I. Health Precautions:
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- If you require regular medication, please make sure that you have adequate supplies.
- If you carry medications, ask your doctor to write a statement of your scripts on a letterhead and carry it in your passport. If customs officials ask, you show them the official letter. You may also choose to write your blood type on there too, in case you get rushed to hospital.
- Stomach: if you have a track record of reacting to changes in water quality then bring some Imodium or equivalent, ( please check with your GP before buying or consuming any medication).
- Tap Water: it is generally considered safe to drink from the tap in Malta & Sicily : public tap water supply is generally considered safe to drink according to EU standards, but local opinion is mixed, largely due to taste preferences and infrastructure concerns. Many locals and tourists opt for bottled water.
- Hygiene: carry wet wipes with antiseptic to keep hygiene level high. Antiseptic gels may be rejected at customs while boarding.
- Vaccination: We strongly recommend that you consult with your General Health Practitioner (‘GP’) as to what vaccinations would be suitable for your individual circumstances. Also check this link: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-advisories/health-advice-on-immunisations-for-travel
- Face Masks: The use of Face Masks is not mandated in Australia and other parts of the world. However, it is recommended to wear a mask on the flights and on the bus especially if someone has any health concerns.
- If for any reason someone gets a cough, a cold or any other symptoms, as a matter of courtesy to other pilgrims, it is obligatory to wear a face mask on the bus & other confined places and to travel in the last row of the bus to avoid spreading any germs to the rest of the pilgrims.
- Any pilgrim with a previous or current health issues must ask health practitioner to provide a “fit to travel” certificate two weeks prior to departure. E-mail to support@christianpilgrimage.com.au
Please check this link for more tips and advice: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/health
II.Flight from Australia:
Emirates or Turkish Airlines :
At the time this kit was prepared, most probably the flights will go via Turkish Airlines, as the situation in the Middle East remains unclear.
1.From Perth:
Turkish Airlines TK7924 03 May 2026 15:50
2.From Melbourne:
Turkish Airlines TK7910 Sun 03 May 2026 23:30
3.From Brisbane:
Turkish Airlines TK7908 Sun, 03 May 2026 08:30
For All Pilgrims:
- Please arrive at Airport three hours prior to flight.
- Please do not wait for the group.
- Check in and proceed to gate to join the group at the Gate.
- International luggage is 30Kg,and one hand luggage of 7 kg.
- Should we be using Turkish Airlines: this revised route would necessitate 12 hour stopover / overnight in Kuala Lumpur , if flying from Perth. Should you choose to stay at the airport hotel or sleeping pod , we suggest bringing a small bag or tote for essentials like a change of clothes, toiletries, etc.
Perth Group will meet the Melbourne & Brisbane groups in Kuala Lumpur:
Turkish Airlines TK63 Mon, 04 May 2026 09:50 from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul and continue together on the same flight to Istanbul.
There is free Wi-Fi in all airports, so please communicate with the spiritual leader via WhatsApp.
4.Flying back to Australia:
- If you are coming back to Australia with the group: the bus will transfer all the pilgrims to Palermo airport, Turkish Airlines TK1376 Tue, 19 May 2026 19:35
- If you are continuing to a different destination: you will receive individual instructions.
III.Import Notes:
- Airlines DO NOT OFFER NUT FREE FLIGHTS
- Passengers must bring own meal if they have food allergy & will have to carry all necessary medication required .
- If EpiPen is carried on board, passenger must carry a doctor’s letter on board and send us a copy as well to keep in our file
- Passenger also must bring own thermal bag with ice pack but should not exceed 100 ml as Airlines do not provide refrigeration facilities on board
IV. Map & short Itinerary:
Map is not to scale & shows roughly the route that we are taking. For detailed and updated full itinerary please click here and follow the link
DAY 1: Sun 03 May 2026 : overnight Flight from Australia
DAY 2: Mon 04 May: ARRIVAL Valletta, Malta. Overnight Valletta.
