SHORE EXCURSIONS

Discover the charms of several villages in western Malta, where you will observe artisans practicing age-old crafts and get a genuine feel for daily life. Antoine tan-Newl is one of the island’s few weavers that still uses traditional techniques and watching him create items such as handmade rugs, blankets and bags on a wooden loom is a fascinating experience. He may even invite you to try your hand at weaving. In the nearby village of Żebbuġ, you will see the locals playing bocci, a traditional sport that is closely related to the French game of petanque and Italian bocce. You will be welcome to join the game or just sit back and enjoy locally sourced snacks that may include stuffed green olives, an area specialty. You will also stop in the village of Santa Venera for an introduction to traditional Maltese musical instruments such as simple whistles made from wheat stems and reeds.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain an understanding of traditional life by visiting a number of quintessential villages.
• Watch artisans practice traditional crafts such as weaving and making musical instruments.
• See locals playing bocci and join in a game, if you like.
• Snack on a platter of Maltese delicacies in one of the villages.

Travel from one traditional village to another, pausing to sample the local delicacies before sitting down to a light farmer’s lunch. Near the village of Siġġiewi, you will drop by a farm for an insider’s look at how artisanal cheeses such as gbejniet are made from sheep’s milk. When freshly made, gbejniet is so soft and creamy that it wobbles. It can also be air-dried, pickled and rolled in black pepper, which imparts an entirely different taste. In another village, you will visit a baker that may be preparing a crusty sourdough bread known as Hobz Malti. The aromas will be enticing; the tasting even more pleasurable. A different gastronomic treat awaits you after touring a farm and olive grove in Bingemma. During the sampling of virgin olive oils and wine and the lunch that follows, you will gain great insight into Maltese cuisine, which is heavily influenced by other Mediterranean cuisines.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Sample all sorts of Maltese products in villages throughout the island.
• Taste local baked goods, wines made with indigenous grapes and artisan cheeses.
• Tour an olive grove and sit down to a light farmer’s lunch in the bucolic setting.

Become immersed in the Maltese culture by meeting locals that are engaged in traditional activities and by meandering about villages that practice different customs. At Vicky’s Place, a bakery in the village of Qormi, you will watch a popular sweet or perhaps a loaf of bread being prepared. Feel free to ask questions about the ingredients, how they are sourced or anything else that comes to mind. Later, you will get the chance to converse with the local residents s in a kazin, a Maltese social club that often features music and snooker, a game that was introduced when Malta was a crown colony of the United Kingdom. You will also mingle with the locals at the village center in Ghaxaq, a cultural experience that is sure to be enlightening. Sightseeing in the fortified city of Senglea, which lies just across the harbor from Valletta, will offer yet another perspective of daily life.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain insight into Maltese culture by mingling with the locals as they work and socialize.
• Snack on baked goods and traditional Maltese delicacies while conversing with the locals.
• Visit several villages and come away with a multi-layered perspective of Maltese life.

OVERVIEW

Visit landmarks that reveal the true character of Malta, especially the iconic attractions that lie inland. As an introduction to Valletta, you will gaze out over the grand harbor from the Upper Barracca Gardens and then walk to St. John’s Co-Cathedral, whose severe exterior belies its sumptuous interior. Caravaggio’s masterpiece “The Beheading of St. John the Baptist” hangs in the oratory. Be sure to notice the artist’s macabre signature in the blood flowing from the saint’s throat. A panoramic drive through the island’s interior will bring you to the Tarxien Temples, a prehistoric archaeological complex so architecturally important that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site. The highlights in nearby Mdina include its medieval ramparts and St. Paul’s Cathedral, which was constructed in 1702 in a glorious baroque style. The creative side of Malta will be apparent in the Ta’ Qali Craft Village, where you can watch artisans blowing glass and making delicate gold filigree jewelry.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse St. John’s Co-Cathedral, whose stark exterior belies the splendor inside.
• Visit the megalithic Tarxien Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• View the thick-walled medieval ramparts built to protect Mdina, Malta’s former capital.
• Behold the magnificently ornate St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina.
• Browse a handicrafts village and watch local artisans create works of art.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy sightseeing at your own pace. The Hop On Hop Off service, is a convenient way to explore on your own some of the highlights of the island of Malta. On this loop you can stop and visit the San Anton Gardens, which houses the residence of the President of Malta; Ta Qali Crafts Village, the Mosta Dome Basilica which has the third largest unsupported dome in Europe; Mdina - the old capital city of Malta and Rabat its suburb and Valletta - Malta’s capital city built by the Knights of St John. A map will be provided for you to decide on the sights you would like to see. Please be advised that the service price does not include entrance tickets to the local attractions, this is transfer service only. Operation hours of local attractions and shops may vary on the different days of the week. Bus frequency is every 30 minutes, this may vary slightly depending on traffic congestion.

