Upon arrival into Valletta Airport you will be met at the Arrivals Hall and will then be privately transferred to your hotel a 15 minute journey.

The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to relax around the infinity pool, or enjoy traditional afternoon tea in the Palm Court Lounge.

For the evening a Special Sundowner moment: Enjoy a romantic moment as you unwind in a special and peaceful setting with priceless picturesque views of Valletta’s majestic Grand Harbour. Sip a glass of wine or sparkling prosecco as you nibble on delicious finger food during this unforgettable first evening’s “aperitivo”. Nested inside the urbane British Hotel this unique place is an exclusive venue that can be enjoyed both day and night.

Preferred Valletta Hotel Partner: THE PHOENICIA MALTA (5*) x3 nights (photos courtesy of The Phoenicia)

 

Steeped in history and boasting magnificent décor matched only by the stunning views, the hotel has been recognized as one of the city’s most revered architectural treasures since 1947. A stay at The Phoenicia Malta is nothing short of perfection; bringing together tradition, warm Maltese hospitality, modern amenities and all of life’s comforts for its discerning guests.

 

Located just a stone’s throw from Valletta’s most coveted attractions, The Phoenicia Malta is a Campbell Gray Hotel, proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World and the first and only Maltese hotel to be included in the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts Programme. As one of the best luxury hotels in Malta, the property boasts 136 luxury bedrooms and suites in a prestigious location, allowing guests to explore both city and harbour. The breath-taking views of the ancient skyline are just the beginning of the indulgences to come.

Walk out of your historical hotel this morning to enjoy a privately guided tour of Valletta. Valletta is the capital city of the island, located half way down the northern coastline. It was designed to be a fortress for the Knights of St John and built from scratch in the 16th century.

Today it is a thriving and beautiful city, offering magnificent buildings, glorious views and architectural evidence of the different eras in its history. Latterly, the entrance to the city has been entirely re-designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano.

The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only capital city in the world to have this honour. The jewel in the crown is the fabulous church of the Knights, today known as St John’s Co-Cathedral, which offers unsurpassed craftsmanship and stunning artworks of every type including two fine works of art by Caravaggio. The floor contains 369 inlaid marble tombstones of the Knights, and is often described as the most beautiful floor in the world.

Visit the Grand Master’s Palace and the State rooms which housed the administrative center of Malta for almost three and a half centuries. Originally the seat of the Grand Master of the Knights of St John, today it is home to the office of the President of the Republic of Malta. The palace is built around two courtyards and is home to an array of magnificent halls displaying many artefacts and portraits of the Grand Masters of the Order of The Order of the Knights of St. John. Inside also discover the famous Council Chamber home to a rare collection of exotic French-woven Gobelin tapestries depicting hunting scenes from different continents. Despite being almost 300 years old, these tapestries have been perfectly preserved over the years.

Another unmissable sight is the Upper Barrakka Garden which boasts a beautiful panoramic view of the famous Grand Harbour, one of the largest natural and most picturesque harbours in the Mediterranean and scene of the Great Siege of 1565.

Enjoy a 5 minute ferry from Marsaxett Harbour across to the bustling town of Sliema. From Sliema Harbour to catch the afternoon harbour cruise of The Grand Harbour of Valletta and the surrounding creeks. One can really appreciate the bastions and fortifications surrounding the coastline of the harbour.

Between visiting all these wonders your guide will give you free time for lunch.

Enjoy a full day tour including the tour of the great Hypogeum, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back 3,500 BC. The Hypogeum is one of the greatest remaining structures from prehistory. When discovered it contained the bodies of over 7,000 people. It is at least three storeys deep, and contains rock-cut features such as a ‘speaking chamber’, trilithons, lintelled doorways, a large cistern and a ‘holy of holies’ surrounded by ’embryonic’ chambers. Afterwards visit the prehistoric temples of Hagar Qim which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to 3,200 B.C. This temple stands on a hilltop overlooking the sea and the islet of Fifla. The surrounding landscape is typical Mediterranean garigue and spectacular in its starkness and isolation. Also visit Mnajdra Temple, just 500metres away from Hagar Qim. This temple is especially special as the South Temple at Mnajdra is aligned in a manner that it marks the position of sunrise on the first day of each season; the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes and the Summer and Winter Solstices.

