Malta’s Heritage Discovery

Arrive in Malta and transfer to your hotel in the coastal village of Mellieħa. Settle in, unpack, and enjoy time at leisure.

After breakfast, meet your expert local guide for a half-day tour of Valletta. Discover the UNESCO-listed capital’s grand Baroque architecture, historic streets, and far-reaching views across the harbour.

Visit St John’s Co-Cathedral, known for its richly decorated interior and paintings by Caravaggio. We’ll continue our day of discovery at the Grand Master’s Palace, once the seat of the Knights of St John (the alternate name of the famed group of Christian warrior-monks known as the Knights Hospitaller) and now the official seat of Malta’s president. Hear about the origins of this Catholic military order as you explore the restored State Rooms and Armoury, home to an impressive collection of centuries old armour and weapons.  

We later return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. You could relax by the rooftop pool or explore some of Mellieħa’s many highlights. Perhaps you’d like to dive further into Malta’s wartime history at the Mellieħa Air Raid Shelter where waxwork scenes show what life was like for islanders taking refuge during WWII. Or, visit Popeye Village, a purpose-built film set which served as the setting for the 1980 musical production of Popeye starring Robin Williams and Shelly Duval. 

Alternatively, head up to one of the island’s impressive watchtowers such as the 17th-century Għajn Tuffieħa Tower which commands views over Golden Bay, or The White Tower, constructed by a Grand Master of the Knights of St John to defend the coast. 

Gather together for dinner this at the hotel this evening.

Today, we travel to Ċirkewwa and take the ferry to Gozo. With its rural landscapes, attractive villages, and relaxed pace of life, Malta’s sister island has a character all its own. 

Explore the island capital, Victoria, also known as Rabat, and step inside the walls of its fortified old quarter, Ċittadella. Visit the Old Prison and the cathedral before continuing to the UNESCO-listed Ġgantija Temples. Dating back more than 5,500 years, these remarkable megalithic structures are older than the pyramids of Egypt and the excellent on-site museum offers a glimpse into a mystery that still puzzles archaeologists today – just how were these ancient megastructures built? We return to Malta by ferry this afternoon. 

We delve further into Malta’s extraordinary prehistoric past today on a half-day excursion to the south of the island. 

Accompanied by an expert local guide, we visit Ħaġar Qim, a UNESCO-listed temple complex in a spectacular clifftop setting overlooking the Mediterranean. Dating back to between 3600 and 3200 BC, it offers a fascinating insight into the lives and beliefs of Malta’s earliest inhabitants. There’ll also be time for a gentle coastal ramble around the site and its surrounding cliffs. 

The afternoon is at leisure to relax beside one of the hotel pools or explore some of Mellieħa’s many highlights. Perhaps you’d like to stroll along the sands of Mellieħa Bay and enjoy a dip in the sea, or visit one of the nearby nature reserves such as Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park, a habitat for a variety of wild plants, or Għadira, one of the few places for birdwatching on the island thanks to its wetland and salt marsh habitats. 

Get to know Malta through its flavours on a day dedicated to the island’s culinary traditions. We start with a walking tour of Mdina, known as the Silent City, before heading into neighbouring Rabat, one of the best spots on the island to try authentic Maltese cuisine. We begin by sampling freshly baked pastizzi, a much-loved Maltese savoury pastry, accompanied by Kinnie, the island’s distinctive bittersweet soft drink. 

Next, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class. Local chefs will introduce traditional ingredients and recipes and demonstrate how to make bigilla (a typical bean dip) and hobz biz-zejt (bread with oil and tomatoes) before helping you prepare your own Maltese dishes. Afterwards, sit down together to enjoy the meal you’ve created, and take away culinary tips and tricks to impress friends and family with back home. 

We’ll visit Fort St Angelo today, which has guarded the entrance to the Grand Harbour for centuries and played a central role in Malta’s military history. Discover Malta’s maritime history and the enduring legacy of the Knights of St John. The order ruled the islands from 1530 to 1798, transforming Malta into a heavily fortified crusader stronghold who famously masterminded an against-all-odds defence of it during the Great Siege of 1565 by the Ottoman Empire. 

Then take to the water aboard a traditional dgħajsa. These distinctive Maltese boats have carried passengers across the Grand Harbour since the time of the Knights. Cruise past Valletta and the Three Cities while enjoying wonderful views of the historic waterfront and fortifications. 

Like a huge open-air museum, there’s so much to see in Valletta, so we return again today to uncover the city’s hidden passageways, noble homes, and wartime history. 

Descend beneath the streets on a guided visit to the Underground Valletta experience. Discover the subterranean tunnels, reservoirs, and chambers that supported the fortified city during the Great Siege and how they were extended into air-raid shelters during WWII, helping the Allies defend Malta against a savage campaign of bombardment by Axis powers keen to seize the island for its strategic location in the Mediterranean. 

We’ll also explore the Lascaris War Rooms, which were used as a wartime Allied command centre, and finish at the Saluting Battery, overlooking the magnificent Grand Harbour. Afterwards we return to the hotel where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. 

This evening, gather at a local restaurant for a farewell dinner and raise a glass to your discoveries in Malta and Gozo. 

Transfer to the airport for your return flight.