Meet a horticulturalist for a revealing tour of the island’s most intact forest and then watch how honey is produced using techniques that date to Roman times. The Knights of Malta originally planted Buskett in the mid-1500s as a hunting ground, and its flora and fauna are extraordinary. There, you can expect to stroll under oaks and Aleppo pines while following winding paths through manicured shrubbery and beds of blooming flowers. Continuing on, you will pause for photos at Dingli Cliffs, the island’s highest point. Don’t miss the chapel dedicated to St. Mary Madgalene on the edge of the cliff. You will then pass through Mdina, known as Melita in Roman times. The Greeks referred to Malta as Melite, a name derived from the word for honey. How fitting, as beekeeping still thrives. An apiarist will show you how honey is produced locally using techniques that haven’t changed in centuries. You will also be offered a taste.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Walk through a forest planted in the 1500s with a horticulturalist.
• Gaze out over the sea from the towering Dingli Cliffs, the island’s highest point.
• Watch an apiarist produce honey using techniques dating to Roman times.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Valletta, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie expert guide will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Valletta, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Mdina Blue Door
• Saint Paul’s Cathedral
• Mdina Gate
• Upper Barrakka Gardens/free
• Auberge de Castille
• Triton Fountain

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Valletta.
• Follow tips from your selfie expert guide to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Travel inland to Mdina to pose at the village’s 18th-century gate and the famed blue door.
• Stroll through the gorgeous Upper Barrakka Gardens, a greenspace created in 1661.
• Stand before the Auberge de Castille, considered the most beautiful building in Valletta.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

OVERVIEW

Meander about a seaside market in the fishing village of Marsaxlokk and cruise to the Blue Grotto, a collection of sea caves with brilliantly colored water. Fresh fish is the main draw of the market as the catch of the day will have just been brought in on iconic Maltese fishing boats. Known as luzzu, these boats typically feature painted eyes on the bow, a symbol thought to protect the fishermen. Besides seeing an incredible variety of seafood – including prawns, mackerel and even sea snakes – you will observe an authentic slice of daily life as the locals haggle for the best prices. After hopping on a traditional boat in the nearby village of Wied iz-Zurrieq, you will head for the Blue Grotto, a network of caves with phenomenally clear water. Reflected sunlight turns the water stunningly cobalt-blue and illuminates the cave walls with other hues such as green, purple and orange.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Observe the freshly caught bounty of the sea at a market in the fishing village Marsaxlokk.
• Enjoy a genuine glimpse of local life while browsing the market.
• Cruise to the Blue Grotto seaside caves in a traditional boat.
• Behold the brilliant blue shades of the water and other colors reflected on the cave walls.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Malta has an important place in the history of Europe, not only for its association with the Knights of St. John, but for its extraordinary collection of megalithic temples. Today, you’ll learn about both and visit some of the most interesting attractions of the island, in the exclusivity of a small group. Head to Valetta for a walking tour that will take you to the Upper Barracca Gardens. This setting offers an unrivaled panoramic view of Malta's natural harbors and the historic cities of Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa. Continue, to visit the impressive St. John's Co-Cathedral, the Conventual Church of the Order of the Knights of St John. The interior, in sharp contrast with the facade, is extremely ornate. It houses magnificent works of art, including Caravaggio’s famous masterpiece - the Beheading of St. John.

