Siragusa Tours Ltd

Description

‘Malta – that tiny rock of history and romance’ – this was how Winston Churchill described it and visits to its towns, churches and monuments still confirm his view. The Maltese islands, with their predominantly rocky coastlines and interiors, lie in the centre of the Mediterranean, and thus have its typical climate. Foreign influences have left their mark, as have the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem who were given governance of the islands in he 16th century.  Valletta, the capital, is named after a Grand Master, and is a glorious city of golden stone with elegant streets and palaces, an opera house, museums and a magnificent and moving Caravaggio in St John’s Co-Cathedral. The city of Mdina, hauntingly beautiful, was turned into a fortress by the Arabs, but is hardly changed; however, there is a superb Baroque cathedral and elegant palaces. Nearby Rabat contains a cave where St Paul is said to have lived.

On the way to the delightful fishing village of Marsaxlokk, with its traditional brightly-coloured fishing boats, is the Hypogeum at Paola, a vast underground necropolis hewn from the rock around 3600 BCE. The island of Gozo is smaller and greener and is glorious walking country. As in all countries in the 21st century, changes are afoot, so why not explore the golden island of Malta before it loses its fascinating charm?

Other Details

 Accommodation

5 nights at the Hotel Excelsior**** in La Valletta, Bed and Breakfast tariff in twin-share room with private facilities.

Course Cost

£685 inclusive of tuition, airport transfers (airport transfers are only available for the Siragusa Tours Ltd nominated flight), accommodation, breakfast, day excursions, local guide where obligatory

Single Room Supplement

£150

Travel Insurance

Once tour is viable and if we have booked a flight for you through Travelpack, you can call Larraine on 08444 930465 for an immediate quote (unless you already have insurance)

Flight

Ca. £200 scheduled flight to La Valletta.  Note that this is an estimate (if  it is less you pay less), please see Booking Conditions for more information concerning nominated flights.

Local Transport

Airport transfers and day visits by coach, the island of Gozo by coach and boat

Group Size

16

Tutor

Mary Hawkins, BA (Hon) and NFF, Cert Ed, is an experienced lecturer and art historian.  She has worked for the Open University, the Universities of Cambridge and Essex and the WEA.   She has led numerous studytours  to Italy, Belgium, Holland, France, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Hungary , the Czech Republic and St Petersburg.

 

 

Related OU Courses

General Interest

Itinerary / Study Programme

Day 1, Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Arrival in La Valletta transfer to hotel and orientation

Day 2, Thursday, 22 November 2012

Marsaxlokk, the Hypogeum, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples, the Blue Grotto and Dingli

Day 3, Friday, 23rd November 2012

Mdina and Rabat

Day 4, Saturday, 24th November 2012

La Valletta including the Cathedral of St John and the Archaeological Museum

Day 5, Sunday, 25th November 2012

Gozo

Day 6, Monday, 26th November 2012

Harbour Cruise and depart

This itinerary and study programme is provisional and may be subject to change in response to local conditions