57B - 6 Nights in Malta Knights Focus
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
7 Days Itinerary #57B - 6 Nights in Malta Knights Focus The Maltese Islands Day 1 Arrival in Malta La Valette VIP Service - Meet and Greet and Chauffeur Service Upon Arrival Day 2 The Three Cities Maritime Museum Grand Harbour Boat Tour Private Visit with Fra John Critien at Upper Fort St. Angelo The Inquisitor's Palace Lunch at Don Berto Birgu Private Visit to St. Joseph's Oratory - The Sword & Hat of La Valette Grand Harbour Water Taxi to Valletta Private Afterhours Palazzo Visit - Casa Rocca Piccola Day 3 Valletta - The Capital The Fortress Builders Interpretation Centre Manoel Theatre Gilder Artisan Visit Reservations Grain Restaurant Private visit to the Hospital of the Knights Underground Valletta St. John's Co-Cathedral - Private Afterhours Visit Day 4 Valletta and Countryside Museum of Archaeology - Private Tour with Curator National Library of Malta - Private Tour Private visit to the St. Ursula Cloistered Monastery Exclusive dinner in the Gardjola Watchtower 1 Exclusive dinner in the Gardjola Watchtower Day 5 Western Malta and the Old Capital Region Private Falconry Experience Hagar Qim Verdala Palace - The President's Home Private Visit Ta' Betta Vineyards - Private Visit with the Owner with light lunch Blue Grotto Private Boat Experience The Dingli Cliffs and Cart Ruts Lace Making Artisan Experience Mdina - the Silent and Medieval City Mdina Private Palace Visit Traditional Instrument Artisan - Francesco Sultana Day 6 Gozo - Malta's Sister Island Gozo Channel Ferry A Day with the Chef The Xwejni Salt Pans The Citadella & Victoria Fungus Rock and Dwejra Bay Day 7 Departure Day La Valette VIP Service - Meet and Greet and Chauffeur Service Upon Departure Itinerary Inclusions Itinerary Exclusions Value (NET Total in Euro) 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 Arrival in Malta Arrive in Malta on xxx at xxx and be privately transferred to your host accommodations. 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 The Three Cities 3 Maritime Museum Housed within the Old Naval bakery, the Malta Maritime Museum charts Malta’s maritime history and lore within a Mediterranean context. It also illustrates the global nature of seafaring and its impact on Malta’s society. The museum houses numerous artefacts highlighting the different epochs of Malta’s history that is inadvertently tied to the sea. Grand Harbour Boat Tour Travel down the Upper Barrakka elevators to arrive at the old Customs House where a traditional Maltese boat (Dghajsa) and boatman will be waiting for you for a private cruise of the Grand Harbour. The Ottomans sailed in these waters, Napoleon, the British and now you! How historic! 4 Private Visit with Fra John Critien at Upper Fort St. Angelo 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 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. 5 Lunch at Don Berto Birgu Don Berto restaurant is located in one of the oldest cities in Malta, Vittoriosa, sitting exactly in the waterfront and marina. Opened in 2008 and designed by renowned interior designer Pippa Toledo together with the owner architect Joseph Bondin and his wife Nathalie, the ambiance is quite unique combining the modern with the antique creating an atmosphere which is ideal for a pleasant meal with friends, business meetings or even a romantic dinner, having a breathtaking view from our large terrace and also a warm environment inside. Private Visit to St. Joseph's Oratory - The Sword & Hat of La Valette A very interesting find in the quaint city of Vittoriosa is within the Oratory of St. Joseph. A centuries-old tale has it that at the end of the Great Siege, de Valette laid down his sword and hat at the altar of the chapel of Our Lady of Damascus, in Vittoriosa, as a votive offering. It was in front of the icon of the Madonna that de Valette was praying during the crisis of the siege. He later returned victorious and laid down his sword in acknowledgement of the Order’s gratitude. Historians agree that the tale is very probably grounded in fact. 6 Grand Harbour Water Taxi to Valletta Travel down to the marina where a traditional Maltese boat (Dghajsa) and boatman will be waiting for you to transfer you to the capital city of Valletta. Meet your private guide and travel up the Upper Barrakka Gardens elevator to the upper area of Valletta. Private Afterhours Palazzo Visit - Casa Rocca Piccola The history of Valletta is best learned through its people. The 9th Marquis de Piro invites you into their 16th Century home to discover the treasures that tell many stories. The family lived at Painswick House in Gloucestershire for 14 years before returning to Malta in 1990. Although their home is open to the public during the day, your visit will be a private after hours one and experienced with the owners. Day 3 Valletta - The Capital 7 The Fortress Builders Interpretation Centre Malta was always given the key role in the development of the European history due to its geographical position at the centre of the Mediterranean, linking Europe with North Africa and the East coast (Asia). The interpretation centre brings to light the architectural features of Malta's fortifications surrounding her harbours and strategic cities. Manoel Theatre The Manoel Theatre is one of the oldest working theatres in Europe. Constructed in 1731 by the Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena "for the honest entertainment of the Knights"; the theatre is a baroque gem with wonderful acoustics and a full calendar of events populated by local and international performers, with productions in English and Maltese. Maybe there is something on the calendar during your stay? 8 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. Reservations Grain Restaurant Grain offers a casual dining experience with small plates to share and no set rules. During your experience, there are no set starters or main courses and we are enthusiastic to see our guests try different dishes without giving too much importance to a specific sequence. It makes happy to see our patrons make random selections that may even feel unusual from the classical approach of a starter, main and dessert. 9 Private visit to the Hospital of the Knights Having been formed in the late 11th Century, the Knights of St. John were a hospitallar oder 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. Underground Valletta Go underground to discover the mechanics of the capital. Back in 1566 when Valletta began being constructed, the Knights of St. John ensured a steady water supply through the use of tunnels. See first hand yourself as you enjoy this opportunity. Location may change depending on accessibility. Note: Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes. Sandals are not recommended . 10 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 John the Baptist.