Malta: Valletta, the Blue Grotto & Gozo Island
About Malta - From $3,399.00 USD
Malta has spent 7,000 years perfecting the art of hospitality, and this trip proves it. Wander Valletta's fortress streets and Gozo's rustic lanes, duck into sea caverns by boat, and let a family farm feed you before the limoncello does its job. Ancient temples, warm seas, and even warmer welcomes — this is Malta at its sun-drenched, unhurried best.
Travel Style
The Geluxe Collection
Service Level
Upgraded
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Gozo Cottage Factory, Gozo
Your OMG Day: Hike Ta Cenc Cliffs or Coastal Kayaking, Gozo
Your Foodie Moment: Lunch at the Is Suq a Belt Market, Valletta
Your Foodie Moment: Farm to Table Lunch at Diar il Bniet farm, Dingli. Complimentary arrival transfer. Tuk Tuk Tour Gozo. Visit to Victoria. Gozo's artisanal culinary experience and lunch. Choice of coastal hike or coastal kayak excursion. Visit to Hondoq village. High-speed ferry rides. Guided walking tour of Valletta. Lunch in Is Suq a Belt Market in the heart of Valletta. Guided walking tour of the Three Cities. Blue Grotto boat ride along coastal cliffs. Walk through Hagar-Qim Archaeological Site. Farm to table lunch at family establishment. Guided tour of the Limestone Heritage Park and Gardens. Limoncello making and tasting experience. Tips for all included meals and activities, except for CEO and Porterage. Departure transfer. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Tour Gozo by tuk tuk and explore the historic town of Victoria, Sample Gozo's artisanal food scene on a local culinary experience, Choose your own adventure with optional activities on Gozo, Wander the quiet coastal charm of Hondoq village, Cross to Gozo by high-speed ferry, Take a guided walking tour through Valletta's fortress streets, Eat lunch among the stalls of Is-Suq tal-Belt Market, Walk the historic Three Cities on a guided tour, Cruise into the Blue Grotto's glowing sea caverns by boat, Step back 5,000 years at the Hagar Qim archaeological site, Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch at a family-run farm, Explore the gardens and heritage of Malta's limestone park, Make and taste your own limoncello
What is the maximum and typical number of participants on this tour?
Max 16, Avg 12.
What meals are included in this trip?
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private coach, walking, tuk tuk, small boat, high-speed ferry
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (7 nts)
Itinerary
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Malta: Transfer and Welcome Moment
Touch down in Valletta for a week of active discovery and cultural immersion. Meet your CEO for an included transfer by coach and ferry to your hotel on the island of Gozo. Prepare for a trip of a lifetime including island hikes, culinary delights, historical sights and scenic coastal walks. Every Mediterranean vista is paired with curated comfort and deep local flavours. Arrive and make your way to the meeting point for your private transfer direct to your hotel on the island of Gozo. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group and CEO later this afternoon. Afterwards, enjoy an orientation walk and dinner with your CEO.
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Gozo: Tuk Tuk and Culinary Delights
This morning climb into a private tuk-tuk with your CEO to navigate Gozo’s hidden, narrow streets and visit historic Victoria. Next, immerse your senses at the Gozo Cottage Factory for an artisanal foodie moment. Here you can see the making of gourmet items such as olive oil, wines, liqueurs, jams, balsamic vinegars, and distillates, while exploring the aromas, flavours, and traditional methods behind them. Enjoy a tasting of estate DOK wine, fresh local bread, and traditional delicacies at an included lunch. Return by tuk-tuk for a relaxing afternoon before dinner on your own. Meet your CEO in the hotel lobby to board 6-person motorized tuk-tuks for a 1-hour island tour. Stop in Victoria for a CEO-led orientation walk and free time, followed by a short walk to a local winery for an included wine tasting and lunch. Return to the hotel by tuk-tuk for an independent afternoon and evening, with CEO recommendations available.
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Gozo: Your OMG Day
Today is all about you. Kick off your journey with a choice of active adventures. Trek along Gozo’s rugged Ta’ Cenc cliffs past rugged scenery and serene bays or opt for a coastal kayaking excursion. Reconnect over a local group lunch at Hondoq before a relaxing afternoon. Tonight, explore regional flavors with your CEO’s insider dining recommendations at an optional dinner. This morning meet your CEO in the lobby for your included choice of excursion. Join a local guide for a hike along the Ta’ Cenc cliffs or board a kayak for a paddle along the scenic coastal coves and inlets. At the end of the excursions you will transfer by coach to the town of Hondoq where we regroup for an included local style lunch. There is also time for swimming before transferring by coach to your hotel. Your evening is free to explore as you wish.
