Travel into Malta’s picturesque countryside, exploring idyllic villages and farms that still practice traditional ways to craft artisanal products, many of which you will sample following enlightening tours.
DAY 1
After meeting the guide at the pier, you will travel to Qormi, an inland city known for its traditional Maltese bread and baked sweets. A baker will elaborate on their ingredients, the process of kneading the dough and exactly how the goods are baked. Samples will be offered.
A similar experience awaits you in Hemsija, where you will meet a farmer-vintner that will describe how Maltese wines are typically produced. Afterwards, you will be given a sampling of wine to take with you.
You will next visit Rabat in western Malta. Your introduction to the city will begin by snacking on a traditional pastizzi pastry and then taking an enlightening walk through the narrow, shop-lined streets. You will then head to a farm in Santi and participate in a workshop to learn how the farmer produces artisanal cheeses from the sheep’s milk.
Continuing on to another farm in Bingemma, you will tour its olive grove and learn how the extra-virgin oil is produced. A tasting of local delicacies will follow to give you an understanding of the importance of agriculture throughout Malta.
Driving on toward Valletta, you will check into the Phoenicia Malta hotel. Long regarded as a national treasure, the hotel property and beautifully landscaped gardens are ideally located near the city’s 16th-century bastions. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure and meals will be on your own.
There will be a two-hour Hospitality Desk set up in the hotel for any program questions or assistance with local sightseeing and dining recommendations for the week. The welcome letter you will receive at the start of the program will detail the location and times.
DAY 2
After breakfast, you will meet the guide and head to the salt pans in the southeastern part of the Island. There, you will learn how salt is harvested from the sea and discover uses for salt that go well beyond seasoning food. The harvesting techniques have been handed down through the generations and are wonderfully low tech.
As you will have noticed by driving around Malta, many of the buildings are made with limestone, a natural resource that was first used about 6,000 years ago to construct temples. You will discover much about the process at the Limestone Heritage Park and Gardens in Siggiewi, where a resident artisan will demonstrate limestone sculpting. Here you will also enjoy a typical “farmers lunch” including freshly made local breads, honey, locally made cheeses, fresh vegetables and fruits, Maltese coffee and free flowing local wines. (food selections subject to change)
Later, in Rabat, traditional weaver Antoine Tan-Newl will elaborate on his craft and the reasons why others don’t use his traditional techniques. A light snack follows in the nearby village of Lija, where you will visit a bocci club. Similar to the French game of Petanque, English Bowls and Italian Bocce, the Maltese version of the pastime is played in nearly every village.
After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the day will be at your leisure and dinner will be on your own.
DAY 3
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will settle in for a panoramic drive to Mellieha to see St Agatha’s tower, also known as the Red Tower. This large bastioned watchtower was built in the mid-1600s for defensive purposes and continues to offer magnificent, sweeping views of Gozo, Comino and the surrounding landscape.
You will then proceed to the Sanctuary of our Lady of Mellieha, a Roman Catholic church in the village of Mellieha. The oldest Marian shrine in Malta, it is built on the site of a cave that is traditionally linked to the establishment of Christianity on the island.
Following free time to explore and take photos, you will travel to Meridiana wine estate in Ta Qali, where some of Malta’s most characteristic wines are produced. After learning about the viticulture, you will sample two distinctly different wines paired with local delicacies.
You will then return to the hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure and meals will be on your own.
There will be a two-hour Hospitality desk set up in the hotel for program questions, dining and local sightseeing recommendations and departure transfer information. Your guide will brief you on the location and times.
DAY 4
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will transfer to the Malta International Airport based on the flight details provided. For guests with late flights, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer time.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the latest details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review the final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
8:00am Disembark in Valetta and meet your guide
8:30am Depart for Qormi
8:55am Visit a traditional bakery
9:30am Drive to Hemsija
10:00am Meet a farmer & wine maker
10:35am Drive to Rabat
11:00am Rabat walk and snack
12:00pm Drive to Santi
12:15pm Sheep farm & artisanal cheese workshop
12:45pm Drive to Bingemma
1:00pm Olive grove experience & tasting
3:00pm Drive to your hotel for check in
Remainder of the day at leisure, lunch and dinner on own
Overnight at the Phoenicia Malta or similar hotel
DAY 2
From7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Drive to Marsascala
9:30am Visit the salt pans
10:15am Drive to Siggiewi
10:45am Heritage Park and Gardens including a farmer’s lunch
12:45pm Depart for Rabat
2:00pm Visit Antoine tan-Newl
3:00pm Drive to Lija
3:20pm Visit local bocci club
4:30pm Return to your hotel, remainder of the day at leisure
Dinner on your own
Overnight at the Phoenicia Malta or similar hotel
DAY 3
From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Drive to Mellieha
9:45am Panoramic views of Gozo & Comino and surrounding terrain
10:15am Drive to the Mellieha Parish Church
10:30am Visit the Marian Sanctuary
11:00am Free time for photo taking
11:30am Drive to Ta Qali
12:00pm Visit the wine estates and enjoy a wine tasting at Meridiana
1:00pm Return to the hotel, remainder of the afternoon on own
Lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight at the Phoenicia Malta or similar hotel
DAY 4
7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
11:00am Check-out from the hotel
TBA Transfers to the Malta International Airport according to the flight details provided. For guests with late flights, luggage storage is available until your transfer time.
Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out is 11:00am (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure that the cruise line has their most up-to-date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
If you book extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late-departing flight, you may wish to book an extra night so that you can occupy your room until departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 11:00am. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather
Expect sunny and humid weather in August and September with possible rain showers.
Daytime high temperature is 27°C / 80°F
What to Bring
Casual attire, good walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, umbrella, camera and bathing suit.
Local Currency
The official currency of Malta is the Euro. USD are rarely accepted. Credit and debit cards such as American Express, Master card and Visa are accepted everywhere on the island.
Electricity
For Malta, the associated plug type is G, which has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Malta operates on a 220V/240V supply voltage and 50Hz. We recommend brining a universal travel adaptor for electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport valid for at least 3 months after your departure date is required. Guests should consult with their local Maltese embassy for any visa regulations for their nationality.
Hotel address
Phoenicia Malta
The Mall FRN1478, Floriana, Malta
Phone: +356 2122 5241
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests
3 nights in an Executive Room including breakfast at the Phoenicia Malta or similar hotel
1 lunch with beverages
Entrances and tastings per the itinerary
English-speaking guide throughout
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests
•Gratuities for drivers and guides.
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service.
•Beverages during meals.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces that may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be occasional steps or stairs. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
