Tour description

MALTA SMALL GROUP TOUR

Delight in a special exploration of both islands, with their amazing climate, dramatic vistas and hearty cuisine that embodies all things Maltese. Many were those who occupied the islands in the course of their lengthy history leaving behind an artistic and cultural heritage. The Maltese Islands are like nowhere else. Here you will find great prehistoric temples, fossil-studded cliffs, glittering hidden coves, thrilling diving opportunities and a history of remarkable intensity.

The islands of Malta and Gozo offer a rich historical past, its oldest Neolithic Temples dating back to more than 3500 years BC!  The elegant capital Valletta, with its proud city walls and wonderful palaces; medieval Mdina, the so called “silent City” because of its quite winding narrow streets and laid-back atmosphere, fascinating underground chambers, and Naxxar with its amazingly Palace are only a few of the  highlights to mention.

Malta’s beautiful landscapes, harbors and marvelous bays and stunning cliffs are more than just a background- they create a scenery in which the golden local limestone just fits in perfectly.

On this small group journey, you’ll enjoy the contrasts of everyday life in these very different islands corners as you mingle with the locals during exclusive meals, wine tasting, boat trips and more cultural experiences.

Do not go with the crowd – our local knowledge takes you to Malta’s most interesting sights, but out of the beaten path, and not to crowded touristic places. We believe this is the best way to truly smell, taste and savor the country you are visiting.Live like a local!!

SMALL GROUP TOUR HIGHLIGHTS & INCLUSIONS: 7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS
  • Guaranteed departures group travel: small, friendly,intimate group limited to 12/14 participants only!
  • More than 10 included sightseeing tours & cultural experiences as follows
  • VALLETTA UPPER BARRACCA GARDENS
  • Exclusive visit to ST JOHN’S CO-CATHEDRAL
  • Visit of the GRAND MASTER’S PALACE
  • Optional visit to ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
  • Enjoy a HARBOR CRUISE around the “THREE CITIES” of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea
  • Unique visit to the “INQUISITOR’S PALACE” and the “WAR MUSEUM”
  • The Neolithic Temple of “HAGAR QIM “
  • Experience the colorful fishing village of “MARSAXLOKK”
  • Discover elegant MDINA , the “Silent City”
  • Green Island of GOZO (The Citadel,Xlendi Bay, Ramla Bay beach, Ggantija Temples)
  • Foodie experiences in MALTA and GOZO
  • Visit a stunning 18th Century BAROQUE Style PALACE with its gardens in NAXXAR
  • Included boat trip at DWEJRA,GOZO
  • Visit popular UNESCO World heritage sites
  • Exceptional local tour director, experienced to accompany you throughout your journey
  • Entrances to main Maltese sites are included as per itinerary
  • Transportation on tour, via private air-conditioned 8 or 19 seats motorcoach
  • Tour city guide as per itinerary
  • Service charges at all hotels and restaurants
  • No hidden extras
  • Included regional meals: All breakfasts, 4 dinners,1 lunch (main meals include regional wine, mineral water, local coffee or tea only)
  • Tour package does not include airport transfers on arrival, airfare, or any other personal travel expenses.We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour
  • Activity level: Light/Moderate
  • Terms & conditions/Single supplement: (View Here) and FAQ View Here)
  • Trip Interruption & Cancellation insurance is not included. We highly recommend Travelex-Insurance.com to protect your vacation.
  • Purchase of European Travel & Health insurance is strongly recommended
OUR ACCOMMODATIONS
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 

MALTA SMALL GROUP TOUR TRAVEL ITINERARY

7 DAYS MALTA & GOZO SMALL GROUP TOUR

DAY 1 : WELCOME TO MALTA

Spend the first three nights of your Maltese adventure in VALLETTA staying at the central boutique hotel “PALAIS LE BRUN“or similar, renowned for its luxurious blend of modern decor and gracious Mediterranean hospitality.A welcome dinner is included this evening in a local restaurant.Eat as a local!!!Overnight stay in VALLETTA

DAY 2: THE GRANDIOSE VALLETTA 

Colloquially known as “Il-Belt”, VALLETTA is the capital city of Malta that was built during the rule of the Knights of St. John.Today’s visit will begin from the Upper Barakka gardens, perched high above the Grand harbor where your local expert will show you the highlights of this magical city, discovering its hidden beauty, with plenty of time on your own in Republic Street  for shopping or sightseeing. Included are interior visits to the top two sites St.John’s Co-Cathedral with its museum, dating back to the 16th century, boasting two masterpieces by Caravaggio and The Grand Masters Palace which houses the Parliament and the president’s office.After an included lunch in a local tavern, you’ll visit the TEATRU MANOEL,one of the oldest working theaters in the world, built in 1731 by the Knights of St. John and a non-guided visit at the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM. Evening is on your own to discover Valletta by night.Overnight in VALLETTA

DAY 3: THE GRAND HARBOUR AREA: THE THREE CITIES -VITTORIOSA & SENGLEA 

This morning we explore the city of VITTORIOSA, one of the most enchanting within the THREE CITIES, the towns extending towards Valletta, dividing the Grand Harbor into deep inlets. In Vittoriosa you’ll visit the Inquisitor’s Palace, featuring plain prison cells and dungeons on the lower floors, which contrast with the highly decorated private apartments of the Inquisitors themselves above, including the Tribunal room where evidence was heard and verdicts were issued. You’ll also visit the War Museum, housed in an 18th century army barracks which served as a police station and air raid precautions center during the war.After a foodie experience with FTIRA,you’ll board a typical Maltese gondola for a 30 mins harbor cruise.Rest of the day is on your own for more local experiences. Overnight stay in VALLETTA

