Highlights of Malta & Gozo

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8 days - Escorted Tours

The crossroads of the ancient world, the alluring island of Malta has served as a traveller's haven for Mediterranean empires across millennia. The Maltese Falcon, the George Cross, the Knights of St. John - none of which may come from Malta, but all of which show the influence this little Mediterranean paradise has on the world. A land desired by many and possessed by few, Malta bears the influence of the nations that have claimed its shores; Rome, Aragon, Sicily, Britain - each have contributed to the culture, arts and history of this floating idyll. A place not quite like anywhere else, the island is home to some of the oldest remnants of the ancient world, with buildings dating back to the earliest civilizations such as Egypt or Greece. With many hidden facets that often lay undiscovered to the average traveller, this tour shows off every secret Malta has waiting for those who are willing to delve deeper. With its confluence of history, its unparalleled scenery and towns of myriad architecture and character, the island is the perfect destination to both explore and relax. *Please note that the itinerary on our website is for our 2027 departures. For 2026 departures, the Malta Experience excursion is included on day 2 and the Limestone Heritage Experience on day 7 is not included. The order of excursions and sightseeing days may also differ from the website.

Holiday Highlights

Discover the Baroque triumph that was home to the Knights of Malta - the city of Valletta including coffee & cake during the tour.
Absorb the raw natural beauty of Malta's little sister, Gozo.
Visit Upper Barracca Gardens in Vallette for Saluting Battery and the loading and firing if the cannons over the harbour.
Savour the contrasting atmospheres of the ancient former capital of Mdina and the charming fishing harbour of Marsaxlokk.
Delight in splendid Italian gardens with an exquisite afternoon tea at an 18th Century palazzo.
Delve into the catacombs of St. Paul - resting place of the first Christians - and take a fascinating guided tour of Roman Rabat.
Enjoy a delicious post-vintage luncheon designed to complement the sophisticated flavours of Maltese wine-tasting.
Discover the archaic wonders of the Neolithic era at the temples of Hagar Qim and Ggantija, some of the oldest freestanding structures in the world.
From 2027, visit the Limestone Heritage Experience, a former family quarry in Malta, for stonemasonry insights, olive oil and limoncello tastings. Remaining 2026 departures follow the original itinerary.

What's Included

The price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
Return flights & transfers
Airport departure taxes
Seven nights’ accommodation
Daily breakfast
All tours as mentioned*
All local accommodation taxes
Coach travel as mentioned
The services of a Riviera Travel Tour Manager
Average group size of 22 guests
Welcome drink
2 local guides on most guided tours
Please note that the itinerary on our website is for our 2027 departures. For 2026 departures, the Malta Experience excursion is included on day 2 and the Limestone Heritage Experience on day 7 is not included. The order of excursions and sightseeing days may also differ from the website.
Included excursions are: a guided tour of Valletta and a visit to the Malta experience, a ferry to and tour of Gozo, a visit to Mdina, a guided tour of Rabat and St. Paul’s Catacombs, visits to the temples at Ggantija, Tarxien and a visit to Marsaxlokk, and a visit to local heritage park showcasing local traditions and crafts.
Please note that where hotels feature a swimming pool, this is open during the summer months according to weather conditions.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Malta

