7 Days Itinerary #60 - 6 Night Luxury with Jewish Highlights

The Maltese Islands

Day 1 La Valette VIP Service - Meet and Greet and Chauffeur Service Upon Arrival

Day 2 - The Capital Valletta Experiences Upper Barrakka Gardens Private visit to the Hospital of the Knights Gilder Artisan Visit Jews' Sally Port National Library of - Private Tour Kings Only Band Club Museum of Archaeology - Private tour with Curator St. John's Co- - Private Afterhours Visit

Day 3 The Three Cities with Jewish Highlights The Three Cities The Inquisitor's Palace Private Visit to Upper Fort St. Angelo - home to Knight Resident Fra. John Critien The Jewish "Slave" Cemetery The Marsa Jewish Cemetery Maltese Synagogue visit

Day 4 Prehistoric Malta Hypogeum Visit Ghar Dalam Cave Site Private vist to San Niklaw Winery Recommended Fish Lunch in 1 Recommended Fish Lunch in Marsaxlokk Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Temples with Curator

Day 5 - Malta's Sister Island Gozo Channel Ferry A Day with the Chef The Xwejni Salt Pans The Citadella & Victoria Fungus Rock and Dwejra Bay Private Comino Exploration and Transfer to Malta on an Axopar 24 T-Top

Day 6 The Old Capital and Western Malta Village of Rabat - the Silent and Medieval City Mdina Private Palace Visit Verdala Palace - The President's Home Traditional Instrument Artisan - Francesco Sultana

Day 7 Departure Day La Valette VIP Service - Meet and Greet and Chauffeur Service Upon Departure

Itinerary Inclusions Itinerary Exclusions Value (NET Total in )

The Maltese Islands

Malta has been fought over for thousands of years, has temples that pre-date the pyramids at Giza and Stonehenge, has some of the clearest waters in the world, and boasts a capital city that is a baroque masterpiece. Like Croatia of 20 years ago, Malta has just now become a newly discovered travel destination for the cultural enthusiast and not as a second thought. The Maltese Islands, although small in size, offers travelers a rare opportunity to see a well preserved history and exciting present day culture.

2 Day 1

La Valette VIP Service - Meet and Greet and Chauffeur Service Upon Arrival

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred from the airplane by a private car. Then you will be escorted through the airport to the VIP Lounge. Should the plane arrive close to the arrival gate, a representative will meet you at the plane.

Day 2 Valletta - The Capital

Valletta Experiences

Valletta was built by the Knights of St. John after the Great Siege of Malta by the Ottomans in 1565. It is the fortified city that was said to be "Built by gentlemen for gentlemen". It boasts over 320 monuments in a .2 square mile radius, is a Baroque capital and has been recognized as the European Capital of Culture in 2018. You'll love what's in store within its main gates - a great mix of history and present day lively culture. Below are some of the included experiences in addition to meandering the main and back streets to discover Valletta`s very interesting history.

3 Upper Barrakka Gardens Image credits: Pixabay

The Upper Barrakka Gardens overlook the Grand Harbour. From their terrace they afford one of the most beautiful panoramic views in Malta as they command a unique view of the only natural harbour in the Mediterranean with the Three Cities as its backdrop.

Private visit to the Hospital of the Knights

Having been formed in the late 11th Century, the Knights of St. John were a Hospitallar Order whose main function was to care for the sick and poor pilgrims in the Holy Land. This core mission was exercised in Malta and is wholly evident in the grand hospital that they built. It is one of the longest halls in Europe and was recognized as an architectural feat in the 16th century when it was constructed. Enjoy a private tour with their expert guide.

4 Gilder Artisan Visit

You’ll be paying a private visit to one of Malta’s finest artisans to learn about his trade in clock building and gilding. Witness a master artisan whose gilder lineage dates back to the 18th Century - and he has the tools to prove it.

Jews' Sally Port

Not too much evidence of Jewish culture exists in Valletta from the period of the Knights of St. John except for the Jews' Sally Port. Unfortunately under the Knights, many Jews were enslaved and ransomed. Free Jews visiting Valletta were directed to enter through this port.

5 National Library of Malta - Private Tour

Situated in the centre of Valletta, the National Library is one of the major treasures of the Maltese Islands. The library preserves the memory of the nation with collections that span the centuries as far back to medieval times. Enjoy this National Treasure accompanied by the National Library Librarian as she walks you through history.

Kings Only Band Club

Casual dining in a historic place. This restaurant resides within the Kings Only Band Club residence. The oldest band club in Valletta had earned its name when the Prince of Wales became king, changing the name of the club to Kings Own from The Prince of Wales band club.

6 Museum of Archaeology - Private tour with Curator

Not just another museum, the Museum of Archaeology will guide who through our living history dating back to the temple period. Spend a short time here gaining an overview and especially seeing the unbelievable finds from the temple(s) that you will be visiting on your tour. Of special note is the sleeping lady!