DAY 3: Tue 05 May: The Capital City. Overnight Valletta.
DAY 4: Wed 06 May: Gozo Island: Overnight Valletta.
Day 5: Thu 07 May: Central Malta. Overnight Modica
Day 6: Fri 08 May: Ragusa and Modica. Overnight Modica.
Day 7: Sat 09 May: Noto and transfer to Catania. Overnight Catania.
Day 8: Sun 10 May: Taormina. Overnight in Catania.
Day 9: Mon 11 May: Syracuse. Overnight in Catania.
Day 10: Tue 12 May: Mount Etna. Overnight Catania.
Day 11: Wed 13 May: Piazza Armerina and transfer to Agrigento. Overnight Agrigento
Day 12: Thu 14 May: Valley of the Temples. Overnight Agrigento
Day 13: Fri 15 May: Gefalù and transfer to Palermo. Overnight in Palermo
Day 14: Sat 16 May: Santa Rosalia Sanctuary.Overnight Palermo
Day 15: Sun 17 May: Monreale. Overnight Palermo
Day 16: Mon 18 May: Aegadian Islands. Overnight Palermo
Day 17: Tue 19 May: overnight fight to Australia
Day 18: Wed 20 May: arrive to Australia.
V.Hotels list:
Malta: THE BEST WESTERN PREMIER MALTA
www.bestwesternmalta.com
Modica: MODICA PALACE HOTEL
www.modicapalacehotel.it
CATANIA: AIRONE CITY HOTEL
www.aironecityhotel.com
AGRIGENTO: GRAND HOTEL MOSE’
https://grandhotelmose.it/
PALERMO: HOTEL VECCHIO BORGO
http://vecchioborgohotelpalermo.com/
VI.Insurance:
It is compulsory that you have travel insurance. Please ensure that you have read and understand the policies relating to your insurance.
- If you have a specific account number or emergency contact for your insurer, we advise that you keep this information accessible and make it known to at least one other traveller in case of an emergency.
- Check with your insurer if they have an app that you could download on your phone, if so, we strongly recommend that you download it.
VII.Emergency Mobile Numbers / WhatsApp:
Feel free to share the numbers with your loved ones.
- Fr. Steve WhatsApp +61 401 925 056
- Fr. Bill WhatsApp +61422 813 456
You and your loved ones are also welcome to contact us in Australia:
- John’s Mobile in Australia & overseas on WhatsApp + 61 404 184 622
- Randa’s Mobile in Australia & overseas on WhatsApp + 61 431 125 533
VIII.Clothing & Footwear:
- In May, both Malta and Sicily enjoy warm Mediterranean weather, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 18°C to 24°C. Expect plenty of sunshine, low rainfall, and pleasant sea temperatures around 19°C to 20°C
We suggest taking a light Jacket and some warm clothes for the evenings. We suggest taking clothing to layer up, waterproof shoes & waterproof jacket and a small umbrella to fit in a purse.
- Dining is informal. Casual trousers or jeans and collard t-shirts are recommended for men. Casual trousers, dresses, Jeans and blouses/ knitted jumpers/ t-shirts and cardigans will suffice for women.
- Sunhat and sunscreen are advisable.
- Swimming gear or swim suites for a swim in the Hotel or other places.
- Shoes: make sure that you have some walking shoes to get your walking muscles toned and your shoes comfortable.
IX.Local Mobile Phone SIM Cards:
- Local SIM cards or ESIM are inexpensive and could be purchased at the airport.
- Alternatively you could purchase online a suitable ESIM (if your mobile phone is ESIM compatible)
There are many providers: below are four samples:
- Make sure that your mobile phone is ‘unlocked’: check with your service provider / Phone Company.
