Valletta & Gozo Island Tour

★ Explore Valletta - A City Built by Knights

The entire city of Valletta was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as early as 1980. There is no other city in the world that possesses such abundant artistic, architectural and cultural treasures of the late Renaissance (1520-1600) in such a small area. The gorgeous heritage of humanity in the city is mainly credited to The Order of St. John that ruled Malta for several centuries. Born in a hospital in Jerusalem in the early 11th century, the Knights Hospitaller - the original name of The Order, strictly adhered to their mission “Defense of the faith and assistance to the suffering”. They gained a miraculous triumph in the Siege of Malta in 1565, which shattered European belief of the Ottoman Empire’s invincibility and made the blood of chivalry flow in the veins of every Maltese.

Your guide will lead you to visit the mighty fortresses and beautiful Baroque buildings that had been constructed since the knights set foot on the island in 1530. Some of these structures still shine with amber luster today. Our first stop is Upper Barraka Gardens, a garden in the air that combines the classic and the modern styles. Built in 1661, it served as a private leisure and sporting venue for the Knights. On its open-air terrace stands historic arcades, from which you could get a stunning vista of the Grand Harbor – one of the most significant natural harbor in the Mediterranean Sea, and the forts on the Three Cities. Beneath is the Saluting Battery - 4 of the bronze cannons have even been used for over 500 years. Then, follow your guide to walk to the Auberges, which were built in the 16th century as the houses of the members of the Order of St. John. There are only 3 remaining Auberges in Valletta, of which Auberge de Castille is considered as one of the finest works of architecture in Malta. The graceful carvings and the strictly symmetrical façade are giving a feeling of the aesthetics of Baroque style.

Then let’s head to the Grand Master’s Palace. Used to be the power center during The Order’s rule, it was the first building constructed by the Knights of St. John in Valletta. The interior of the palace is exquisitely decorated with exotic tapestries, portraits of grand masters, and splendid wall paintings. The breathtaking mediaeval suits of metal armor of the Knights are lined up in the corridor. Inside the Palace Armoury, there are a collection of weapons from the 15th and 16th centuries like swords and cannons. After that, we’ll come to one of the most iconic landmarks of Valletta - St. John’s Co-Cathedral. There are a total of 359 churches in Malta, and if you can only visit one of them, it must be the St. John’s Co-Cathedral. A marvelous treasure trove of art is hidden inside the plain beige exterior of the cathedral. Every corner of the interior is decorated with ornate gold foil, delicate carvings, and vivid paintings. Look up at the golden vaulted ceiling, and admire the frescoes that depict the life scenes of St John. Under your feet is the floor inlaid with more than 400 pieces of colored marble tombstones, each of which is a commemoration of an honorable knight who’s buried here. Make sure not to miss one of the greatest and most significant works of art in the world – “The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist” by the Renaissance artist Caravaggio (1571-1610), which is the only existing signed painting of Caravaggio.

Next, we’ll drive to the Hagar Qim Temple, another World Heritage Site. Perched on a hill in the south of Malta, it is one of the oldest among the country’s 30 megalithic temples. The history can be traced back to 3600 - 3200 BC, much earlier than the pyramids in Egypt and Stonehenge in Britain. The temple is constructed with huge stone blocks that weigh 20 to 50 tons, making it one of the most astonishing relics from the Neolithic Period (10000 - 2000 BC). 
► Tips: You need to walk a lot in the sun while visiting the ruins, and it might be very hot especially during July and August. So please wear comfortable shoes and drink enough water. Sun protection is necessary as well.

Afterward, let’s step into Marsaxlokk Fishing Village and get into the spirit of the Mediterranean. The history of the harbor dates back to the 9th century BC and the small village is still bustling with life now. The Sunday fish market of the village is one of the most popular markets in Malta, captivating locals and tourists alike. Apart from the clear and blue sea and picturesque rural scenes, the traditional Maltese Luzzu boats also add a unique charm to this place. The boats are painted in bright colors, and adorned with beautiful patterns and designs. You could find conspicuous eyes which are called “the Eye of Osiris” or “the Eye of Horus” on each Luzzu boat. They are believed to be a protection against evil things for the fishermen.

At the end of the day, we’ll explore the ancient city of Mdina on foot. It had served as Malta’s capital for centuries before Valletta. Entering through the historic Mdina Gate, you could soon find yourself in a castle frozen by time. The timeworn walls, quaint wooden doors, and long, narrow alleys seem to take you back to medieval times. Maybe that’s why the city was chose as the filming location of “King’s Landing” of the hit series “Game of Thrones”. You could overlook the magnificent views in the distance from the lofty fortresses. After today’s fulfilling sightseeing, you’ll be sent back to the hotel and have a good rest.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure St. Julian's Malta (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the hotel and accompany you to take a 25-minute ferry ride to Gozo Island, where we’ll visit the ancient historical sites and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. First, we’ll explore the Neolithic megalithic temples on Gozo Island - Ggantija Temples. It is one of the oldest freestanding structures in the world, at least 1,000 years earlier than the construction of Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Like Hagar Qim Temple, its basic structure has been well preserved. Some of the standing boulders are up to 5-7 meters (16-23 feet) in height and weigh over 50 tons. It’s hard to imagine how humans 5,500 years ago built these huge sacrificial structures. Then we’ll pass through a village to the legendary Calypso’s Cave, where you can overlook the red sand beaches of Ramla Bay below.

Next, we’ll drive to the Fontana Cottage, where you could see an array of local specialties, handmade clothing and delicious snacks such as dried tomatoes, olive sauce, and honey. Free fruit liqueur tasting is available, including the unique cactus liqueur. At noon we’ll go to the beautiful Xlendi Bay, a hidden gem of Gozo Island. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and delightful sea views, and there are steps that lead your way to the water. The bay has many restaurants for your self-financed lunch. For instance, Boathouse Restaurant is a good choice for Maltese stewed rabbit or local seafood, while Terrazzo - Restaurant & Beach Bar offers a variety of steaks, pasta and crafted cocktails.

In the afternoon, the guide will lead you to the Dwejra Bay. Although the Azure Window has turned into a relic, Dwejra Bay is still a charming spot. Surrounded by limestone cliffs, the bay has an 80-meter (260 ft.) tunnel formed by the long erosion of seawater, which connects the Inland Sea of Gozo Island and the Mediterranean Sea. Beside the Inland Sea is the Blue Hole, a natural sea pool that looks dreamy deep blue and is perfect for diving. If you want to admire the sea from a different perspective, consider paying extra for a small boat tour to go through the tunnel and watch the underwater world and brilliant corals up close. Finally, we’ll visit the Victoria City, the largest city on Gozo Island, which is quiet and tidy and retains its nostalgic charm. On the city’s highest point sits the Citadel, the history of which can be traced back to 1500 BC. In the late Renaissance, The Order of St. John transformed the Citadel into a formidable fortress that we have today. Walk among the ochre yellow walls and touch the pulse of the history. You could climb up the fortified walls for a panoramic view of Gozo Island and the surrounding sea. At the end of the Malta Gozo Island tour package, we will return to the ferry terminal for the boat back to Malta Island, and you will be escorted to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure St. Julian's Malta (4 stars) or similar

As the island holiday ends, we will transfer you to Malta International Airport according to your departure flight schedule. Wish you a pleasant trip home!

► If you want to stay longer in Malta to explore more prehistoric sites, Baroque churches, and natural wonders like the Blue Grotto and the Blue Lagoon, or if you want to discover the gems of the Mediterranean such as Sicily in Italy, we are expecting your inspiration and ready to make a private itinerary for you.

Meals: Breakfast