Drive to Qrendi and visit Hagar Qim Temple, one of the Megalithic Temples of Malta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a tasty seafood lunch at a restaurant in the picturesque seaside village of Marsaxlokk. Head to Mdina for a stroll through its quaint streets. Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and enjoy the view from the city ramparts. Stop at a village where Maltese craftsmen produce high quality handiworks. During free time, you might want to shop or browse for glass, silver, filigree, leather and linen.

OVERVIEW

Zip around the island of Gozo in a tuk-tuk with stops for photos and tastings at one spectacular destination after another. The tuk-tuk – an open-air vehicle for just four passengers – will offer a unique perspective of Malta’s sister island. A speedy boat will bring you to Gozo, where you will be welcomed with a filled pastry known as a pastizzi and a bottle of kinnie, an orange-flavored soda. The tuk-tuk adventure will begin there as you race off towards the precipitous cliffs that rim Sannat. While taking in the gorgeous views, you will be offered a Cisk, the national beer of Malta. Ahead lies the Ghasri Valley sea canyon, which you will reach via the coastal salt pans, where salt is still harvested using centuries-old techniques. A glass of wine and ftira flatbread will round out your tastings before you head back on the boat, passing the shimmering sea caves on Comino Island along the way.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take a fast boat to and from Gozo Island, which lies north of Valletta.
• Buzz around Gozo Island in an open-air tuk-tuk that holds just four passengers.
• See the stunningly steep Sannat cliffs, a sea canyon and the island’s salt pans.
• Snack on a Maltese pastry and a traditional flatbread, along with beer, wine and soda.
• Be awed by the turquoise waters while cruising past the sea caves on Comino Island.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Wish you were here in 16th-century Valletta, when knights, palaces and new churches were reshaping Malta’s rocky peninsula into a fortified capital. Exploring today’s city, each landmark you visit represents. Exploring today’s city, each landmark you visit represents a different time period that reveals. another layer of its story. You can first expect to browse the 16th-century St. John’s Co-Cathedral, whose severe exterior belies its sumptuous interior. The altars depict watershed events in the life of St. John and Caravaggio’s masterpiece “The Beheading of St. John the Baptist” hangs in the oratory. The Grand Master’s Palace is noteworthy as it was the seat of government from the 16th century until 2015. It was built as the residence for the head of the Order of the Knights of St. John, a Catholic military order that once ruled Malta. Although rebuilt in the 18th century, the Baroque-style Auberge de Castille is one of several surviving auberges or modest inns where the knights lived. For the ultimate view of Old Town and the harbor, you will visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens, a colonnaded greenspace created in 1661, where terraces, arches and sea views bring the whole picture together. By the end, it feels like quiet time travel for the soul—from the Valletta of the knights to the capital you see unfolding around you today.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Step into the Valletta you wish you could have seen in the age of the Knights of St. John, moving from their cathedral and palace to their auberge and harbor views.
• Browse its magnificent architecture of the 16th-century St. John’s Co-Cathedral from the outside.
• Get a glimpse into the city’s Baroque-style architecture in the Auberge de Castille.
• Gaze out over the harbor and Old Town from the verdant Upper Barrakka Gardens, where terraces and views connect the historic city to the present day.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

View some of Valletta’s most significant landmarks on a panoramic drive before traveling inland to explore with a designated walking tour the city of Mdina. A scenic drive from Mdina to Valletta allow you to enjoy The Knights of St. John founded Valletta in the mid-16th century and this UNESCO World Heritage site exudes history wherever you turn. Highlights include the bustling Valletta Center and star-shaped Fort St. Elmo, which the Knights built in a mere four months. Along the way, you will pause for photos of the Great Siege Bell Perched above the Grand Harbour continue with a walking tour for the most iconic places in Valletta such as St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the serene Upper Barrakka Gardens, and more. Free time there allows you to explore its glorious historical buildings at your leisure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain an understanding of Valletta’s history on an enlightening drive around the capital.
• Learn about the Knights of St. John that founded Valletta and built Fort St. Elmo.
• Stop to snap photos of the Great Siege Bell symbolising the plight of the many people who fought and died for Malta during the Second World War.
• Explore Mdina, the former capital of Valletta, during our designated walking tour.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.