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Uncover the timeless wonders of Sicily and Malta on this Small Group Tour of no more than 24 guests. Discover the geological spectacle of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, and admire an array of UNESCO World Heritage-listed architectural and archaeological treasures — all while savouring the celebrated culinary delights of Italy and Malta.
Then, fly from Valletta to Amsterdam to embark on your 14-night Magnificent Europe cruise, tracing Central Europe’s legendary rivers all the way to Budapest. explore enchanting hilltop castles, opulent palaces, and ornate churches in the region’s medieval towns and cities.
Arrive in Catania and transfer to your hotel in Isola Bella, beneath the cliffs of Taormina. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers over a welcome dinner.
Stay: Two nights, La Plage Resort, Isola Bella (Taormina) Meals: Dinner
Day 2 | Taormina, Mount Etna
Visit Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, and explore the volcanic landscape at its base. Enjoy a winery lunch featuring Sicilian cuisine paired with local wines before returning to Taormina for a guided walking tour, including the Duomo, ancient Greek amphitheatre and charming old town.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 3 | Taormina → Cefalù → Palermo
Enjoy a leisurely morning before travelling to the picturesque coastal village of Cefalù. Explore its historic centre, admire the Norman façade of Cefalù Cathedral and enjoy free time before continuing to Palermo.
Stay: Two nights, Hotel Villa Igiea, Palermo Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 | Palermo
Discover Palermo’s rich history and architecture, including Palermo Cathedral, the Martorana Church and magnificent Cappella Palatina.
Signature Experience – Sicilian Food Tasting Savour the authentic flavours of Sicily with a curated lunch tasting showcasing local specialities and the island’s rich culinary traditions.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 5 | Palermo → Monreale → Agrigento
Travel to Monreale to visit its magnificent cathedral and cloister, part of the UNESCO-listed Arab–Norman Palermo route. Continue to Agrigento and explore the spectacular Valley of the Temples before enjoying dinner at your hotel.
Stay: Hotel Foresteria Baglio della Luna, Agrigento (or similar) Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 6 | Agrigento → Catania → Syracuse
Travel via Catania, where you’ll enjoy an exclusive Signature Experience, before continuing to Syracuse for an afternoon at leisure.
Signature Experience – A Royal Encounter in Catania Step inside magnificent Palazzo Biscari, meet Prince Ruggero and discover the palace’s opulent interiors and fascinating history, concluding with a refined drink together.
Stay: Two nights, Grand Hotel Ortigia, Syracuse Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 | Syracuse
Join a local guide to explore Syracuse’s Archaeological Park and uncover the city’s fascinating Greek, Hellenistic and Byzantine history. Return to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 | Syracuse → Ragusa → St. Julian’s
Travel along the Mediterranean coast to Ragusa for a guided walking tour through its historic Old Town, followed by time at leisure. Continue to Pozzallo and board the ferry to Malta before transferring to St. Julian’s.
Stay: Four nights, The Westin Dragonara Resort Malta, St. Julian’s Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 | St. Julian’s → Valletta
Discover UNESCO-listed Valletta, including Republic Street, St John’s Co-Cathedral, St George’s Square, the Grandmaster’s Palace and Casa Rocca Piccola. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before cruising the historic Grand Harbour aboard a traditional dgħajsa boat.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 10 | St. Julian’s → Gozo
Take the ferry to Gozo and discover the prehistoric Ġgantija Temples, historic Citadel in Victoria and picturesque Xlendi Bay. Enjoy a light lunch with Gozitan wine at a traditional restaurant before returning to Malta.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 11 | St. Julian’s → Mdina
Spend the day at leisure before an evening visit to medieval Mdina. Wander its atmospheric lantern-lit streets as your guide shares the city’s hidden stories and legends.
Signature Experience – Champagne on the Bastions Raise a glass of champagne atop Mdina’s Bastions while enjoying panoramic views across Malta, followed by a memorable farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 12 | Valletta → Amsterdam, Embark Ship
Transfer to the airport for your included flight to Amsterdam. On arrival, board your new-generation APT river ship and settle into your home for the next two weeks.
Discover Amsterdam with your choice of included sightseeing before rejoining your ship in Utrecht and cruising towards Germany.
Freedom of Choice: Cruise Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals by glass-top boat; discover Dutch culinary favourites and local delicacies; take a guided bike ride through the countryside to Durgerdam and visit the Street Art Museum; or, on select spring departures, explore the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 14 | Andernach
Spend the morning cruising through Germany before arriving in Andernach for an exclusive visit to Namedy Castle.
