Malta Tours & Cruises
Explore walled cities, admire colourful boats bobbing on the harbour and discover secret coves on a guided tour or cruise around Malta. Steeped in history, this Mediterranean archipelago oozes charm, boasts delicious regional cuisine, and flaunts perfect views all around. Ringed by azure seas and brimming with natural beauty, there is plenty to discover on one of 451 tours and cruises to Malta.
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8 Days St. Julian's to St. Julian's
Operator: Back-Roads Touring
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Discover Must do experiences and highlights around Malta
Historic Streets of Hilltop Mdina
The ‘Silent City’ has many tales to tell. Its winding cobblestone streets, Medieval walls, and original architecture looks like something out of a fairy tale.
The Blue Grotto Cave Complex
This natural grotto captures sunlight and reflects the phosphorescent colours of the underwater flora in a spellbinding display of light and colour.
An Architectural Marvel: Mosta Dome
This impressive church is one of the architectural wonders of Malta, boasting striking decorative elements and a vast unsupported rotunda.
History, Scenery & Gastronomy on Gozo Island
History buffs will relish the extraordinary sites here, including the megalithic temple complex of Ggantija which pre-dates the Great Pyramid. Meanwhile, active travellers can explore the scenic trails and foodies will delight in the fresh local produce.
The Walled City of Valletta
Described by UNESCO as 'one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world', Malta’s capital has plenty of treasures to uncover. Within the walled city, must-sees include the beautiful Upper Barrakka Gardens and the impressive St John's Co-Cathedral.
Recent Reviews What our clients are saying about their journeys to Malta
We felt that Global Journeys was simply a booking agent, who passed on little knowledge of the cruise/ship we had selected. This might seem unfair, but I think a travel agent could offer a bit more information. Anyway, this is what we learnt about the cruise on World Europa, which your operators might take on board.
1. We didn't know that we could ...read more have arranged a shuttle pickup at the airport to the ship. We would have preferred this to trying to find a taxi and explaining our destination.
2. The cruise package included 4 complimentary restaurants, which we assumed we could choose as we like. But what we didn't know is that we were allocated a dedicated table to a specific restaurant each night for dinner.
3. To provide something different we asked to move restaurants, which was allowed, but then discovered that each complimentary restaurant had exactly the same menu each night, although it changed daily.
4. The quality of the food at the complimentary restaurants was only fair and on one night poor. In the end we upgraded to some of the speciality restaurants to provide something different and better. This was a much better option.
5. For us, the ship was too big and it took at least 4 days to be confident about where you were going and where our cabin was.
6. In light of the ship being too big, there were simply too many people (6,500 guests and 2,500 staff) and most areas were crowded from early morning. Booking a show or a speciality restaurant had to be done very early else they were full.
7. The breakfast buffet was pretty unpleasant with people jostling all over the place. But, in the end we found an alternative menu driven, table service breakfast venue, which was much nicer.
8. The cabin (1408) was very good. Spacious with most facilities we needed.
9. Cabin housekeeping was excellent. In fact all the ship staff were extremely helpful.
10. Ship logistics in coordinating dining; excursions; theatre shows etc was also excellent. Anyone not phone literate would be completely lost as everything was phone based, even the dining menus.
11. The ships wifi was excellent, but in hindsight we should have upgraded our internet package to include more than 1 device.
12. The excursions (we did one at every port) were pretty good offering a good tase of the cities we visited.
The ship itself was mind blowing, with multiple choices for shops; fast food; adult entertainment; kids entertainment and swimming pools. We would recommend the “back of ship tour” as this provided a real insight into how a ship of this size operates. Finally, whilst we might choose MSC again, it certainly would not be on the World Europa.
1. We didn't know that we could ...read more have arranged a shuttle pickup at the airport to the ship. We would have preferred this to trying to find a taxi and explaining our destination.
2. The cruise package included 4 complimentary restaurants, which we assumed we could choose as we like. But what we didn't know is that we were allocated a dedicated table to a specific restaurant each night for dinner.
3. To provide something different we asked to move restaurants, which was allowed, but then discovered that each complimentary restaurant had exactly the same menu each night, although it changed daily.
4. The quality of the food at the complimentary restaurants was only fair and on one night poor. In the end we upgraded to some of the speciality restaurants to provide something different and better. This was a much better option.
5. For us, the ship was too big and it took at least 4 days to be confident about where you were going and where our cabin was.
6. In light of the ship being too big, there were simply too many people (6,500 guests and 2,500 staff) and most areas were crowded from early morning. Booking a show or a speciality restaurant had to be done very early else they were full.
7. The breakfast buffet was pretty unpleasant with people jostling all over the place. But, in the end we found an alternative menu driven, table service breakfast venue, which was much nicer.
8. The cabin (1408) was very good. Spacious with most facilities we needed.
9. Cabin housekeeping was excellent. In fact all the ship staff were extremely helpful.
10. Ship logistics in coordinating dining; excursions; theatre shows etc was also excellent. Anyone not phone literate would be completely lost as everything was phone based, even the dining menus.
11. The ships wifi was excellent, but in hindsight we should have upgraded our internet package to include more than 1 device.
12. The excursions (we did one at every port) were pretty good offering a good tase of the cities we visited.
The ship itself was mind blowing, with multiple choices for shops; fast food; adult entertainment; kids entertainment and swimming pools. We would recommend the “back of ship tour” as this provided a real insight into how a ship of this size operates. Finally, whilst we might choose MSC again, it certainly would not be on the World Europa.
