In supplier order. Some entries may cover multiple days; optional experiences are described by the supplier.
Fly to Malta
Fly to Malta, meet your tour manager and transfer to your chosen hotel in Qawra. This rest of the day will be free to settle in before dinner.
Day at leisure
After breakfast, you’ll have a free day to relax at your hotel, taking advantage of the facilities, or you can head out and explore nearby Qawra.
Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Included ‘Three Cities and the Sea’ tour
Following breakfast, today’s excursion will take you to the areas across from Valletta’s Grand Harbour, where three medieval 'cities' reflect the island's rich history. The first stop, Haġar Qim Temple, a megalithic complex and one of the world’s most ancient sites can be found in the village of Qrendi.
You’ll then drive to the fortified maritime city of Birgu, also known by its title Città Vittorios. A walking tour will reveal its historic sights, like one of the earliest Maltese Crosses. There will also be some time explore at your leisure and enjoy lunch (on your own account) in the marina.
After lunch, you’ll transfer to a small traditional fishing village, Marsaxlokk, known for its picturesque seafront promenade and colourful fishing boats bobbing up and down in the bay. You can walk around here and admire these crafts known as Maltese luzzus and sporting an engraved pair of eyes, believed to be a symbol of protection and good health.
Included Valletta tour and Malta Experience show
Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll travel to Malta’s walled capital, Valletta located on a peninsula. Your tour manager will lead you past the striking façade of the modern parliament building, the majestic Royal Opera House, and the pretty Upper Barrakka Gardens.
From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Grand Harbour and the firing of cannons in the Saluting Battery below at 12pm. You’ll then have some time for lunch before walking down to Fort St Elmo, named after the patron saint of mariners. Housed within the fort is the National War Museum, displaying military paraphernalia and artefacts. On the way, you’ll see the 16th-century exterior of the Grand Master’s Palace set on St George’s Square.
Later, you’ll get to see the Malta Experience show, an educational audio-video show telling the story of around 7,000 years of Maltese history in a panoramic auditorium. During this, you’ll gain a better understanding of the islands and the local people throughout time.
You’ll then return to the hotel for dinner.
Christmas Eve – Optional tour of Mdina and Rabat
You can choose to take things at your own pace this Christmas Eve or join an optional tour visiting Mdina and Rabat. You’ll begin in the city, Mosta, famous its Rotunda, a large basilica built in a neo-classical style and based on the Pantheon in Rome.
The tour will continue to Mdina Glass, Malta’s original and leading producer of handmade glassware. You can watch the local glass blowers create an assortment of vases, lamps, and jewellery, and have the chance to purchase a few keepsakes.
Next, you’ll travel to Rabat and visit St Paul’s Grotto, a significant Christian site, built beneath the ornate St. Paul’s Church. It’s believed that St. Paul and his missionary party took refuge here after they become shipwrecked on the island of Malta. This cave then become an important place of worship with many coming here on pilgrimages, including several popes.
In Mdina, the ancient fortified former capital, the ‘Silent City’, you’ll be guided on a walk around the narrow streets lined with medieval, stone-built houses. You’ll have some time to wander on your own accord and have lunch.
Lastly, you’ll traverse along the Dingli Cliffs looking out over the Mediterranean Sea and the Maltese countryside. These cliffs are the highest point of the Maltese Islands, and you can see a small chapel dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene here to mark this.
Dinner will be enjoyed back at the hotel.
Christmas Day – Day at leisure
Enjoy a perfect Christmas Day of rest, relaxation and celebration in the hotel and its surroundings, perhaps heading out for a traditional Christmas lunch. This evening, dinner will be served as usual at your hotel.
Optional excursion to Gozo Day
Enjoy a restful day today, or perhaps join the optional excursion to delightful Gozo. Board the ferry for a crossing to the quaint port of Mgarr, and visit the island's fortified capital, Victoria, picturesque Marsalforn, famous Calypso's Cave overlooking sandy Ramla Bay and the fascinating inland sea at Dwerja.
Savour a last dinner with the other travellers.
Fly back to the UK
Have a final breakfast and return to the airport to check in for your flight home.