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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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
12 meals (
6B, 3L, 3D
)
2 expert-led lectures
15 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Activity Note
Though Malta is known for its pleasant winter weather, days and evenings can be chilly. Temperatures can range from 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit; be sure to pack layers so you are prepared for any weather during our program, as well as rain gear in case of showers.
Day
2
Arrive Malta, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Malta
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hotel Palais Le Brun
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Historic Valletta, Lascaris War Rooms
Location:
Malta
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Palais Le Brun
Activity Note
Walking up to 2.5 miles throughout the day and standing up to 2 hours at a time; varied and uneven terrain, some steep slopes. Closed spaces, steps, and uneven ground in the underground war rooms.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will meet in the lobby with our local expert to begin a full-day walking field trip of the capital city of Valletta. Our first stop will be the National Library, one of the major treasures of the Maltese Islands. This reference and research library contains a collection spanning Medieval times to the digital age, including rare and priceless items. The National Library is the custodian of 7,000 volumes of the Archives of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and Malta, as well as a rare early edition of Nostradamus dating back to 1566. Next, we will visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Commissioned by Grand Master Jean de la Casseire and constructed between 1572 and 1577, it is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, and designated as a co-cathedral because it shares the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Malta with the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Mdina. The magnificent, highly decorated interior of the church is considered one of the finest examples of high Baroque architecture in Europe. Inside, we will also see two famous works by Caravaggio: “The Beheading of St. John the Baptist” and “St. Jerome Writing.”
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
We’ll walk to the Lascaris War Rooms, an underground complex opened in 1940 to serve as the Combined War Headquarters during World War II. This secure facility protected key operations from aerial attacks and housed the Fighter Sector Operations Room used during the Battle of Malta (1940-43), as well as other crucial operation rooms and support areas. After the war, the War Rooms were used by NATO until 1977 to monitor Soviet submarine activity in the Mediterranean. During our visit, we will also see General Eisenhower’s office, where he directed the invasion of Sicily in 1943. Following the visit, we will walk back to our hotel. Late afternoon, we will enjoy a lecture by a local expert on underwater archaeology.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
The Three Cities, The Hypogeum
Location:
Malta
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Palais Le Brun
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a boat and on/off motorcoach; driving about 10 miles, under 1 hour driving time. Walking up to 3 miles, standing up to 3 hours; mostly paved terrain, some steep, uphill walking. Steps and uneven surfaces at the Hypogeum where lighting is dim.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
For our first outing of the day, we will walk to the seashore and board a boat for the journey across to the town of Birgu. Birgu is situated on a promontory with Fort Saint Angelo at its head and the city of Cospicua at its base. Its strategic location has made it an important site for maritime, mercantile, and military activities throughout history. Before Valletta became the capital of Malta, military powers seeking control of the Maltese islands recognized the importance of Birgu. It served as the base for the Order of Saint John and was the de facto capital of Malta from 1530 to 1571. We will also learn about Birgu’s significant role during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Our field trip includes Fort St. Angelo, originally built as a castle in medieval times. The Order of Saint John later transformed it into a bastioned fort in the 1500s, making it a vital headquarters during the siege against the Ottoman Empire.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will ride on the motorcoach to the Hypogeum, a remarkable burial site consisting of interconnected rock-cut chambers set on three distinct levels. The site has been used for centuries, with the earliest remains dating back to around 4000 BCE and more recent artifacts from the Early Bronze Age (circa 1500 BCE). The uppermost level features a large hollow with burial chambers carved into its sides, which may have originally been open to the sky. Excavations in the early 1990s suggest there was a monumental structure at the entrance. We will explore the Middle Level, which showcases some of the hypogeum's most notable features, including intricate red ochre wall paintings and beautifully carved elements reminiscent of megalithic temples. Since only 10 people can enter the Hypogeum at the same time, small groups will rotate while the remaining members of the group visit the nearby archaeological site of Tarxien. This site is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and consists of a complex of four megalithic structures built between 3600 and 2500 BCE, with reuse occurring between 2400 and 1500 BCE. The earliest structure, located at the easternmost end of the site and built between 3600 and 3200 BCE, survives only to near ground level, although its five-apse plan is still clearly visible. The South Temple is the most highly decorated, featuring intricate relief sculptures and the lower part of a colossal statue of a skirted figure. Remains of cremation found at the center of the South Temple indicate that it was reused as a Bronze Age cremation cemetery between 2400 and 1500 BCE. After our visit, we will return to Valletta by motorcoach. Late afternoon we will head to the Notarial Archive of Valletta, located in a historical Maltese Palazzetto, for an expert lecture.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy local fare.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Hagar-Qim & Mnajdra Temples, Local Boutique Winery
Location:
Malta
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Palais Le Brun
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 2.5 miles in the morning; steep slopes, uneven ground at the temples.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach and drive to two of Malta’s most renowned megalithic temple complexes. Our first stop is Hagar Qim, located on a hilltop just outside the village of Qrendi. It is believed that this temple was never completely buried, as it appears in paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries. The site was first excavated in 1839 and is thought to have been built between 3600 and 3200 BCE, during the Ggantija phase of Maltese prehistory. Hagar Qim consists of a central building and the remains of two other structures. The central building features a series of C-shaped rooms known as apses. Some of the artifacts excavated from this building have been replaced with replicas, while the originals can be found in the National Museum of Archaeology. After exploring Hagar Qim, we will head to Mnajdra, located about 500 meters (1650 feet) downhill. While there are remains of other structures in this complex, the best-preserved are three buildings surrounding a common oval forecourt. After our visit, we will return to our hotel in Valletta by motorcoach.