The trip lasted 7 days. For the first 4 days which included 3 days on Gozo and the 1st day in Malta was an absolute shambles. We were not met from the ferry in Gozo, the guide was too busy talking in the bus with the driver and didn’t notice this very big ferry had docked. One of our group decided to do a car park search after waiting for 3/4 an hour ...read more and found them ! The guide was not interested and did it because she had to. A very unpleasant experience. Arriving Malta and checked in to our hotel. A guide took us out to dinner but never saw her again. The next day was a public holiday which saw the group waiting in the lobby with no idea who, what or when we were being met. Phone call made to the local office to enquire what were the plans and that person was spoken to in such a condescending manner and the attitude was unbelievable which prompted another of the group to phone and email the head office in UK and made a complaint.
A guide was produced at 10 am who also did not want to be there, our entire ‘tour’ of Valletta took 2 hours only and then we were told to take the local bus home as the tour bus was leaving at 1pm!! After the complaint was made to the UK office, the next 3 days we had marvellous guides and the best driver ever who virtually saved the trip from total disaster. The accommodation was 3 star at best, however, was clean and breakfast provided. The group was made up of people from USA, UK and AUS. We all rubbed along quite well. From this experience, I have also emailed the UK head office with a more detailed description of the total lack of communication and attitude from the local Maltese office. Would I go on another Explore trip…. I would really have to think about it but at the moment, no.
A guide was produced at 10 am who also did not want to be there, our entire ‘tour’ of Valletta took 2 hours only and then we were told to take the local bus home as the tour bus was leaving at 1pm!! After the complaint was made to the UK office, the next 3 days we had marvellous guides and the best driver ever who virtually saved the trip from total disaster. The accommodation was 3 star at best, however, was clean and breakfast provided. The group was made up of people from USA, UK and AUS. We all rubbed along quite well. From this experience, I have also emailed the UK head office with a more detailed description of the total lack of communication and attitude from the local Maltese office. Would I go on another Explore trip…. I would really have to think about it but at the moment, no.
In all, the trip was great. Be aware, however, if you arrive at Malta International Airport at a time other than when expected, the meeting point "in front of Costa Coffee" is in the Departure area of the airport and not Arrivals. One of my trip mates did have a problem receiving a call back or email reply from Explore. I had no communication with them ...read more as everything was handled for me well by Global Journeys.
Thoroughly enjoyed this tour for various reasons. The 20 people on the tour were a harmonious mixed group of singles and couples but mainly all with wide travel experience. It was a pleasure to travel with them. Our guide in Italy/Sicily was Flavio. He was very patient and went out of his way to ensure that things went well and to attend to any ...read more problems that occurred along the way.
Our bus driver was Gabrielo who deserves a medal for the way he negotiated our bus in some very interesting and tight places. Only comment on the bus is that we did not have WiFi. We had different local guides in some of the places we visited and they contributed to the enjoyment of the day. Our guide in Malta was Cynthia. She was very very efficient and knowledgeable and contributed to our greater understanding of Malta.
There were several minor hiccups along the way but they were overcome and in their own way contributed to the travel experience. The hotel in Rome is listed as a four star. I think this is a bit of an exaggeration and it is a three star at best. The remainder of the accommodation was OK for me as my needs are simple but some of the other people had problems with their rooms. These problems were corrected either by the person themselves or our guide. I thought that the trip to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel was not worth the effort. Both places were grossly overcrowded and you were unable to really stop and absorb anything. I got the impression that it was just a huge money making enterprise designed to push through as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time possible.
The other cities and towns we visited were good and, as mentioned before, we had local guides in many of them. Our last day in Sicily was good but a lot of time was wasted as our ferry to Malta did not leave until 9.30pm. As such we arrived at our hotel in Malta at midnight and then after check in and baggage it was much later before getting to bed. I would suggest that the last day in Sicily be compressed and that the transfer to Malta be on an earlier ferry. Overall, I had a great time and I am pleased that I went on this tour.
Our bus driver was Gabrielo who deserves a medal for the way he negotiated our bus in some very interesting and tight places. Only comment on the bus is that we did not have WiFi. We had different local guides in some of the places we visited and they contributed to the enjoyment of the day. Our guide in Malta was Cynthia. She was very very efficient and knowledgeable and contributed to our greater understanding of Malta.
There were several minor hiccups along the way but they were overcome and in their own way contributed to the travel experience. The hotel in Rome is listed as a four star. I think this is a bit of an exaggeration and it is a three star at best. The remainder of the accommodation was OK for me as my needs are simple but some of the other people had problems with their rooms. These problems were corrected either by the person themselves or our guide. I thought that the trip to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel was not worth the effort. Both places were grossly overcrowded and you were unable to really stop and absorb anything. I got the impression that it was just a huge money making enterprise designed to push through as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time possible.
The other cities and towns we visited were good and, as mentioned before, we had local guides in many of them. Our last day in Sicily was good but a lot of time was wasted as our ferry to Malta did not leave until 9.30pm. As such we arrived at our hotel in Malta at midnight and then after check in and baggage it was much later before getting to bed. I would suggest that the last day in Sicily be compressed and that the transfer to Malta be on an earlier ferry. Overall, I had a great time and I am pleased that I went on this tour.
