Welcome to the airport by our staff and transfers to the hotel

Our guided tour through the vibrant streets of Valletta will allow you to discover the beauty and charm of the fortified city built by the Knights in 1566. The Order of St. John ruled over the islands for 268 years and left a unique cultural legacy of which Valletta is the prime example. We first enjoy a breathtaking view of the Grand Harbour from the Upper Barracca Gardens. Then we visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral, including the Caravaggio masterpieces in the Oratory. The Co-Cathedral houses one of the most beautiful marble inlaid floors in the world. Going down Republic Street you will walk past the Grand Masters’ Palace and the recently restored St. George’s Square before watching the Malta Experience, an audiovisual show where Malta’s history throughout the centuries is brought back to life.

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

A half day tour of Malta’s medieval city of Mdina, Malta’s former capital. The narrow, winding streets, dating back to the Arab period, lead to the imposing bastions, commanding a panoramic view of the islands. On the way there, you will discover different styles of architecture, including the medieval Siculo-Norman palaces, and other baroque buildings of great historical importance. Time stands still in this ‘Silent City’ which is a film-maker’s paradise. Leaving Mdina through Greek’s Gate, we proceed to the cliffs at Dingli. The tour ends with a visit to the San Anton botanical gardens situated near the Presidential Palace, which you will be able to admire from outside.

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

Discover the Grand Harbour area opposite Valletta known as the Three Cities – Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, where the Knights of St. John first settled in 1530. Driving past Cospicua we reach Vittoriosa for a walking tour through the narrow streets in the shade of historic buildings, including the first auberges of the various languages of the Order. At the Vittoriosa waterfront, we take a typical harbour boat (dghajsa) for a tour of the colourful harbour creeks.

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

This is a very special tour, combining Malta’s foremost aristocratic palace with 400-year- old wine cellars where Malta’s premium wines are allowed to mature. Palazzo Parisio has been justly described as ‘a miniature Versailles’. Its intricate interiors contain fine frescoes, magnificent marble works, mirrored walls, tromp l’oeil, rare paintings and extravagant building. The beautiful landscaped gardens, acclaimed as being among the finest in Europe, reflect the splendour of this gracious home. After the opulence of the palazzo, one of Malta’s leading wineries welcomes you to its cellars where you will be given a detailed explanation of local wine making and invited to sample a selection of wines and local savouries.

The tour starts with a visit to one of Malta’s oldest quarries which has been transformed into an attraction for tourists and locals alike and which provides a vivid account of one of Malta’s leading skills – the use of limestone for building purposes, a skill that goes back thousands of years. The magic of Malta’s antiquity will be explained at Hagar Qim, Malta’s main pre-historic site, overlooking the wide expanse of the blue Mediterranean and the islet of Filfla. From Hagar Qim you will proceed to Wied iz-Zurrieq where (weather permitting - boat price not included) you can take a boat trip to the Blue Grotto, renowned for its crystal clear waters. After lunch, we drive through local vineyards right up to the idyllic fishing village of Marsaxlokk. You will have time to stroll through the local market set out on its waterfront. Later we proceed to the cave at Ghar Dalam where archaeologists have unearthed ample proof that Malta once formed part of the European landmass.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Lunch

After a short twenty-minute ferry crossing you will reach Mgarr harbour, which immediately sets the pace to Gozo’s unique atmosphere. Your guide will lead you around the Megalithic temples of Ggantija, the oldest free-standing monuments in the world, pre-dating the Pyramids of Egypt. This will be followed by visits to the medieval citadel in Victoria, the fjord-like bay at Xlendi and Dwejra. Gozo is well known for its crafts, particularly handmade lace and knitted garments. Visitors cannot fail to be impressed by the island’s lush countryside, its serene atmosphere and how different it is from the larger island of Malta.

Meals: Lunch

Departure transfers assisted by our staff