WORLD ▫ EUROPE ▫ MALTA ▫ VALLETTA
| Mdina Morning Tour including Mdina Experience Show |
3.5 - 4 hours |
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This tour will aquaint you with Malta's ancient capital perched on a hill overlooking fields and countryside. You will be met at your hotel before beginning a drive up to Mdina.
From the main gate and together with our guide, you will walk through this unique medieval city with it's typical winding streets and hidden alleys that suddenly give way to imposing and prime examples of Norman and Baroque architecture.
You will have a guided tour of the St Paul's Cathedral - the original medieval cathedral dedicated to St Paul was destroyed by an earthquake in 1693. The present edifice was completed and consecrated in 1702 and is the work of Lorenzo Gafa (1638-1703). It is traditionally believed to be standing on the site of the house of Publius, the Roman governor at the time of St Paul's stay on the island. the next point of interest will be the fortifications which totally enclose this city.
Finally, enjoy the "Mdina Experience Show" - an audio visual experience on Mdina's checkered history intended to inform and entertain.
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| Maltese Dinner and Show in Mosta |
4 hours |
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This tour will immerse you in the traditional Maltese hospitality!
You will be taken to the Ta' Maria Restaurant in Mosta, with attendants and waiters dressed in authentic period costumes. This restaurant specializes in traditional Maltese food and presents the participants with mouth watering selection of menus which for hundreds of years has been on the table of the typical Maltese family.
Enjoy your meal in accompaniment of traditional Maltese folk music and dancing. Some of the dishes you may be feasting on include Fenek (Rabbit) , Bragioli, (stuffed beef olives) and Kusksu bil-ful (a delicious stew enriched with broad beans).
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The Sacra Infermeria
The extensive edifice of the Sacra Infermeria (Holy Infirmary) occupies a large site which overlooks the Grand Harbour, very near Fort St. Elmo. This hospital, one of the first buildings of Valletta, started to function in 1574 under Grand Master Jean de la Cassiere. Originally, it consisted of a large ward. Under the rule of Grand Master Nicholas Cottoner (1663 - 80), the hall was enlarged; and in 1712 Grand Master Perellos commissioned a new building alongside Merchants Street, which included a chapel and a pharmacy.
The infirmary provided about 900 beds for male patients who included knights, soldiers, sailors and foreigners. Maltese patients and slaves were accommodated in another large hall below the Main Ward. In 1676, a school of anatomy and surgery was set up in the building.
The administration of the Sacra Infermeria was entrusted to knights of the French Langue, under the headship of the Grand Hospitaller. When the Knights were forced to leave the Island in 1798, Napoleons’ troops used the hospital for their own personnel. The British, who took over Malta’s government in 1800, renamed the Infirmary ‘Station Hospital’, and used it as such until the end of the First World War.
In 1920, the building was used as the Police Headquarters until the outbreak of World War II, when the police had to evacuate the building which was badly damaged by air raids.
Reconstruction and conversion started in earnest in 1977, and in February 1979, the grand old edifice was inaugurated as a first-class Conference Centre. It now consists of the main conference room which accommodates about 1,400 persons, and five other halls of varying sizes, all equipped with facilities for simultaneous translation. The complex has been renamed ‘The Mediterranean Conference Centre’.
What used to be the main hospital ward, measuring 151 metres, is now used as "the lobby" when conferences are in session. The Lower Ward houses a restaurant with a capacity of 1,000 covers. Several offices, staff and rest rooms and a cafeteria are also provided.
Early in 1987, a fire totally destroyed the Main Conference Room and other parts of the complex. These have now been reconstructed, and in 1990 the Centre was re-opened for conferences and conventions.
| Morning Tour to The Blue Grotto and Limestone Heritage |
3.5 - 4 hours |
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Be met at your hotel and escorted to the coach for a drive to the fishing village of Wied Iz- Zurrieq - a quaint fishing village nestled within high imposing cliffs. A natural shelter for the local fishing boats.
From here an optional 30 minute boat trip (fare not included) can be taken to reveal the splendors of the impressive Blue Grotto - a cathedral in stone, with nature as its architect. The Blue Grotto is famous for its crystal clear water with beautiful colors passing through it going from light blue to deep blue then green and even red.
The second part of you tour takes you to the Limestone Heritage - a disused quarry in the old village of Siggiewi turned into one of the most interesting and educational heritage trails in Malta. This unique attraction explains how Malta's history is written in stone from the early prehistoric times till today; the terminology and building techniques mostly unique to this island.
