My wife and I are planning to visit Sicily and Malta this December for about 8 days(4 days on each island). We like historic sites as well as beautiful scenery. Would also like recommendations for the best 4 or 5 star hotels.

For Malta, probably the most historic and interesting is the Hypogeum, an underground temple. You must book ahead as there are a limited number of tickets per day.

I wouldn't consider the scenery on Malta to be at all beautiful as there is very little vegetation; Malta is normally dry with no water supply other than rain water or desalinated sea water.

I would stay in Valletta for easy access to buses to other towns.

You won't be able to see much on Sicily in 4 days. Perhaps if you state what town you plan to visit on Sicily you will get hotel recommendations. There's no point asking for recommendations and getting them for a town you won't be visiting (unless your trip is based solely on where a hotel is located). More information from the OP, rather than scanty information, is most helpful.

Two recent threads about Malta that you may find useful:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-100-best.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...bout-malta.cfm

You might want to read my trip report on Sicily. Just click on my name. Bob the Navigator also had a very good report that was a mine of information.

I stayed at the San Dominica Palace Hotel in Taormina, Sicily. It is a beautiful hotel with wonderful views of the sea. There is an ancient Greek Theater within walking distance - it's astonishing. From both the theater and the hotel there are views of Mt Etna when it's not clouded over. Remarkable place!

Wow you like history you are about to find something fascinating in Malta. There is a church that was bombed during world war 2 during mass where the bomb didn't explode and it also happens to have 3rd largest unsupported dome in the world. What you really have to see in malta is hyogeum. I went when I lived in Sicily incredible. Its the only underground prehistoric temple in the world and you have to plan early because they only allow 80 ppl inside a day. And for Sicily, wow.. that going to be terribly tough to tell you, ive been throughout the entire island if you can tell me a little more detail what your interested in i can give you a better idea where to do


-marcello
http://www.wanderingtrader.com