IN DEPTH TRIP ITINERARY
Be prepared—Spontaneous changes are part of the fun!
Click on the LOCATION link above for photos and descriptions of these sites.
DAY 1. FRIDAY, MAY 22.
Arrival at Malta International Airport.
Transfer to hotel.
Welcome dinner.
Overnight in hotel.
DAY 2. SATURDAY, MAY 23. Breakfast at hotel.
Full day guided tour through the Capital Valletta.
Our guided tour through the bustling streets will first allow you to view the Barracca Gardens that command a breathtaking panorama of the Grand Harbour and then to St John’s Co-Cathedral, adorned in riches that date back to the Knights of Malta including the world famous Caravaggio painting that is on display in the Oratory of this Cathedral. After we will also visit the Archeology museum and we will view from the outside the Grand Master’s Palace and other buildings of historical importance. Lastly we stop at the Malta Experience, a multivision show that depicts Malta’s history throughout the ages.
Overnight at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.
DAY 3. SUNDAY, MAY 24. Breakfast at hotel.
Full day excursion to Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, Skorba and Ta'Hagrat and New Moon Ceremony.
Much interest has been unearthed at Hagar Qim, notably a decorated pillar altar, two table-altars and some of the `fat lady' statues. Hagar Qim itself consists of a single temple unit. The forecourt and façade follow the pattern typical of temples across the Islands. Particularly noteworthy are the larger orthostats at the corners, which are notched to take the second of the horizontal courses above.
The Mnajdra temples are 10 minutes walking distance to Hagar Qim
Mnajdra is a complex site consisting of three temples overlooking an oval forecourt. The first and oldest temple is a simple three-apsed building and dates to the Ggantija phase. The small rubble walls are a modern reconstruction but the small uprights,with their pitted decoration, are original. The most impressive of the Mnajdra temples is the third, with its largely intact façade and bench constructed in the early Tarxien phase. This temple is perhaps the finest surviving on the Islands.
Skorba Temples lie in fields overlooking Zebbiegh, a hamlet near Mgarr, in northwest Malta. The site comprises two temple remains, side by side. Skorba, excavated in the 1960s, is one of the most informative sites since it was left untouched during the first two phases of archaeological digs at temple sites in the early 19th and 20th centuries.
Ta'Hagrat is an important temple site lying in a picturesque and evocative setting on the outskirts of Mgarr. Dating from around 3600 – 3200 BCE, it is one of the earliest temple buildings in Malta. Ta’ Hagrat is smaller than many of the Islands’ temples, at 15m long internally, but it is better preserved.
Visit of the Meridiana.
On our way back to the hotel we will stop by the Meridiana wine estate. In the ‘wine tour’ we will discover the vineyards and receive background information about Meridiana, its wines and the wine-making process. We will then have the chance to taste a sample of Meridiana’s world-class wines of Maltese character!
Overnight in hotel.
DAY 4. MONDAY, MAY 25. Breakfast at hotel.
Half day excursion to the Hypogeum and the Tarxien Temples
The Hypogeum, or underground cavity, is a unique monument and a splendid example of architecture in the negative. The Hypogeum consists of halls, chambers and passages hewn out of the living rock and covering some 500m². The rock-cut chambers are of diverse shapes and sizes and finished to different standards of workmanship. The complex is grouped in three levels – the upper level (3600—3300 BCE), the middle level (3300—3000 BCE), and the lower level (3150—2500 BCE).
The Tarxien site is situated within 10 minutes walking distance from the Hypogeum.
The Tarxiem temples, dating from 3600 to 2500 BCE, are the most complex of all temple sites in Malta and consists of four megalithic structures. The temples are renowned for the detail of their carvings, which include domestic animals carved in relief, altars, and screens decorated with spiral designs and other patterns. Of particular note is a chamber set into the thickness of the wall between the South and Central temples, which is famous for its relief of two bulls and a sow.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in hotel.
DAY 5. TUESDAY, MAY 26. Breakfast at hotel.
Coach transfer to Cirkewwa and ferry to Gozo.
Full day Gozo including visit of Ggantija temples, Victoria and Calypso Caves.
Gozo is Malta’s smaller sister island. After a twenty-minute crossing, on setting foot in Gozo you will notice that although both islands are similar in history and development Gozo has a character entirely of its own. Gozo, which is a three hilled island, is greener and more picturesque than Malta. During the excursion you will visit the pre-historic Ggantija Temples in the small town of Xaghra.
After the visit of the temples we will discover Victoria. The town of Victoria embraces both the Citadel, the ancient city of the Island, as well as Rabat, the old suburb of the Citadel. There are many places of historical and cultural interest in Victoria and a visit to the Citadel is considered a must. From these fortifications, you can enjoy a superb view of the whole Island.
Then, we will visit the famous Calypso cave. It is situated in Xaghra and overlooks the red sands of Gozo's finest beach, Ramla l-Hamra. This cave is alleged to be the cave referred to by Homer in "The Odyssey". Some are even convinced that Gozo is the Island of Ogygia and the cave to be the one where the beautiful nymph Calypso kept Odysseus as a "prisoner of love" for seven years.
A typical lunch at a bakery will be served during this excursion. You will able to enjoy home made food there with fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits.
After lunch, we will go to the Ramla Bay, the finest sandy beach in the Island.
Transfer back to Malta.
Overnight in hotel.
DAY 6. WEDNESDAY, MAY 27. Breakfast at hotel.
Half day excursion and guided tour to the Three Cities.
We will discover the historical area known as the three cities: Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. A drive past Cospicua will bring us to Vittoriosa where we will walk through the various narrow streets shaded by many historic buildings. From the old quay you we will take a typical harbour ‘fregatina’ for a tour of the famous harbour creeks. In Senglea we have a look from the beautiful ‘vedette’ placed in the centre of the Grand Harbour.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in hotel.(B)
DAY 7. THURSDAY, MAY 28. Breakfast at hotel.
Full day free at leisure.
Farewell Dinner in Mdina.
In the evening we will take a brief walking tour around this tiny city and enjoy a pre-dinner drink on the bastions that command a breath taking view. We will then proceed to a restaurant for a lovely dinner.
Overnight in hotel.
DAY 8. FRIDAY, MAY 29. Breakfast at hotel.
Check out of hotel.
Transfer to the airport for departure
Please note that due to the magical and spontaneous nature of these trips the itinerary is subject to change, although all sites listed will be visited.
For more information:
Call (1) 505 559 4632 or (44) 020 8133 4994
email: annie.tm@greatmystery.org
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