Valetta Harbour, Malta
View of Meridiana from vines
A harbour in Malta
Malta and Gozo
11 - 15 March 2012
This year, for our Early Spring escape to the sun, we have chosen the fascinating Islands of Malta and Gozo.
If you know nothing about Maltese wines, or are bemused to hear that they are worthy of interest; you will, like previous clients who we have already escorted here, be delightfully surprised by the quality. (Until fairly recently most “Maltese” wine was made from grapes or concentrate shipped in from Italy, and was, quite frankly, plonk). Nowadays, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Nero d’Avola and Viognier are grown, as well as the indigenous Gellewza (red) and Ghirgentina (white). There are a handful of dedicated wine producers: Marsovin, Delicata, Camilleri and Meridiana who are making good quality wines from Maltese vineyards and who we visit.
We’ll also spend a day on the unspoilt island of Gozo, which is very different countryside to that of its larger sister island of Malta. Here we are welcomed by the dynamic Joe Spiteri at Ta Mena wine estate. We’ll also visit the Azure Window one of the loveliest natural features of the island.
If you wish you can return to Valetta by seaplane and land in the Grand Harbour, one of the most spectacular harbours in the world, resonant of the two great sieges of Malta, by the Turks in 1565, and in World War Two. – We highly recommend this experience!
The history of the Maltese Islands is varied and interesting. From the Neolithic period, of which you can still visit the remains of the megalithic temples, through the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Byzantines, all of whom left their traces on the Islands. Malta rose to prominence under the Knights of St John who made the island their made after they were driven from Rhodes and Palestine. The French under Napoleon over-threw the Knights and this is turn led to British occupation. British rule was welcomed and continued until 1964.
We stay in a comfortable classic 5* hotel, just outside the walls of the lovely baroque city of Valetta, which, with its spacious public rooms, intimate bar and superb breakfast, will be a very comfortable base for our tour.
As average day time temperatures in March are recorded as between 18 – 20 degrees and with an average of 7 hours of sunshine – this is a perfect escape from the British Weather!
11 - 15 March 2012
£1,499.00 
per person
Places available.Price Includes:
Return Air Malta Scheduled flights London Heathrow – Malta
Four nights in 5* hotel with full buffet breakfasts.
Four meals with wines as described in the itinerary – At wine estates, this is served at their discretion. In restaurants half a bottle of wine per person is included – coffee is included in restaurants but not at all estates.
Air-conditioned coach for the itinerary.
Return Ferry to Gozo
Visits and tastings as per the itinerary.
Tim Clarke, Chairman of A&C, as Wine Guide and Tour Manager. If the party size is 17 or under the tour may be accompanied by a different Wine Guide who will also be the Tour Manager.
No flight discount: £150 per person
Return Flights are available until 8 weeks before departure, after this date the tour will be sold without the included flight and we can either request the most up to date flight price for you, which will be a higher price than the group price or you can book your own flights to suit you.
Travel: Return Flight London - MaltaSole Occupancy: £210.00
Deposit: £500.00
Room Upgrade: Please Call
Malta and Gozo
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 – 11 March 2012: Return flight London Heathrow (11:25) – Malta (15:35). Transfer to Hotel. Included dinner with Emmanuele Delicata winery. Overnight at 5* Hotel , Valetta.
Day 2 – 12 March 2012: Lunch with Camilleri winery. Free time in afternoon in Mdina. Non included dinner. Overnight at 5* Hotel , Valetta.
Day 3 – 13 March 2012: AM ferry to Gozo. Lunch at Ta Mena. View the Azure Window. Ferry to Malta. Non included dinner. Overnight at 5* Hotel , Valetta.
Day 4 – 14 March 2012: Morning visit to Meridiana. Free lunchtime & afternoon in Valetta. Included dinner with Marsovin. Overnight at 5* Hotel , Valetta.
Day 5 – 15 March 2012: Optional walking tour. Free time for lunch in Valetta. Return flight Malta (16:50) – London Heathrow (19:25).
Hotel Details & Upgrade
5* Hotel, Valetta
A traditional and elegant property, this 5* hotel is situated on the edge of the old historical heart of Valetta. The rooms are recently refurbished in a classic but very comfortable style. The staff are very friendly and helpful and there are two wonderful bars.
Breakfast is included at the hotel each morning and you will be advised of times on tour. Departure times each morning are generally around 9:30 and again, your Tour Manager will advise you.
We have included Classic Plus rooms (which is not their standard rooms) in the main tour price. If you would like to upgrade from this to either Deluxe Harbour View or Executive Suite harbour View please call for availability and price.
Travel Details
Flight timings are subject to change by the airline and will be reconfirmed with your final itinerary.
Please note that Air Malta also has direct flights from Manchester – so please do contact the office for more details, prices and current availability.
We offer a no flight discount if you would like to join us on location or if you book within 8 weeks before departure the flights are not included nor are airport transfers included when you take the no-flight discount. You will meet and end the tour at the Hotel.
After the 12th of January 2012 the above tour is sold without the travel to the destination, as we have to confirm numbers to the airline. After this date your own arrangements or we can quote on current travel costs which will always be more that that included in the original tour price. Room allocations are also reduced at this time so although there may be space on the tour you may be offered alternative accommodation. So, early booking is strongly recommended for the best price and to ensure availability on the included travel at the main tour hotels.
