Day One
Full day tour Three Cities, Grand Harbour & Valletta
We start this tour visiting the oldest region of the Grand Harbour, otherwise known as the Three Cities. Our first stop includes a visit to the Gardjola Gardens in Senglea. From here you can admire the fantastic view from the Vedette (watch tower used by the Knights). We continue... read more »
Day One
Full day tour Three Cities, Grand Harbour & Valletta
We start this tour visiting the oldest region of the Grand Harbour, otherwise known as the Three Cities. Our first stop includes a visit to the Gardjola Gardens in Senglea. From here you can admire the fantastic view from the Vedette (watch tower used by the Knights). We continue with a scenic drive along the seafront to Cospicua. Here you can admire the magnificent beautifully transformed marina, which used to shelter the galleys of the Knights and British navy vessels during the British era.
Our next location is Vittoriosa, otherwise known as Birgu. In 1532 the Knights of St. John first settled here, and we will explore the old historical centre which is known as the Collacchio. Here the Knights' built their Palazzos and Auberges. It is a maze of narrow streets and quaint alleys. Your visit will give you a good insight into the way the Knights lived. A short distance from the old historical centre is the original conventual church of the Order, St. Lawrence's. This beautiful church overlooks the harbour area which was the main place of commercial activity during the period of the Knights.
We will stop for a short drink/coffee break in Birgu Piazza, before making our way down to the harbour to board a Dghajsa, a traditional Maltese boat used for centuries taxying people around the Grand Harbour. This boat trip will end on the Valletta shoreline. On arrival in Valletta, we will take the Barraka Lift (elevator) to the upper level of the city, and the magnificent Upper Barraka Gardens.
Note!The Dghajsa boat trip is optional, see price panel below. The alternative is crossing by ferry or drive by car/van.
Valletta, our capital, is the youngest of our fortified cities and it was built soon after the Great Siege of 1565 against the Ottomans. We start our tour of Valletta at the Upper Barraka Gardens, from where you can admire views over the magnificent fortified Grand Harbour. We continue with our walking tour of the city, enroute passing Castille Place and Merchants Street, here you can admire the beautiful Auberges and Palazzi which were built in the baroque style architecture and have imposing facades.
At this stage we will stop for a lunch break (not included in the tour rate). After lunch we continue with our tour which will include an internal visit of St. John's Co. Cathedral. This was the Conventual Church of the Order of St. Johns/Knights of St. John and historically one of the most important buildings built by the Knights. Here you can also admire the Carravaggio masterpiece 'The Beheading of St. John', considered as his most important work south of Rome.
We continue along Republic Street, the main commercial hub of the city. Here you can admire more stunning architecture, large open piazza's, the Bibliotheca, Law Courts, and the imposing Grand Masters Palace. Our tour will end in Palace Square, and then we will make our way back to your hotel.
Day Two
Full day tour to Mdina, Mosta Dome, Rabat, San Anton Gardens & Artisans
Our first stop during this tour is at one of Malta's most famous churches, Mosta Dome. The church’s dome is the fourth largest unsupported dome in Europe. Mosta Dome is also popular with visitors as it was at this church where a bomb pierced the dome during a World War II air attack. The bomb fell inside the church during a service and failed to explode. Locals hailed this as a miracle.
We next visit the Medieval city of Mdina. Mdina is built on a plateau in the centre of the island, the city's old Baroque buildings, cathedral and magnificent bastion walls dominate the rural skyline. Mdina, once the capital of Malta until the modern city of Valletta was built in 1566 has had many names including Melite(Roman occupation), Medina (Arabic occupation), Citta Notabile and Citta Vecchia (after Valletta was built). Today it is also referred as the Silent City since it inspires tranquillity at any time of the day or night. The only way to really experience and enjoy this city is on foot, explore the quaint alleys, narrow streets, ancient buildings and incredible far reaching views from the high bastion walls.
Our tour will then continue to the old town of Rabat. Here we will make our way through the narrow streets to the centre which is dominated by the imposing St. Paul's Church which overlooks the piazza. Rabat can claim the origins of Maltese Christianity and also good examples of the Roman period are found here. It was here in AD60 that the Apostle St Paul is said to have stayed after being shipwrecked on the Islands. We will visit St. Paul's Grotto which is said to be the resting place of St. Paul during his stay on the islands. Our visit to Rabat also features the Roman Domus. In 1881 remains of an upper class Roman townhouse were discovered on this site. There are some excellent exhibits and the museum above houses the principle remains of Malta’s Roman period (218 BC – 870 AD). The Roman Domus is well known for its beautiful mosaic floors especially the Peristyle.
