Malta Uncovered

Malta Uncovered Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Malta

  Arrive at your departure airport where a Riviera Travel representative will help you check-in and help if you have any questions and fly to Malta. On arrival a coach will take you to your hotel, the four-star Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa, set in the idyllic village of Mellieha. This evening, we have an informal gathering with your tour manager and fellow travellers before enjoying a welcome dinner at the hotel.

• Day 2: Valletta

  Today you visit the wonderful 16th century city of Valletta where you enjoy a guided walking tour. Built by the Knights of St John after a huge siege by the Ottoman Turks, it was Europe’s first planned city since Roman times. Valletta, one of the world’s strongest fortresses, is located on a magnificent natural harbour and has changed little since it was built. St. John’s cathedral is remarkable, with overwhelming decoration and colour, an intricate marble floor, a wonderful ceiling covered in gold leaf and fine paintings with the high point being Caravaggio’s masterpiece ‘The Beheading of John the Baptist’. You will visit the Malta Experience which tells the story of this wonderful island using the latest audio-visual techniques.

• Day 3: Gozo

  Today we head to the sleepy island of Gozo nearby and visit its capital, Victoria, known to locals as Rabat. This charming medieval town has twisting streets and alleyways with superbly preserved battlements. Rising above the surrounding countryside is the imposing Citadel, visible from most of the island. The pace of life in Rabat is very relaxed – what could be better than sipping a coffee while watching the world go by?

• Day 4: Free Day

  Today, you have a free day for you to explore as you wish. Perhaps you'll spend a lazy day, relaxing by the hotel's pool or, if you're looking to get out this morning, you could take the local bus to Mellieha Beach, a popular sandy beach nestled in a sheltered bay. It's great for swimming or snorkelling as the water is crystal clear and comfortably shallow. Behind it is a sleepy old town with many churches, restaurants and shops to explore – not to mention great coastal views. There's also a bus to the bustling town of St Julian's where you can take in the sea views while strolling along the waterfront promenade, shop in its contemporary centre or dine in one of many fantastic restaurants.

• Day 5: Rabat & Mdina

  This morning, we take a short drive to Rabat and walk through the beautiful medieval streets to St Paul’s Catacombs, the earliest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta. The site comprises a maze of early-Christian burial chambers dating from the 4th century, complete with over a thousand tombs. We then visit the Wignacourt Museum, a must for anyone interested in art or history. Formerly the baroque residence of the Chaplains of the Knights of Malta, the museum has a superb collection of art and sculptures. From here, you can travel through an underground passage to St Paul’s Grotto, where the apostle was believed to have stayed after he was shipwrecked in Malta. Nearby are the Roman catacombs, a labyrinth of 3rd-century AD subterranean tombs. Beneath these lie the impressive World War II shelters, which provided a safe haven for refugees and the people of Rabat during air raids. Next, we head to nearby Mdina, the jewel in the crown of the entire island, perched on a hill surrounded by huge walls. There’s time for lunch before we visit the Church of Mosta, with the third largest dome in the world, amazingly decorated, but principally famous as the unfortunate recipient of a direct hit by a bomb during Mass. Fortunately, it failed to explode, establishing the legend of a miracle.

• Day 6: Free Morning & Vineyard Visit

  The morning is free to do as you wish. Malta’s seafood is exceptional, so maybe a spot of shopping followed by a leisurely lunch of the ‘catch of the day’ at a restaurant overlooking the sea? The wines of Malta may not be as widely acclaimed as those produced by its Mediterranean neighbours, but the country has actually been producing quality vintages since the time of the Phoenicians over two thousand years ago. Now, the growing wine industry is gradually gaining the recognition it so deserves, and to explore this lesser-known facet of Malta, this afternoon we visit a prestigious wine estate near Mdina, the ancient capital. After a tour of their vineyards, we’ll enjoy a tasting of three of their superb wines.

• Day 7: The Blue Grotto & Hagar Qim

  This morning we drive to the southern coast to see the mesmerising waters of the Blue Grotto. The combination of the sunlight and location creates a wonderful display: the caves mirror the phosphorescent colours of the sea and underwater flora. We continue to the prehistoric, megalithic temples of Hagar Qim, a UNESCO-listed site on a hilltop overlooking the sea. One of the chambers has an elliptical hole, hewn out to align with the sunrise of the summer solstice, so the rays pass through and illuminate a stone slab within the chamber!

• Day 8: Return Home

  Transfer to the airport for your return flight.