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Lovely Lampedusa Island Experience day trip by airSaturday 28 June 2025
At www.gosicilytravel.com, we have been offering, over the past 15 years, various fantastic day trips with interesting and varied itineraries by air to Catania, Bari and Rome and by catamaran to Pozzallo.
We are now thrilled to launch our NEW day trips by air to the island of Lampedusa.
Lampedusa is the largest island within the Pelagian archipelago, which also includes the volcanic island of Linosa and the uninhabited island of Lampione. Lampedusa is located 176km from Malta, 113km from Tunisia and 205km from Sicily.
There were times when the island was owned or managed by various Maltese merchant families: in 1800, Prince Giulio Maria Tomasi leased Lampedusa in perpetual emphyteusis to Salvatore Gatt, a Maltese merchant, on condition that the latter would build two coastal watchtowers at Cala della Galere and Cala della Madonna. Gatt settled the island with some Maltese workers, and he imported livestock and began cultivating the land. The old castle was reconstructed, and a windmill was also built. In 1804, the prince conceded the island to Giuseppe Bugeja, another Maltese, although Gatt remained in control of the island. At the time, the British were considering taking over Lampedusa, possibly as an alternative to Malta, which had just become a British protectorate. In 1803, the Royal Navy dropped the idea since the island's small harbour was not comparable to Malta's larger and well-fortified Grand Harbour. However, reports stated that the island could be useful in supplying Malta, especially with the threat of Sicily falling to the French. In 1810, Gatt leased the island to Alexander Fernandez of the Army Commissariat in the Mediterranean, who established a farm with cattle and sheep, employing 28 workers to turn the island's surface into pasturage. A small detachment of 26 men of the 14th Regiment were sent to the island in 1811 to support Fernandez, who was planning to build a fort on the island. By 1813, the island had a population of almost 200 Maltese workers. A royal commission stated in an 1812 report that there would be considerable difficulties in turning the island (together with Linosa and Pantelleria) into a supply base for Malta. In November 1813, the sloop HMS Partridge was infected with yellow fever and ended up quarantined in Lampedusa. This caused most of the population to flee back to Malta, leaving only 50 to 60 people on the island. The Governor of Malta, Sir Thomas Maitland, visited Lampedusa and found that Fernandez was running a business venture, so on 15 September 1814 he announced the withdrawal of British troops stationed on the island. Fernandez had left for Gibraltar in 1813, but he continued to make claims on his title in Lampedusa. The British Government refused to compensate him in 1818 and the Sicilian courts deprived him of his title soon afterwards. The Gatt family retook possession of the island, but what happened in subsequent years is unclear. Salvatore Gatt is believed to have died or disappeared sometime between 1813 and 1821, and the island was taken over by Fortunato Frendo, who had murdered Giacoma Gatt, Salvatore's wife. An official expedition was sent to the island from Naples in 1828 and the island was found to be inhabited by members of the Frendo, Gatt and Molinos families along with a few workers. A Neapolitan warship visited the island in 1841 as a show of force, but nothing changed until 11 September 1843 when two warships arrived and landed 400 soldiers on the island. They replaced the British flags on the island with Neapolitan flags. A royal decree was read out proclaiming the island as part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. A few of the Maltese settlers remained on the island, while others returned to Malta or went to Tunisia. In the 1840s, the Tomasi family formally sold the island to the Kingdom of Naples. In 1861, the island became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
During our day trip to Lampedusa, we will be able to delve into the history and the natural beauty of this island, which is slightly less than half the size of Gozo.
We will be able to explore the whole island and marvel at the beauty of spots such as the Baia dei Conigli (Rabbits Bay), the cliffs, the many scenic bays known as “cale” or “calette”, as also spend time in the historical centre of the town.
Day trips to Lampedusa are only available between June and September of this year and there is no guarantee that they will be repeated next year. We therefore encourage you not to miss this opportunity to enjoy another fantastic corner of the beautiful Mediterranean.
