Malta Tour

Meeting Valletta

We meet at the Turkish Airlines counter in the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport, 3 hours before the flight. After check-in and passport control we board Turkish Airlines flight TK1369, departing at 08.00 for Malta.

We land at 08.30 local time and our waiting vehicle takes us to Valletta, the capital. A drive around the city walls comes first, then we explore the lively streets on foot. Our first stop is the Barrakka Gardens, laid out by the Knights of St. John on the upper ramparts that surround the city, with views over the Grand Harbour and the 3 old walled cities.

The tour continues with St. John's Co-Cathedral, the Grand Master's Palace and the Parliament Building. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Gozo and Victoria

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra tour to Gozo Island (80 Euro).

Early in the morning we take the ferry to Gozo, Malta's second largest island, from Cirkewwa Port in the north of Malta. The crossing takes about half an hour and passes the small islands of Comino and Cominotto.

On the island we visit Ta' Pinu Church, Dwejra, the Inland Sea, Fungus Rock and the fishing village of Marsalforn. Our last stop is Victoria, the island's capital, where we see the main church, the city walls, the Palace of Justice and the Bishop's Palace before some free time in town. We then return to Malta by ferry and transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

From Mdina to the Three Cities

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra Towns and Cities tour (80 Euro), covering Mdina, Mosta, Marsaxlokk, Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua.

We start in the centre of the island, dominated by the historic citadel of Mdina. In Malta's former capital we walk the walls, which give an almost 360 degree view of the island. Next is Mosta, a historic town in the middle of Malta, known for the Rotunda Church (Mosta Dome) and its huge unsupported dome. The church is remembered as a miracle because of a bomb that fell inside it during World War 2 and did not explode.

Our next stop is Marsaxlokk, a traditional fishing town. Its name comes from "marsa", Arabic for "harbour", and "xlokk", the south-easterly wind. Its harbour is full of brightly painted luzzu boats, and the town is known for its seafood restaurants.

We end the day in the 3 Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua). With narrow stone streets, ramparts, Baroque churches and waterfront promenades, this is where the Knights of Malta first settled in the 16th century, and it formed the backbone of the island's defences. Each carries traces of the knights, the Ottoman sieges and Malta's seafaring past. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Popeye Village and departure

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra tour to Popeye Village (65 Euro). Built as the set of the 1980 Popeye film, the village is now an open-air museum and amusement park. Its wooden houses host interactive shows, play areas and boat trips for film fans and families alike.

At the time set by our guide we transfer to the airport. After check-in and passport control we board Turkish Airlines flight TK1372, departing at 19.55 for Istanbul. We arrive at 00.20 local time, and our tour ends.