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The Heritage & History of Malta & Gozo

Gozo, Malta 5 nights Price from £2,998 per person
Departs: 06 Nov 2024
Departs: 06 Nov 2024

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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.

 

What's included

...when you travel with Kirker

  • Return flights
  • Accommodation including breakfast
  • Two dinners and three lunches
  • All entrances fees and gratuities as described
  • The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer and a local guide.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arriving day

    We stay at the 4* deluxe Phoenicia. This famous hotel stands at the gateway to Valletta’s old town and has a majestic setting overlooking Marsamxetto Harbour. Following a recent refurbishment it is once again the most elegant property on the island, with a grand Palm Court, a very good restaurant, a fabulous new spa, and landscaped gardens which conceal an outdoor swimming pool with views of the city’s ancient bastions.
  • Day 2 - Exploring Valletta

    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.
  • Day 3 - The Temples

    Today is devoted to prehistory. 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.
  • Day 4 - Gozo

    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. 
  • Day 5 - A Harbour Cruise & Mdina

    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.
  • Day 6 - Return to the UK

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

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

Departure Dates and Prices

06 Nov 2024

Status Available

Price from£2998

Single Supp.£550

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Included Hotels

Malta, Malta and Gozo, Europe

Situated at the gateway to Valletta, The Phoenicia has a majestic setting overlooking Marsamxetto Harbour and reopened in Summer 2017 after a painstaking renovation. Guests are footsteps away from St. John’s Cathedral, with its Caravaggio masterpiece, the Grand Master’s Palace and the War Museum.

Juliet Rix

Juliet Rix

Tour Leader

More Info

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To make an enquiry please speak to one of our experts on 020 7593 2288, or enquire online

Our expert reservations team regularly travel to a wide range of destinations to explore new cities, visit hotels and to research museums, galleries and restaurants so that we can offer the most up-to-date advice and recommendations.

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