SOLD OUT! But don’t worry, you can add yourself to the waiting list to see if a place becomes available. Please email Katherine and Helen on reservations@theoldie.co.uk
Malta had a very special place in the heart of our late Queen. Between 1949 and 1951, she was a naval officer’s wife and lived a relatively normal life, driving herself and shopping in local markets.
She and Prince Philip returned there for their diamond-wedding anniversary in 2007, and it was her last overseas destination in 2015, when Robert Hardman spoke with her.
Robert has made several documentaries and written acclaimed books about both our late Queen and King Charles III.
The year 2027 marks the 85th anniversary of Operation Pedestal, which saw the miraculous arrival of the heavily bombed Ohio pulling into Valletta.
From our comfortable hotel, the Embassy, which has magnificent views of the harbour from its roof restaurant, we will visit the great fortress port of Valletta, the most gracious monument of clean baroque, barocco pulito, which has withstood half a millennium of siege and attack. In the Inquisitor’s Palace we peruse the masterpieces of the fugitive murderer Caravaggio.
Away from the city, we enjoy the arabesque atmosphere of the old capital, Mdina,
We indulge in island-hopping to nearby Gozo. Stepping back 5,000 years, we visit the temple of Hagar Qim, its neighbour at Mnajdra and the underground caves of Hal Saflieni – among the most spectacular monuments of early Mediterranean civilisation.
ITINERARY
Friday 23rd April – arrival in Malta
1.45pm depart Gatwick on BA2616, arriving Malta at 6pm; transfer to the Embassy Hotel;
talk by Robert Hardman on our late Queen in Malta.
Saturday 24th April – Valletta
Guided tour of the Grand Master’s Palace and the armoury before we walk the ramparts; a tour of St John’s Cathedral to see Caravaggio’s The Beheading of St John the Baptist and his other great work, Saint Jerome Writing.
After lunch, we visit the Casa Rocca Piccola, maison particulier belonging to the de Piro family. In the late afternoon, we will watch the audio-visual show The Malta Experience at the Sacra Infermeria which will give us an excellent overview of Malta’s history. We will also visit the Siege Bell War Memorial nearby.
Sunday 25th April – Princess Elizabeth’s Malta
Morning tour of Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, where Malta’s famous Knights of St John settled in the 16th century. With a guide, we’ll explore the area by foot, coach and traditional dghajsa boat, learning about the knights and their historic rule. Lunch at the Phoenicia hotel where the young princess danced the night away, followed by a visit to Villa Guardamangia, her former home which is due to open next year. Dinner at the Marsa Polo Club where Prince Philip played with his uncle Lord Mountbatten.
Monday 26th April – Mdina and Rabat
A day in Mdina, Malta’s old capital, in the centre of the island. Known as the Silent City, this typical medieval town has a history reaching back to the Phoenicians. We will explore the narrow cobbled streets, churches, monasteries and palaces. After lunch at the tranquil rural palazzo, Casa Bonavita, we will have a wander round Rabat, Mdina’s ancient suburb, before returning to Valletta.
Tuesday 27th April – Gozo and th Blue Lagoon
Ferry to Gozo to visit the Ggantija Temple, the oldest free-standing structure in the world, and then to the Citadella in Victoria and the lower town with the Basilica of St George. Then coffee at the Inland Sea in Dwejra, and lunch by the sea in Mgarr ix-Xini where they have some super fish.
Wednesday 28th April – Hagar Qim and Mnadjra
We go to the east of the island to see the 5,000-year-old temple of Hagar Qim and look over to the islet of Filfla. Just 500m away from Hagar Qim is the similar-aged temple of Mnadjra. Lunch will be in a waterfront restaurant in the nearby fishing village Marsaxlokk. In the afternoon as we head back to Valletta we plan to stop off at the Tarxien temple and the prehistoric subterranean burial ground of Hal Saflieni Hypogeum.
Thursday 29th April – departure
Depart hotel at 9am to catch the 11.50 BA flight, arriving London Gatwick at 2.10pm.
PRICE PER PERSON: £2,995 for those sharing a double/twin room, including everything apart from flights and drinks before and after lunch and dinner. We need to charge a single supplement of £500.
HOW TO BOOK: Contact Katherine on reservations@theoldie.co.uk or call her on 01225 427311. To secure your place, Katherine will require a non-refundable deposit of £750; the balance is due on 11th January 2027.
WALKING & MOBILITY
Our tours have been created to show you as much as possible of your chosen destination, and often the best way to do this is on foot. In order to enjoy these holidays you need to be reasonably fit, able to stroll at a normal pace for at least 40 minutes, to go up and down a staircase without assistance and to stand - perhaps in a queue - for 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Should you have any concerns whatsoever, please speak to Katherine on 01225 427311.
TRAVELLERS WITH DISABILITIES
Although we are pleased to welcome clients with disabilities, their participation will depend on the nature of the disability and in some cases it will be necessary to be accompanied by an able-bodied companion. In order to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of all participants on any tour we must ask you to declare full details of your disability, especially if this affects your mobility, so that we can consider your personal circumstances.
