The Heritage & History of Malta & Gozo

FIVE NIGHT HOLIDAYS | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

Malta and Gozo are small islands but there is a great deal of fascinating history on each, which will satisfy even the most demanding of travellers. They have beautiful coastlines, attractive fishing ports, pretty villages often dwarfed by immense churches and much fine Baroque architecture. On this tour we will see some of the fascinating treasures of these islands, including prehistoric temples which are thought to be the earliest accessible free-standing buildings in the world, mediaeval settlements and the walled city of Mdina. This is the rich legacy of the Knights of Malta who constructed military fortifications and magnificent buildings, especially in Valletta where the era of British rule, including Malta’s vital role in World War II, will also be explored.

the itinerary

We stay at the 4* deluxe Hotel Corinthia Palace for the duration of the tour. Originally built as a 19th century private villa, the hotel’s location opposite the Botanical Gardens and midway between the Baroque capital of Valletta and the ancient walled city of Mdina makes it a great base from which to explore the many treasures of Malta. It’s also a great place to relax with its peaceful setting and excellent facilities including the superb Anthenaeum Spa.

Today will be spent exploring Valletta which has recently undergone a series of major restorations including the impressive ramparts and Renzo Piano’s new Parliament building. We visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral with Caravaggio’s masterpiece ‘The Beheading of St. John’ and the beautiful jewel-like Teatru Manoel, one of the best surviving baroque theatres in Europe. During the afternoon we will visit Casa Rocca Piccola, the home of the Marquis de Piro and his family and see the audio-visual presentation ‘The Malta Experience’ which reveals the island’s dramatic history. Our day ends with a visit to Fort St. Elmo. The fort was built by the Knights in 1552 to guard the harbours on either side of the Sceberras Peninsula. After restoration, it reopened in 2015, and now contains the National War Museum, which covers Malta’s wartime history including the Great Siege and the country’s ordeal during WWII.

Today is devoted to pre-history. We will visit the second-oldest stone structures in the world including the recently reopened Hypogeum, a subterranean burial site, and the temples of Tarxien, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra which enable us to trace the development of temple building on Malta. Lunch is included in a picturesque fishing village.

TOUR LEADER

JULIET RIX

An award-winning journalist, Juliet is a regular visitor to Malta and has considerable specialist knowledge of the Islands. She has written extensively about the country including ‘Malta & Gozo’ (Bradt Guides, 2nd edition, April 2013). She has a particular interest in the islands’ history and pre-history and although Maltese law prevents her from lecturing in some archaeological sites, she looks forward to sharing her knowledge with you on an informal basis during the tour.

Valletta

DAY 4

We sail across the narrow strait to Gozo, a verdant island of fertile farmland, picturesque villages and monumental Baroque churches. We visit the prehistoric temples at Ggantija and continue to the capital, Victoria, where we walk around the fortifications. After an included lunch, we follow a scenic route to the charming fishing village of Xlendi.

5

Today we take a Harbour Cruise on board a traditional Maltese ‘Luzzu’ and, from the Grand Harbour, we can fully appreciate the remarkable fortifications of Valletta. We enjoy a walking tour of Malta’s first capital Mdina, known as ‘The Silent City’, with its aristocratic town palaces, Baroque cathedral and its special atmosphere within narrow mediaeval streets, and enjoy lunch at the Xara Palace Hotel.

The morning is free for you to relax before we drive to the airport for the flight back to the UK.

DAY

DAY 6

TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 1 November £2,298 £250

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS

Flights with Air Malta: Depart Heathrow at 11.25, arrive Malta at 15.35 Depart Malta at 16.55, arrive Heathrow at 19.25 Flight times subject to change – regional departures available on request.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Return flights • Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Two dinners and three lunches • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities • The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer, Juliet Rix, and a local guide