DAY 4: HAGAR QIM TEMPLE, COLORFUL MARSAXLOKK & THE BLUE GROTTO

Some of the world’s oldest temples, Malta’s most picturesque fishing village,dramatic sea caves,towering cliffs and shady woords are the highlights of the south of the island.Our first morning destination is the megalithic temple of HAGAR QIM (3600 to 3000 BC) the best preserved and most evocative of Malta’s prehistoric sites.Continue to the fishing village of MARSAXLOKK, famous for its brightly colored fishing boats which ride at anchor and where the wives of the fishermen knot nylon string bags for the tourists.After time on your own for lunch,explore more in depth the south coast travelling along the rocky WIED IZ-ZURRIEQ stopping off at the BLUE GROTTO for amazing views.Continue to the port of Cirkewwa to transfer you by 25-minutes ferry to the island of GOZO for your next two nights staying at the “VIEWPOINT BOUTIQUE LIVING“or similar.Only 15 kilometres in length and seven kilometres wide, all parts of the island are easily accessible, and for its size the variety of scenery is incredible.Gozo is fertile and picturesque and has retained much of its traditional character.Dinner is included this evening in a local bistro.Overnight in GOZO

DAY 5: GOZO-THE ISLAND OF CALYPSO & MAGICAL VICTORIA

The idyllic island of GOZO, the second largest island of the Maltese archipelago is more rural and popular for its scenic hills, which are featured on its coat of arms. Our day starts with a walking tour of the fortified capital city of VICTORIA with its enchanting Citadel followed by a panoramic drive around the island, stopping off at Dwejra, the fishing village of Xlendi, Ramla Bay,the Salt pans,the Ggantija Temples and the Ta Pinu church.Enjoy a light dinner in a popular Gozitan restaurant accompanied by Maltese wines.Overnight stay in GOZO

DAY 6: NAXXAR PALACE & THE SILENT CITY OF MDINA

Today’s adventure takes you to central Malta, one of the most fascinating regions. The tour begins with a visit to an 18th century noble PALAZZO in the town of NAXXAR, an outstanding example of a Maltese stately home, with its carved Lombardy furniture, stucco friezes, painted ceilings and Carrara marble which are remarkable then drive to the silent town of MDINA, one of the world’s finest examples of a medieval city that is still inhabited. A time capsule of medieval palazzi and a world unto itself. The Romans called their town Melita, the Arabs Medina and in the early days of the Knights it was known as Citta’ Nobile. After an included foodie experience with a local pastry “PASTIZZI”, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive along the DINGLI CLIFFS. Spend the last night of your Maltese experience at the central “100BOUTIQUE LIVING” or similar, with an included dinner in a local bistro. Overnight stay in RABAT

DAY 7: SAHHA MALTA

Included airport transfer to Malta airport.Combine our Malta small group tour with our flagship Small Group Tour to SICILY

TOUR PRICING

2023/24 TOUR PRICE: €2,500       SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: €300   currency converter

Prices are per person based on double room occupancy for 7 days/6 nights

REVIEWS
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We Love Malta!!!

Rated 5 out of 5
06/11/2022

Wow – Malta has been fantastic!We really enjoyed our time spent in Malta with Secret Italia.The itinerary was spot on and we enjoyed all the sites.Cynthia was a fantastic guild. We appreciated all her attention to details and her vast knowledge of Malta. We were lucky to have her as our guide.The Kempinski Hotel in Gozo was very nice. Our accommodations, the amenities, and staff were worthy of a five star hotel and made for an enjoyable visit.We enjoyed our welcome dinner as well as the dinner the following night. Both were very memorable.The Phoenicia Hotel is world class. What an excellent choice you made. It’s the perfect retreat after a long day of sightseeing.We enjoyed meeting the General Manager Robyn Pratt. She asked how our accommodations were and we told her that we would have preferred a king size bed.She upgraded our room from a queen size room to a king. What a delightful lady.We are looking forward to seeing our driver tomorrow at 3:30 to begin our trip home.We will send you our review of the Italian Lakes trip when we return home.Again Aldo, thanks for everything.We had a great time.Looking forward to our future trips with Secret Italia.

Marvin Bultman & Tom Heath (USA)

Unexpected Malta

Rated 5 out of 5
22/06/2022

I thoroughly enjoyed my tour of Malta with Secret Italia Tours. Cynthia is a wonderful guide, friendly, very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Our small group was great.Your choices of hotels was first class and the included meals and wine tastings were 5 star, The varied sites that we visited gave me a true insight into the lives of the past and present peoples of these fascinating islands.I will recommend the tour to others in Australia.Thank you very much and a loud bravo to Cynthia.

Carole Willing, Australia -May 2022

MALTA & GOZO

MALTA & GOZOThe Republic of Malta is located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. The archipelago is formed of two main islands, Malta and Gozo, as well as Comino, are the only inhabited islands, and some smaller uninhabited islands named Cominotto, Filfla and St.Paul. Thanks to its position, Malta has represented a bridge between Africa and Europe since ancient Read more