PACKAGE INCLUSIONS |
Rt Air JFK to Malta
5 nights THE XARA PALACE, Relais & Chateaux Breakfast daily
Transfers
Monday - Half Day Tour Valletta and the Malta Experience
Wednesday - Half Day Tour of the Three Cities
Thursday - Evening Knights Spectaculare 1565 Dinner Show
Fuel surcharge
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HOTELS USED |
Mdina, MALTA
The Xara Palace Relais and Chateaux
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OPTIONS FOR YOUR TRIP |
Upgrade your room to a panaramic view ...starting at $60 per person per night
Wine tasting, Cultural and Historic Tours can be arranged. Cooking classes are also an option. Ask your reservation agent for details
Click here for Optional Tours
(Other optional tours may be available. Please ask your Sales Agent.)
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NOT INCLUDED |
Airport fees and taxes of approx $185
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ITINERARY |
The Great Siege of Malta took place in 1565 when the Ottoman Empire invaded the island, then held by the Knights Hospitaller (also known as the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, Knights of Malta, Knights of Rhodes, and Chevaliers of Malta).
The Knights won the siege, one of the bloodiest and most fiercely contested in history, and one which became one of the most celebrated events in sixteenth century Europe. Voltaire said, "Nothing is more well known than the siege of Malta," and it unquestionably put an end to the European perception of Ottoman invincibility and marked a new phase in Spanish domination of the Mediterranean. The siege was the climax of an escalating contest between a Christian alliance and the Ottoman Empire for control of the Mediterranean, a contest that included Turkish corsair Turgut Reis's attack on Malta in 1551, and the Turks' utter destruction of an allied Christian fleet at the Battle of Djerba in 1560.
This vacation package includes a Knights Spectacular 1565 Dinner Show on Thursday Evening.
An action-packed spectacular musical dinner show, with 50 talented performers and 8 trained horses! Enjoy a 3 course dinner with free flowing wine, as the wolrd famous knights of St. John, clad in shining armour, ride their proud steeds to give battle to the colourful warriors of Suleiman the Magnificent in the epic siege of 1565. Relive the splendour 16th century pageantry and join in the fun of a village festa. Share the excitement of tow young lovers as they softly dance their way into each others heart and succumb to the sensuous pleasures of a mysterious oriental harem. A pulsating spectacle for a memorable, complete night out!
Monday enjoy the HALFDAY VALLETTA AND MALTA EXPERIENCE
Departure from hotel in coach accompanied by guide to Valletta – The Capital City of Malta, the City built by the Knights of St. John. During our walking tour of the city, we will first visit the Upper Barracca Gardens which enjoy a wonderful view of the Grand Harbour and the Three Historical Cities. We then visit St. John’s Co Cathedral which is historically and artistically one of the most important monuments on the island. The beginning of the building of this Conventual church started in 1573 by Grandmaster La Cassiere. Four hundred memorial slabs cover the floor and the cathedral is full of beautiful paintings. Finally, we visit the Grandmaster’s Palace which has two lovely courtyards. In the Tapestry Chambers, one can see the priceless Gobelein Tapestries.We will finally walk down Republic Street to Fort St. Elmo and we will view “The Malta Experience Show” which is an excellent multivision show (ca. 45minutes), which introduces visitors to Malta and its people.br>
Afternoons from October to May..Morning from June to September
Wednesday visit THREE CITIES a half day tour.
Departure from hotel in coach accompanied by guide to visit the Three Historical Cities of SENGLEA, COSPICUA and VITTORIOSA. When the Knights first arrived in Malta, they chose as their home Vittoriosa (Birgu) because of its vicinity to Fort St. Angelo. In Cospicua (Bormla) one can admire The Cottonera Lines, the Santa Margherita Lines, Verdala Fort & Barracks and the magnificent Collegiate Parish Church and its artistic Oratory. In Vittoriosa we will be able to visit the church dedicated to St. Lawrence and the Maritime Museum
Spend 5 nights at The Relais & Chateaux Xara Palace is a fabulous late 17th century property uniquely located within the historic, noble and silent city of Mdina, the old capital of Malta. The hotel forms part of the medieval bastions surrounding this World Heritage City. Xara Palace is located just a few metres from the main entrance of the walled historical city of Mdina.
At the crossroads of all the movements of civilisations that rocked the Mediterranean, Malta has always been an object of desire. It was colonized by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and finally the British. A history that has left the island with many cultural vestiges, such as this 17th century palace, The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux. A magical place with splendid romantic decor situated in the “medieval walled city” of Mdina. Here, all is calm, pleasure and authenticity… The rooms are decorated with original paintings and sculptures by Maltese and international artists, as well as antique tapestries and furnishings. On the roof terrace of the hotel, the restaurant “De Mondion” offers a top quality gastronomic experience. With, as a bonus, an exceptional view of the Maltese countryside.
With 7,000 years of history, the Maltese Islands are steeped in culture and heritage. The Islands went through a golden Neolithic period, the remains of which are the mysterious megalithic temples dedicated to the goddess of fertility. Later on, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Byzantines, all left their traces on the Islands.
In 60 A.D. St. Paul was shipwrecked on the island while on his way to Rome and brought Christianity to Malta. The Arabs conquered the islands in 870 A.D. and left an important mark on the language of the Maltese. Until 1530 Malta was an extension of Sicily, the Normans, the Aragonese and other conquerors who ruled over Sicily also governed the Maltese Islands. It was Charles V who bequeathed Malta to the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem who ruled over Malta from 1530 to 1798. The Knights took Malta through a new golden age making it a key player in the cultural arena of 17th and 18th century Europe. The artistic and cultural lives of the islands were injected with the presence of artists such as Caravaggio, Mattia Preti and Favray (amongst many others) who were commissioned by the Knights to embellish churches, palaces and auberges.
In 1798 Bonaparte, on his way to Egypt, took over Malta from the Knights. The French presence on the islands was short lived as the English, who were requested by the Maltese to help them against the French, blockaded the islands in 1800. British rule in Malta lasted until 1964 when Malta became independent. The Maltese adapted the British system of administration, education and legislation. Malta became a Republic in 1974 and a member state of the European Union in May 2004.
This legacy, unique in the Mediterranean, is reflected in the country’s national architecture and collections. There are so many areas of heritage and culture to be explored – the 16th century masterpiece Grandmasters’ Palace, which is now parliament, the “Sacra Infermeria”, which is now a fully equipped conference centre, the St. James Centre for Creativity – a superbly restored fortification where contemporary works of art are exhibited against the original rough-textured walls and rediscovered spaces. With these buildings, past and present blend into an enduring and admirable lesson in the art of living.
The arts have always played a large role in Maltese culture and continue to do so with cultural events occurring frequently. The National Museum of Fine Arts, housed in an exuberant Rococo building dating from the 1570’s, exhibits some magnificent art, ranging from the early Renaissance to modern times.
Both present day established and budding artists are encouraged through support and exhibitions in public areas to celebrate their efforts. There is almost always an exhibition of some kind running.
Theatre and music are also very popular in the Islands. A variety of theatres and open-air venues offer an enormous ensemble of plays, musicals, operas and both classical and modern music concerts.
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