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Azure Window, Gozo
Dwejra, Gozo
Castille Palace, Valletta
St. John's
Co. Cathedral, Valletta
Hagar Qim
Blue Grotto Cave
Mdina
Typical Scenery
Local
Village Scene
Luzzu Boat, Marsaxlokk
Birgu |
Thursday
Full day Gozo Island tour
We start our tour to Gozo with a pleasant 25 minute ferry crossing.
The charm of Gozo is apparent the moment you arrive there. Greener,
more rural and smaller than Malta. Our tour is a combination of
scenic spots, historical sites and local culture. We feature most of
the main highlights during our tour including the oldest free
standing temples in the world, known as Ggantija Temples, we will
pass through quaint sleepy villages that characterise Gozo's unique
charm, visit stunning sites such as Calypso Cave which
offers magnificent views over the red sands of Ramla Bay. Just
before lunch we will also stop at the Fontana Cottage where you can
sample local delicacies such as sun dried tomatoes, olive pate,
local cheeslets, wines liquors and anything made locally, you will
also have some time for a spot of shopping for popular buys such
as lace.
Free time for lunch will be at the pretty bay
of Xlendi. After lunch we continue our tour with visits to one of
the most photographed sites in Gozo, the Azzur Window and Inland
Sea. Here you can take an optional boat trip (the boat trip is
not included in the overall price as it operates subject to weather
conditions, EUR7.00 paid on the day) around the sea locked
lake. Our final stop before we head back to the ferry for Malta
includes a visit to the main town on Gozo, Victoria and The
Citadel. The Citadel is a small fortified city that dominates the
heights above Victoria. The history of The Citadel dates back to an
early period when Gozo was under Roman and Arab occupation. The
views from its fortified walls offer panoramas of the whole island.
Our tour comes to an end and we make our way back to the ferry
terminal for our return to the main island.
Friday
Full day Valletta, Mdina Medieval City, Hagar Qim Temple &
Marsaxlokk Fishing Village tour
This tour
covers three different periods of Malta's golden history in one day.
Our
first visit during our tour is the capital, Valletta which was built
by the Knights of St. John in 1565.
Here
we include the Barraka
Gardens
which offer stunning views of the
Grand Harbour
and magnificent fortifications, a walk down
Triq Republikka
where you can admire numerous historical buildings built by the
Knights of St. John
including the
Aubereges,
the
Grand Masters Palace
and the
St. John's Co. Cathedral,
the church of the order and also home to
Caravaggio's
masterpiece "Beheading of St. John" amongst other treasures.
After our tour of the capital we will then visit the south west of
the island where the ancient Hagar Qim Temple site stands.
Set in a rural area this ancient temple is particularly interesting
as it has the largest and heaviest megaliths out of all the temple
sites around the Maltese Islands, some slabs weighing a staggering
20 tons. This temple which dates back 3300BC, an era dominated by
Neolithic man.
We then continue to our next stop and
an opportunity to experience a little local culture when visit the
pretty traditional fishing village of Marsaxlokk.
Marsaxlokk,
is a
quaint fishing village and is characterized by low lying buildings
and the colourful traditional fishing boats known as the 'luzzu'. A
small market lines the seafront and if you would like to sample
fresh Mediterranean fish there are numerous local restaurants to
choose from (other cuisine is available).
Our final stop during
this tour will be to Mdina. Mdina
is built on a plateau in the centre of the island, the cities old
Baroque buildings, cathedral and magnificent bastion walls dominate
the rural skyline. Mdina, once the capital of Malta until the modern
city of Valletta was built had many names including Melita (Roman
occupation), Medina (Arabic occupation), Citta Notabile (Knights of
St. John) and Citta Vecchia (after Valletta was built). Today it is
also referred as the Silent City since it inspires tranquillity at
any time of the day or night.
The only way to really experience and enjoy this city is on foot,
explore the quaint alleys, narrow streets, ancient buildings and
magnificent far reaching views form the high bastion walls.
Our tour at this point comes to an end and we head back.
Saturday
Full day
Three Cities (Senglea,
Cospicua & Birgu), Cottonera Lines and Grand Harbour
tour
Our tour stats with the oldest part of the Grand Harbour and
the Three Cities. We first visit the Gardjola Gardens in Senglea.
