Summary
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
History & culture
Our bespoke eight-day itinerary offers the chance to see some of the cultural highlights during three days of privately escorted tours, followed by time for further independent sightseeing or relaxation. Arriving in the present day capital, Valletta, you'll have a full day in which to walk around the city's Grand Harbour and see sights such as the St John's Co-Cathedral, before moving on to the former capital, Mdina. From there, you'll cross to the small island of Gozo, known for its lush green scenery, historic temples and beautiful coastline, before heading back to Valletta - where you'll have three days at your leisure before returning home.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
Arrive in Valletta
Arrive in Malta and transfer to the Grand Hotel Excelsior, a few minutes' walk from the centre of Valletta, Malta's picturesque capital city. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing at the hotel or begin discovering the city. Valletta is dotted with restaurants, cafes and bars, so in the evening, make sure you head out for dinner at one of the characterful eateries in the city's old town.
Stay: Grand Hotel Excelsior, Valletta
Day
2
Valletta
Spend the morning walking through the vibrant streets of Valletta, discover the beauty and charm of the fortified city built by the Knights of 1566. The Order of St. John ruled over the island for 268 years and left a unique legacy of which Valletta is the prime example. Walk through the Upper Barracca Gardens to discover breathtaking views of the Grand Harbour, then continue to St. John's Co-Cathedral, including the Caravaggio masterpieces in the Oratory. The Co-Cathedral houses one of the most beautiful marble inlaid floors in the world. Going down Republic Street walk past the Grand Masters' Palace and the recently restored St. George's Square.
Stay: Grand Hotel Excelsior, Valletta
Meals: B
Day
3
Full day cultural tour
After breakfast at your hotel you'll embark on a full day touring some of southern Malta's main attractions, starting at the Blue Grotto and its neighbouring system of sea caverns before heading to Hagar Qim temple site, which dates back to 3300BC and is home to the island's most impressive megaliths with some slabs weighing as much as 20 tonnes. You'll then move on to the quaint fishing village of Marsaxlokk and the temple site at Tarxien.
Subject to pre booking, the next stop on the tour will be the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, an ancient underground monument consisting of a network of passages, chambers and caves, the most important part of which is the Holy of Holies and one of the most significant prehistoric masterpieces known as the Sleeping Lady.
Your tour finishes at the Ghar Dalam Cave, a 144 metre-deep cavern, some of which dates back 500,000 years and contains the fossilised remains of dwarf elephants, micro-mammals and birds.
Stay: Grand Hotel Excelsior, Valletta
Meals: B L
Day
4
Gozo
Today you'll take a 25-minute ferry crossing to the small island of Gozo. This charming island, located off Malta's north-west coast boasts a number of historic and scenic highlights including the oldest free-standing temples in the world, known as the Ggantija Temples. You'll also visit the stunning Calypso Cave that affords magnificent views across the red sands of Ramla Bay.
In the afternoon you'll visit the beautiful Inland Sea, before heading to the main town of Victoria and its impressive citadel from where you can see the whole island.
Stay: Grand Hotel Excelsior, Valletta
Meals: B L
Days
5-7
At leisure
Spend two days at your leisure, further exploring the island and relaxing at your hotel
Stay: Grand Hotel Excelsior, Valletta
Meals: B
Day
8
Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board your flight home.
Meals: B
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
8-day itinerary from £1,695 pp incl. flights
Deluxe
Low Season
from £1,695 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £1,780 pp. incl. flights
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
- Return flights between UK and Malta
- 7 nights accommodation in The Grand Hotel Excelsior on a B&B basis
- Half day private tour of Valletta
- Full day private Cultural tour including the Blue Grotto, Hajan Quim Temple, Ghar Dalam Cave and Marsaxlokk
- Full day tour (including ferry crossing to Gozo) including Victoria
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0618
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