Take a 5 minute drive down to the Blue Grotto in Zurrieq where you will take a 30 minute trip on a small fishing boat to visit the structure and surrounding caves (weather permitting).
Depart Zurrieq to the historical area known as the Three Cities. Walk around the narrow winding streets of the village core of Birgu – it was here that the Knights first inhabited when coming from Rhodes in 1530. Visit the magnificent Fort St. Angelo at the tip of a peninsula in the Grand Harbour. Briefly visit The Gardjola Gardens are located in Senglea, home to the Senglea watch tower perched on the bastion with fantastic panoramic views. It is decorated with carvings of eyes and ears, symbolising watchfulness, and commands a view to the west over the length of the Grand Harbour and southern flanks of Valletta. Time permitting, you will also visit the magnificent Inquisitor’s Palace dating back to the 16th century and Malta Maritime Museum. You will be given free time to have a coffee break and a snack at one of the fabulous cafes overlooking the famous Super Yacht Marina next to the Fort.  (It’s possible to visit the Tarxien Temples instead of Mnajdra and Hagar Qim)

Today you will be privately transferred to your hotel in St. Julians. After the delivery of the luggage will reach the port to enjoy a full day boat tour.

Be welcomed aboard a beautiful 50 foot Sailing Yacht (or similar depending on the availability).Discover the beautiful side of Malta with your own personal skipper. Fantastic bays and lonely beaches with crystal clear water are awaiting you! Snorkel into a unique underwater world or enjoy an unforgettable trip to Comino on your amazing yacht, tasting the Mediterranean food and soaking up the sun.

At the end of your tour you will be transferred to your hotel.

Preferred St. Julians Hotel Partner: x2 Nights

MALTA MARRIOTT HOTEL & SPA 5* (photos courtesy of Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa)

 

 

 

Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa (formerly the Le Meridien St Julians Hotel & Spa) was originally built on the grounds of a 19th century Maltese villa, located within the unique architecture of Balluta, St. Julian’s, an iconic Maltese landmark with a promenade, a quaint sandy beach and seaside cafes, in the heart of Maltese cosmopolitan life just around the corner from the vibrant nightlife of St Julian’s bay offers both the tranquility of Balluta Bay and the proximity of St Julian’s lively atmosphere. The hotel will re-open in Summer 2019, increasing to 301 well-appointed rooms, offering a wide choice of premium category rooms and executive suites.

Marriott’s brand standard M Lounge will be positioned on the 12th floor, offering panoramic views of breath-taking Balluta bay. A new large outdoor pool and landscaped gardens is being introduced, with upgrades also made to the existing hotel leisure facilities, including its spa and indoor pool facility.

 

Forming part of the property, The Villa has established itself as a culinary destination within a destination. Recently refurbished and opened in the summer of 2018, The Villa continues to operate throughout the closure. The venue dates back to the 19th century and is one of the oldest and most historic building within the Balluta area. Offering two distinct restaurant concepts: Taro at The Villa and Nori at the Villa, the former provides a culinary journey of blended Mediterranean flavors in a discreetly elegant setting, whilst the latter features delicious Asian street-food to share on its outdoor terrace, along with an eclectic selection of cocktails to indulge in, overlooking the stunning views of Balluta Bay.

Depart your hotel and enjoy a scenic 30 minute drive passing through some of the typical local villages to the fortified medieval town of Mdina.

Mdina Is the old capital city of Malta. It was founded nearly five millennia ago and chosen for its strategic defensive position on top of a steep hill. Eventually, the gentry came to own property there, a situation which remains to this day. Mdina has a certain air of timelessness about it which offers a refreshing and stimulating look into the past. History at every corner, narrow streets and magnificent houses, all of which have a delightful honey-coloured patina on their facades. On particularly clear nights you can see the lights of the villages of Sicily from the viewing gallery at the back of the city, a magical experience in itself. Today it is a compact and charming gem, demanding to be included in the itinerary of any visitor.

