2021 Malta: 7-Day Luxury Small-Group Tour with Private Boat Ride to Vittoriosa & Full-Day Gozo Island Visit
Venture to one of the most alluring archipelagos of the Mediterranean and discover the charms of Malta on a seven-day, luxury small-group tour (max. 16 travellers). Visit Valletta, the striking City of the Knights, marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Gozo Island and the fortified walls of Mdina city, and immerse yourself in Maltese traditions with visits to local markets, an exclusive winery and local restaurants, sampling traditional delicacies along the way.
Includes six nights of five-star accommodation at The Phoenicia Malta – member of the Leading Hotels of the World – daily breakfast and memorable dining experiences, private airport transfers, all transportation, English-speaking expert local guides, sightseeing, entrance fees and so much more.
Your Itinerary at a Glance:
- City tour of Malta’s capital Valletta with visits to the Upper Barakka gardens, St. John’s Cathedral and more
- Private boat tour to Vittoriosa
- Visit Dingli with panoramic views from the highest point in the Maltese Islands
- Maltese farm visit and cooking class
- See the famous dome of Mosta
- Wine tasting at the Meridiana Estate
- Tour the ancient catacombs of Rabat and medieval town of Mdina
- Visit the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk with an included seafood lunch
- Full-day trip to the sister island of Gozo with its stunning caves
What You’ll Love…
The Accommodation – Stay in the heart of Valletta, in one of the Leading Hotels of the World
Stay in supreme five-star comfort at The Phoenicia Malta, a hotel that truly deserves its position among the elite Leading Hotels of the World collection. Perfectly located opposite the famous Triton Fountain and the main entrance of the walled city of Valletta, exploring the alleys, shops and restaurants of Malta’s capital is a breeze.
Recently refurbished, the hotel offers tranquillity amid the tourist bustle of Malta with a lush 7.5-acre garden that leads to a pool area with views across the harbour. Despite its modern trappings – which also include elegant restaurants, bars and lounges – the property is steeped in history, with the building considered one of the city’s most revered architectural treasures.
Stay in a Superior Room, designed in collaboration with Peter Young Design and offering authentic Mediterranean touches, such as original tiled floors. Rooms overlook Valletta or Floriana and all enjoy spacious bathrooms, most with baths equipped with overhead showers.
VIP Upgrade: For an added touch of luxury, upgrade to a Deluxe Harbour View Room. Overlooking the Grand Harbour and the three cities or the mature garden and Marsamxett Harbour, luxurious deluxe rooms offer magnificent views and are the perfect way to immerse yourself in the beauty of Malta even while in the comfort of your own room. Most deluxe rooms have a private balcony, the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine on a balmy evening.
The Experiences – Colourful villages, magnificent cities, fascinating cathedrals and glorious natural landscapes
A true jewel in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, where centuries of history are distilled in ancient cities surrounded by some of the clearest, mystifyingly blue waters, Malta will bewitch you with its colourful villages, prehistoric temples, limestone cliffs and incredible traditions. Journey to the most coveted sights of these sun-kissed islands, Europe’s most compact tribute to ancient history, and discover why so many settlers and rulers over the centuries have called this enchanting place home.
Enjoy a scenic coastal drive taking you all the way to Marsaxlokk, a traditional Maltese fishing village dotted with low-rises houses commanding the waterfront and boasting a permanent fleet of brightly coloured luzzu (traditional fishing boats) swaying in the harbour. Here you will have the chance to experience a slice of the real Maltese life with a visit to the incredible Fish Market.
Built by the Knights of St John, ‘a city of palaces built by gentlemen for gentlemen’ as its founders proclaimed, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Valletta is a charming city bejewelled with fascinating cathedrals and glittering palaces. Admire the third largest dome in the world standing in front of Mosta Dome, walk the historic cobbled streets around St. John’s Co-Cathedral and marvel at the Grand Master’s Palace, with its magnificent halls and exotic tapestries.