Day 2

Valletta - This morning, you'll experience the aesthetic 16th Century city of Valletta with a guided tour walking tour. The first planned city constructed in Europe since the time of the Romans, Valletta was built by the Knights of St. John in the aftermath of a great siege by the Turks of the Ottoman Empire. One of the most redoubtable citadels in the world, Valletta has hardly changed since it was built in its tremendous natural harbour. The magnificent Cathedral of Saint John, astonishing in its use of colour and ornament, floor of sophisticated inlaid marble, and featuring opulent, gilded picture-ceilings is a true wonder to behold, which also houses the largest (and only signed) painting by Caravaggio - 'The Beheading of John the Baptist'. We also have a visit to the Cathedral of Saint John, with entrance included. During the guided tour enjoy a break with included coffee and cake. Then, come the afternoon, your time is your own, so why not visit one of the many cultural attractions? The Grand Master's Palace has its state rooms and armoury open to the public; the National War Museum at Fort St. Elmo presents battle exhibits from the Bronze age right through to the turn of the Millennium; or at the National Museum of Archaeology one can unearth the islands history with exhibits covering everything from the ruins deep under the island to the stars high above it. Or if you'd rather live in the present than the past, Malta's gentle Mediterranean climate lends itself perfectly to a laid-back atmosphere of sights, sounds and sensations. Take it all in from café terraces or bistro balconies, bedecked with vivid geraniums and proud poplars, the city's many cosy establishments are a delightful place to relax and observe the calm Maltese lifestyle. During our time in Vallett we visit the historic Saluting Battery, located at the Upper Barracca Gardens in Valletta. Here we will see the loading and firing of the cannons over the harbour.

Day 3

Gozo - Today is an excursion to the tranquil island of Gozo and its capital of Victoria. Known as 'Rabat' to its residents, this quaint old-world town is filled with serpentine streets and alleys, surrounded by remarkably well-preserved battlements; and visible from most parts of the island, towering above the pleasant countryside, stands the imperious Citadel and the centre of it all. Gozo isn't just lesser in size than its more metropolitan sibling, its lesser in hastes - life walks with a slower step in Rabat, making it an ideal place to simply sit back and sip a coffee as the world passes by. A little along the bay lies the striking coastal rock formations that border Gozo's inland sea. Rugged promontories and sheer cliffsides frame the cerulean depths of the waters that were once home to the magnificent Azure Window - a star of the screen, this colossal limestone arch is now unfortunately lost to the sea. We next voyage through the idyllic countryside of fertile hills and valleys, savouring the scenes and aromas of the patchwork terraced thyme and wildflowers to reveal Gozo's ancient past: the most well-preserved and largest of Gozo's prehistoric temple sites, the incredible Ggantija. Dating back millennia, this complex far out-ages sites such as Stonehenge, Petra or even the Pyramids of Giza. With some of the stones used in its construction standing over six metres tall and weighing several tonnes, it’s no wonder that local legend describes the temples as being built by a giant.

Day 4

Free day - Explore at your own pace during this free day in Sliema. Stroll through this lively coastal town and take in the charm of its scenic 3.8-mile promenade, offering dazzling views across the Mediterranean and towards Valletta’s historic skyline. Or you may wish to unwind by the hotel pool, soak up the sunshine, and recharge ahead of our upcoming adventures.

Day 5

Rabat & Mdina - Starting our day, we drive to Rabat, where along charming Medieval streets you'll find the earliest archaeological presence of Christianity in Malta, the Catacombs of St. Paul. Dated to the 4th Century, this labyrinth of early-Christian tombs contains over 1000 chambers. From here, one can explore further into the complex to St. Paul's Grotto, famed for housing Christ's disciple when shipwrecked on the island. Close-by you'll find the Roman catacombs, an underground maze of burial chambers from the 3rd Century; and even deeper you can explore the expansive air raid shelters constructed to provide refuge for the islanders during the Second World War. The crowning centrepiece of the island, and sat proudly steadfast upon a fortified crest, Mdina is the former capital of Malta and abounds in past glory. Furnished with Norman and Baroque architecture, the 'Notable City' was founded almost 3000 years ago by the Phoenicians; and though its fortunes have ebbed and flowed in the centuries since, it has always been an important and renowned municipality for the Maltese. Enjoy a pleasant lunch before heading off to the Church of Mosta, which houses the world's third-largest dome. Though famed for surviving a direct bombshell during World War II which failed to detonate, the dome stands on its own merits as a work of art, featuring ornate, geometric paintwork overlooking the extravagant rotunda. Afterwards, refresh yourself with a traditional afternoon tea, take at the luxuriant gardens of the Palazzo Parisio. This grand 18th Century estate with its sumptuous Italianate gardens was originally a hunting lodge and was later expanded by the Marquise Scicluna and renovated in the English aristocratic style; making it a fitting place to indulge in that ever-so-English light meal.

