Christmas & New Year in Malta
11 Days Starting and ending in Malta
Visiting: Qawra
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SXYMA
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
15 - 35
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Please make us aware of any specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
There is so much to discover on the small island of Malta, which boasts a mild climate, even during the winter months. On this festive break which takes in both Christmas and New Year, you'll delve into its fascinating history and admire its natural wonders. Explore cities built and fortified by the Knights of St John, take a cruise around Valletta's Grand Harbour, discover the famous Mosta church and admire the beauty of the Blue Grotto caves. You can also choose to spend a day on Malta's sister island, Gozo before in the New Year at a sparkling gala dinner back at the hotel.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 Uk - Malta
Location: Qawra
Accommodation Name: AX Odycy Hotel
Meals Included: D
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.
Day 2 Christmas Eve, Three Cities & Harbour Cruise
Location: Qawra
Accommodation Name: AX Odycy Hotel
Meals Included: B, D
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.
Day 3 Christmas Day, St Paul's Bay
Location: Qawra
Accommodation Name: AX Odycy Hotel
Meals Included: B, L, D
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.
Day 4 Boxing Day, St Paul's Bay - At Leisure
Location: Qawra
Accommodation Name: AX Odycy Hotel
Meals Included: B, D
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.
Day 5 Valletta
Location: Qawra
Accommodation Name: AX Odycy Hotel
Meals Included: B, D
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.
Day 6 Mosta, Ta' Qali Crafts Village, Mdina & Rabat
Location: Qawra
Accommodation Name: AX Odycy Hotel
Meals Included: B, D
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.
Day 7 Blue Grotto & Marsaxlokk
Location: Qawra
Accommodation Name: AX Odycy Hotel
Meals Included: B, D
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.
Day 8 St Paul's Bay
Location: Qawra
Accommodation Name: AX Odycy Hotel
Meals Included: B, D
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
Day 9 New Year's Eve St Pauls Bay
Location: Qawra
Accommodation Name: AX Odycy Hotel
Meals Included: B, D
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.
Day 10 New Year's Day, St Paul's Bay
Location: Qawra
Accommodation Name: AX Odycy Hotel
Meals Included: B, D
It's New Year's Day, so enjoy a relaxed day at your hotel starting with a celebratory New Years Day brunch.
Day 11 Malta - Uk
Meals Included: B
We'll transfer to the airport for our flight back to the UK today.
What's Included
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Return flights from Heathrow with Air Malta
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A guaranteed twin or double room of your own
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Accommodation
10 nights half-board in a 4-star hotel
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Meals
21 included meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 Christmas lunch, 10 dinners, including New Year's Eve gala dinner with live entertainment
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Just You Holiday Director as your host & Specialist Local Guide
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Overseas transfers, other transportation & porterage
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Just You Holiday Director as your host & Specialist Local Guide
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Return flights
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10 nights half-board in a 4-star hotel
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21 included meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 Christmas lunch, 10 dinners, including New Year's Eve gala dinner
What's Not Included
Accommodation
- DB San Antonio Hotel & Spa
- Located in the northern part of Malta in the heart of Qawra, St. Paul''s Bay, overlooking the stunning clear Mediterranean Sea and only 15km from the capital city, Valetta.
Hotel rooms feature a balcony, air-conditioning, satellite TV, free WiFi, a private bathroom with a hairdryer and a safe. All rooms have the option of a sea view, pool view or inland view.
Other hotel facilities include a selection of restaurants and bars and a swimming pool (typically open May-Sept). You can hire pool towels, and you will just be required to pay a deposit for each towel. The hotel has its own entertainment programme and a fitness club.
Excursions Included
- Three Cities harbour cruise
- Valletta tour
- Discover the walled city of Mdina
- Visit the Blue Grotto & Marsaxlokk fishing village
Optional Excursions
Tour of Gozo
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, overseas transfers, other transportation & porterage
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
All the people in your group will be solo travellers and will share your sense of adventure and passion for travel. There’s usually a good mix of ages too, so you’ll meet a variety of solo travellers who have more, or in some cases less, life experience. We find the overall mix of people really adds to the whole experience and there are certainly plenty of l
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
A few years ago we set up Just You Cares, a programme that gives back to some of the places we love. We have always believed in taking care of the communities we visit, and have taken the time to really get to know the local people and understand the challenges they face. Some of our holidays give our Customers the chance to see how the money from their trips has been spent.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Just You, we are committed to operating our business operations responsibly, with integrity and always act ethically in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not take place in our own business or in any of our supply chains
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If we can accommodate a change in date - we will always do our best to help you. Just pick up the phone and ask one of our friendly advisors - just make sure you have your booking number to hand.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes, and all of our accommodation providers will be working to the very highest standards of hygiene – you already always enjoy a private room of your own on all of our trips, all of our partners will be guided by local government operational standards of hygiene and the new protocols we have issued to them.
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Will I eat alone?
We find there’s always a social element to dining, so you’ll never eat alone, unless you want to! Every holiday includes a welcome get-together, all breakfasts and many other meals. When a meal is not included we find travellers meet and dine together.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, given the nature of our holidays, it is not possible to join the tour once it has departed.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Just You has been operating solo holidays for more than 15 years.
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Am I guaranteed a room of my own?
Of course, you’ll always have a twin or double room all to yourself. It’s great to have that space to relax and reflect at the end of the day. In some hotels you can also pay a little extra to upgrade for more space or a lovely sea view.
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What is the typical age range on a Just You holiday?
Typically, our customers are solo travellers in their 40s, 50s and 60s, but it’s quite possible you could meet 20-year-olds or 70-year-olds (or anyone in between)... After all, age is just a number!
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have received the World Travel and Tourism Councils (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp, which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world. The 'Safe Travels' stamp provides you, with assurance and peace of mind that we have implemented enhanced health and hygiene prprotocols on all holidays.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Once you book, you will receive a confirmation invoice within 7 days, prior to departure, we will send you further information to help prepare for your trip.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Just You is exclusively for solo travellers, every tour includes a twin or double room of your own, with no single supplement.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Just You requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 84 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of just you charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Book with Confidence
When you book your holiday with Just You, you can have complete peace of mind. Your money is 100% protected through our Independent Trust Fund, any money you pay to us is held by them & governed by 3rd?party trustees. It is also a condition of our ATOL license and is regularly monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority. We don’t receive any money until after you’ve come back from your holiday – so your money is 100% protected no matter what. If you have any questions you can speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable holiday advisors.
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