Step back in time with a visit to Gozo, Malta’s sister island, and let history and natural beauty be your travel companions for the day. From fortified cities dating back to the Bronze Age to white-sand beaches, Gozo has it all – including one of the most important archaeological sites in Malta: The Ġgantija Temples in Xagħra. Perched in splendid isolation, this site consists of two temples, dating back to between 3600 and 3200 B.C, renowned to be the largest megalithic temples in the islands.
Time stands still in Malta’s former capital city, Mdina, a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets dating back to medieval times, leading to imposing bastions, cathedrals, Siculo-Norman palaces and beautiful baroque buildings.
The Food – Discover Malta’s exquisite cuisine through exclusive dining experiences
Throughout this fascinating tour, indulge your inner foodie with exclusive dining experiences.
Take part in a traditional Maltese cooking class, touring a local farm and picking your own ingredients before learning local techniques and enjoying your efforts for lunch.
In Marsaxlokk, tour the colourful harbour before heading to one of the most renowned restaurants in the village for a traditional fish lunch.
Become a wine connoisseur with a memorable wine tasting session at Meridiana Wine Estate: learn the secrets of winemaking, sample different wines and take in stunning views over Malta’s old capital city, Mdina.
Your package includes:
- Six nights luxury accommodation at The Phoenicia Malta, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World
- Daily breakfast, plus select additional dining experiences
- Private return airport transfers
- Private air-conditioned transportation throughout the tour
- The services of expert local, English-speaking guides
- All sightseeing and entrance fees
- Insider experiences
Your tour begins and ends at Malta International Airport (MLA). Flights to Malta can be booked from most major Australian cities with two stops en route. Flight times will vary depending on routing, departure city and flight provider. Flights can be booked through Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Thai Airways and more.
You MUST complete your booking form within 48 hours of booking. Following its completion, our Tours Concierge will be in touch to assist with any additional arrangements you may wish to make, including assistance with international flights, with no booking fee to you.
Private return airport transfers are included in your tour on the first and last day only. Please arrive into Malta before 4pm on Day 1 and depart any time after breakfast on Day 7.
A visa may be required for the destination you are visiting. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor’s website Visas Direct to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa please let us know and we would be more than happy to assist.
Day 1: Arrive Malta
Welcome to Malta, a sun-kissed island steeped in history. Upon arrival at Malta International Airport (MLA), you will be greeted by our local representative, who will transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the day is at your leisure.
This evening you meet the rest of your group for a welcome dinner.
Accommodation: The Phoenicia Malta
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Valletta
Today you will explore Malta’s Capital City, Valletta.
Visit the Parish Church of Santa Maria, better known as the Mosta Dome. Designed by the Maltese architect Giorgio Grognet de Vassé and built (1833–60) using funds raised by the local people, the church has a stunning blue, gold and white interior. In 1942, this church suffered an attack where a bomb fell through the ceiling and failed to detonate as 300 parishioners attended mass.
Embark on a walking tour through Valletta’s historic cobblestone streets where you will discover the fascinating St. John’s Co-Cathedral, a true masterpiece built by the Knights of Malta. The floor of the Cathedral is inlaid with the glittering tombs of 400 knights and the barrel vault is painted with scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist. The oratory displays a moving painting by Caravaggio.
You will also visit the Grand Master’s Palace, built between the 16th and 18th centuries as the palace of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John who ruled Malta and currently houses the Office of the President of Malta. The interior boasts the famous Council Chamber, adorned with valuable Gobelins tapestries woven in France for Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaf.
Then walk the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Built on top of a bastion, on the highest point of Valletta and dating back to 1661 when they used to be the knights’ private gardens, these beautiful gardens are situated right next to Castille Palace, offering fantastic views of the Grand Harbour.
Finish in Vittoriosa with a boat trip aboard a traditional Dghaijsa during which you can view and admire ‘The guard tower’, ‘Il-gardjola with its various sculpted symbols designed to protect the Maltese shores. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to further explore this charming city independently.
Accommodation: The Phoenicia Malta
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Discover Malta Like a Local
Today, experience an authentic exclusive tour that skips the tourist traps.
