Gathering early in the morning at the airport ‘MACEDONIA’, ticket control and direct flight to the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta, European Capital of Culture for 2018, an island that is a feast of colors and aromas.

Upon arrival, we will meet our companion, who has made this trip repeatedly, knows the places, local traditions and the mentality of the inhabitants and then we start the tour in the famous capital of the Order of the Knights of St. John, Valletta. Valletta is fortified, built on a narrow cape, surrounded by two natural harbors and has a proud fortress, Saint Elmo.

The city was built by the Knights of the Order of St. John after the Great Siege of the Ottomans in 1565. The tour is on foot, because car traffic is prohibited in the Old Town. It is a unique castle town with special historical significance and unlimited beauty. We will walk the narrow picturesque streets and enjoy the elements of another era. We will admire the Baraca Gardens, from where we will see the panoramic view of the two natural ports of Malta and the three historic cities associated with the two great sieges of 1565 and 1942.

Although time travel is impossible, this walk in the castles of the island, is a true immersion in the past. We will still walk on its main pedestrian street, Triq Ir-Repubblika, with the old buildings with the “closed” balconies and the shops with the vintage signs, we will see the vertical alleys with the golden, damaged buildings and the worn palazzi that are wet from the sea breeze.

We will also see the palace of the Grand Master and the Cathedral of St. John, the most impressive temple in Malta and an excellent example of Maltese Baroque. The church was built between 1573 and 1578 as a monastic church of the Knights of St. John.

During our visit to the museum we will admire two of Caravaggio’s most famous works, “The Beheading of John the Baptist” and “Saint Jerome”. Free time and then departure to get to know the areas of the 3 cities – Kospikua, Vitorioza and Seglia, seat of the Knights of St. John during the great siege of 1565 (The three cities).

A unique complex of architectural constructions of castles, houses and important buildings, which are built in a wonderful place in the Grand Harbor and have strong influences from the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Knights of St. John and the British. From their ramparts we will enjoy the magical view of Valletta and we will wander in the Medieval alleys, with the buildings of the Holy Examination, the Monasteries, the square of executions, the house of the executioner.

Finishing, transfer to our hotel and settling in the rooms. For the evening visit the neighboring towns of Sliema and St. Julian’s, pulsating with life, featuring great hotels, restaurants, bars. Paceville, on the edge of St. Julian’s, is the nightclub, full of bars, clubs and tourists. The locals do passeggiata, ie walk, on the coastal road, which, if you looked at it from above, would look like a ribbon, running through countless bays, harbors and marinas.

Breakfast and today include an optional excursion. We will visit the impressive cathedral of Mosta, with the third largest dome in Europe and then we will be transferred to Ta Ali National Park, where we will visit the famous factory for the production of blown glass as well as the silver and gold factory.

Then we will be transported to the hill of Rabat for a visit to the <silent city>, as it is called, Medina, suggesting the mysterious atmosphere that surrounds it and which is fortified in an impregnable castle. It had been the capital of the island in the Middle Ages, before the Knights of St. John built their fort near the sea. It was completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1693.

When the Knights occupied the island the old Maltese aristocracy settled here. Today, with careful maintenance and controlled restoration, with the help of Unesco, it tries to maintain its magnificent baroque architecture, which in many cases is combined with characteristic Arabic elements. It is the most elegant but also the most expensive area of ​​Malta.

The heavy wooden carved doors of her houses rarely open. The city has no commercial life, no billboards and generally seems to live more in the glorious past than in the present. Its magical atmosphere has not been altered by the crowds of tourists who flock there. On our walk, we will admire impressive tower houses with characteristic ornate lanterns, stone monasteries and Norman palaces. Soon after we will visit the aristocratic community of Attard and the famous gardens of St. Anthony and the Presidential Palace.

Return to our hotel. For the afternoon we suggest you to enjoy a ride in the carriage, to photograph the magic bus that is from 1950, to try its cuisine, which is famous for its fresh fish and vegetable soups. Overnight.

After breakfast, we start for the day trip to the enchanting island of Gozo. To reach the second largest island of the Maltese Archipelago, we take the ferry and board the ferry boat. The exceptional beauty of the landscape, the wonderful houses and farmhouses, the change of images that you will encounter will quickly convince you of how much your visit to the island of Gozo was worth.

We will visit Rabat, with the famous castle, the old town, the cave where the nymph Calypso lived (if conditions allow). We will also visit the picturesque fishing village of Sleti, where we will have time for lunch. Return to the hotel. In the afternoon we suggest you get to know the Maltese culture in food as well!

So for those who wish, we head to a main restaurant, where we will learn to make step by step authentic Maltese dishes, always under the guidance of a local chef! We put on our aprons, grab our necessary tools and “throw” ourselves to work! Of course at the end we will have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of our labor, tasting the flavors accompanied by a glass of wine! For the evening we suggest you visit the Republic Square (Misrah Ir-Repubblika), for aperitifs and pastizzi at Caffe Cordina, known by the tourist guides.

Breakfast at the hotel, free time for the last purchases and then transfer to the airport for the return flight. Arrival in our city with the best impressions.