Lunch:
On your own in Valletta.
Afternoon:
In the late afternoon, we will drive to a unique winery located in the southern region of Malta. The estate covers four hectares of terraced vineyards and is built with weathered limestone blocks, blending old-world charm with modern architectural touches. The winery features approximately 15,000 vines, as well as around 200 olive trees, fig trees, carob trees, and other indigenous Maltese flora. Upon our arrival, we will enjoy an exclusive visit that includes a private expert-led visit through the winery, followed by a tasting of three wines. The wine tasting will be accompanied by a light dinner platter featuring a selection of cheese and cold cuts, warm bread, and olive oil produced by the winery.
Dinner:
Light dinner at the winery
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Rabat & Mdina
Location:
Malta
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Palais Le Brun
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 17 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 2 miles, standing up to 3 hours; mostly paved terrain, uneven ground, steps and narrow passages at underground catacombs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will meet our Group Leader, board the motorcoach, and ride to St. Paul’s Catacombs in Rabat. The catacombs are located on the outskirts due to Roman law prohibiting burials within the city. The association with St. Paul comes from the myth that these catacombs were at one time connected to St. Paul’s Grotto. It is believed that this underground cemetery complex was used up until perhaps the 8th century. This particular complex has up to 30 separate hypogea (underground chambers) in the main cluster, and its interconnected passages cover an area of more than 21,000 square feet. Next, we will walk to Wignacourt Museum that houses St. Paul’s Grotto. According to the biblical Book of Acts, this small cave is where Saint Paul and his missionaries sought refuge after being shipwrecked on the island of Malta. Considered to be the cradle of the Christian religion in Malta, it is from this cave that Saint Paul would preach and spread the gospel. Under the Grotto is a series of air raid shelters that were used during World War II. It took about 8,000 workers to dig 841 shelters by hand to house the residents of Rabat. Fifty of these shelters are now open to the public for viewing.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will walk to the Domus Romana where a local expert will lead our exploration. The site offers a fascinating glimpse into the private life and habits of an ancient Roman aristocrat. While only a small portion of this noble Roman townhouse (domvs) was recovered, the intricate mosaics and artefacts found within the remains speak to the original richness of this dwelling. Discovered by accident in 1881, the site was soon protected by a building constructed specifically to safeguard the mosaics. This was the first structure in the Maltese Islands built to protect an archaeological site and collection. One of the highlights of the museum is a unique set of marble statues portraying Emperor Claudius and his family—an extraordinary find for a private residence, as such statues were typically displayed in public spaces during the Roman Empire. Later, we will take a walk through Mdina, often referred to as the “Silent City.” This ancient city, first inhabited around 2500 BCE, is known for its quiet, timeless atmosphere and stunning architecture. As we explore, you’ll be amazed by the beauty and history that surround us. Mdina has also served as a backdrop for several films and TV shows, including ‘Pulp’ (1972), ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ (2002), and ‘Game of Thrones’ (2008). Late afternoon, we will return to our hotel by motorcoach.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Maltese Cookery Class, Free Time
Location:
Malta
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Palais Le Brun
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Standing up to 2 hours; mostly paved terrain, some uneven ground and steps. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart from the hotel and visit a restored village house that now operates as a traditional restaurant with an open kitchen. This restaurant sources fresh, home-grown produce from the family’s farm located just 200 meters away. The estate covers over 600 acres, growing seasonal fruits and vegetables that are central to the dishes served. Cooking has been a key part of the family’s daily life for generations. Many of the recipes come from their grandmother’s recipe book, passed down through the family, preserving authentic Maltese cooking traditions. We will also learn about the restaurant’s 300-year-old wine cellar, which still contains two wells that were used to press the local Maltese grape varieties, Girgentina and Gellewza During our visit, we will participate in a private cooking class, focusing on simple recipes using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Lunch:
At the cookery class, we will enjoy the food we helped prepare along with a glass of local wine. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell lunch. We’ll then return to the hotel by motorcoach before adjourning for the day.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
8
Program Concludes, In Transit from Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers. Transfers may start from approximately 4:00 a.m. local time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel if flight times permit. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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