Family Fun in Malta

Welcome to Malta! It’s time to let the fun begin, on arrival you will be greeted at the airport to ensure a swift private transfer to The Phoenicia Hotel, where you will be staying for the next four nights. Located in the centre of Valletta, this is one of the best hotels to stay for families, offering stylish interconnecting rooms, with a range of first-class facilities with standout infinity pool and large gardens, with an excellent restaurant and terraces with views towards Marsamxett Harbour surrounded by the bastion walls of Valletta. 

For your first evening meal we recommend the nearby restaurant Legligin, the perfect place to discover Maltese food as Mama used to make it, along with good wines, and a cosy, friendly atmosphere. This little restaurant in the cellar of a historic Valletta house is run by the chef and owner Chris, who does the wine selection and much of the cooking himself. His ‘Maltese Meze’ set menu of multiple mouth-watering dishes will set the tome of the many delights you will try as you explore Malta.

After a delicious breakfast you will be set for your first action-packed day exploring Valletta. Start off your capital city experience with a bang! With your expert guide you will head to the Upper Barrakka Gardens where you will take in the stunning views over the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities beyond. Gun salutes were fired to greet dignitaries or ships visiting the island and to mark national and religious occasions. Brace yourself for the full 8 gun firing salute to commemorate your welcome to Malta and in particular Valletta! What better way to start your tour? 

After this fun start to the day, you will enjoy a guided tour at the spellbinding St John’s Co-Cathedral which was built by the Order of St John and dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Bursting with Baroque architecture, gold leaf décor and crammed full of fascinating history from top to bottom, the interior of the church is considered to be one of the finest examples of high Baroque architecture in Europe. Your guide will highlight the fascinating history, the nine niche chapels and the marble floor which is made up of an entire series of tombs, housing about 400 Knights and officers of the Order, before viewing the famous Caravaggio paintings: The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist and the Saint Jerome Writing.  

Followed by lunch at the Kings Own Band Club restaurant, in the King’s former residence when the Prince of Wales became King, the oldest band club in Valletta where you will enjoy relaxed dining in this magnificent setting. After lunch you will visit a local Gilder artisan, to understand this intricate trade. Pierre will take you through his unique masterpieces and how he creates the renowned Maltese Clock, demonstrating his skill and craftmanship using century old tools and gold leaf to create these intricate designs. Return to your hotel for some pool time before you head out for your amazing evening explorations. 

Get ready for an evening of festa fun! Maltese will make any excuse to party. From May into October, Maltese villages celebrate their respective Christian patron saints with elaborate displays, lighting, fireworks, music, and partying. Tonight, we have included transfers to a village feast so you can get in on the fun. With your guide, you will be treated to a night of fun technicolour as you embrace the festa spirit, trying local delicacies whilst soaking up the music and fireworks around you.

Be sure to have a hearty breakfast and get set for your action-packed day ahead. Arrive at the old Customs House where a traditional Maltese boat (Dghajsa) and boatman will be waiting for you to transfer you to the city of Senglea in The Three Cities - the main harbour city that the Knights settled at when arriving in Malta in 1530. Here you will join the Senglea Regatta club for a brilliant experience as you get set to go head-to-head in a family regatta challenge. In Malta regatta challenges are a big deal. Coastal city and village clubs go head-to-head to see who's the best of the best. In this case, you'll discover who's got the best rowing capabilities in your family. And what better place to try this out than in the Grand Harbour itself.  

After this exhilarating morning you will be taken into the beautiful rural countryside for a special lunch and experience on an olive grove. The grove has been lovingly created and attributed to the Maltese rural tourism project, enhancing local traditions for the better of the countryside. As you arrive you will be greeted by the charming music from local Gahan singers, a traditional form of folk music native to Malta. Starting with a fun hands-on experience as you learn how to make the famous Maltese snack, pastizzi. Hot, flaky savoury pastries traditionally filled with either ricotta or curried mushy peas. With the king of pastizzi himself, master baker Gilinu who has been making these delicious snacks for a lifetime, will take you through this century’s old creation. After a welcome drink with Gilinu and his wife Nancy, they will demonstrate how to make these tasty morsels before having a go yourself, there is a lot of fun to be had as you learn this special art! With many tastings to be had whilst you are there.  

