HIGHLIGHTS
- Relaxed pace with one hotel stay for duration of visit
- Welcome lunch in the vibrant fishing town, Marsaxlokk
- Tour of Ħaġar Qim megalithic temple
- Full-day tour of Valletta and The Three Cities
- Visit to Mosta Dome
- Explore Mdina
- Tour of Rabat
- Visit / boat ride Blue Grotto
- Tour of Mnajdra temples
- Visit to Tarxien temples
- Full-day excursion to Gozo
- Gozo cooking class and market visit
- Local lunches that savour local cuisine
- Highlight farewell dinner with folklore show and a glass of wine
- Free day to explore Malta as you wish
PRE TOUR STAY
Consider arriving a day before the tour starts or staying on after the tour ends. You can relax and refresh after your flight and there’s time to make other local discoveries. Also provides a buffer in case of unexpected flight delays. The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs.
DAY 1
Marsaxlokk & Ancient Malta
Welcome to Malta! Enjoy a morning at leisure before meeting with the group and your guide at lunchtime at the hotel.
We make our way to Marsaxlokk this afteroon, a picturesque fishing village in the south of the island. The bright colours of the "luzzu," the typical boats of local fishermen moored in the harbour, will immediately catch your eye. We have a welcome lunch together and afterwards, continue with a visit to Ħaġar Qim. Hagar Qim is one of Malta's UNESCO‐listed megalithic temples and dates back to between 3600 BC and 3200 BC. Ħaġar Qim is a single temple that stands dramatically on a cliff edge, although it may once have been part of a larger complex. After a delightful afternoon of exploration, we return to our seaside hotel with the evening at leisure. Dining options are plentiful at your resort hotel.
Meals: Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Lunch in the seaside town of Marsaxlokk
- Afternoon tour of Ħaġar Qim
- Evening at leisure
DAY 2
Valletta's Grandeur and Three Cities
After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, embark on a full day adventure exploring the majestic city of Valletta and the picturesque Three Cities.
Valletta, the capital of Malta and a UNESCO heritage city, is an open-air museum with buildings dating back to the 16th century. We visit the Baracca Gardens and take in the beautiful view of the Grand Harbour of Valletta. The tour includes a visit to the beautiful Co-Cathedral of St. John, where you can admire an original Caravaggio painting. You will also enjoy a 5D immersive experience about the thousand year history of Malta.
Today's tour includes The Three Cities - a collective term for the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea. We drive past Cospicua, a double-fortified harbour city and the largest of the three. Then we arrive in Vittoriosa, ideally situated for safe anchorage and with a long history of maritime, mercantile, and military activities. The third city, Senglea, also known as Civitas Invicta, managed to resist the Ottoman invasion during the Great Siege of 1565. The island on which Senglea lies was joined by a land bridge to Cospicua during the time of the Knights of St. John, becoming a peninsula.
During this tour, you will walk through the various narrow streets shaded by many historic churches and buildings. Return at the end of the day to our hotel with the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A full-day tour
- Visit to Valletta
- Lunch in Valletta
- See the Three Cities
- Evening at leisure
DAY 3
Mosta, Mdina, and Rabat
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy some free time before we depart to explore the medieval town of Mdina, visit the iconic Mosta Dome, and wander the charming streets of Rabat.
First, we drive to the city of Mosta. Inspired by Rome’s Pantheon, the church in the city centre was built in the 18th century. It became famous throughout the country in 1942 when, during World War II, a dropped bomb failed to explode, sparing the lives of some 300 people. This church has the third-largest unsupported dome in the world.
After Mosta, we visit Mdina and Rabat. Although Mdina takes centre stage, Rabat offers its own charm with narrow streets, historic houses, and a rich medieval vibe. We then continue to Mdina, Malta’s ancient capital. Mdina sits hilltop right at the centre of the island. It is also called ‘The Silent City’ because of its quiet and narrow streets that give off a quaint yet very homely atmosphere. Mdina is considered one of Malta’s precious jewels, and this ancient walled city is one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications. You will see magnificent views of the entire Maltese landscape. In Mdina, you will have some time to relax and enjoy the area, and we will have an early dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A full-day tour including the towns of Mosta, Mdina, and Rabat
- Group dinner in Mdina with a glass of wine
DAY 4
Coastal Wonders and Ancient Secrets
Fuel up with a scrumptious breakfast at your hotel before venturing to the Blue Grotto and visiting ancient temple sites.
Our day will start with a visit to the Blue Grotto, a unique location known for its colours and scenery. Take a typical local boat to visit the bays and caves that characterise this area (weather permitting).
We continue to the Mnajdra temples, which consist of three buildings constructed in both globigerina and coralline limestone. Next, we visit Tarxien. The Tarxien temples are the most complex of all the temple sites in Malta. They represent the peak of the temple-building civilisation. After a day out, we return to the hotel for some free time before dinner.
Tonight, enjoy a wonderful evening out, including a folklore dinner show while enjoying warm Maltese hospitality and food.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A full-day tour
- Visiting the Blue Grotto
- Visit Mnajdra temple, and Tarxien temple
- Dinner with folklore show and a glass of wine
DAY 5
Discovering the Charms of Gozo
Today is dedicated to the enchanting island of Gozo. After breakfast, board a ferry to Gozo for a full-day excursion.
We depart our hotel for the northern end of the island at Ċirkewwa to take the ferry to Gozo. After a short crossing (about 20 minutes), we arrive in Gozo. Gozo island is part of the Maltese archipelago, and you will immediately notice the difference in landscape compared to Malta.
There’s an immersive experience through the Gozitan food tradition, preparing some local delicacies. We are escorted for a market visit and return to prepare our own Gozitan meal for lunch.
Before departing Gozo, visit Victoria, the most important town on the island of Gozo, dedicated to Queen Victoria of England. Here, we will visit the ancient Citadel where there have been archaeological finds dating back to the Neolithic era. As the day comes to a close, we make our way back by ferry to Malta, and the evening is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Return transfer to Gozo by ferry
- Gozo cooking class
- Lunch
- Explore the town of Victoria, Gozo
DAY 6
Leisure Day
Today is a leisure day, giving you the freedom to explore Malta at your own pace or simply unwind at your hotel or stroll around the local area. Tonight, meet up with your local guide for a highlight farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A day at your leisure
- Highlight farewell dinner with a glass of wine
- Dinner hosted by your group guide
DAY 7
Farewell to Malta
As your memorable journey comes to an end, savour a final breakfast at the hotel. Take a moment to reflect on the treasures of Malta before you depart, carrying cherished memories with you.
Meals: Breakfast
SPECIAL NOTES:
Travellers connecting to Wonders of Sicily will depart hotel prior to breakfast with a group transfer to the airport to meet flight departing for Sicily. Hotel breakfast is forfeited.
Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
