport taxes, half-board four-star accommodation, porterage, tour manager, optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if passenger has own insurance.  

 Editors:

Saga is a specialist in the provision of products and services for life after 50. The Saga brand is one of the most recognised and trusted brands in the UK and is known for its high level of customer service and its high quality, award winning products and services including cruises and holidays, insurance, personal finance and publishing. Visit saga.co.uk