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Gozo to Malta
Bid farewell to peaceful Gozo this morning as we board a high-speed ferry, cruising across the sparkling Mediterranean toward the vibrant shores of Malta. Upon arrival, dive straight into the living history of Valletta on a guided walking tour. Explore the city’s iconic waterfront, towering fortifications, and Baroque architecture. Afterwards, enjoy a culinary immersion at Is Suq Tal-Belt. This beautifully restored historic market features a bustling food court where you can navigate artisanal stalls and sample authentic Maltese flavors for lunch. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Depart your hotel by private coach for transfer to the Gozo ferry terminal. Travel via high-speed ferry to Sliema, Malta. Proceed to Valletta for a locally guided walking tour of the waterfront and architecture. Break for lunch at Is Suq Tal-Belt Market. Proceed by private coach to your hotel in Sliema for an afternoon at leisure prior to independent evening dining in Sliema. Perhaps join your CEO for an orientation walk around the hotel and optional dinner tonight.
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Malta: Explore the Three Cities
Today you step back in time during a locally guided tour of the three cities, the fortified maritime heart of Malta whose history predates even Valletta and is the ancient cradle of Malta. Start with a walk through the historic, winding streets of Senglea (Isla) passing by St. Philip's Church, uncovering towering bastions and hidden gardens that look out over panoramic views of the Grand Harbour. Next, trace the waterfront promenade and cross the marina into medieval Birgu (Vittoriosa) pausing to absorb the deep heritage of the Knights of St. John. After working up an appetite, conclude your active morning of discovery by gathering at a handpicked local restaurant to savor a traditional Maltese lunch. This morning transfer by private coach for a locally guided tour of the Three Cities. Walk through the historic streets of Senglea, Cospicua (Bormla) and Birgu along waterfronts and through gardens. Stop to see the Inquisitor’s Palace before sitting down for an included local restaurant lunch. An included transfer takes you back to your hotel in Sliema for a free afternoon and evening.
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Malta: Highlights of the Island
Your day begins at the stunning Blue Grotto. Board a traditional boat to glide through sea caverns, marveling at the vibrant, glowing shades of cyan and cobalt reflected on the limestone walls. Next, journey to the dramatic cliffside setting of Hagar Qim. During a self-guided exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage megalithic complex, travel back 5,000 years in time, as you walk among some of the oldest freestanding stone structures on Earth. Conclude your morning adventure at Diar il Bniet, an authentic estate farm. Here, you will gather for an estate-to-table lunch celebrating Malta's culinary traditions, packed with fresh, locally harvested ingredients. Transfer by private coach to the Blue Grotto for a private boat tour of the coastal caves and inlets. Returning to the harbor we transfer to Hagar Qim for a visit to this ancient site. Along the way the CEO will introduce you to the importance of this site. Upon arrival, you have free time to explore the ruins on your own. Conclude the day with a local style lunch at Diar il Bniet farm. Return to your hotel by coach for a free late afternoon and evening. Perhaps join your CEO for an optional dinner tonight.
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Malta: Limestone Heritage Park and Limoncello Making
Your morning begins at the Limestone Heritage Park and Gardens. On a guided tour of this historic quarry, discover the 22-million-year story of the golden limestone shaping Malta's architecture. Next, head to the citrus orchard, sheltered by towering quarry walls that create a lush microclimate. Here, join a hands-on Limoncello Making experience. Craft this traditional liqueur using freshly picked lemons, followed by a chilled tasting. Any remaining fruit is sustainably repurposed into refreshing sorbet. Afterward, transfer to the historic village of Naxxar for a local lunch on your own. This morning meet your CEO for a transfer by coach to the Limestone Heritage Park. Here you will have a locally guided walk through the grounds. Continue by coach to the historic town of Naxxar for free time and lunch on your own. Return to your hotel by coach.
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Departure Day
Today your adventure comes to an end, but the memories made during your time in Malta will live on. The adventure finishes today, and you can depart at any time.
What are the mandatory travel insurance requirements for this trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