Signature Experience – Namedy Castle Be welcomed into Princess Heide von Hohenzollern’s home, Namedy Castle. Explore the castle and manicured gardens before enjoying a cocktail party accompanied by a pianist.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 15 | Rüdesheim
Cruise one of the Rhine River’s most beautiful stretches, passing vineyard-clad hills, rocky cliffs and historic ruins before arriving in Rüdesheim.
Freedom of Choice: Take a gondola ride over the Rhine Valley vineyards to the Niederwald Monument; explore Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; or visit a historic wine cellar for a tasting of local Rhine Valley wines.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 16 | Miltenberg
Cruise along the Main River to beautifully preserved Miltenberg, where you can choose how to discover this charming historic town.
Freedom of Choice: Join a guided walking tour through Miltenberg followed by a tasting of local liqueurs in one of Franconia’s oldest wine cellars; or visit a local monastery, meet a Franciscan friar and sample homemade sausages, cheese and bread.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 17 | Würzburg
Discover Würzburg and the surrounding Franconian region with your choice of included sightseeing.
Freedom of Choice: Visit the magnificent 18th-century Würzburg Residence; journey to the Volkacher Mainschleife for a whisky distillery tour and tasting; explore the medieval walled town of Rothenburg; or hike to historic Marienberg Fortress overlooking Würzburg.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 18 | Bamberg
Arrive in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bamberg and join a guided exploration of its beautifully preserved Old Town, historic churches and distinctive town hall on the Regnitz River. Rejoin your ship and continue along the Main-Danube Canal.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 19 | Nuremberg
Choose how you’d like to discover historic Nuremberg before cruising along the Main-Danube Canal. This afternoon, enjoy a Bavarian beer, sausage and pretzel tasting on the Daystar Deck.
Freedom of Choice: Discover Nuremberg’s significant World War II sites, including the Reich Party Rally Grounds; or delve into the city’s medieval history, exploring its ancient ramparts, Imperial Castle, main market square and Gothic church.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 20 | Regensburg
Explore historic Regensburg with your choice of included sightseeing.
Freedom of Choice: Take a guided tour through Regensburg’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre, finishing with a tasting at its historic sausage kitchen; or enjoy a guided bike ride along the Danube to the impressive Walhalla Memorial.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 21 | Passau → Salzburg → Linz
Travel to Salzburg for a guided exploration of this celebrated Austrian city before enjoying a memorable Signature Experience on Gaisberg Mountain.
Signature Experience – Gaisberg Mountain Lunch and ‘Sound of Music’ Show Be welcomed by a traditional hunting horn blower at a rustic mountain restaurant overlooking Salzburg. Enjoy a welcome drink and lunch followed by a special performance featuring music from The Sound of Music.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 22 | Melk → Dürnstein
Visit magnificent Melk Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites, before choosing how you’d like to journey through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Dürnstein.
Freedom of Choice: Cruise through the Wachau Valley to Dürnstein and explore its cobblestone lanes at leisure; or take a guided bike ride along the Danube from Melk to Dürnstein, enjoying beautiful scenery along the way.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 23 | Vienna
Arrive in Vienna and enjoy a city tour showcasing the Austrian capital’s landmarks along the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Spend the afternoon at leisure before an exclusive evening experience.
Signature Experience – Cocktail Party and Private Performance at Vienna’s City Palace Visit the Liechtenstein family’s magnificent City Palace for an exclusive cocktail party and private recital. Enjoy classical masterpieces by Mozart and Strauss performed by a full orchestra, accompanied by an operatic recital.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 24 | Vienna
Choose how you’d like to explore Vienna and beyond before setting sail for Hungary.
Freedom of Choice: Discover the lavish rooms and gardens of Schönbrunn Palace; journey to Bratislava and explore the Slovak capital’s contrasting rococo and communist-era architecture; or savour Viennese cuisine on a culinary tour featuring a traditional café, classic sausage and sweet treat.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 25 | Budapest
Discover Budapest with your choice of included sightseeing before enjoying the afternoon at leisure. This evening, celebrate your journey with Hungarian folk music, local brandy and a selection of artisan meats and cheeses.
Freedom of Choice: Join a city tour featuring Heroes’ Square and St. Stephen’s Basilica; explore the Great Market Hall on a culinary tour; or ride the funicular to Castle Hill and visit Fisherman’s Bastion for sweeping views across the city.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 26 | Disembark Ship, Depart Budapest
Your European adventure concludes after breakfast. Disembark your ship and transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
*Advertised price is per person, twin share. Pricing shown is inclusive of any advertised savings, including early payment discount where applicable. Offer available on selected trips and departure dates, unless sold out prior. All pricing and offers are subject to availability and may change without notice. Correct as of 6 October 2026, offer ends 28 October 2026.
Booking terms and conditions apply.
*
Term and conditions apply: All pricing subject to change and availability. Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change. Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies. Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.