Programme:
06:15 Meet at Malta International Airport for check in and embarkation on HelloFly flight VO731 to Lampedusa
08:15 Departure to Lampedusa
09:00 Arrival at Lampedusa airport. On arrival we pick our cars and head straight to the historical centre, where we will have time for a coffee and a snack (not included in tour price) and also enjoy a familiarisation visit of Via Roma and the historical centre.
10:15 We set off to explore the island, starting off with a visit to the iconic sculpture “Porta d’Europa”, which was inaugurated in 2008 to honour all the persons who perished while attempting to cross the seas to Europe. The sculpture is the work of Italian artist Mimmo Paladino. We will then proceed to discover the southern coast of the island, where we will be able to enjoy the breathtaking views from various panoramic points, such as Cala Madonna and the Tabaccara, as also visit the Santuario della Madonna di Porto Salvo. We will continue towards the famous Baia dei Conigli (Rabbits Bay), which includes spectacular views over the Isola dei Conigli (Rabbits Island) and which, with its crystal clear turquoise waters and white sands is considered as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. We will continue towards the western part of the island, heading towards Cala Pulcino and eventually to the lighthouse at Faro di Capo Ponente. We will then head eastwards, enjoying the spectacular views at the Belvedere di Punta Albero Sole, the Muro Vecchio and the 35th Parallel, where we will also enjoy a stop for light lunch (not included in tour price). After lunch we will continue exploring the island, proceeding to various panoramic points on the coast such as Punto Cappello, Punto Ruperta, Cartello dei Naviganti, Grotta Respiro, the Faro di Capo Grecale lighthouse located on the extreme north east of the island, the Arco Naturale, the Cala Calandra, the Cala Pisana and the Cala Uccello.
14:45 We will proceed towards the beach at Sciatu Persu, where one can enjoy a dip in the crystal clear waters of this pretty beach, whilst possibly enjoying an aperitivo or afternoon snack (not included in tour price) at the bar. Free time in Sciatu Persu.
16:15 Departure towards Lampedusa airport for check-in and embarkation on HelloFly flight VO736 to Malta.
18:30 Departure to Malta
19:10 Arrival in Malta
Price of:
Adults: €249
Children aged over 2 years under 14 years: €229
Children aged under 2: €50
per person includes:
Malta-Lampedusa-Malta return HelloFly flight, inclusive of 8 kg hand luggage (maximum dimensions 55cmx40cmx20cm) and small cabin bag or backpack (maximum size 40cmx20cmx30cm)
All taxes and airport charges
All travel within Lampedusa in Fiat Punto cabriolet car or 9-seater van which will be with us throughout our whole day in Lampedusa
Services of Go Sicily Travel Sicily specialised tour leader Mario Spiteri CPA
Payment terms:
Deposit of €50 on booking
Balance to be paid by 31 May 2025 or immediately on booking for bookings made (subject to availability) after 31 May 2025
COVID-19 measures:
At www.gosicilytravel.com, we pride ourselves in offering quality experiences which are fully compliant with COVID-19 requirements whilst at the same time ensuring that our guests have an enjoyable experience.
COVID vaccination certificates or swab tests are not required to travel to Lampedusa and back to Malta with effect from 25 July 2022
Insurance:
Tour guests are encouraged to affect their own travel insurance. www.gosicilytravel.com recommends Citadel Insurance and Atlas Insurance.
Terms and conditions:
Link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2316066091759498&type=3
For booking contact:
Mario Spiteri at
Go Sicily Travel
Mobile:79742459
Office: 21422275
E mail: [email protected]
Office (by prior appointment phoning on 79742459):
Go Sicily Travel, Cube Office Suites, Suite 2,
154, Eucharistic Congress Road, Mosta MST9037
(Around ten doors up from Partit Laburista club on the left hand side of the road facing Mosta Dome)
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Lampedusa, Lampedusa, Victoria, Malta
