Overview
This island tour is unlike most, as there are so many scenes to experience, old and new.
The Maltese islands boast 7,000 years of history in which cultures and languages have blended together to create a unique tourist attraction. Many nations have conquered this country and all have left part of their culture behind. You can see Megalithic temples, Phoenician pottery, Punic inscriptions, Roman mosaic floors, and thermal baths to Pagan, Jewish, and Christian catacombs, Byzantine basilicas, and Arab tombstones. There is an enormous amount of history in this small area, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
This beautiful tour will introduce you to a little known destination. It begins with a visit to Mdina, the ancient capital of Malta, which will bring you back to the 9th century. This city was built on a plateau in the center of the island, another incredible accomplishment. From the bastion walls, you'll see the entire island. Around you is a maze of narrow alleyways that bring you face-to-face with amazing architecture.
We'll take you to the southwest side of the island where the UNESCO site, Hagar Qim Temple, has stood since 3600 BC. This temple is of particular interest as it has the largest and heaviest megaliths, some weighing a staggering 20 tons. It is an amazing feat to have constructed this at a time when our modern machinery was, of course, not available.
Continuing to the next stop we'll visit the incredible Blue Grotto. Here, we'll take a boat ride through a series of enchanting sea caves that dot the serene shoreline.
Our final destination is Valletta, the capital. Your day concludes with a walking tour as Valletta is best explored on foot. There are many sites to visit and among the finest are the Barraka Gardens. Not only are they beautiful during the tourism season, but they also allow you to see the Grand Harbour, as well as a panoramic view of the area. We'll walk down to Triq Republikka, where you can see the beautiful buildings built by the Knights of St. John. In fact, most of the city was built by the Knights of St. John. They were the planners of the auberges, Grand Masters Palace, and St. John's Co-Cathedral, which is the church of the order and also home to Caravaggio's masterpiece "The Beheading of St. John."
As you travel throughout the day, your guide will be a wonderful source of information. The walking portion of the tour will conclude at the cruise pier.
- Entrance fees for Hagar Qim Temples, St. John's Co. Cathedral, and the Panoramic Lift are included in the tour cost. Additional entrance fees are not included.
- Please dress comfortably. We recommend flat shoes to walk on the uneven surfaces of the old cobblestones.
- Food and beverages are not included in the price of the tour.
- No sleeveless tops, heels, mini-skirts or very short shorts allowed to enter the cathedral.
- The cost of the Blue Grotto boat trip, €8 per person, is not included in the price of the tour.
- Please note that you will have a vehicle in the morning only. In the afternoon, you will be dropped off in Valletta with your guide as the city is best explored on foot. The walking portion of the tour will conclude at the cruise pier.
Do not bring anything off the ship you don't want to carry. - St. John's Co-Cathedral is closed on Sundays and public holidays. We will substitute the Grand Masters Palace on those days.
- Please note that you will have to walk from the ship to the terminal exit to meet your guide, which may be difficult for individuals who have mobility issues. Private transportation is not permitted to enter near the ship.
Days offered: 7 days a week
Departures:- 08:00 AM, duration: 7 hours
- 09:00 AM, duration: 7 hours
- 11:00 AM, duration: 7 hours
