- Malta Private Tours
- Historical Malta - Private Tour
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Historical Malta - Private Tour
8 Day Private Tour
Malta, Europe
8 Meals Included
4 Excursions
Easygoing Pace
Malta and Gozo are brimming with baroque churches, prehistoric temples and breath-taking waterfront vistas. Discover Valletta's magnificent Cathedral, the 'silent' walled city of Mdina and the apricot sands of Gozo's beaches.
Highlights
- Marvel at the palaces, gardens and cathedral of Valletta
- Explore the picturesque buildings and palaces of the 'silent' city of Mdina
- Enjoy a walking tour in the Three Fortified Cities of Cottonera
- Witness the megalithic temples of Ggantija
- Tour Gozo's capital Victoria, the Inland Sea of Dwejra and the seaside resort of Xlendi
Map Key
Train
Coach
Boat
Airplane
Walking
1
Itinerary
Day 1
UK to Sliema
Depart on your scheduled flight to Malta. Upon arrival meet a Mercury representative and transfer to your hotel on the Sliema seafront.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Day 2
Valletta
Breakfast
Discover Malta's magnetic charm on a morning tour of the fortified city of Valletta. Boasting some of the most opulent churches and palaces in Europe, Valletta's quaint narrow streets exude a timeless ambience, and effortlessly transport you back to a bygone era. Soak in extraordinary scenery from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, delighting in breath-taking panoramas of the Grand Harbour, before continuing to the richly ornamented St John's Co-Cathedral in which Caraviggio's masterpiece, 'The beheading of John the Baptist' is lavishly displayed.
Day 3
Rabat, Mdina and Mosta
Breakfast
Today begins at the renowned Rotunda Church of Mosta, whose famed unsupported dome is the third largest in Europe. Later, protected by impressive city ramparts, the quiet streets of Mdina, lined with ornate buildings and palaces, are characteristic of this picturesque silent city. Dominating a landscape of narrow avenues, uncover the prominent baroque facade and towering bell towers of St Paul's Cathedral, before visiting an extensive complex of underground tombs at St Paul's Catacombs; these mystifying discoveries are considered to be the earliest archaeological indication of Christianity in Malta.
Day 4
Sliema
Breakfast
Enjoy a day at leisure today or embark on an optional excursion to the small fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Framed by a harbour teeming with brightly coloured boats, browse the vibrant market stalls and feast your eyes upon a plethora of local goods including fresh fish, honey and wine.
Day 5
Gozo
Breakfast & Lunch
Discover Victoria's imposing citadel, winding streets and bustling market squares on a full-day tour of Malta's sister island, Gozo. From the capital city, travel towards the 'Inland Sea' of Dwejra to admire its breathtaking coastal formations and crystal-clear waters, before visiting the megalithic limestone temples of Ggantija; translating as the 'Place of Giants', according to local legend, this remarkable temple was constructed single-handedly by a giantress between the years of 3600-2500BC. En route to the seaside resort of Xlendi, enjoy an opportunity to shop for authentic handmade lace and knitwear items, which have long since characterised Gozo's craft trade
Day 6
Three Cities and Harbour Cruise
Breakfast
Collectively named Cottonera, explore the three fortified cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, founded by the Knights of Malta in the 16th and 17th centuries. Begin this morning's walking tour in the oldest city of Vittoriosa, where the majestic former Palace of the General of the Galleys & Order of St John's Treasury can be seen from its affluent waterfront. Next, from the verge of Senglea point, delight in spectacular views of the Grand Harbour before cruising upon its azure waters. Step ashore for the chance to wander around an assortment of local shops before returning to your hotel.
Day 7
Sliema
Breakfast
Following a day at leisure, you may choose to embark on an optional excursion this evening. Bathed in a golden hue, explore some of Malta's most iconic landmarks, whose floodlit appearances present an entirely different display at night. Alternatively, immerse yourself in an energetic Maltese celebration, feasting on a delectable 4 course meal, followed by a traditional evening of folklore dance.
Day 8
Sliema to UK
Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight back to the UK or continue to your extension.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
What's Included
Hand-picked Accommodation
8 Meals
4 Excursions
Expert Local Guides
All entrance fees
Overseas Transfers and Transport (as per itinerary)
ABTA & ATOL Protection
Your private tour of Malta is just a phone call away
Call our Travel Specialists today on 1800 804 006
Opening Times
Mon - Fri: 9.00am - 8.00pm, Saturday: 9.00am - 7.30pm, Sunday: 9.00am - 7.30pm, Bank Holidays: 10.00am - 5.00pm
Your Next Adventure Awaits! We've been arranging award-winning, expertly crafted hoildays and tours since 1980. We're also ABTA protected and ATOL bonded for your total peace of mind. Call us today to book your next unforgettable holiday!
Accommodation
The hotels listed below are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent to you approximately 21 days before you travel
Preluna Hotel and Spa
7 nights
Sliema, Malta
Tour Testimonials
Our guide, Marthese, was excellent and gave us a lot of information with some humour thrown in. I could not have wished for better.
Pam Jones
20 OctoberDoris, our tour guide was absolutely brilliant. Her knowledge and delivery of information was outstanding, possibly the best we have ever experienced on any previous tours.
Judith Goody
22 NovemberExtend Your Tour
Important Information
The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of €342.20pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
It is your responsibility to check your passport validity. To enter Malta & Gozo (and all Schengen countries) your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. Sources of information include; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in Malta and Gozo is the Euro. You can exchange your currency before you travel, or whilst you are in Malta and Gozo. Cash machine will be available throughout your tour for you to withdraw money in the local currency. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any lunches where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry, and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £100 to £200 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour.
Tipping
It is customary/at your discretion to tip both your driver and guide. We would recommend tipping approximately 2 Euros per person per day. This is a total of €12 per person to budget for tips on your trip. Tips will be collected at the beginning/end of your tour. Tips are accepted in the local currency.
This tour does not operate as a fully escorted programme. Your English-speaking guide will be with you on all scheduled excursion days, however, on free days when there are no planned activities, your guide will not accompany you. This allows you the flexibility to explore at your own pace and indulge in personal interests. You will still have access to a local team member who can assist you in case of emergencies on your free days.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information
When entering churches shoulders should be covered and you should be dressed respectfully, some churches will provide shawls to cover your shoulders.
On your arrival in Malta you will be met by a representative from our local agent, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays/Rigo Malta”. The representative will show you to your transfer vehicle and will be taken to your hotel.
If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are:
Rigo Malta - Rigo Malta DMC, 61, L. Graham Street, Sliema.
Telephone: 00356 27995552
Emergency contact information:
Transport Emergency Only: 00356 25402540 (after office hours)
Medical Emergencies Only: 00356 99165544 (after office hours)
- Sunglasses, Sunscreen and hat in summer
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Camera and charger
- A plug adaptor-the voltage in Malta and Gozo is 230 V. The two-pin plug system is used
- Waterproof, lightweight jacket
- Lightweight clothing
- Sweater and jacket for the cooler months