Take a transfer to the panoramic locality of Dingli, the highest point of the Maltese Islands at around 253 metres above sea level. The cliffs offer a majestic sight, particularly from the top. The views here are simply breathtaking, overlooking the small terraced fields below, the open sea and Filfla, the small, uninhabited island just off the west coast. The cliffs have acted as natural forts, since no attacker can approach the island from the West thanks to their impressive height.
Stop at Diar Il-Bniet for an unforgettable farm-to-plate cooking class, using the freshest ingredients from the surrounding fields. Find inspiration and learn simple, effective techniques, recipes and skills that will change the way you cook forever. Learn how to use ingredients freshly picked from the farm that morning as you recreate a local dish and, finally, enjoy it for lunch in the company of your group.
Accommodation: The Phoenicia Malta
Meals: Breakfast, Cooking Class and Lunch
Day 4: Malta - The Central Districts
Today, you will depart for the central part of Malta, dominated by the medieval fortified city of Mdina, Malta’s former capital city.
Visit the town of Mosta and its famous dome, the third-largest in Europe. During WWII, people were gathered in the church when a large bomb from a fighter plane dropped through the roof. Incredibly, the bomb failed to explode and everybody survived the assault.
From Mosta, we head further inland to the unique glass-blowing facility of Mdina Glass at Ta Qali. Here, witness the expert skill and artisanship in creating the beautiful designs that make up these highly prized pieces.
Stop for a visit at the early Christian catacombs in Rabat, then enjoy some time to indpendently explore this beautiful town, known for its quiet rural character and natural beauty.
A highlight this afternoon is a visit to Meridiana Wine Estate in Ta’Qali. Here, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting session with views over Meridiana’s vineyards and Malta’s old capital city, Mdina. You will have the chance to learn the history of winemaking and sample different wines, paired with typical Maltese cheese.
In Mdina, walk the narrow, winding streets, dating back to medieval times, leading to the imposing bastions, commanding a magnificent panorama of the island.
Accommodation: The Phoenicia Malta
Meals: Breakfast and Tasting
Day 5: Malta - The Deep South
We begin this tour with a drive to the west of Malta and a visit to the ancient temples of ‘Hagar Qim‘. From here, we will take a short drive to the small locality of Wied iz Zurrieq. After a photo stop and a chance to view the Blue Grotto from above, the bus will continue down to the bay where, if the seas are calm, you will have the opportunity to take an optional boat ride into the Grotto and its surrounding caves (payable locally, dependent on weather).
Our morning will conclude with a drive to the quaint fishing village of Marsaxlokk, famous for the many multi-coloured Maltese ‘Dghajsa‘ fishing boats in the harbour. Head to one of the most renowned restaurants in this village, Ir Rizzu, for a traditional Marxaxlokk seafood lunch.
Accommodation: The Phoenicia Malta
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6: Sister Island Gozo
Today you will discover the natural beauty and pulsating history of Gozo, Malta’s sister island.
Discover Calypso Cave – located in a cliff just off Xaghra; overlooking Gozo’s stunning sandy beach – Ramla Bay. This site is thought to be the same cave Homer mentioned in ‘The Odyssey’ where Calypso, the beautiful nymph, kept Odysseus as a ‘prisoner of love’ for seven years.
Marvel the beautiful Ggantija Temples – one of the most important archaeological sites in the Maltese Islands and listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The site consists of two temples dating back to between 3600 and 3200 B.C.
Pay a visit to the Cittadella, first fortified during the Bronze Age approximately around 1500 BC, further developed by the Phoenicians and finalised into an Acropolis during the Roman times. The massive defensive stone walls rising above the town were constructed by the Knights to shelter the Villagers from attacks
Tonight, we come together for a farewell dinner with your fellow traveller’s in a local Valletta restaurant.
Accommodation: The Phoenicia Malta
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Depart Malta
After breakfast you will board your private vehicle to Malta International Airport (MLA) for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast