Historical Malta - Palaces, Folklore & WWII

Malta's history is firmly in focus on this fascinating tour, which includes trips to Valletta, famed for its Grand Harbour, and the Three Cities – built by the Knights of Malta. Prehistoric temples, relics of World War II and exploration of sister island Gozo are further options.

Overview

What's included

• Just You Tour Manager as your host
• 7 nights in a 4-star hotel
• 10 meals: 7 breakfasts, 3 dinners
• Specialist Local Guide
• Welcome dinner
• Farewell dinner with folklore show
• Overseas transfers on arrival & other transportation
• Porterage

Included excursions

• Valletta tour including train ride & the saluting battery at Barrakka Gardens
• San Anton Palace botanical gardens & crafts village by vintage bus
• Discover the Three Cities by traditional boat
• Farewell dinner with Folklore show

Optional excursions

• Tour of Gozo
• World War II air-raid shelters & Parisio Palace
• Discover Mdina by night
• The fishing village of Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto & Hagar Qim temples

Itinerary

Day 1 -Malta

Make your own way to Malta, where we'll meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in St Paul's Bay. Get to know your travelling companions over a drink and dinner this evening.

Day 2 – Valletta

Our first stop in Valletta is The Malta Experience, an audio-visual show which tells the story of the island's 7,000-year history. After this we'll board the 'fun train' to see more of the city. At the Barrakka Gardens we'll see the saluting battery, when eight replica cannons are fired, and our final stop is St Paul's Church. We'll enjoy free time before heading back to the hotel this afternoon, where dinner is included tonight.

Day 3 – Gozo

Explore Malta's sister island, Gozo, on our optional excursion. After the ferry crossing we'll head to Marsalforn to board the trackless train. View the island's rock-cut salt pans and Tas-Salvatur Hill, topped with a statue of Christ.

Day 4 – Mellieha & Palazzo Parisio

Today is free for you to spend as you wish. Perhaps join our optional tour which takes us to the seaside resort of Mellieha. From here we'll visit air-raid shelters cut by hand into rocks to protect residents during bombing raids in the Second World War. We'll also visit the fascinating Aviation Museum and the beautiful Palazzo Parisio.

Day 5 – Scenic Tour by Vintage Bus

Our included excursion today is a scenic tour by vintage bus. As we travel on board this charming vehicle, stops include the botanical gardens of San Anton Palace and the Ta'Qali Crafts Village, where you can shop for souvenirs. In Rabat, we'll taste pastizzi – a delicious traditional pastry filled with ricotta cheese or spicy peas, and our final stop is Mosta Village. The church here was modelled on Rome's Pantheon and it became famous during the Second World War when a bomb crashed through its dome but, miraculously, failed to explode. Inside you can see the dome's damaged tiles and a replica of the huge 200kg bomb.
After an afternoon at leisure you might choose to join our optional evening excursion to Mdina, an atmospheric fortified town, lamp lit by night

Day 6 – Marsaxlokk, Blue Grotto & Hagar Qim Temples

Spend the day at leisure or join our optional excursion to the picturesque fishing town of Marsaxlokk to see its colourful market. In the afternoon we'll see the Blue Grotto caves and the prehistoric Hagar Qim temples.

Day 7 – Three Cities & Cruise

Today's included excursion begins with a walking tour of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea - collectively known as the Three Cities, which were built and fortified by the Knights of Malta. Next we board a boat for a cruise around Valletta's famous Grand Harbour. This evening we'll gather for a farewell dinner and folklore show.

Day 8

At the end of your tour, you can join your fellow travellers on a transfer to the airport or choose to make your own arrangements.