St. John's Co-Cathedral - Private Afterhours Visit

Built shortly after the Great Siege of Malta (1565), St. John's Co-Cathedral's austere exterior is in drastic contrast to its sumptuous high baroque interior. You'll be in awe at the artistic masterpiece - from it's tombstone laid floors to the vaulted ceiling painted in the life of . Around the corner and into the oratory, stand before two wonderful masterpieces by the artist Caravaggio - St. and his only signed piece - The Beheading of St. John the Baptist. The best part of this experience is that you'll be experiencing the Cathedral when it is closed to the public. What a treat!

Day 3 The Three Cities with Jewish Highlights

7 The Three Cities

The Three Cities lie across the Grand Harbour. It was here where the Knights of St. John settled when they arrived in 1530 and made Malta's capital city. The formal or original names of the cities are Birgu, Bormla and Isla and their modern names Vittoriosa, and . There is a treasure trove of history found in each of them which you can explore today.

The Inquisitor's Palace

The Inquisitor’s Palace, situated in the heart of Vittoriosa, is one of the very few surviving palaces of its kind which, in the early modern period could be found all over Europe and South America. Many of these palaces simply succumbed to the ravages of time or were victims of the anti-reactionary power unleashed by the French Revolution. Fortunately, the Maltese Inquisitor’s Palace, throughout its five centuries of history, always hosted high-ranking officials representing the main powers on the island, who therefore ensured its survival.

8 Private Visit to Upper Fort St. Angelo - home to Knight Resident Fra. John Critien

An exclusive opportunity awaits you in Vittoriosa. Fort St. Angelo is steeped in history - it having been known as the Castle by the Sea when the Knights of St. John arrived. The fort had been built up during the knights period and played a crucial part during the Great Siege of 1565 against the Ottoman Empire. Atop the Fort is the private land of the Knights of St. John where Resident Knight Fra. John Critien resides. This area of the fort is where the first Grand Master of the Order in Malta resided up until Jean Parisot de la Vallette. Enjoy a private tour led to include the grounds, private chapel as well as a few other surprises.

Note: Availability is confirmed, however the private visit is always at the discretion of the Order of Malta (Knights of St. John).

The Kalkara Jewish "Slave" Cemetery

The Kalkara cemetery is the earliest surviving Jewish burial ground in Malta. The cemetery is about 30 feet by 40 feet, bounded by houses, and at the front by a retaining wall. The origins are recorded in a Latin inscription on a tablet over the door:

"This cemetery was established in 1784 by the Leghorn fund for ransoming Hebrew slaves, at its own expenses, for the burial of the dead of its race,"

9 The Marsa Jewish Cemetery

The Marsa Jewish cemetery was established in 1879. The first readable gravestones are from 1887 with the inscriptions in Italian being the oldest - perhaps because there was nobody to write in Hebrew. In these holy grounds lie side by side Jews who escaped from concentration camps, from Budapest or from Tunis, Oran or a German village. Learn about the prominent families of the last 100 years with a focus on the Tayar and Ohayon families.

Maltese Synagogue visit

Malta's only Synagogue is located in the village of Ta' Xbiex. It was consecrated in January of 2000 and is discreetly located in an apartment complex. The gold-embroidered blue velvet Ark cover was donated in 1946 in memory of two brothers, Alfonso and Menashe Reginiano (one of who was killed by a bomb in WWII). We will meet at the Synagogue with the Acting Rabbi of the Jewish community to hear stories about the community, his family and to learn about their local practices.

Day 4 Prehistoric Malta

10 Hypogeum Visit

In addition to a multitude of temples above ground, Malta has the only subterranean temple in the world. Discovered in 1902 when the village of Paola was building homes, this remarkable temple 5000+ year old site only allows 10 visitors per hour! Another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ghar Dalam Cave Site

Gar Dalam means ‘Cave of darkness’ in Maltese. The cave is 145-metre cavity of which the first 50 metres publicly accessible. The animal bones found within are evident proof that Malta was once linked to Sicily and to mainland Europe by a land bridge. Here you`ll find evidence of dwarf elephants, bears and wolves as well as the first human inhabitants.

11 Private vist to San Niklaw Winery

San Niklaw Estate is located in the South-East corner of Malta where roads from Zejtun, Marsaxlokk and Marsascala converge. At the centre of the estate lies a country residence and an adjoining 17th century chapel dedicated to St Nicholas. This small family owned Estate is made up of vineyards, an olive grove and a boutique winery with an underground cellar dating back to the late 19th century. The Estate’s principal products include cultured and distinguished wines and a premium olive oil.

Join the owner and wine-maker as he takes you from the fields to the underground cellar to enjoy tastings of their wines and olive oil.

Recommended Fish Lunch in Marsaxlokk

Enjoy a wonderful fish lunch in the village of Marsaxlokk. This village is known for being the main fishing village of Malta as well as the best place to see the brightly painted fishing boats. We highly recommend La Nostra Padrona or Tartarun Restaurants for your lunch choice.

