Valletta

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

Upon arrival at the Malta International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall after Customs and luggage claim and transferred to the Phoenicia Malta hotel or similar. Check-in time is 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.

Long regarded as a national treasure, the hotel property and beautifully landscaped gardens are ideally located near the city’s 16th-century bastions.

There will be a Hospitality desk set up in the hotel for any program questions or assistance with local sightseeing and dining recommendations for the week. The time will be determined once arrival flight details are known. The welcome letter that you will receive upon arrival at the hotel will detail the location and times.

The remainder of the day will be at your leisure and meals will be on your own.

DAY 2

After breakfast at your hotel, 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.

Return to your hotel where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure and meals will be on your own.

DAY 3

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 4

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.

Your program concludes with a transfer to the port of Malta where you will embark the ship.

Land Program Details Step by Step

•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times 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. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further 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.

•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel spaces released.

Extra Nights

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.

•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night, as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.

•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

DAY 1

Arrive at the Malta airport, meet our representative in the Arrivals Hall and transfer to your hotel. Check in is at 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed. Meals will be on your own.

Hospitality desk at the hotel

Overnight at the Phoenicia Malta or similar hotel

Meet and Greet and transfers

•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.

•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.

•Meet and Greets and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Transfers will not be included for guests arriving independently before the program start date.

•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.

DAY 2

From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

8:15am Meet your guide in the lobby

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 3

From7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

8:45am Meet your guide in the lobby

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 4

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 Drive to the port of Malta for embarkation’

1:30pm Approximate time of arrival at the port

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 arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival 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.

Walk through some of the most enchanting towns and botanical gardens in Malta, while admiring the architectural and archaeological treasures the reveal that island’s extraordinary history.

NOTE: this program includes a lot of walking, at time over uneven ground and as such is not recommended for anyone with walking difficulty or guests who utilize a wheelchair.

DAY 1

Upon arrival at the Malta International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall after Customs and luggage claim and transferred to the Phoenicia Malta hotel or similar. Check-in time is 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.

Long regarded as a national treasure, the hotel property and beautifully landscaped gardens are ideally located near the city’s 16th-century bastions.

There will be an RSSC Hospitality desk set up in the hotel for any program questions or assistance with local sightseeing and dining recommendations for the week. The time will be determined once arrival flight details are known. The welcome letter that you will receive upon arrival at the hotel will detail the location and times.

The remainder of the day will be at your leisure and meals will be on your own.

DAY 2

After departing the hotel on foot, you will enjoy a guided walking tour of Valletta, Malta’s capital city. While browsing the Upper Barracca Gardens, you will be treated to a panoramic view of Malta’s natural harbors and the historic cities of Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa.

You will continue to St John’s Co-Cathedral – the Conventual Church of the Knights of Malta – where you can view Caravaggio’s masterpiece “The Beheading of St. John the Baptist.” You will then walk to the Magisterial Palace, formerly the residence of the Grand Masters of the Order, to see the tapestry chamber and state rooms.

Following a bit of free time for shopping, you will drive to Senglea for an enlightening walk through the city.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will proceed to Vittoriosa via Cospicua for another leisurely walk. Along the way, you will enjoy exterior views of historical sites such as the Church of St Lawrence and the Fort St Angelo.

Finally, you will embark a traditional Maltese Dghajsa boat for a 30-minute cruise around the harbor. Be aware that these traditional boats hold a maximum of 6 passengers and are not covered, so sun protection is a must.

After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the day and evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.

DAY 3

Following breakfast, you will depart for Rabat, where you will walk through town and visit St. Paul’s Catacombs, an underground burial place used by the early Christians. Continuing on, you will see the Cathedral in Mdina and the defensive bastions that date to the 9th century. The elevated bastions offer a lovely panoramic view of the island. The main attraction in nearby Mosta is its massive church dome, considered the third largest in Europe.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will drive to Naxxar to visit Palazzo Parisio and its gardens. To complement the experience, you will spend time in the San Anton Gardens, as well.

After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the day and evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.

DAY 4

After breakfast and check out from the hotel, you will drive to the southern part of the island to visit the Tarxiene Temples archaeological complex and Hagar Qim, another excavated temple site.

You will then drive to the Blue Grotto in Wied iz-Zurrieq, where you will have the option of seeing it by boat for a charge of about 8 Euros or just wandering about the grotto at your leisure. See the grotto from a cliff viewpoint or relax at a seaside café taking in the views.

NOTE: only Euros are accepted as form of payment for the optional boat tour, the tour is weather dependent

Afterwards, you will drive to the port and embark the cruise ship.

