Malta – Island Break from Thessaloniki

We enjoy a delicious breakfast and begin our tour of Valletta, the famous capital of the Order of St. John. Valletta is a fortified city, built on a narrow promontory, flanked by two natural harbors, and home to the imposing Fort Saint Elmo. The city was built by the Knights of the Order of St. John after the Great Siege by the Ottomans in 1565. The tour is on foot, as cars are prohibited in the Old Town. It is a unique castle town of great historical significance and boundless beauty. We will walk through the narrow, picturesque streets and enjoy the atmosphere of a bygone era. We’ll admire the Barrakka Gardens, from where we’ll take in the panoramic view of Malta’s Grand Harbor (Grand Harbor) and the three historic cities linked to the two great sieges of 1565 and 1942. Although traveling back in time is impossible, this stroll through the island’s fortified cities is a true immersion in the past. We’ll also stroll down the main pedestrian street, Triq Ir-Repubblika, with its old buildings featuring “enclosed” balconies, the shops with their vintage signs, and we’ll explore the narrow, vertical alleys lined with golden, weathered buildings and worn-down palazzi bathed in the sea breeze. We’ll also see the Grand Master’s Palace and St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Malta’s most impressive church and an outstanding example of Maltese Baroque. The cathedral was built between 1573 and 1578 as a monastery church for the Knights of St. John. If you choose to visit this church-museum, you’ll admire two of Caravaggio’s most famous works: the “The Beheading of St. John the Baptist” and “St. Jerome.” Return to the hotel.

The 4-day tour also includes: A trip to explore the areas around the three cities—Cospicua, Seglea, and Vittoriosa, the first capital and headquarters of the Knights of St. John during the Great Siege of 1565 (The Three Cities). A unique complex of architectural structures—castles, residences, and important buildings—set in a magnificent location in the Grand Harbor (Grand Harbour) and show strong influences from the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Knights of St. John, and the British. We’ll stroll through the picturesque alleys of Vittoriosa, the Knights’ first capital. From its ramparts, we’ll enjoy the magical view of Valletta and wander through the medieval alleys, past the buildings of the Inquisition, the monasteries, and the Execution Square. Return to the hotel.

We enjoy a good breakfast at the hotel and begin our tour at the geographical center of Malta. The country, which is no larger than Naxos, has a population of about 480,000 and ranks first in population density in the European Union. Wherever you look, you’ll see buildings, cities, and castles. On our tour, we’ll visit the impressive Mosta Cathedral, which features the third-largest dome in Europe, and then we’ll head to Ta Ali National Park, where we’ll visit the famous blown-glass workshop as well as the silver and goldsmiths’ workshop. We will then head to the hill of Rabat to visit the famous Medina. It is called the “silent city” because it is fortified within an impregnable castle and due to its mysterious atmosphere. It served as the island’s capital during the Middle Ages, before the Knights of St. John built their fortress near the sea. It suffered severe damage from the 1693 earthquake. When the Knights took over the island, the old Maltese aristocracy settled here. Today, through careful maintenance and controlled restoration, efforts are being made—with the help of UNESCO—to preserve its magnificent Baroque architecture, which in many cases is combined with distinctive Arab and Norman elements. It is the most elegant—but also the most expensive—neighborhood in Malta. The heavy, intricately carved wooden doors of its houses are rarely opened. The town has no commercial life and seems to live more in its glorious past than in the present. Its magical atmosphere remains unspoiled by the crowds of tourists who flock there. On our walk, we’ll admire impressive tower houses with their characteristic ornate lanterns, stone-built monasteries, and Norman palaces. Immediately afterward, we’ll visit the aristocratic community of Attard, the famous Gardens of Saint Anthony, and the Presidential Palace. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, take photos of the vintage “magic buses” from the 1950s, and sample the local cuisine, renowned for its fresh fish and vegetable soups. Return to the hotel.

We wake up in the heart of the Mediterranean and enjoy our breakfast! After breakfast, spend your time however you like, or join us on an optional full-day excursion to the enchanting island of Gozo. To reach the second-largest island in the Maltese Archipelago, we’ll head to the ferry terminal and board the ferry. The exceptional beauty of the landscape, the charming houses and farmsteads, and the ever-changing scenery you’ll encounter will quickly convince you just how worthwhile your visit to the island of Gozo was. We’ll visit Rabat, with its famous castle, the old town, and the cave where the nymph Calypso once lived (weather permitting). We’ll also visit the picturesque fishing village of Xlendi, where we’ll have time for lunch. Return to the hotel.

We have breakfast at the hotel and set out for the famous VILLAGE OF POPAY. Built in a secluded cove in the north of the island, the village—which was constructed for the filming of the 1980 movie *Popeye*—has been transformed into a theme park that will take us back to our childhood. Next, we’ll visit the seaside village of Marsaslok. As its name suggests—which means “harbor of the east wind”—the village has a large harbor and the island’s largest fishing fleet. We’ll admire the traditional, colorful wooden fishing boats with the “Eye of Osiris” on their bows and enjoy a drink in the village’s picturesque square. Return to the hotel.