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| Full Day Gozo Heritage Tour |
8 hours |
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Drive up to the northernmost point of Malta, where you will board the Gozo ferry for a 20 minutes crossing.
Upon arrival in Gozo, the first stop will be the Gozo Heritage - a privately owned museum offers a spectacular historical experience. The museum introduces the you, in leisurely fashion, to 7,000 years of Gozitan history. Lifesize sculptures set in period environments animated by the latest audio visual electronic techniques give you a ringside view of the checkered historical saga of Gozo.
Next move on to Gozo's Capital, Victoria with it's quaint outdoor market and the Medieval Citadel. This Old Citadel or Kastell dominates the town's skyline as intended by military architects of the day. Yet it is endowed by such a photogenic grace and splendor, that makes its sight unequalled not just on the Maltese Islands, but also practically anywhere.
From here the tour will take you to the picturesque fishing village of Xlendi where lunch will be served in a 4 star hotel on the bay. Following lunch the tour will proceed to Dwejra and enjoy some of Gozo's geological wonders like the Azure window and inland sea.
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St. John's Cathedral
This splendid Church was built between 1573 and 1577 during the reign of Grand Master Jean de la Cassiere. St. John’s, which was the Order’s conventual church, was accorded Co-Cathedral status (the main Cathedral being the one at Mdina) by Pope Pius VII, in 1816.
The exterior of the Church is rather austere, but the interior is a blaze of baroque architecture and sculpture. The massive vault is painted by Mattia Preti, illustrating episodes from the life of St. John the Baptist. The spacious nave is flanked on either side by the chapels of the various Langues of the Order. The Chapels are decorated with sumptuous monuments of the Grand Masters and with precious works of art.
Both the church and its oratory are paved with marble tomb-stones, under which lie the remains of the knights. There are altogether 364 slabs, all of which bear Latin inscriptions exalting the merits and deeds of the Knights of the Order.
The Oratory, which forms part of the Church, is noted for Caravaggio’s masterpiece ‘The Beheading of St. John‘. Another excellent Caravaggio painting, ‘St. Jerome’, can be seen at the Chapel of Italy inside the Church.
The Cathedral Museum contains priceless works of arts, ancient hymn books, sacred vestments and the famous Flemish Tapestries. Until recently, the tapestries were hung in the Cathedral nave on special festivities; the last occasion being the Pope’s visit in May 1990. At present, the tapestries are on display inside the Museum.
A number of booklet and other specialised publications are on sale at the Cathedral gift shop. These give details of the history and the art treasures of this unique monument. Entrance is from Merchants Street.
| type: | Churches and Cathedrals |
| Gozo Highlights - Ggantija Prehistoric Temples, Ta' Pinu Shrine, Azure Window |
8 hours |
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Drive to the northernmost point of Malta, where you will board the Gozo ferry for a 20 minute crossing.
The first stop will be at the Ggantija Prehistoric Temples - Ggantija Temples in Xaghra, Gozo, are one of the most important archaeological sites in Malta. The origins of Ggantija date back to the Ggantija phase (3600 - 3200 BC). The gigantic dimensions of the megaliths have always struck a chord with popular imagination. In centuries past, some locals even believed that the Islands' temples, in particular those of Ggantija, were the work of giants.
Your next stop will be at the Basilica of Ta Pinu - one of the most outstanding churches in the Maltese Islands. The most popular Shrine on Gozo, where it is profoundly believed that back in 1883, Our Lady has spoken to a devotee from Gharb named Karmni Grima. Ta' Pinu Sanctuary is a place of great devotion and is of national importance. Numerous pilgrims, both locals and tourists visit Ta' Pinu Shrine all year round.
From here the tour will continue to the picturesque fishing village of Xlendi where lunch will be served in a 4 star hotel on the bay.
Following lunch, proceed to Dwejra to enjoy some of Gozo's geological wonders like the Azure window and inland sea. Next is a short stop at the Old Citadel or Kastell, which lies upon the likeliest strategic vantage point of Victoria. It defiantly dominates the town's skyline as intended by military architects of the day.
Time permitting there will be a panoramic drive along Qala Heights - imposing cliffs with grand views of the Mediterranean on the way back to the ferry.
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| Valletta Airport Shared Departure Transfer |
25 - 40 minutes |
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Travel from your Malta hotel to Valletta International Airport. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your Malta hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. 24 - 48 hours prior to your transfer, you will be required to call the supplier directly (the contact number will be provided on your travel voucher) to reconfirm exact pick up times and places.