Whilst your creations are being baked it will give you the chance you explore this little oasis as you wander through the olive grove and grounds, where you may also get the chance to chat with the owner and farmer, Charlie as you understand his vision for the farm and enhancing the local produce of the area. With your pastizzi freshly baked you can enjoy a delicious rustic farmer’s lunch in a quiet spot on the farm, sampling an array of produce direct from the farmers and straight to your plate, paired with local wine and coffee. During your lunch you will be joined by a traditional instrumental artisan, Francesco Sultana. His hobby is in creating traditional Maltese instruments such as the Maltese bagpipe which is made from a whole goat. You'll love hearing his story and the fascinating history behind these instruments, as well as the unique music he creates, wonderfully complimenting your alfresco lunch.  

You now have an exceptional and unique evening experience ahead of you as you are taken by private car to the walled city of Mdina. You will feel the power as you enter the old capital city and fall in love with it in as much as the many noble families who continue to live here. You will find a range of architecture that includes Baroque, Norman and Arabic features. If you're a Game of Thrones fan, you will recognize the main gates immediately. As night falls you will be stunned by the stillness that engulfs this ‘silent city’ and get swept away with the history and families that have resided here for generations. You will enjoy a fantastic evening meal at Trattoria 1530 AD, a charming restaurant that prides itself in serving traditional and tasty food typical of the name ‘Trattoria’. Strategically situated in one of the old squares of Mdina, with the beautiful and imposing Vilhena Palace directly opposite. The Trattoria’s idyllic location is simply perfect for al fresco dining.

Today is your Gozo day! After breakfast you will zip over to this beautiful island on the fast ferry, as it takes you along the scenic eastern coast to the harbour.  

Once on shore you will be joined by your guide who will take you on a really fun quad bike adventure to explore the island. You will get the chance to discover Gozo’s natural wonders taking you along quiet roads and tracks as you stop at the many beauty spots as you go. One of the main highlights is Wied il-Mielah, a stunning limestone natural arch that spans the crystal-clear piercing blue sea. The valley that leads to the ‘window’ is rich in flora and a lovely place to walk especially in the autumn and spring. The way down the valley is like a botanical display of vegetation typical of the Mediterranean, once you get there you will be greeted with the amazing view of the towering arch and the sparkling sea. Your quad bike adventure will also take you past the famous Xwejni Salt Pans, where the production of sea salt has a long tradition in Gozo and the saltpans found near Marsalforn are still used today. 

Next you will stop for a sublime alfresco picnic lunch, in a secluded setting whether on the beach, meadow or prime beauty spot you will be wowed by this very special experience. A beautiful spread handmade by the incredible Ana will be glistening before you, offering a collection of handmade delicacies crafted to your tastes, including local wine and Maltese coffee to complement the serenity of your environment. The setting itself brings the wow factor but the food and style takes it all to the next level. Feeling content after your relaxing lunch you will head to take in the striking coastline of Dwejra Bay. Just off the sheer cliffs of Western Gozo lies ‘Fungus Rock’, some 60 metres high. You will also have the opportunity to explore the Inland Sea, a beautiful calm sea lake connected to the open Mediterranean Sea by a natural cave that forms narrow straight tunnels through the cliffs that have been chiselled by the natural elements. The special light creates piercing blue water that shines in the shadows of the dramatic cliffs.  

You will meet your ferry for the return journey back to Valletta, with time to relax back at the hotel before your final dinner reservation at Rubino Restaurant. Situated in Valletta, Rubino finds its roots set firmly in 1906, when it first opened its doors, offering a private and homely affair that offers a lovely atmosphere to its guests, where you can indulge in classic Maltese and Italian dishes.

Today you will bid a fond farewell to Malta as you are transferred back to the airport ready for your onward journey.