12 Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Temples with Curator

Step back some 5500 years with a visit to the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temple sites. The temples were excavated in 1839 and are thought to have been built to worship a type of fertility goddess. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 5 Gozo - Malta's Sister Island

Gozo Channel Ferry

With only a 25 minute crossing from North Malta, you'll arrive at the Island of Calypso to discover the neat little gems and differences from its sister island.

13 A Day with the Chef

Your day will be a special one. Meet a local chef as he guides you through the villages and coastal areas to gather food for a cooking experience. Engage with him in conversation about Maltese and Gozitan cuisine while enjoying local wine. Engage with him in a cooking demonstration or get hands on with a cooking class.

The Xwejni Salt Pans enjoy the gorgeous view from the Roman salt pans. The production of sea salt has a long tradition in Gozo and the saltpans found near are still used today.

14 The Citadella & Victoria

Venture to the capital of Gozo for a leisurely walk through the village streets as we witness local people in their daily life. The Citadel or Citadella is an area known to have been first fortified during the Bronze Age and later developed by the Phoenicians and continues development until, by Roman times, it had become a complex Acropolis. Up until the 18th Century, it was the only fortified refuge against attack for the inhabitants of the island. Enjoy some free time roaming the back streets of the Capital City of Victoria.

Fungus Rock and Dwejra Bay

Just off the sheer cliffs of Western Gozo lies a rock, some 60 metres high. It guards a small deep lagoon and is obviously the remnant of what was once a sea cave whose roof collapsed, isolating it forever from the mainland. Indeed there are no mushrooms on Fungus Rock today however back during the Knights of St. John period, there was a certain mushroom that grew on it that was said to have been a miracle cure. Spend some time here at Dwejra and the inland sea - taking in all of the beauty as well as a unique private boat tour.

15 Private Comino Exploration and Transfer to Malta on an Axopar 24 T-Top

The Axopar 24 offers guests the option of being in the sun or in the shade. Raised well above the top of the glass screen, there’s plenty of head-room and visibility is excellent; thus making it the perfect day-cruiser. On board you will find all the much needed conveniences for an enjoyable day out at sea including a toilet room and large fridge.

Day 6 The Old Capital and Western Malta

Village of Rabat

The Arabs, during their 200 years of rule, divided the old Roman City of Melita into two: the citadel became known as Mdina and the rest of the area as Rabat. In Rabat we find St. Paul’s Church and Grotto as well as the St. Paul’s Catacombs. It is here where we learn the story of a shipwrecked St. Paul (Saul of Tarsus) in Malta.

The Christian, Jewish and Pagan Catacombs of St. Paul are not themselves associated with Paul but derive their name from their proximity to St. Paul's Church and Grotto. They are a fascinating labyrinth of 3rd-century AD subterranean tombs and the earliest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta.

16 Mdina - the Silent and Medieval City

You will feel the power as you enter the Old Capital City of Mdina and fall in love with it inasmuch as the families who continue to live here. It's Malta's only medieval city with a range of architecture that includes Norman and Arabic features. If you're a Game of Thrones fan, you will recognize the main gates immediately. While inside, learn about the bustling Jewish culture of the Middle Ages where their population represented a third before the Edict of Expulsion.

Mdina Private Palace Visit

One of Mdina's nicknames it Citta Nobile and it's no wonder. Noble families have occupied Mdina well before the Knights of St. John arrived in Malta. With just a couple of knocks on the door, you'll enter to find more than just a home. This rare and exclusive opportunity will have you meet a family member who will share their most prized possessions and the stories linked to them.

Note: Availability is confirmed, however the private visit is always at the discretion of the owner.

17 Verdala Palace - The President's Home

Arrive at the Verdala Palace - the Summer residence of the President of Malta for a private visit. Mr. Mifsud will guide you through the palace, explain its history and its present usage. Mr. MIfsud is the 3rd generation in his family to be caretaker of the Palace.

Traditional Instrument Artisan - Francesco Sultana

Meet one of Malta's most gifted artisans and musician. By day, Francesco works at Heritage Malta on restoration works. His hobby is in creating traditional Maltese instruments such as the bagpipe which is made from a whole goat. You'll love hearing his story and the fascinating history behind these instruments.

18 Day 7

Departure Day Depart from your hotel for the airport via private transport. It was lovely to have you in the Maltese Islands and we look forward to welcoming you back one day.

La Valette VIP Service - Meet and Greet and Chauffeur Service Upon Departure

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by La Valette airport VIP staff. They will be escort you to the lounge and then to the gate to access the private car to the plane.

Itinerary Inclusions • Airport Transfers • Expert guiding and private car service included on touring days • Breakfasts at the hotel (once booked), and 2 lunches • Entrance to attractions indicated on the itinerary

19 Itinerary Exclusions • Attractions and meals not identified in the itinerary • Round-trip airfare and medical/travel insurance • Gratuities for guides and drivers

Value (NET Total in Euro) 8,667.78 Euro

20