It's that easy!
Don't forget to book your Valletta Airport Arrival Transfer, simply type the product code 2614MLAAPTHTL into the Keyword Box.
At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details in the "Special Requirements" box:
- Airline
- Flight Number
- Departing City / Arrival City
- Departure Time
- Full Hotel Name and Address
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St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral
St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral, was the first Protestant church built in Malta. The project was conceived in 1838 by Queen Adelaide, Dowager Queen of King William IV, who at the time was convalescing in Malta due to a serious illness.
The site of the church was formerly occupied by the Auberge of Germany, which was dismantled to make room for the new structure. Queen Adelaide contributed the sum of 10,000 pounds, and the first stone was laid in March 1839.
The plans were drawn by a British architect, who also supervised the works. When structural defects started to develop, the architect committed suicide.
The works stopped for some time and resumed in 1842, under the direction of Frank Scamp, another British engineer who happened to be in Malta, engaged on the construction of the first drydock.
The Cathedral was completed in 1844 at a total cost of 20,000 pounds. It was consecrated in the same year by the Bishop of Gibraltar. A congregation of 1,500 persons can be accommodated inside the church, which has an area of 33 metres by 14 metres.
The main attraction of the Cathedral is its fine classical portico made up of eight ionic columns, and the Gothic spire, 60 metres high - one of the landmarks of Valletta. This blend of classical and Gothic components is a distinctive trait of the building.
The Cathedral falls under the jurisdiction of the Anglican See of Gibraltar.
| type: | Churches and Cathedrals |
| Tarxien Prehistoric Temples and The Blue Grotto |
8 hours |
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Drive to the south of the island with the Tarxien Prehistoric Temples as the first stop.
This unique group of temples, dating from 3150 to 2500 BC, are the most complex of all temples in Malta. They comprise four temple units linked by a square court and they were the last to be built on the Islands. Their skilful construction and the elaborate design and workmanship suggest that the temple builders had gained considerable expertise over the millennia since the first phase of megalithic construction.
The temples are renowned for the detail of their carvings, which include stone idols, domestic animals carved in relief, altars and screens decorated with spiral designs and other patterns.
Your next stop will take you to the fishing village of Marsascala where you will be treated to a lunch at a restaurant renowned for it's fresh fish dishes. Following lunch the coach and guide will escort us to Ghar Dalam which literally means "Cave of Darkness" - Ghar Dalam Cave is a highly important site as it was here that the earliest evidence of human settlement on Malta, some 7,400 years ago, was discovered.
The history of the cave and of the Islands can be decoded from Ghar Dalam's stratigraphy. The lowermost layers, more than 500,000 years old, contained the fossil bones of dwarf elephants, hippopotami, micro-mammals and birds. Above the pebble layer that follows, is the so-called "deer" layer, dated to around 18,000 years ago. The top layer, dates to less than 10,000 years and holds evidence of the first humans on the Island.
The last stop is at Wied Iz-Zurrieq a quaint fishing village nestled within high imposing cliffs. From here an optional boat trip (fare not included) can be taken to reveal the splendors of the impressive Blue Grotto - a cathedral in stone, with Nature as its architect, Blue Grotto is an immense cave adorned with deep blue waters inside after which it takes its name.
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The Auberges Of The Knights
When the Order of St. John arrived in Malta in 1530, the Knights set up their Convent in Birgu, which at the time was only a small fishing village in a creek inside Grand Harbour.
The Order was comprised of Knights from eight different nationalities or "Langues". In order to preserve their identity, the Langues built their own Auberges or Inns of Residence. At Birgu, the two Langues of Provence and Auvergne shared one Auberge.
When the Order transferred its headquarters to Valletta in 1571, the Langue of England had ceased to exist. The remaining seven Langues soon built their Auberges in the new city. The work was entrusted to Gerolamo Cassar, who was also engaged on the building of St. John's and on other important works in Valletta. All the seven Auberges were built between 1571 and 1575.
Each Langue built its own Auberge, at its own expense. The members lived, and had their meals in common, in the respective Inns. It is to be noted that the Order's Statutes laid down that Knights holding a Commandery of more than 200 pounds were not allowed to live in an Auberge. Such Knights were expected to live and maintain themselves in premises of their own.
The Head of an Auberge was the Pilier, who was responsible for the management, discipline and provision of food in the hostel.
