Malta

Early morning meeting at the airport ''MAKEDONIA'' and departure for Malta. Immediately after our arrival ( the flight takes one hour and 20 minutes ) at Malta airport, transfer to the famous capital of the Order of the Knights of St. John, Valletta, where we will first enjoy our morning coffee and then we will tour on foot, as car traffic is not allowed in the Old Town section. It is a unique Castropolis of great historical importance and boundless beauty. Crossing the Floriana Gate the landscape takes us mentally back to the period of the Knights of Ioannina , stunning buildings, beautiful balconies with wooden structures in bright colours , chapels and the impressive Cathedral of St.Publio foreshadows the images that will follow. It's time to meet the Triton Fountain ( Triton Fountain ) and pass one of the most stately hotels in the Mediterranean - The Phoenicia excellent choice for a drink in its unique in terms of elegance and beauty. All around us is renovated by the unique architect Renzo Piano, Valletta welcomes us in a complex of structures, 70 meters above sea level, walls and fortifications, moats and battlements make up a picture of a medieval city - castle, European Capital of Culture in 2018, the like of which you will not find anywhere else in the world! Our effort on the first day , is to get as much as possible, a more coherent view of it. The ''auberge'' (the mansions) of the Knights of Ioannina, the building of the Opera House demolished by the bombing of World War II, the Our Lady of Victory, the newly constructed parliament , the Prime Minister's Office , are just a few of the images we will admire before visiting the Baracca Gardens , one of the most beautiful parts of the capital with spectacular views of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities . St. John's Cathedral with its Caravaggio paintings will leave us stunned with its amazing interior decoration. The central square with the Palazzo dei Knights ( Old Parliament ) but also the residence of the Magistrates during the omnipotence of the Order (1530-1798), the recently renovated closed market ( Il Suq tal Belt ) with the agricultural products of the Maltese land , are just some of the places we will visit . In your free time ,we suggest you to walk through the narrow streets parallel and perpendicular to the main pedestrian street ( Republic street ) to visit Strait street with its atmospheric small cafes the Hastings gardens , the St.Barbara Bastions with its wonderful view of the harbour and Fort Elmo at the main point of Valletta ( old prison where ''filmed'' the movie the Midnight Express ) . Transfer to our hotel. Room availability ( check in ) takes place according to Maltese law after 15:00 ( noon ). After the necessary rest, early evening introduction to the ST. JULIANS area with its innumerable food and entertainment proposals.

 Overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will move to the south side of the island where we will visit the fishing village of Marsaxlokk with its famous folk market and Malta's fishing fleet, as well as the traditional boats ( luzzu ). We then depart for the tour of the centre of the island, with a first visit to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mosta. We will then transfer to the hill of Rabat for the visit to the silent state of Medina, which is fortified in an impregnable castle and had been the capital of the island in the Middle Ages, we will walk along the cobbled medieval streets to see the highlights of the city. Return to the hotel. On Holy Saturday the Resurrection service takes place in Valletta at .Included is a FREE transfer to/from the hotels. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will explore the amazing areas of The Three cities (The Three cities ) a unique cluster of architectural structures of castles, houses and important buildings, built in a stunning location in the Grand Harbour. We will walk through the picturesque, cobbled streets of "victorious" Birgu (or Vittoriosa), where time has stood still in the days of the knights. We will admire the traditional houses as well as the first auberge (dormitories) of the Ioannites, pass by the majestic churches of the area and travel back in time. Back to the hotel. Overnight stay.

After breakfast we start our 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 change of scenery you will encounter will definitely convince you, how worthwhile your visit to the island of Gozo was. We will visit the capital of Rabat, with its famous castle, the old town .Late afternoon transfer to the airport for our return journey.