Malta Highlights

We'll meet the group in the picturesque resort town of St Julian's and get to know one another over a delicious welcome meal.

Welcome to Malta! Stay: The George Hotel (or similar) (D)

We'll begin our second day together with a visit to the stunning Mosta Church, before we move on to the beautiful wilderness of the Buskett Gardens. Enjoy some free time wandering the only woodland area in Malta before we continue to the island's old capital: Mdina, also known as the ‘silent city'. Here we'll explore the extraordinary mix of medieval and Baroque architecture with a local guide and have some free time to enjoy lunch at our leisure.

On this afternoon's agenda: an indulgent wine tasting at a local winery. You'll find it difficult to find a bottle of Maltese wine back home, so we recommend purchasing a bottle before we return to St Julian's for an evening spent relaxing at our hotel or exploring the array of restaurants and waterfront bars. Stay: The George Hotel (or similar) (B)

Our third day of exploration will begin with a locally guided walking tour of Valletta. We'll stroll by the New Parliament Building, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Grand Harbour and Grandmaster's Palace, uncovering the tiny capital's rich history as we go. Then, we'll enjoy free time to wander the stunning Baroque architecture of St John's Co-Cathedral.

For lunch, unleash your inner chef at a Maltese pizza-making class before sitting down to enjoy your creation. Continuing on, we'll visit the oldest area in Malta: Birgu – commonly referred to as Città Vittoriosa (Victorious City). We'll enjoy a walking tour through the city's ancient narrow streets with a local guide – visiting the likes of the Inquisitor's Palace and panoramic Gardjola Gardens. After a full day, enjoy an evening spent at your leisure back in St Julian's. Stay: The George Hotel (or similar) (B/L)

Today is yours to spend entirely at your leisure. You may want to explore on a harbour cruise around the ports of Valletta – a natural treasure trove for photographers. Alternatively, you could spend the day enjoying the stunning views from our hotel's rooftop terrace or relaxing by the swimming pool.

This evening, we recommend venturing out in search of a waterfront alfresco restaurant for some delicious local seafood. Stay: The George Hotel (or similar) (B)

Today's agenda begins with a stop at the Hagar Qim temples, where we'll have the opportunity to explore this remarkable site with a local guide. Then, we'll journey onwards the mesmerising Blue Grotto. Enjoy a locally guided boat trip around the phosphorescent coloured bays and complex of limestone caves – before continuing on to the ferry point at Cirkewwa, with a photo stop at Popeye's Village along the way.

After a speedboat transfer to Gozo, the evening in Xaghra will be ours to spend exploring at our own pace. Stay: The Cornucopia Hotel (or similar) (B)

Today we'll visit the spectacular megalithic temple complex of Ggantija – the most ancient temples in Malta and boasting an ancient history that's older than the pyramids of Egypt. After moving on to the imposing Old Citadel in Victoria – the ancient fortified city that can be seen from almost anywhere on Gozo, we'll roll up our sleeves for a hands-on cheesemaking experience at a local restaurant and enjoy a delectable Maltese lunch.

After stopping off for a photo or two at the peaceful village of Sannat, we'll round off a busy day with a visit to the Dreams of Horses Farm, where we'll be guided around the equestrian therapy centre by a member of the team. Later, an evening of leisure time is in store for us back at the hotel. Stay: The Cornucopia Hotel (or similar) (B/L)

We may be nearing the end of our journey, but there's still plenty to explore! First, we'll stop to visit Fungus Rock – an islet off the coast of San Lawrenz that holds a peculiar history. After hearing the stories from our local guide, we'll move on to the unusual Xwejni Salt Pans. A 350-year-old checkerboard of rock-cut salt pans, the production of sea salt here has been passed from generation to generation and is a fascinating sight to behold. Before returning to Xaghra, we'll make a refreshing stop at Xwejni Bay for a dip in the crystal-clear water.

Later, we'll come together for one last dinner together, sharing stories of the week's adventures. Stay: The Cornucopia Hotel (or similar) (B/D)

After a final breakfast and leisurely morning, we'll catch the ferry back to St Julian's – where our tour will end later this afternoon. (B)