After visit the Wignacourt Collegiate Museum in Rabat – a baroque residence of the Chaplains of the Knights of Malta inaugurated by Grand Master Aloph de Wignacourt (1601-1622). It forms part of a Pauline complex just outside the walls of the old Roman City of Malta and is materially linked to St Paul’s Grotto, the cradle of Christianity in Malta, the place where St Paul the Apostle in A.D. 60 is believed to have founded the first Christian Community on the island. The building, fully completed in 1749, is on three levels: the underground level consists of a labyrinth of Punic, Roman and Christian Hypogea with interesting architectural features as well as a complex of World War II shelters with two main corridors and fifty rooms.

The ground floor level consists of a corridor with one side consisting of a number of rooms used as offices and minor collections and on the other side, a spacious garden area which once included the refectory of the Chaplains of the Order and an oven which during World War II provided daily more than 2000 loaves for the population of Rabat. The main floor has an impressive picture gallery with works by Mattia Preti, Antoine Favray, Francesco Zahra and other Maltese as well as European Artists. Also a collection of 17th- 19th century Spanish, Italian and Maltese silver; a unique wooden altar used for the celebration of Mass on the galleys of the Order of the Knights of Malta; a collection of old relics and reliquaries, sculptures in wood, alabaster and bronze, including a medallion by Alessandro Algardi; maps, coins, prints and rare books among which is King Henry VIII’s ‘Septem Sacramants” written to confute Martin Luther and above all a baroque chapel for the private devotions of the residing chaplains.

Depart your hotel this morning for a 45 minute drive along the scenic coastal road to the port of Cirkewwa to board the ferry to Gozo. After a 30 minute ferry ride you will arrive at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

The day is at your leisure to relax or enjoy one of the three outdoor pools or the heated indoor pool, or perhaps indulge in a Spa treatment.

Preferred Gozo Hotel Partner: KEMPINSKI HOTEL SAN LAWRENZ 5* x2 Nights (photos courtesy of Kempinski Hotels San Lawrenz)

 

 

 

Located close to the iconic ‘Dwejra Bay’ on Malta’s idyllic sister island Gozo. As a 5‐star hideaway resort it provides the highest levels of service, comfort and style for travelers seeking privacy and recreation.

Set amidst 30,000 sq m of semi-tropical gardens, the hotel features 140 elegant rustic rooms and suites as well as a range of distinctive dining venues for all occasions and tastes. Its authentic Ayurveda Center is one of the largest in the Mediterranean offering a variety of therapies and cures and, at Kempinski The Spa, a wide choice of wellness treatments is available.

Today you will visit the island of Gozo together with your English speaking guide and private vehicle. The island is only approx. 9 miles x 7 miles with a population of less than 30,000. The sensation once in Gozo is as if you have travelled back in time. The Island has a more relaxed and laid back feel. Your first stop will be in Xaghra for a visit of the Ggantijia (Giant) prehistoric temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples date back to circa 3,500 BC and are considered the oldest man made free standing structures in the World – 1,000 years older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids! Some of the stones used in their construction weigh over 30 tons and were carried for long distances, lifted and placed high up without modern technology. Malta has many prehistoric sites and has been mentioned that the island may have been part of Atlantis!

Afterwards, visit the fortified Citadel situated in the main town of Victoria. Recently restored, the Citadel boasts views of most of the Island and is one of the most interesting sites on Gozo. You will then drive to panoramic Dwerja and where your guide will allow you some time at leisure to soak up the sun and explore the caves and beach. Stop for lunch (payable locally) at one of the quaint seaside restaurants for lunch. Time permitting you can also visit the pretty bay of Xlendi or the seaside town of Marsalforn.

Today you will be met at your hotel by your English-speaking driver and privately transferred by ferry to the Valetta airport for your departure flight.