Land Program Details Step by Step

•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times 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. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further 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.

•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel spaces released.

Extra Nights

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.

•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night, as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.

•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

DAY 1

Arrive at the Malta airport, meet our representative in the Arrivals Hall and transfer to your hotel. Check in is at 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed. Meals will be on your own.

Overnight at the Phoenicia Malta or similar hotel

Meet and Greet and transfers

•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.

•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.

•Meet and Greets and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Transfers will not be included for guests arriving independently before the program start date.

•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.

DAY 2

From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Walk towards Valletta

9:30am Walk to the Upper Barracca Gardens

9:45am Visit the gardens

10:15am Walk to St. John’s Co-Cathedral

10:30am Visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral

11:30am Proceed to the Magisterial Palace

11:45am Visit the state rooms and tapestry chambers

12:30pm Free time for browsing or shopping

1:00pm Walk to the coach and drive towards Senglea

1:30pm Stop for lunch in a local restaurant

3:00pm Short walk through the narrow streets of Senglea

3:30pm Drive to Vittoriosa via Cospicua and walk its narrow streets

4:00pm Boat ride on a traditional Maltese Dghajsa

4:30pm Return to the hotel

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 Rabat

9:30am Walk to St. Paul’s Catacombs

9:45am Visit St. Paul’s Catacombs

10:20am Walk to Mdina

10:40am Visit the Cathedral and ramparts in Mdina

11:25am Drive to Mosta and visit the Mosta Church

12:25pm Walk to a restaurant for lunch

12:35pm Lunch

2:15pm Drive to Naxxar

2:20pm Visit Palazzo Parisio and its gardens

3:10pm Drive to San Anton Gardens

3:30pm Visit San Anton Gardens

4:30pm Drive back to the hotel

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Phoenicia Malta or similar hotel

DAY 4

From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Board coach for a panoramic drive to Tarxien

9:30am Visit the Neolithic Tarxien Temples

10:15am Drive towards the Hagar Qim Temple

10:30am Visit the Temple

11:20am Drive towards Zurrieq to the Blue Grotto

11:40am Time at leisure or for those wishing to take the boat ride

Cost is not included and subject to weather conditions

12:30pm Drive to the port

1:30pm Approximate arrival at the port for embarkation

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

2 lunches including a glass of wine, water and coffee/tea

Entrances per the itinerary

English-speaking guide throughout

Transfers

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival 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.

•Meals or beverages not specified above.

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. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.

Walk through some of the most enchanting towns and botanical gardens in Malta, while admiring the architectural and archaeological treasures the reveal that island’s extraordinary history.

NOTE: A good portion of this program is on foot, at time over uneven ground and as such is not recommended for anyone with walking difficulty or guests who utilize a wheelchair.

DAY 1

Disembark the ship in Malta, meet your guide you will enjoy a guided walking tour of Valletta, Malta’s capital city. While browsing the Upper Barracca Gardens, you will be treated to a panoramic view of Malta’s natural harbors and the historic cities of Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa.

You will continue to St John’s Co-Cathedral – the Conventual Church of the Knights of Malta – where you can view Caravaggio’s masterpiece “The Beheading of St. John the Baptist.”

You will then walk to the Museum of Archaeology, where you will see a collection of artefacts dating back from Malta’s Neolithic period (5900 – 2500BC) up till the early Phoenician period (8th – 6th Century BC).

Next, drive to Senglea for an enlightening walk through the city.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will embark a traditional Maltese Dghajsa boat for a 30-minute cruise around the harbor. Be aware that these traditional boats hold a maximum of 6 passengers and are not covered, so sun protection is a must.

Proceed to Vittoriosa via Cospicua for another leisurely walk. Along the way, you will enjoy exterior views of historical sites such as the Church of St Lawrence and the Fort St Angelo.

Finally, proceed to your hotel for check in where the remainder of the day and evening will be at your leisure with dinner 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 will detail the location and times.

DAY 2

Following breakfast, you will depart for Rabat, where you will walk through town and visit St. Paul’s Catacombs, an underground burial place used by the early Christians.

Continuing on, you will see the Cathedral in Mdina and the defensive bastions that date to the 9th century. The elevated bastions offer a lovely panoramic view of the island. The main attraction in nearby Mosta is its massive church dome, considered the third largest in Europe.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will drive to Naxxar to visit Palazzo Parisio and its gardens. To complement the experience, you will spend time in the San Anton Gardens, as well.

After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the day and evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.

DAY 3

After breakfast, drive to the southern part of the island to visit the Tarxiene Temples archaeological complex and Hagar Qim, another excavated temple site.

