Marsaxlokk, Medina & Valletta: In Partnership with Food & Wine Magazine
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Port
Valletta, Malta
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All,61
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$184.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 7½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Get a better sense of Malta's rich history and its vibrant cuisine on this memorable island tour. Your day begins with a drive to Marsaxlokk, a fishing village where colorful fishing boats dot the cerulean sea. This is where the Turks first arrived in 1565 and where Napoleon landed in 1798. Spend time meandering through the popular open-air market filled with local handmade goods.
You will cross the island to the fortified, medieval city of Medina, built high on a plateau. Within the city walls, your guide points out the Baroque Cathedral of St Paul, built in the 12th century by Robert of Normandy. The church stands on the site where Roman governor Publius met the apostle Paul following his shipwreck on Malta. Enjoy time exploring on your own.
In Valletta -- the capital of Malta -- a walking tour brings you to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for a panoramic view of the Grand Harbor.
Lunch at a charming restaurant built into the old city walls. Here, an underground vaulted stone space was constructed in the 16th century by the Knights of St John. It is now the Tunnel Restaurant. Lunch in the tunnel or upstairs on the outdoor terrace, where cannon emplacements surround the tables. With dishes ranging from rabbit to pasta, the menu takes many influences from around the globe, from North Africa to Britain, to the Mediterranean.
Visit the remarkable St John's Co-Cathedral, built between 1572 and 1577 and dedicated to John the Baptist. Don't let its imposing façade fool you -- the interior dazzles with gilded tracery and an inlaid marble mosaic floor. Tombs of 400 knights grace the cathedral floor, and the oratory displays a painting by Caravaggio.
Notes:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water. Modest attire is required; knees shoulders and midriffs must be covered. Shorts and high heels are not allowed inside the cathedrals.