Each of the seven Auberges in Valletta, of which four are still surviving, had a church attached to it to cater to the spiritual needs of its members. The auberges were of:
Provence
France
Auvergne
Aragon
Castille
Italy and
Germany.
During World War II, the Auberge of France in South Street, and that of Auvergne in Republic Street, were totally destroyed by enemy action. The Auberge of Germany was dismantled in the 18th century to make room for St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral.
| Morning Tour of Valetta |
3.5 - 4 hours |
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You will be met in your hotel lobby and escorted to your coach for a drive to the city of Valletta, built after the Great Siege of 1565.
Your tour starts with a guided walk to the Upper Barracca Gardens which boast 180 degree views of the Grand Harbor and the famed 3 cities.
Continue along the characteristic straight and narrow streets down to the Co-Cathedral of St. John. In the Cathedral you are able to visit the Cathedral Museum, which among other items of interest boasts one of Caravaggio's paintings "The beheading of St John".
You will then proceed to the Grand Master's Palace and it's Armoury. The tour ends with a visit to the Mediterranean Conference Center to view the 45 minute audio-visual, multivision - Malta Experience Show.
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| Malta Highlights - Mosta, Mdina and Rabat |
8 hours |
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Drive to Mosta for your first visit is to St. Mary's Church - a magnificent domed church, known as the Mosta Rotunda built between the 1830's and 1860's. Designed by Maltese architect Giorgio de Vasse, it is said to be the third largest unsupported church dome in Europe - superseded only by St Peter's in Rome and St Sophia in Istanbul.
In World War II, the Church took a direct hit from a German bomb during mass. The bomb pierced the dome, but failed to explode. This event is now legendary. You can see a replica of the 200kilogram bomb in the sacristy.
The next visit is to the silent city of Mdina - the old capital is a typical mediaeval town situated in the center of the island. The "Silent City", as it is also known, commands a magnificent view of the island and although it is fully inhabited, silence reigns supreme. Today, it is mainly off limits to cars and there is a calming atmosphere as you walk along its narrow streets and ways, passing by some of the best Norman and Baroque architecture on the island.
Accompanied by the guide, you will, visit the St. Paul's Cathedral and then to the medieval fortifications for a panoramic view of the island. Lunch will be served at the Bacchus restaurant nestled within the Southern bastion of the City. "The Knights of Malta" show will be your next stop after which a short break for coffee and cakes is included.
Next you will proceed to Rabat to visit St. Paul's Grotto. According to a strong tradition, based on early writings of St. Luke, the Apostle Paul found shelter in this grotto after he was shipwrecked on the island.
The last visit will be to the Handicrafts Village of Ta' Qali; an ideal place to pick up souvenirs.
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| Valletta Airport Shared Arrival Transfer |
25 - 40 minutes |
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Travel from Valletta International Airport to your Malta hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your Malta hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.
It's that easy!
Don't forget to book your Valletta Airport Departure Transfer, simply type the product code 2614MLAHTLAPT into the Keyword Box.
At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details in the "Special Requirements" box:
- Airline
- Flight Number
- Departing City / Arrival City
- Arrival Time
- Full Hotel Name and Address
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| The Three Cities - Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa |
3.5 - 4 hours |
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Drive to the Grand Harbor Area where your first stop will be at the Gardjola Gardens. At Senglea you can enjoy the panoramic view that includes, from right to left, the docks, Marsa, Valletta, the entrance to the Grand Harbor and Fort St. Angelo.
The sentry box placed on the tip of the bastion, il-gardjola, epitomizes the role of the fortifications around the harbor. On the sentry box there are sculptured in high relief various symbols of watchfulness, namely the eye, the ear, and the crane bird. The inscription in Latin assures the inhabitants of the Harbor area, to rest at ease, as the tower stands guard against any hostile force that may attempt to approach Maltese shores.
Next, drive through Cospicua to the historical city of Vittoriosa where you will stop for a guided visit of the Parish church of St Lawrence, which is one of the earliest medieval parishes, and St Joseph's Chapel which served as a graveyard during the Greta Siege of 1565.
The tour will then move on in to the heart of Vittoriosa, known as Il-Collachio. This was the area of the city reserved specifically for members of the Order of St John. Within the Collachio still stand the various early Auberges, set up by the Knights on their arrival in Malta following their expulsion from Rhodes.
Your last stop will be a guided tour of the Maritime Museum with artifacts and history dating back from the Phoenician and Roman period.
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