After a lunch break (lunch is additional) we proceed to San Anton Gardens. These magnificent gardens are located in the grounds of San Anton Palace – the official residence of the President of Malta. Probably the best known of our public gardens, San Anton Gardens were first laid out by Grand Master Antoine de Paule between 1623 and 1636. You can wander along paths and terraces which are lined with enormous trees, hedges, flower beds and old stone pots full of plants to any of five ponds with ducks, fountains and water lilies. Here one also finds the largest orchard on the island with more than 800 orange trees and other citrus fruits.
Our final stop includes a visit to an artisans centre. Here one can view the local crafts and it is also the ideal place to purchase some gifts from a good selection of locally made pottery and ceramics, filigree and jewellery, local stone items, wrought iron and much more. Do not miss out on the glassblowers – decorative glass made in the traditional manner by hand and mouth; also etching and crystal cutting. Our tour comes to an end and we make our way back to your hotel.
Day Three
Full day tour to Hagar Qim Temple, Blue Grotto, Tarxien, Ghar Dalam, Hypogeum & Marsaxlokk Fishing Village
We will be touring the south of the island during this tour, starting at the Blue Grotto. This picturesque grotto and its neighboring system of sea caverns mirrors the brilliant phosphorescent colors of underwater flora. Boat trips, which take around 25 minutes allow you to explore these grottoes and sea caverns along this stretch of coast (the boat trip is not included in the overall price as it operates subject to weather conditions, allow €10).
We continue with our tour to the Hagar Qim temple site. Set in a rural area this ancient temple is particularly interesting as it has the largest and heaviest megaliths out of all the temple sites around the Maltese Islands, some slabs weighing a staggering 20 tons. Our guide will unfold the history related to this temple which dates back to 3300BC.
Our next stop includes a visit to Marsaxlokk. This quaint fishing village on the south coast is characterized by low lying buildings and the colorful traditional fishing boats known as the 'luzzu'. A small local market lines the seafront and for those that enjoy fresh fish there are plenty of good quality restaurants to choose from. You will have free time for lunch.
In the afternoon we continue with our tour and our first stop includes a visit to Tarxien. Tarxien was the first temple site to be excavated scientifically and it offers a unique collection of circa. 3000 BC sanctuaries. Stone idols and tablets, domestic animals carved in relief, altars and screens decorated with spiral designs and other patterns, oracular chambers and riches enhance the attractions of these temples.
Our next stop is at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. This unique ancient underground monument is 12 metres below street level. It consists of a network of passages, chambers and caves cut on three levels, similar to the interior of a megalithic temple. The most impressive part of the temple is the "Holy of Holies" and one of the most important prehistoric masterpieces known as the "Sleeping Lady" was also found here.
Our tour continues to Ghar Dalam. The Ghar Dalam Cave is a highly important site as it was here that the earliest evidence of human settlement on Malta from 7,000 years ago, was discovered. This huge cavern is 144 metres deep, but only the first 80 metres are open to visitors. The various layers contained the fossilised bones of dwarf elephants, hippopotami, red deer, bear, fox, wolf, micro-mammals and birds from the Pleistocene Age(180,000 years ago) and the end of the last Ice Age(16,000 years ago). Our tour ends here and we make our way back.
Day Four
Full day tour to Gozo Island
We start our tour to Gozo with a pleasant 25 minute ferry crossing. The charm of Gozo is apparent the moment you arrive there. Greener, more rural and smaller than Malta. Our tour is a combination of scenic spots, historical sites, local culture and food.
We feature most of the main highlights during our tour. The first stop is at Ggantija temples, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered to be amongst the oldest free standing megalithic monuments in the world dating back over 5500 years. The adjoining visitor's centre boasts artefacts from the temple site and also from the Xaghra Circle (4100BC), studies of samples and results from which are still emerging.
A scenic drive will pass through quaint sleepy villages that characterise Gozo's unique charm. The drive also highlights the north coast. A brief stop at the Calypso Cave Belvedere, offers magnificent views over the red sands of Ramla Bay and the lush fertile valley which leads down to it. The drive takes us to Xwejni bay with its salt pans and the natural feature of Qolla l-Bajda.
We continue on to one of the most photographed sites on Gozo, Dwejra. This is a site of ecological and geological importance. The General's Rock and Inland Sea will be pointed out. One can take an optional boat trip out to the different caves (optional and operates weather permitting).
We proceed to Xlendi Bay for a lunch break. Xlendi is a very picturesque colourful bay, with a small sandy beach and restaurants lining the waterfront.
After lunch we will visit one of Gozo's most prominent sites, 'The Citadel', This small fortified town dominates the heights above Victoria, Gozo's capital. This site has been inhabited since the Bronze Age period. Walking through this historical gem one can admire the medieval layout with interesting features and some excellent examples of domestic medieval architecture, blending with buildings of the Knights of St John. Once at the top, a stunning panorama of the whole island and even Malta's northern coast enfolds.
At this stage our tour comes to an end and we make our way back to Malta.
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