Day 6

Wine tasting - Ease into the morning your way – perhaps with a coffee in a neighbourhood café, watching the day unfold around you before we set out for something rather special. While Malta’s wines may not be as widely recognised as those of its Mediterranean neighbours, the island boasts a rich winemaking heritage dating back over 2,000 years to the Phoenicians. Today, that tradition is quietly finding its voice again – and it’s well worth listening to. Just beneath the honey-coloured walls of Mdina,, the island’s historic capital, we visit a much-loved local estate with a story of its own. Set on the site of a former wartime airfield, its vineyards stretch out towards the horizon, anchored by a striking limestone winery and an old watchtower that adds a subtle sense of history to this memorable setting. After a guided tour around the cellars, your experience is further enhanced with a curated selection of local wines to taste, accompanied by a light lunch showcasing Maltese delicacies and fresh seasonal salads, thoughtfully prepared to complement the flavours of each wine.

Day 7

Hagar Qim - We make our way to the awe-inspiring, prehistoric temples of Hagar Qim, a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched on a hilltop with sweeping views of the sea. This ancient complex holds an intriguing secret – one chamber features an elliptical opening, carefully crafted to align perfectly with the summer solstice sunrise. As the first rays of light pierce through, they illuminate a stone slab deep within the chamber, offering a glimpse into the ingenuity and spirituality of Malta’s ancient inhabitants. We pause for lunch in the charming, waterside village of Marsaxlokk. For generations, fisherman have brought in their daily catch and mended their nets along its scenic quayside, which has retained its timeless character. Today, it’s a delightful place to unwind, with an inviting array of cafés and restaurants lining the waterfront. In the afternoon, we continue to Vittoriosa, where a short walking tour introduces us to this historic fortified city, named in honour of the victorious defence during the Great Siege of 1565. Step back in time and discover the traditions, skills and flavours that have shaped this corner of Malta for centuries. Once the source of the local limestone used to build towns and villages, this unique venue a former quarry offers a fascinating glimpse into a way of life that helped define the area's heritage. For generations, the same family worked this limestone quarry, helping shape the towns, villages and churches that define Malta today. Although quarrying has now ceased, they have transformed the site into a unique heritage attraction, creating a range of immersive experiences that preserve its history and celebrate the skills, traditions and stories passed down through the family. At Limestone the Heritage Experience, you'll stroll through a beautiful, landscaped gardens featuring a natural waterfall and discover how this once-industrial landscape has been reimagined as a living tribute to Malta's stonemasons and craftsmen. Learn how honey-coloured limestone was extracted and shaped, and gain insight into a traditional trade that played a vital role in creating the island's distinctive character. The experience continues among flourishing olive groves and lemon grove, where you'll uncover the journey from grove to bottle and enjoy a tasting of the estate's award-winning olive oil. You'll also discover the traditional art of making limoncello, learning how fragrant sun-ripened lemons are transformed into this much-loved Mediterranean speciality before sampling it for yourself. Finally, guided by skilled local artisans, you'll try your hand at carving limestone, creating a unique keepsake and a lasting connection to Malta's rich craft heritage. Rich in history, flavour and authentic local culture, this immersive experience celebrates not only the island's traditions, but also the remarkable story of a family dedicated to preserving them for future generations.

Day 8

Return home

Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa

The hotel has two restaurants, two bars and plenty of options for relaxation, including spa and wellness facilities (local charges may be applicable), a lovely garden and three swimming pools, one of...

Barceló Fortina Malta

This four-star superior modern hotel boasts fantastic views across the bay to the historic centre of Valletta. During your free time, you could take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool with panoramic...

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Day 8

Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa

Barceló Fortina Malta

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