Christmas & New Year in Malta

Today, you will fly to Malta. On arrival we'll transfer you to your hotel and let you settle in and get ready for dinner this evening where you can get to know your travelling companions.

Today's included excursion takes us to Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. Collectively known as the Three Cities, all were built and fortified by the Knights of St John and offer a fascinating insight into Malta's history. Sit back and relax as we drive through Cospicua to Vittoriosa, whose waterfront is home to the former Palace of the General of the Galleys and the Order of St John's Treasury. Next, take in spectacular views in Senglea, which sits on a promontory jutting out into the Grand Harbour. We'll end the day with a cruise around Valletta's Grand Harbour to Sliema, where there's free time for some shopping.

It's Christmas Day, so enjoy a relaxing morning at the hotel. Later, we'll gather for a festive Christmas lunch with all the trimmings and you can spend the rest of the day as you please, either enjoying the hotel's facilities or perhaps you'll head out for a stroll with your travelling companions. Dinner is served back at the hotel this evening.

You can choose to spend today at your hotel or enjoy exploring more of Malta. Alternatively, you can join our optional excursion to Malta's sister island Gozo, which we'll reach by a short ferry crossing. You'll notice that Gozo is much greener than Malta and has certain differing characteristics. On arrival, we will be met by a Local Guide and start our tour that includes a visit to shrine of Ta' Pinu. This important church is set in a stunning location on the edge of a ridge in open countryside, and provides beautiful views of the surrounding area. Another stop is the area known as 'Dwejra'. Here, you'll explore interesting geological sites including Dwejra Bay and the Inland Sea – a lagoon of seawater accessible to the open sea via a small tunnel through the cliff. There will be a short walk through the busy little city of Victoria, known locally as Rabat and the Cittadellla - a small walled city within the city, where only a small number of families still live. Upon return to the ferry port of Gozo, we will pass through some small villages, and if time allows, stop at Qala Belvedere where there is an amazing scenic view of the landscape cascading down to the coast, with the smallest island of Comino in the distance. Our tour will then head back to the ferry for our return to Malta and transfer back to the hotel.

Malta's capital Valletta is all ours to explore on today's included tour. Highlights include the Upper Barrakka Gardens from where you can take in impressive views over the famous Grand Harbour, and a visit to the St John’s Co-Cathedral with its magnificent decorations dating back to the time of the Knights as well as the oratory to view the famous Caravaggio masterpiece; «The Beheading of St. John». We will then have some free time for a stroll in the capital centre.

We'll explore the centre of the island today on an included excursion which begins in Mosta village. The church here boasts a spectacular dome modelled on Rome's Pantheon, and it became famous during the Second World War when a bomb crashed through the dome but miraculously failed to explode. Inside you can see the damage caused and even view a replica of the 200kg bomb. Next, is a stop at Ta’ Qali Crafts Village located in the former RAF wartime airfield. and is a very popular tourist attraction in Malta. Here, different kinds of crafts and beautiful artefacts are created by local experts. You can watch the craftsmen blowing and forming glass, visit the goldsmiths filigree to see their beautiful jewellery and have a look at the beautiful sculptures and lace.
We will then head to the medieval walled town of Mdina, where we'll stroll through its narrow-cobbled streets lined with honey-hued stone buildings as well as the adjacent town of Rabat where you will be able to visit the St. Paul’s Catacombs, home to most prominent features of Malta’s early Christianity archaeology.

Today's included excursion will take us to the south of Malta. Here, we'll see the famous Blue Grotto, a natural cave system surrounded by azure waters. There's time to take an optional boat ride through the caves before we head to the pretty fishing village of Marsaxlokk for a stroll. The afternoon will be dedicated to the visit of Ghar Dalam cave with the bones of prehistoric animals that lived in the archipelago more than 170 000 years ago, as well as the Hagar Qim Temples. It is in this site that several statues were found. These were the rounded figurines that represent the goddess of fertility.

A day to do as you please. Rest, relax and enjoy the many facilities of your hotel, or go out and explore more of this beautiful island

It's New Year Eve, and time to get ready to celebrate with your fellow travellers at a fabulous New Years Eve gala dinner this evening.

It's New Year's Day, so enjoy a relaxed day at your hotel starting with a celebratory New Years Day brunch.

We'll transfer to the airport for our flight back to the UK today.