Description Board your coach, which will take you southeast to Marsaxlokk fishing village with colorful luzzu fishing boats bobbing about. Browse through the market selling local handicrafts or relax in one of the many waterfront cafes.Marsaxlokk Harbour was where the Turks arrived in 1565 at the start of the Great Siege, and where Napoleon and his troops landed in 1798, ending the Knights' rule on the island. Proceed to Ta' Qali' winery and head to the Upper Terrace (weather-permitting) with a breathtaking view of the vineyard,Mdina and the Mosta Dome. Hear about the vines, planting methods and other details, then enjoy wine tasting with some local cheese and biscuits. Reboard your coach for a short drive to the nearby glass-blowing factory.Watch the process involved in producing glass items of different shapes and sizes. The founder's daughter will explain the different steps of the process and if you wish, will help you try glass-blowing yourself! Visit another artisan's studio before returning to the ship via the coastal road.
Description Board a traditional Maltese Boat called a dghajsa for a cruise across the harbor that drew Carthaginians and Swabians, Hapsburgs and Aragonese, Romans and British to form a nation. Disembark at Vittoriosa jetty for a walking tour of this fascinating city. View the Victory Monument recalling the Great Siege of 1565, pass the Maritime Museum, which is housed in the old Naval Bakery, built over the site of the old slipway where the Knights used to repair their galleys, and your guide will point out some buildings that housed the Knights of Malta. Visit the Inquisitor?s Palace-an architectural gem, and see Fort St Angelo, the Knights' most impressive fortress. The Freedom Monument commemorates the departure of the last British Forces in Malta in 1979. Return to your dghajsa for the ride back to Valletta.
Take the scenic route to Malta's old capital,Mdina-one of the world's finest examples of a living medieval city. Visit the cathedral, then ride by motorcoach to Valletta-the present-day capital. You?ll walk to St John?s Co-Cathedral, complete with elaborate in-laid marble tombstones and monumental artwork. View the Grand Master's Palace from the outside-it now houses the Parliament and the President's Office. Your last stop is at the Barracca Gardens on the highest point of the 16th-century walls that the Knights of St John built to protect their city. Take in the splendid view of the Three Cities and Fort Ricasoli.
** Krane choice **
This excursion showcases the archaeology of Malta-long associated with pre-historic, megalithic structures that date back 6,000 years. First visit Hagar Qim's shrines to Mother Earth. Next is Tarxien, featuring replicas of the figures that were found here. You will stop to see the originals in the Archaeological Museum in Valletta. This building was once the Auberge de Provence, built in 1575 and now houses an important collection of archaeological finds from all over the island.
Board your coach for a scenic drive to the Mdina glass-blowing factory.Watch the process involved in producing glass items of different shapes and sizes. The founder's daughter will explain the different steps of the process and if you wish, she will help you try glass blowing yourself! Visit another artisan's studio before spending some free time in Sliema-a town full of shops, restaurants and cafés.
Take the scenic route across the island with a stop to see a glass-blow a dghajsa for a cruise across the harbor that drew Carthaginians and Swabians, Hapsburgs and Aragonese, Romans and British to form a nation. Disembark at Vittoriosa jetty for a walking tour of this fascinating city. View the Victory Monument recalling the Great Siege of 1565, pass the Maritime Museum, which is housed in the old Naval Bakery, built over the site of the old slipway where the Knights used to repair their galleys, and your guide will point out some buildings that housed the Knights of Malta. Visit the Inquisitor?s Palace-an architectural gem, and see Fort St Angelo, the Knights' most impressive fortress. The Freedom Monument commemorates the departure of the last British Forces in Malta in 1979. Return to your dghajsa for the ride back to Valletta.
Drive to the Malta Experience in Valletta-a 45-minute movie presentation on Malta?s history. Then, set out on a scenic drive to see as much as possible of this island that traces its history back 6,000 years. Head towards the southeast and pass through the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk with its quaint harbor, and colorful luzzu fishing boats. Proceed north, past Mdina, Malta's old capital, passing through St Paul's Bay en route to Selmun Castle-now the Selmun Hotel. Enjoy refreshments on the terrace while taking in views of the bay. From the coastal road, you can spot the island where St Paul was shipwrecked in AD 60.