- When changing to a local SIM or ESIM make sure that the WhatsApp remains using the Australian phone number
https://faq.whatsapp.com/514799537162613
- Note: beware that if you choose to keep and use your Australian phone number, roaming charges could be very expensive, but might be needed for emergencies; please check with your service provider / Phone Company
X.Group Meeting Points:
We usually meet at the Hotel Lobby in the morning:
- Daily tours start between 8:00 – 9:00 am from the hotel. Earlier starts might be necessary to avoid long queues.
- Please be mindful that we need to be very punctual as the programmes are time sensitive. We need to leave & come back together as a group.
- Guides & ground operators will synchronize directly with Fr. Steve or Fr. Bill.
XI.Group Communication via WhatsApp:
- We find that the most convenient way to communicate prior to the departure date and during the pilgrimage is via WhatsApp.
- We will create a WhatsApp group a few days prior to departure and invite you to join.
- Even if you choose not to purchase a local SIM card, all the hotels and most of the transport will have free Wi-Fi access.
XII.Tipping:
We have already incorporated for tipping in the total cost of the Pilgrimage: the group leader will be tipping on behalf of the group for bus drivers & tour guides.
Any personal tipping for extra services could be done by you at your own discretion, restaurant staff, housekeeping staff etc.
XIII. Pocket money and purchasing Souvenirs:
- Both Malta and Italy use Euro € Local currency
- Credit card facilities are available in capital cities and major towns.
- Travel card or credit card can be used in most places and can be used on ATM.
- Breakfast and most Dinners at hotels are included and already paid for as per the itinerary . Drinks and water to be paid for by pilgrim.
- Snacks or lunches en route are around AUD $ 30.00 to AUD $ 40.00 for a basic good tourist lunch per person per meal without water and drinks. Price varies to individual taste, appetite, and budget.
- For pilgrims who do not wish to have lunch, you could bring biscuits or snacks from Australia e.g., Muesli bars, rice crackers etc.
- Pocket money: Apart from lunch, and some dinners all essential expenditures are covered by the cost of your pilgrimage. However, if you choose to purchase souvenirs throughout the trip, an AUD $ 150.00 per day is a reasonable budget, depending on individual spending habits.
- Pickpockets Risk: although it is not high, it is always recommended don’t carry much cash. Also, theft of credit cards, passports, and other belongings could also take place in public areas. Stay cautious and observant in crowded tourist attractions and public places like railway and bus stations and airports.
XIV.Business Hours & Shopping:
- Banks and businesses have their own hours, not the same as home.
- There are many shops and shopping Centres that open 7 days a week.
- You will have opportunities to shop for souvenirs.
XV.Other Tips:
- Photocopy your passport, e-ticket and insurance documents and emergency contact details, put them in a sealed plastic bag, and carry them separately from your travel documents. Also it is recommended to keep photos on your smart phone.
- Safety is paramount: Do not peel off from the group and always stay within the group.
- Itinerary: make sure your loved ones know your itinerary in detail. Fr. Bill and Fr. Steve are contactable via WhatsApp throughout the pilgrimage.
- Always put your valuables in the safety deposit boxes at the Hotels.
- We recommended checking https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ for the latest travel advice by the Australian Government.
- Electricity: Malta uses type G plugs, which are the same as those used in the UK
Italy uses European round-prong plugs which are typically type F or type C with two round pins, rated at 220 volts 50 Hz as per photo:
Adaptors are sold at most Australian retailers; you could also purchase a “universal travel adapter” or similar.
- Carry an Australian two-point adapter or four-point power board to plug into it, so you can plug in overnight chargers for phone, camera, toothbrush, iPad / tablet, etc.
- Note: power boards should not be carried with hand baggage, keep them in your suite case.
- Masses and/or prayer meetings will be announced on the day by the spiritual leaders.
- Please be mindful that although the international Baggage Allowance is 30Kg, and a hand luggage of 7 kg is allowed.
We are looking forward to your joining this life changing pilgrimage and should you have any concerns before and/or during the pilgrimage, please feel free to reach out and we will be more than happy to respond.