Here you can admire the magnificent view from the Vedette (watch
tower used by the Knights), a great opportunity for some stunning
photos of the huge fortifications. Our guide will will unfold its
fascinating history and point out all of the prominent places around
this famous harbour such as Fort St. Angelo, the storage houses
lining the waterfront, the dockyard area and other important
features. We continue with our tour driving through Cospicua before
arriving to the most important city of the Grand Harbour, which is
Birgu. In 1530 the Knights of St. John first settled in this
old city. Our walking tour will take us to the very heart of city
and our guide will give you an insight to an era dominated by the
Knights of St. John. The narrow streets and quaint alleys which form
an area know as the 'Collachio' was exclusively occupied by the
Knights and during the tour you will see the magnificent old
Palazzo's which where the original Auberge's occupied by the
Knights', pass the Inquisitors Palace, St. Lawrence Church which was
the original church of the order and end up on the stunning Birgu
waterfront where the Galleys use to berth...nowadays it is a
beautiful Yacht marina. Lining the waterfront are old authentic
buildings used by the Knights, today they accommodate restaurants
and other catering establishments. Here you will have some free time
for lunch before continuing. The next part of the tour will include
a panoramic drive around the Cottonera Lines which are the fortified
walls surrounding this whole area and stretch a staggering 4050
metres and took 10 years to build. Our tour will end with a cruise
around the famous Grand Harbour. You will
cruise
around the two natural harbours on either side of Valletta – these
are Marsamxett Harbour and of course the Grand Harbour. A detailed
commentary will unfold the history of the two Great sieges of 1565
and 1942, as well as all the other places of interest dotted around
the harbours which can only be admired from the sea. We cruise into
every creek showing you the closest possible views which is ideal
for some great photos. After the cruise your tour will come to an
end and we return back to your hotel.
Sunday
Half
day Mellieha, Manikata, Mgarr, Bingemma Gap, Dingli Cliffs, Siggiewi
Village & Blue Grotto tour
A superb
tour taking you off the beaten track to some of the more secluded
areas which most visitors do not have the opportunity of exploring.
We start with a drive to the north east of the island, en route you
will pass St. Paul's and Xemxija Bay. Our first stop is the town of
Mellieha, a hilltop town which overlooks the beautiful Ghadira Bay
(Mellieha Bay), the islands longest sandy beach. Here you can admire
the old church which is one of the oldest parishes, visit the
sanctuary (if permitted) which is said to have been blessed by St.
Paul and enjoy the extensive panoramas from the village.
We continue onto the small town of Manikata
which is set in a rural area, the scenery surrounding is beautiful.
We pass en route ‘Il-Grotta ta' San Martin’, a small sacred cave on
the way to the villages of Zebbiegh and Mgarr. The village of Mgarr
is a farmer’s village and very popular with the locals that flock
here to dine at one of the many local speciality restaurants.
At this stage we will be crossing from the north to the west via
Bingemma Gap, a great opportunity for a photo stop..the view of the
north of Malta and Gozo Island in the distance is stunning.
As we drive to the west side of the island we pass Rabat and Buskett
Forrest.
This forest was
created in the
17th century by the Grandmaster whom resided in the magnificent
Verdala Castle (not open to the public). The castle overlooks the
Buskett Forrest woodland area on one side and Girgenti on the other.
We drive through Girgenti which is a
shaded fertile valley renowned for its orchards and cultivated
fields. Citrus and other fruit trees thrive in the valley
beneath the surrounding ridge. The old picturesque farmsteads, are
the homes of the farming community who till the fields and cultivate
the orchards. On a spur overlooking the valley stands the summer
palace of the Inquisitors built by Monsignor Visconti in 1625 (not
open to the public), nowadays it is the summer residence of our
Prime Minister. We continue
with our scenic drive through the rustic countryside to Dingli
Cliffs. These
cliffs are
characterised by vertical or near-vertical rock faces rising from
the sea to heights of up to 70-130m above sea level.
Some of the steep slopes are terraced and this unique feature
together with the expanse of the deep blue Mediterranean sea provide
stunning views. We will have time for a short break in the
typical local village of Siggiewi, here we visit the piazza which
surrounded by small local shops, tavernas...a typical village scene.
You can also try out a local savoury called pastizzi (these
are
filled with peas or ricotta cheese). The final stop of our tour is a
visit to the Blue Grotto.
This picturesque grotto and its neighbouring system of sea caverns
mirrors the brilliant phosphorescent colours of underwater flora.
Boat trip (which are optional) which takes you to along the coast
lasts around 25 minutes and it will allow you to explore these
stunning grottoes and sea caverns... The boat trip is not included
in the overall price as it operates subject to weather
conditions, EUR7.50 paid on the day).
This
tour is accompanied by English speaking driver as there are no
historical sites included in the itinerary and therefore a Licensed
Tour Guide is not required. |
Tour Details
Small Group
Tours have a maximum of 12 passengers on each tour and are guaranteed to
operate with a minimum of 2 passengers.
Price
€357.85 per person
Included
●
Transport from/to hotel
●
English Speaking Licensed
●
Guide/**Driver
●
All
entrance fees into museums and
●
places
of interest as featured
●
Ferry
fare to/from Gozo Island
**Driver only
accompanies the tour on Sunday
Not Included
●
Optional boat trips around Inland Sea
●
(Gozo)
Availability
This tour is available all year round.
Groups &
Customised Tours
This tour can be customised to your specifications and is also available
to small and large groups. For more information contact us.
How to book this tour..>
Need
Accommodation?
We can also
combine your escorted tour with hotel accommodation if required,
view our full range...>
Add
more Malta Sightseeing
Add a cruise to Comino Island & the Blue Lagoon or
one of our nights out,
view
selection..>
Visit
Sicily or
Tunisia from Malta
Visit Sicily for a day or if you have the time to spare you can
also stay for 2, 3 or 4 days in Sicily or Tunisia,
view our combinations..> |
