Malta Uncovered

Today you visit the wonderful 16th century city of Valletta where you enjoy a guided walking tour. Built by the Knights of St John after a huge siege by the Ottoman Turks, it was Europe’s first planned city since Roman times.

Valletta, one of the world’s strongest fortresses, is located on a magnificent natural harbour and has changed little since it was built. St. John’s cathedral is remarkable, with overwhelming decoration and colour, an intricate marble floor, a wonderful ceiling covered in gold leaf and fine paintings with the high point being Caravaggio’s masterpiece ‘The Beheading of John the Baptist’.

We also have a visit to the Cathedral of Saint John, with entrance included.

In the afternoon you may want to visit the archaeological museum, the Grand Master’s Palace or the National War Museum at Fort St Elmo which houses the replica of the George Cross.

Valletta has a typical Mediterranean atmosphere and appearance, with quiet squares lined with restaurants and intricate wrought iron balconies adorning the tall honey-coloured houses bedecked with geraniums and given life by the constant chatter of the Maltese greeting each other in the street.

Today we head to the sleepy island of Gozo nearby and visit its capital, Victoria, known to locals as Rabat. This charming medieval town has twisting streets and alleyways with superbly preserved battlements. Rising above the surrounding countryside is the imposing Citadel, visible from most of the island. The pace of life in Rabat is very relaxed – what could be better than sipping a coffee while watching the world go by?

A drive to the coast takes us to Dwejra Bay, where dramatic coastal formations surround an inland sea and sheer cliffs plunge into deep blue waters. It’s not difficult to imagine the magnificent Azure Window that once stood here – the limestone arch sadly succumbed to a heavy storm in early 2017.

We then visit the largest and best preserved of the island’s prehistoric temple sites, Ggantija, which is even older than the pyramids and Stonehenge. Some of the stones weigh several tonnes and stand 6 metres high: legend says they were brought here around 3600 BC by a female giant!

It may be small but Gozo’s countryside with its low hills and fertile valleys creates a feeling of spaciousness, especially when the terraced fields turn into a patchwork of wildflowers and thyme.

Today, you have a free day for you to explore as you wish. Perhaps you'll spend a lazy day, relaxing by the hotel's pool or, if you're looking to get out this morning, you could take the local bus to Mellieha Beach, a popular sandy beach nestled in a sheltered bay. It's great for swimming or snorkelling as the water is crystal clear and comfortably shallow. Behind it is a sleepy old town with many churches, restaurants and shops to explore – not to mention great coastal views.
There's also a bus to the bustling town of St Julian's where you can take in the sea views while strolling along the waterfront promenade, shop in its contemporary centre or dine in one of many fantastic restaurants. 

This morning, we take a short drive to Rabat and walk through the beautiful medieval streets to St Paul’s Catacombs, the earliest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta. The site comprises a maze of early-Christian burial chambers dating from the 4th century, complete with over a thousand tombs.

From here, you can travel through an underground passage to St Paul’s Grotto, where the apostle was believed to have stayed after he was shipwrecked in Malta. Nearby are the Roman catacombs, a labyrinth of 3rd-century AD subterranean tombs. Beneath these lie the impressive World War II shelters, which provided a safe haven for refugees and the people of Rabat during air raids.

Next, we head to nearby Mdina, the jewel in the crown of the entire island, perched on a hill surrounded by huge walls.

While Malta may be better known for its honey-coloured cities and glittering coastline, winemaking has been part of life here for more than 2,000 years. Introduced by the Phoenicians and shaped over centuries, this long tradition is enjoying a quiet revival, and today we'll experience it for ourselves.

Tucked beneath the ancient walls of Mdina, Malta's historic capital, we visit a renowned local estate set among rolling vineyards. Framed by views across the countryside, the striking limestone winery stands on the site of a former wartime airfield, while an old watchtower offers a reminder of the island's layered past.

After a guided tour of the winery and cellars, we'll settle in to sample three of their wines, discovering the character, craftsmanship and heritage behind each glass. It's a wonderful introduction to a side of Malta that many visitors never have the opportunity to experience. 

Step back in time and discover the traditions, skills and flavours that have shaped this corner of Malta for centuries. Once the source of the local limestone used to build towns and villages, this unique venue a former quarry offers a fascinating glimpse into a way of life that helped define the area's heritage.

For generations, the same family worked this limestone quarry, helping shape the towns, villages and churches that define Malta today. Although quarrying has now ceased, they have transformed the site into a unique heritage attraction, creating a range of immersive experiences that preserve its history and celebrate the skills, traditions and stories passed down through the family.  

At Limestone the Heritage Experience, you'll stroll through a beautiful, landscaped gardens featuring a natural waterfall and discover how this once-industrial landscape has been reimagined as a living tribute to Malta's stonemasons and craftsmen. Learn how honey-coloured limestone was extracted and shaped, and gain insight into a traditional trade that played a vital role in creating the island's distinctive character.  

The experience continues among flourishing olive groves and lemon grove, where you'll uncover the journey from grove to bottle and enjoy a tasting of the estate's award-winning olive oil. You'll also discover the traditional art of making limoncello, learning how fragrant sun-ripened lemons are transformed into this much-loved Mediterranean speciality before sampling it for yourself.  

Finally, guided by skilled local artisans, you'll try your hand at carving limestone, creating a unique keepsake and a lasting connection to Malta's rich craft heritage. Rich in history, flavour and authentic local culture, this immersive experience celebrates not only the island's traditions, but also the remarkable story of a family dedicated to preserving them for future generations. 

We visit the prehistoric, megalithic temples of Hagar Qim, a UNESCO-listed site on a hilltop overlooking the sea. One of the chambers has an elliptical hole, hewn out to align with the sunrise of the summer solstice, so the rays pass through and illuminate a stone slab within the chamber!

We stop for lunch at the pretty, waterside village of Marsaxlokk. For centuries, fishermen have landed their catches and repaired nets on its picturesque quayside, which remains little changed over the years. It’s an ideal spot to relax in today, as it’s lined with cafés and restaurants. Later we visit Vittoriosa and have a short walking tour of the old, fortified city, named to commemorate the Great Siege victory of 1565.

Before returning to Mellieha and our hotel, we visit the remarkable Church of Mosta. Beneath one of the world's largest domes, its elegant interior tells a story of faith, resilience and survival. The church is perhaps best known for an extraordinary wartime incident, when a bomb pierced the dome during Mass but failed to detonate. Seen by many as a miracle, the event remains an important part of Maltese history.