DAY 1: DIRECT FLIGHT TO MALTA, CITY TOUR - BARAKA GARDENS - CHECK IN AT HOTEL
Meeting at "MAKEDONIA" airport, check-in and direct flight to the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta, European Capital of Culture 2018, an island that is a feast of colours and aromas. Upon arrival, meeting with our escort, who has made this trip repeatedly, he knows the places, the local traditions and the mentality of the inhabitants. We start the tour in the famous capital of the Order of the Knights of St. John, Valletta. Valletta is fortified, built on a narrow promontory, flanked by two natural harbours and boasts a proud fortress, Saint Elmo. The town was built by the Knights of the Order of Saint John after the Great Ottoman Siege of 1565. The tour is done on foot, as car traffic is prohibited in the Old Town section. It is a unique castle town of great historical importance and unlimited beauty. We will walk through the narrow picturesque streets and enjoy the elements of another era. We will see the Palace of the Grand Master and St. John's Cathedral, Malta's most impressive church and an excellent example of Maltese Baroque. The cathedral was erected between 1573 and 1578 as the monastic church of the Knights of St. John. On our visit to the museum we will admire two of Caravaggio's most famous works, the "Beheading of John the Baptist" and the "St. Jerome". We will then head to the famous Baraka Gardens. We will admire the gardens, from where we will have a panoramic view of Malta's two natural harbours and the three historic towns associated with the two great sieges of 1565 and 1942. Although time travel is something unattainable, this walk through the island's castle towns is a true immersion in the past. We'll even walk along its main pedestrian street, Triq Ir-Repubblika, with its old buildings with "closed" balconies and shops with vintage signs, see the vertical alleys with their golden, battered buildings and worn palazzi bathed in the sea breeze. Free time and in the afternoon transfer to our hotel. Settle in the rooms. For the evening we suggest you to walk along the lively promenade of St. Julian's.
DAY 2: MOSTA - MEDINA EXCURSION, TOUR
Breakfast and today includes an excellent excursion. We will visit the impressive cathedral of Mosta, with the third largest dome in Europe, and then transfer to the hill of Rabat to visit what is called Medina, suggesting the mysterious atmosphere surrounding it, fortified in an impregnable castle. It had been the island's capital in the Middle Ages, before the Knights Hospitallers built their fortress near the sea. It was completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1693. When the Knights occupied the island the old Maltese aristocracy settled here. Today, with careful conservation and controlled restoration, it is trying, with the help of Unesco, to preserve its magnificent baroque architecture, which in many cases is combined with typical Arabic elements. It is the most elegant but also the most expensive area of Malta. The heavy all-wooden doors of its houses are rarely opened. The town lacks commercial life, bright signs and generally seems to live more in the glorious past than in the present. Its magical atmosphere has not been altered by the crowds of tourists that flock there. On our walk, we'll admire impressive tower houses with characteristically ornate lanterns, stone-built monasteries and Norman palaces. The 'Silent City', as it is called, has 'starred' in the well-known Game of Thrones. The lion at the city gate is a trademark in the scene where Catelyn and Ser Rodrik Cassel enter King's Landing. Free time and Immediately afterwards return to our hotel. For the evening we suggest you enjoy a carriage ride, take pictures of the magic buses that date back to the 1950's, try the cuisine, famous for its fresh fish and vegetable soups.
DAY 3: OPTIONAL EXCURSION TO GOZO
Today we recommend a full day excursion to the enchanting island of Gozo. To reach the second largest island of the Maltese Archipelago, we transfer to the ferry and board the ferry boat. The extraordinary beauty of the landscape, the magnificent houses and farmhouses, the changing scenery you will encounter will quickly convince you how worthwhile your visit to the island of Gozo was. We will visit Rabat, with its famous castle, the old town, the area where the nymph Calypso lived, and also Rambla beach, where the movie Troy was filmed. We will also visit the picturesque fishing village of Sletti, where we will have time for lunch and souvenir shopping. Return to our hotel. For the evening we suggest you walk around the Portomaso area which will impress you with its imposing marina and stylish shops. DAY 5. You will have time to wander around the multicultural country, where food and drink shops are on every corner, so strolling through the alleys you will find the perfect place for you. If you're a coffee lover and can't go without your morning freddo, we recommend the Coffee Circus coffee chain which has several branches in Malta, so look for the one nearest to you and enjoy a cold or hot coffee. Don't forget to try
DAY 4: EXCURSION TO THE THREE CITIES (SENGLEA, VITORIOSSA, COSPICOUA)
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to explore the areas of the 3 cities - Cospicoua, Vitoriosa and Senglia, the seat of the Knights Hospitallers during the great siege of 1565 (The three cities). A unique cluster of architectural structures of castles, houses and important buildings, built in a magnificent location in the Grand Harbour and strongly influenced by the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Hospitallers, Knights Hospitallers and the British. From their ramparts we will enjoy the magical view of Valletta and wander through the Medieval streets, with the buildings of the Holy Examination, the Monasteries, the Execution Square, the executioner's house. Finally, free time and return to our hotel. For the evening we suggest you visit the famous Drag- onara casino, as it is housed in a palace built in 1870 and is impressive.
DAY 5: TIME FOR SHOPPING - VILLAGE OF POPAY
Breakfast and today is free to enjoy the wonderful Mediterranean island. You will have time to wander around the multicultural country, where food and drink shops are on every corner, so strolling through the alleys you will find the perfect one for you. If you're a coffee lover and can't go without your morning freddo, we recommend the Coffee Circus coffee chain which has several branches in Malta, so look for the one nearest to you and enjoy a cold or hot coffee. Don't forget to try their traditional snacks, pastitsi which are like small pies filled with chicken, cheese or the most popular option, with peas. Furthermore, for fresh, creamy and delicious gelato, stop by the famous Amarino Gelato, but be patient because most of the time there is a long queue waiting to taste a scoop of Malta's best gelato. Alternatively, if you wish you can visit the village of Popeye, a different attraction from the rest. This is actually the place where the movie "Popeye" with Robin Williams was filmed in the distant 1980s and which now serves as a theme park with the characters' houses, imagine a little Disneyland. Return to our hotel in the afternoon.
DAY 6: TRANSFER TO AIRPORT, RETURN FLIGHT
Prepare for departure and then transfer to the airport to catch our return flight. Arrival in our city with the best impressions.
