Malta
Winter In Malta: Thousands of Years of History & Culture
Program No. 24104RJ
Discover the rich history and culture of Malta — a Mediterranean island off the coast of Italy — during the winter months when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds.
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8 days
7 nights
12 meals
6B 3L 3D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
6
Rabat & Mdina
Malta
At a Glance
Off the southern coast of Sicily lies Malta — a small island with a big history. Enjoy the mild winter climate of the Mediterranean on this special adventure that will introduce you to the island’s rich history, from prehistoric times to World War II. Explore the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and pay a visit to St. John’s Co-Cathedral, considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. Delve into military history with explorations of Birgu, a fortified medieval town, and the Lascaris War Rooms, an underground complex that served as the operational headquarters for the British and Allied forces during World War II. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the rich culture of Malta, highlighted through its archaeology, cuisine and local sites that can be enjoyed with fewer crowds!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two and a half miles; some uneven ground and cobblestones. Stairs without railings.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Go back in time at the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples, which date back to the Ggantija phase of Maltese prehistory (c. 3600-3200 BC) and are among the oldest freestanding structures in the world.
- Walk through centuries of history in Birgu, a medieval town whose strategic position made it key in military history, evident today in its architecture and cultural heritage.
- Get a “taste” of Malta through visits with local wine producers and a hands-on cooking class.
Suggested Reading List
(26 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Winter In Malta: Thousands of Years of History & Culture
Program Number: 24104
The Great Siege of Malta: The Epic Battle between the Ottoman Empire and the Knights of St. John
In the spring of 1565, a massive fleet of Ottoman ships descended on Malta, a small island centrally located between North Africa and Sicily, home and headquarters of the crusading Knights of St. John and their charismatic Grand Master, Jean de Valette. The Knights had been expelled from Rhodes by the Ottoman sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent, and now stood as the last bastion against a Muslim invasion of Sicily, southern Italy, and beyond. The Great Siege of Malta is a fresh, vivid retelling of one of the most famous battles of the early modern world--a battle whose echoes are still felt today.
Under a Maltese Sky
First published in 2015, this is a captivating novel that weaves together themes of love, loss, and self-discovery against the backdrop of the picturesque Maltese landscape
Treason’s Harbour
Stephen Maturin, Jack Aubrey and the crew of the H.M.S. Surprise contend with pirates and Napoleon's spies in this splendid novel set on and around Malta.
Paul, The Mind of an Apostle
A richly detailed portrait of the apostle Paul, firmly grounded in the everyday details of life in the Roman Empire. It's a mind-opening, partly historical study of the culture, politics and religion of the early years of Christianity.
Decoding the Occult: The Knights of Malta
Decoding the Occult:The Knights of Malta explores themes of chivalry, faith, and political intrigue.
Counting Churches: The Malta Stories
Published in 2011, this collection of interconnected narratives explores themes of identity, culture, and the rich history of Malta through the lens of its churches.
The Middle Sea, A History of the Mediterranean
A marvelous writer who has already tackled Byzantium, the Normans in Sicily and Venice, Norwich spins his magic in this story of culture, trade and politics, royalty and rulers, wars and religion in the Mediterranean from antiquity to the end of the First World War.
Malta – An Archaeological Paradise
Head of the Department of Classics and Archaeology at the University of Malta. Prof. Bonanno describes many of the artifacts and remains of Malta's Prehistory.
The Story of Malta
Originally published in the mid-20th century, it's often reprinted but is not considered a recent book. However, it's a foundational text for understanding Malta's broad historical narrative.
Fortress Malta, An Island Under Siege 1940-43
In this powerful, intimate book British journalist James Holland draws on letters, diaries and interviews to bring to life the military campaigns, heroism and drama of Malta during WWII
Let the Stones Speak. Were The Maltese Temples Connected To Atlantis?
Let the Stones Speak explores explores the possibility of Malta’s link to Atlantis.
The Great Siege of Malta 1565: Clash of Cultures
First published in 1961, but it remains a well-regarded historical account of the Siege of Malta.
Ironfire, A Novel of the Knights of Malta and the Last Battle of the Crusades
In this rousing historical novel the fates of a young boy, his sister, one of the Knights of Malta and an inquisitor play out against the backdrop of the 16th-century Ottoman assault on Malta, the formidable citadel of the Knights of St. John.
Malta: Mediterranean Recipes From The Islands
Food writer Bajada captures the everyday food of Malta for the home cook, including dishes such as Ftira, a flattened sourdough bread loaf drenched in tomato with tuna capers and olives; Aljotta, a hearty fish stew; and Bigilla, a broad bean paste used as a delicious dip.
Malta: A Traveller’s Anthology
Published in 2011, this is relatively more modern and provides unique historical perspectives through travel writing.
The Kappillan of Malta
This most powerful of Nicholas Monsarrat's novels is an achievement in two separate dimensions: as a sublime portrait of a humble priest who brought faith and hope to his people, and as the story of an island whose violent history began before the Phoenicians and which suffered its most terrible agony in the Second World War.
In Love With Malta
Published in 2016, the book captures the charm and beauty of Malta, reflecting on its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture.
A Complete History of Malta
Published in 2020, this is a more recent comprehensive history of Malta, which covers ancient times to modern.
Malta: Prehistory and Temples
First published in 2002 but remains a key resource on Malta’s prehistory. Trump is a respected authority in Maltese archaeology.
The Knights of Malta
First published in 1994, this is still a popular resource for understanding the history of the Knights of St. John.
Blue Guide Malta and Gozo
A comprehensive guide in the well-known series, this book provides detailed coverage of the history, culture and architecture of these Mediterranean islands.
The Disorderly Knights
The third volume in the Lymond Chronicles follows Francis Crawford of Lymond to Malta, where he has been sent to help the Knights of Hospitallers defend their island against the invading Turks. He soon finds, however, that the greatest danger to the Knights comes from within their own order.
Malta: An Archaeological Paradise
A recent publication from 2019, this is among the newest on the list and offers a fresh take on Malta’s archaeological heritage.
Masters of the Great Stones
A simple introduction to Malta’s Prehistoric Monuments: the World’s Oldest Freestanding Buildings, and the Mediterranean’s Earliest Civilization. This book represents a sampling of what people seem to want to know. Easy language and original full color photos present a mysterious island society of accomplished architects and builders whose engineering artistry flourished a thousand years before the pyramids! (Formerly available only in Europe.)
It's a Long Way to Malta
Published in 2012 , this narrative captures the spirit of travel and the experiences that come with it, blending humor with emotional reflections.
Listening for Ancient Gods
A new perspective for anyone with an interest in unraveling the secrets of antiquity toward a more complete rendering of human development in its most pivotal days. From Gobekli Tepe in Anatolia to the megalithic temples of Malta to the passage tombs of Ireland, the world’s oldest buildings and the latest neurological research combine to buttress a look at the Neolithic Revolution that goes where no one has gone before. This book takes scientific data from the worlds of Archaeology, Architecture, Anthropology, Genetics, Physics, Physiology, and stands them up where we can see them -- like megaliths in an unspoiled landscape. When the pieces of evidence are set side by side, the result is a stunning premise.
