Extension from £209pp
Tour + Extension from £1058pp
To book call us on 0800 781 4893
Extend your stay in historic Malta with this 3-night add-on. Explore more of Malta's fascinating history in Valletta, go shopping in Sliema's many boutiques or simply relax, the choice is yours.
Depart London on your scheduled, direct flight to Malta. On arrival, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel, re-joining your group later tonight for a welcome dinner.
Embark on a walking tour of the fortified 16th-century city of Valletta, a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site founded by the Knights of St John. After a brief introduction to the city's history and growth, discover its magnificent Baroque architecture, stopping to admire St John's Co-Cathedral, the Auberge de Castille, and the Church of St Paul's Shipwreck, then visiting St. George's Square to view the opulent Grand Master's Palace. As you wander through the city, your guide will point out the new Parliament Building, the ruins of the Royal Opera House, and historic sites such as the Great Siege Monument, The Siege Bell Memorial, and Fort St. Elmo. Continue through lively Piazza Regina, then stroll around the idyllic Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens and hear about Valletta's role as the 2018 European Capital of Culture as you gaze down over the Grand Harbour.
Follow a countryside trail along Marfa Ridge, enjoying uninterrupted views of the bay from your elevated pathway as you pass farmland, wooded outcrops and golden cliffs. Starting at the island's largest sandy beach, Mellieha Bay, walk towards the summit of the ridge where the imposing Red Tower is located. Explore this age-old fortification, last used as a gun post in WW2, and soak in sweeping views from its rooftop before continuing along the ridge to the solitary Immaculate Conception Chapel and onward to the White Tower. Your route leads uphill to picturesque Paradise Bay and winds down to terraced fields hanging off the cliff's edge. Take in views of the Mediterranean as your trail returns to the Red Tower where you will transfer back to your hotel.
Today's country walk through Girgenti takes you to areas of lush greenery and historical sites, starting at the woodland gardens of Buskett. Enjoy time at leisure to wander along winding paths through this botanical haven, then set out on your walking trail. Pass the prehistoric Clapham Junction cart ruts, gouged into the rocky wayside, and the unique cave settlement of Ghar il-Kbir which was inhabited right into the 1830s. Continue to the villages of Siggiewi and Qrendi, dotted with elegant churches, chapels and a charming town square, before you finally arrive at the crater hole of Il-Maqluba, a geological feature surrounded by enduring legends and folklore.
The Victoria Lines, a long, defensive wall that stretches 12km through Malta's interior, are an excellent way to view both the peaceful coastline of western Malta and the lively resort towns to the east. From your starting point in Madliena, walk down a rugged pathway and across a bridge, passing the village of Gharghur. Walking alongside the Lines, you'll come across Il Widna (Maltese for "the Ear"), pre-WW2 buildings used as sound radars to alert Maltese soldiers to aeroplanes leaving nearby Sicily. The trail takes you past a series of historic, rock-cut cart ruts before finishing at perhaps the most spectacular scenic location on the island of Malta - Fomm Ir-Rih Bay, which boasts a long, unspoilt stretch of beach.
Experience a different aspect of rural Malta as today's route leads you alongside the island's eastern coastline. Starting from the parish church of Marsaskala, walk along the promenade and witness colourful, traditional 'luzzu' boats, fishing trawlers and local fishermen mending their nets. Pass the immense 17th century St Thomas Tower, built to guard the entrance to the bay, then continue along the coast of idyllic St Thomas Bay. Numerous points of interest lie along your path, including the ruins of coastal batteries, lighthouses, Fort Delimara and picture-perfect views of Marsaxlokk Bay on one side and Delima
Following your walking tour, enjoy an extended stay in Qawra, which is the perfect base to either relax or explore more of what the island has to offer.
This day is free for you to spend at leisure, relax at your hotel or explore more of Malta, the choice is yours.
This day is free for you to spend at leisure.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
A visa is not required for your trip to Malta. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Your flight is to Malta with Air Malta (KM), departing from London Heathrow Terminal 4. Each passenger is entitled to 20kg of hold luggage and one piece of hand luggage not exceeding 5kg and with maximum total dimensions not exceeding 113cm (50 cm x 45cm x 18cm). Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 2 hours before departure.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
During this walking holiday, walks will average 3 to 4 hours daily. Some walks will be through rural countryside following narrow trails made up of dirt or stone tracks with small inclines and declines. Whilst other walks will be through towns and villages. This holiday requires a reasonable level of fitness. If you are in any doubt as to the tours suitability, please speak to your GP as soon as possible as this is a physical holiday.
There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
The main tour is a fully escorted with local guides throughout ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. Accommodation and transfers are included for the Historic Malta extension but there is no guide so your time will be free.
The currency in Malta is the Euro (EUR). You can exchange your currency before you travel, or whilst you are in Malta. Cash machines will be available throughout your tour for you to withdraw money in the local currency.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any meals where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£300 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour. Tipping for your driver and guide will be at your discretion. Tips are accepted in the local currency, however, it is asked that if you do not tip in the local currency that you only pay with notes, as coins cannot be exchanged.
| Depart UK | Arrive UK | Extension Price | Tour Price | Total Price | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 DATES | |||||
| Qawra Palace Hotel | |||||
| 22 Mar 2019 | 01 Apr 2019 | £209 | £849 | £1058 | Book Now |
| 12 Apr 2019 | 22 Apr 2019 | £209 | £899 | £1108 | Book Now |
| 26 Apr 2019 | 06 May 2019 | £249 | £899 | £1148 | Book Now |
| 10 May 2019 | 20 May 2019 | £249 | £999 | £1248 | Book Now |
Please note that on 23/08/18 the Preluna Hotel is unavailable for this extension. Instead, you will stay at the 4-star Qawra Palace Hotel in Qawra.
Euro
3 hours
13 °C / 27 °C
Maltese, English
0800 781 4893 (free)
0333 321 3144 (mobile friendly)
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