You will then drive to the Blue Grotto in Wied iz-Zurrieq, where you will have the option of seeing it by boat for a charge of about 8 Euros or just wandering about the grotto at your leisure. See the grotto from a cliff viewpoint or relax at a seaside café taking in the views.

NOTE: only Euros are accepted as form of payment for the optional boat tour, the tour is weather dependent.

Return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Lunch and dinner are on your own.

DAY 4

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and transferring to the Malta International Airport. Room check out is at 11:00am, however arrangements can be made for the hotel to securely store your luggage should you need longer. Your transfer will be booked according to the flight details provided.

Land Program Details Step by Step:

•Please note: 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 the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your 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

8:30am Disembark the ship, meet your guide and drive to Valetta

9:30am Visit the Upper Barracca Gardens

9:15am Visit the gardens and a photo opportunity of the Grand Harbor

10:00am Walk to St. John’s Co-Cathedral

10:15am Visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral

11:30am Walk to the Museum of Archaeology

12:30pm Walk back to your coach and drive towards Senglea

1:00pm Walk through the narrow streets of Senglea

1:30pm Stop for lunch in a local restaurant

3:00pm Boat ride on a traditional Maltese Dghajsa

3:30pm Drive to Vittoriosa via Cospicua and walk its narrow streets

4:00pm Free time at leisure

4:30pm Return to the hotel

Hospitality desk Hours TBA

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta or similar

DAY 2

From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Drive to Rabat

9:30am Walk to St. Paul’s Catacombs

9:45am Visit St. Paul’s Catacombs

10:20am Walk to Mdina

10:40am Visit the Cathedral and ramparts in Mdina

11:25am Drive to Mosta and visit the Mosta Church

12:25pm Walk to a restaurant for lunch

12:35pm Lunch

2:00pm Drive to Naxxar

2:20pm Visit Palazzo Parisio and its gardens

3:10pm Drive to San Anton Gardens

3:30pm Visit San Anton Gardens

4:30pm Drive back to the hotel

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta or similar

DAY 3

From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Board coach for a panoramic drive to Tarxien

9:30am Visit the Neolithic Tarxien Temples

10:15am Drive towards the Hagar Qim Temple

10:30am Visit the Temple

11:20am Drive towards Zurrieq to the Blue Grotto

11:40am Time at leisure or for those wishing to take the boat ride

Cost is not included and subject to weather conditions

12:30pm Return to your hotel

1:00pm Approximate arrival at your hotel

Remainder of the day at your leisure

Lunch and dinner on own

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta or similar

DAY 4

AM Breakfast at the hotel

11:00am Hotel check out

TBA Transfer to Malt International Airport for your return flight.

Transfers are arranged according to your flight details.

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 time 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 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.

Should you book any 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 have occupation of your room until your 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

Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta or similar

Great Siege Road, Floriana FRN1810, Malta

Phone: +356 2125 0520

*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 Superior Deluxe Partial Seaview room including breakfast at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta or similar hotel

•2 lunches including a glass of wine, water and coffee/tea

•Entrances per the itinerary

•English-speaking guide throughout

•Transfers

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has your departure flight 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.

•Meals or beverages not specified above.

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.

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.

Walk through some of the most enchanting towns and botanical gardens in Malta, while admiring the architectural and archaeological treasures the reveal that island’s extraordinary history.

NOTE: Much of this tour is on foot, at time over uneven ground and as such is not recommended for anyone with walking difficulty or guests who utilize a wheelchair.

DAY 1

Upon arrival at the Malta International Airport, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall after Customs and luggage claim and transferred to your hotel. Check-in time is 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.

There will be a Hospitality desk set up in the hotel for any program questions or assistance with local sightseeing and dining recommendations for the week. The time will be determined once arrival flight details are known. The welcome letter that you will receive upon arrival at the hotel will detail the location and times.

The remainder of the day will be at your leisure and meals will be on your own.

DAY 2

After departing the hotel on foot, you will enjoy a guided walking tour of Valletta, Malta’s capital city. While browsing the Upper Barracca Gardens, you will be treated to a panoramic view of Malta’s natural harbors and the historic cities of Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa.

You will continue to St John’s Co-Cathedral – the Conventual Church of the Knights of Malta – where you can view Caravaggio’s masterpiece “The Beheading of St. John the Baptist.”

You will then walk to the Museum of Archaeology, where you will see a collection of artefacts dating back from Malta’s Neolithic period (5900 – 2500BC) up till the early Phoenician period (8th – 6th Century BC).

