The itinerary is filled with walks in beautiful seaside settings
and to fascinating historical sites. Keep in mind you don't have
to participate every day. If you would like a more leisurely pace you are free
to take a day off, sit in the sun, dabble your toes in the
Mediterranean, visit museums or explore quaint villages.
Day 1
Transfer from Malta Airport by private bus and by ferry to the
island of Gozo.(about 90 minutes). The remainder of the day is free to
relax. Before dinner there will be a briefing by the guides.
Day 2 Choose between
An 8 km walk along the south coast of Gozo with dramatic views and
passing the 17th century Xlendi Tower which was built in 1650 to protect
against pirates, smugglers and quarantine evaders. The Knights
Hospitaller who ruled Malta for two hundred years were accomplished medics and had a strict quarantine policy
for ships arriving from diseased areas. We see beautiful fossil embedded
limestone formations and our walk ends at the seaside village of Xlendi
where there is usually an ice-cream shop open.
OR
A 12 km walk starting from the hotel on the coastal paths in a
remote area of Gozo to the inlet of Mgarr-is-Xini which was once a small
harbour for galleys during the time Malta was ruled by the Knights
Hospitaller. A watch tower still stands overlooking the bay.
Day 3
Choose between
A 10 km walk starting at the sanctuary church of Ta Pinu. Dating back to
the 1500's, the shrine of Ta Pinu attracts visitors due to its legend as
a place of miracles. We then head
for the coast via the village of Ghasri. On reaching the coast we see
the beautiful inlet of Ghar il Quamh, fascinating salt pans and weather
sculpted cliffs. The walk ends at the town of Marsalforn which in Roman times
was a major port.
OR
A 12.5 km walk starting at the Ta Pinu
sanctuary church and heading uphill to Ta Ghammer and then to the
village of Gharb with its spectacular basilica then ending at the town
of Marsalforn.Day 4
Choose between
A 9km walk starting from Ramla Beach and along the rugged coastline into
Weid Ilfern and ending at Ta Pinu.
OR
A14 km walk starting at San Blas Garden and then along the northern
coast past Tal Mixta Cave.
Day 5
Free day to explore town of Victoria (Rabat as it is known to the
locals) with its fascinating Citadella. This area is believed to have
been inhabited since the Bronze Age and was an acropolis under
Roman rule. The castle was built in medieval times and changed hands
many times over the centuries. Today it has been restored and contains
four museums; the folklore museum, the old prison, the museum of
archaeology and the nature museum. After exploring the Citadella you can
wander through a street market and a labyrinth of narrow streets. have a
coffee in Independence Square and wander through the public gardens.
Visit galleries that display replicas of Neolithic pottery. See the WWII
bomb shelters and the gunpowder magazine.
Another possible activity is to take a cruise to the Blue Lagoon and see
the uninhabited island of Comino where the spice cumin grows wild. Or
just relax at the hotel and perhaps enjoy the indoor pool and spa.
Day 6 Choose between
A 9.5km walk starting at Fungus Rock, In medieval times the rock was
covered in a fungus that was said to have valuable medicinal properties
that were only available to the nobles and carefully guarded to keep
away thieves (later scientific investigation determined that the fungus
had no value). From here we walk to Dwejra to see the watch tower
built in 1632 and then circle the Inland Sea before heading for
Victoria.
OR
A14.5km walk starting at the village of Munxar and following a dramatic
coastal path to Xlendi. After a spectacular ascent to the cliff tops we
then join the other group to Victoria.
Day 7
Choose between
An 11 km walk starting at Qala and following a path to St Anthonys Gun Battery
built in 1731 to guard the channel between Gozo and Comino. We continue
walking in a fertile valley with gardens and wildflowers to Nadur and
back to our hotel.
OR
A 16km walk. We walk the northeast coast with fantastic views, visit St
Anthonys Gun Battery and then Dahlet Qarrott Beach before returning to
the hotel via Nadur.
Day 8
Transfer by private bus and ferry to the island of Malta,
Day 9
Choose between
An 8 km walk starting at the pretty seaside village of Mellieha along
the coast and perhaps visiting a nature reserve then past the Red Tower
that was built in 1647 by the Knights Hospitaller and was used for
island defence under both French and British rule. The walk
continues on the coast and ends at Ramla Bay.
OR
A 13 km walk starting at Mellieha, heading for the Selmun Palace and
then along the coast to Xemxija before heading back to Mellieha on a
Roman road.
Day 10
Valetta sightseeing
The walking tour introduces you to the highlights of the city with its
UNESCO listed sites plus gives
you time to explore on your own. Visit the Grand Masters Palace built in
the 1600's by the Order of the Knights Hospitallers, the National War
Museum that takes you back through warfare from WWII back to ancient
times, the Sacra Infermia where you can experience medicine as it was
practised in the Middle Ages, the Lascarris War Rooms to see the secret
tunnels where the defence of the island was conducted in WWII, St Johns
Co-Cathedral. When you are overwhelmed with history you can explore the
narrow streets and sample Maltese food which has been influenced by many
cultures, Sicilian, North African, and French.
Day 11
Choose from
An 8 km walk through Maltese history. Starting in the old hunting
grounds of Buskett Gardens we walk towards the coast and the Ghar
il-Kbir cave dwellings. We reach Rabat in time for lunch and have time to
explore the 4th century catacombs and the Museum of Roman Antiquities
and then on to the Silent City of Mdina.
OR
A 13 km walk Starting in the old hunting grounds of Buskett Gardens we
walk towards the coast and the Ghar il-Kbir cave dwellings. We then
descend to the undercliff, reach Ghar Lapsi in time for lunch and then
head through more rugged terrain to the large temple complex of Haggar
Qim. We finish at Wied ir Zurrieq.
Day 12
Free day - perhaps tour to see the Megalithic Temples, thought to be the
oldest free-standing structures in the world.
Day 13
Choose from
A 9.5 km walk starting in the pretty fishing village of Marsaxlokk and
then crossing the Delimara Peninsula where we observe rock sculptures.
We then head north finishing at the village of Marsascala
OR
A 14.5 km walk Starting at Pretty Bay we head to Marsaxlokk and then
follow the same route as the easier walkers to Marsascala.
Day 14 Choose from
A 9.5 km walk starting by exploring the silent city of Mdina which was
founded in 800BC by the Phoenicians and was subsequently occupied by
Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Sicilians, Knights Hospitaller, Napoleon
and finally the British.
From here we ascend to the Mtarfa Ridge passing the old British Naval Hospital and then into
Qleigha Valley. We head fo Lippijia Tower and then take the coastal path
to Golden Bay.
OR
A 13 km walk starting at Mdina and heading inland to the Nadur Tower and
on to Bingemma Fort via the Victoria Lines. The Victoria Line was a 12
km wall across the island built by the British to defend the
southern part of the island and the harbour which was key to the allied
forces in the Mediterranean. Today there is a walking trail along the
wall. At the coast we ascend to a
steep section of path to the Lippijia Tower and then on to Golden Bay.
Day 15
Depart - or perhaps stay a few more days?
Click below for further details: |