Next, drive to Senglea for an enlightening walk through the city.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will embark a traditional Maltese Dghajsa boat for a 30-minute cruise around the harbor. Be aware that these traditional boats hold a maximum of 6 passengers and are not covered, so sun protection is a must.

Proceed to Vittoriosa via Cospicua for another leisurely walk. Along the way, you will enjoy exterior views of historical sites such as the Church of St Lawrence and the Fort St Angelo.

Finally, after returning to the hotel, the remainder of the day and evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.

DAY 3

Following breakfast, depart your hotel and drive to Naxxar to visit Palazzo Parisio and its gardens.

Proceed then to Rabat, where you will walk through town and visit St. Paul’s Catacombs, an underground burial place used by the early Christians. Continuing on, you will see the Cathedral in Mdina and the defensive bastions that date to the 9th century. The elevated bastions offer a lovely panoramic view of the island. Proceed then to Mosta and visit its massive church dome, considered the third largest in Europe. Lunch at a local restaurant. To complement the experience, you will spend time in the San Anton Gardens, as well. After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the day and evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.

Next proceed to Rabat, where you will walk through town and visit St. Paul’s Catacombs, an underground burial place used by the early Christians. Continuing on, you will see the Cathedral in Mdina and the defensive bastions that date to the 9th century. The elevated bastions offer a lovely panoramic view of the island. The main attraction in nearby Mosta is its massive church dome, considered the third largest in Europe.

After lunch at a local restaurant, spend some time in the San Anton Gardens before returning to your hotel where the remainder of the day and evening will be at your leisure. Dinner is on your own.

DAY 4

After breakfast and check out from the hotel, you will drive to the southern part of the island to visit the Tarxiene Temples archaeological complex and Hagar Qim, another excavated temple site.

You will then drive to the Blue Grotto in Wied iz-Zurrieq, where you will have the option of seeing it by boat for a charge of about 8 Euros or just wandering about the grotto at your leisure. See the grotto from a cliff viewpoint or relax at a seaside café taking in the views.

NOTE: only Euros are accepted as form of payment for the optional boat tour, the tour is weather dependent.

Afterwards, you will drive to the port and embark the cruise ship.

Land Program Details Step by Step

•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times 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. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further 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.

•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel spaces released.

Extra Nights

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.

•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night, as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.

•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

DAY 1

Arrive at the Malta airport, meet our representative in the Arrivals Hall and transfer to your hotel. Check in is at 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed. Meals will be on your own.

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta or similar

Meet and Greet and transfers

•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.

•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.

•Meet and Greets and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Transfers will not be included for guests arriving independently before the program start date.

•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.

DAY 2

From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Group departs the hotel for the historical city center

9:30am Walk to the Upper Barracca Gardens

9:45am Visit the gardens

10:00am Walk to St. John’s Co-Cathedral

10:15am Visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral

11:30am Walk to the Museum of Archaeology

12:30pm Walk back to your coach and drive towards Senglea

1:00pm Walk through the narrow streets of Senglea

1:30pm Stop for lunch in a local restaurant

3:00pm Boat ride on a traditional Maltese Dghajsa

3:30pm Drive to Vittoriosa via Cospicua and walk its narrow streets

4:00pm Free time at leisure

4:30pm Return to the hotel

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta or similar

DAY 3

From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Drive to Naxxar

9:30am Visit Palazzo Parisio and its gardens

10:15am Drive to Rabat

10:35am Visit St. Paul’s Catacombs

11:05am Walk to Mdina

11:15am Visit the Cathedral and ramparts in Mdina

12:00pm Drive to Mosta and visit the Mosta Church

1:00pm Walk to a local restaurant for lunch

3:00pm Visit the San Anton Gardens

4:00pm Drive back to your hotel

4:30pm Arrive at your hotel

Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on own

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta or similar

DAY 4

From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Board coach for a panoramic drive to Tarxien

9:30am Visit the Neolithic Tarxien Temples

10:15am Drive towards the Hagar Qim Temple

10:30am Visit the Temple

11:20am Drive towards Zurrieq to the Blue Grotto

11:40am Time at leisure or for those wishing to take the boat ride

Cost is not included and subject to weather conditions

12:30pm Drive to the port

1:00pm Approximate arrival at the port for embarkation

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

Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta or similar

Great Siege Road, Floriana FRN1810, Malta

Phone: +356 2125 0520

*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 Superior Deluxe Partial Seaview room including breakfast at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta or similar hotel

2 lunches including a glass of wine, water and coffee/tea

Entrances per the itinerary

English-speaking guide throughout

Transfers

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival 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.

•Meals or beverages not specified above.

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. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.