Malta and Gozo

Malta and Gozo boast a history of remarkable intensity, brimming with baroque churches, UNESCO listed prehistoric temples and fossil-studded cliffs. Discover the magnificent Cathedral in the capital, Valletta, the ?silent? ancient walled city of Mdina and the apricot sands of Gozo?s beaches washed with turquoise waters. Stunning rugged coastlines and beautiful gardens abound throughout these sun-soaked islands.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: UK to Malta

Fly to Malta from your chosen UK departure airport. You will be met on arrival and taken to your Hotel on the seafront.

Dinner

Day 2: Valletta

Enjoy a half day walking tour of Malta's fascinating capital Valletta. Visiting in 1830 a young Benjamin Disraeli declared Valletta 'a city of palaces built by gentlemen for gentlemen.' From the Barakka Gardens with its sweeping views of the Grand Harbour to St John's Co-Cathedral blessed with an incredibly ornate interior and the grandiose Grand Master's Palace displaying antique weaponry and suits of armour, this morning is a great introduction to the treasures that await you on this tour.

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Blue Grotto, Mosta Dome & Mdina

Your full day tour today starts with a visit to the Blue Grotto - an area of sea caverns on Malta's south coast with stunning views of the rugged coastline. Then visit Mosta to see its famous church with the third largest unsupported dome in Europe. Next move on to the 'silent' city of Mdina, whose quiet narrow streets, grand buildings and palaces are protected by impressive ramparts with majestic views of the surroundings.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Cottonera & Hagar Qim

On today's half-day excursion you'll visit Cottonera, the collective description of the fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Senglea which are enclosed by a massive line of fortifications built by the Knights of St John. Then visit Hagar Qim, a UNESCO World Heritage Site older than Stonehenge and home to Megalithic Temples. Today's tour also takes you through the picturesque fishing village at Marsaxlokk.

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Malta to Gozo

Depart in the morning for a short twenty-minute ferry crossing to Malta's sister island Gozo. On arrival, you'll check into the 4-star Cornucopia Hotel.

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6: Gozo - Victoria, Dwejra and Xlendi

Your full day of exploration starts with a tour around Gozo's capital Victoria. Winding streets, bustling squares, ornate baroque churches and the Citadel characterise this charming city of just seven thousand inhabitants. From here it's on to see the 'Inland Sea' at Dwejra before taking a look around the church at Ta'Pinu - a national shrine where various miracles are said to have happened since 1883. Your last stop is at Xlendi, a delightful little seaside village hedged in by rugged cliff faces on either side.

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7: Gozo - Ggantija Temples & Marsalforn

Said to be the world's second oldest manmade religious structures, the Ggantija Temples dates back to between 3600-2500 BC. Set magnificently against a backdrop of the Maltese Islands, legend has it that a giantess built these temples single-handedly. Later on in the morning, your guide will take you for a scenic stroll along the three hundred and fifty-year-old Salt Pans and then it's on to the fishing village of Marsalforn, where you'll have free time to explore.

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8: Gozo to Malta

Travel back to Malta arriving with plenty of time for some retail therapy in the many international shops and boutiques of Sliema. Alternatively, spend the afternoon strolling along the seafront and stopping at one of the many cafes that can be found close by.

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 9: Malta to the UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Breakfast

Your Meals

Breakfast will always be served at your accommodation each morning during the tour.
Lunch and Dinner, where included, will be served in local restaurants or at your accommodation.

Important Information

Visas

A visa is not required for your entry into Malta and Gozo. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.

Insurance

You must obtain suitable travel insurance prior to departure. Mercury Holidays is partnered with Holiday Extras which offer insurance at the following prices:

Age in Years	Up to 64	65 - 74	75 - 85
Up to 10 days cover	£21	£42	£62

For all persons 86 years and over, please contact us for insurance prices. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

Payment

If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of €300pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

Flight Information

Your flight is to Malta Airport with Air Malta (KM), departing from London Heathrow, Terminal 4. IMPORTANT: Flight times/numbers are for guidance only & are subject to change. Baggage allowance (per person): Each passenger is entitled to 20kg of hold luggage. Hand luggage: One piece not exceeding 5Kg and with maximum total dimensions not exceeding 113cm (50 cm x 45cm x 18cm). Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in.

Health and Vaccinations

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

Physical Accessibility

This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

Group Size

The maximum capacity on the boat is 35 passengers. If in the unlikely event there are not enough people booked on your tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

Tour Guide

This is a fully escorted tour with local guides throughout ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.

Currency Information

The currency in Malta and Gozo is the Euro. You can exchange your currency before you travel, or whilst you are in Malta and Gozo. Cash machine will be available throughout your tour for you to withdraw money in the local currency.

Personal Expenses

You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any lunches where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £100-£200 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour, depending on how much of a bargain-hunter you are!

Tour Dates & Prices

Depart UK	Arrive UK	Price
2018 Dates
22 Feb 2018	02 Mar 2018	€769pp
08 Mar 2018	16 Mar 2018	€846pp
19 Apr 2018	27 Apr 2018	€956pp
17 May 2018	25 May 2018	€1066pp
14 Jun 2018	22 Jun 2018	€1099pp
12 Jul 2018	20 Jul 2018	€1132pp
23 Aug 2018	31 Aug 2018	€1132pp
13 Sep 2018	21 Sep 2018	€1066pp
18 Oct 2018	26 Oct 2018	€956pp
15 Nov 2018	23 Nov 2018	€725pp

Travelling alone?

Unfortunately, we do not have any places with no single supplements on this tour. However, if you are happy to share with another passenger of the same gender, then let us know at the time of booking and we will endeavour to find you a travelling partner. Alternatively, please ask about our single supplement prices in order to book your own twin room.

Customer rating:10/10

Anh Ha Tran15th Dec 2016

both hotels are nice

Overall satisfaction
10
Value for money
10

Customer rating:10/10

Stephen Lloyd24th Nov 2016

I enjoyed the tour overall and the Cornucopia on Gozo was excellent!

Overall satisfaction
10
Value for money
10

Customer rating:10/10

John Needham8th Nov 2016

Excellent

Overall satisfaction
10
Value for money
10

Customer rating:8.8/10

Joanne Morey18th Oct 2016

The tour guides were amazing, the educational information was extremely well presented and their sense of humour outstanding

Overall satisfaction
10
Value for money
7.5

Customer rating:7.5/10

John Wilkins24th Sep 2016

Hotels were very acceptable . Food good .
Glad the Calypso hotel was used at Gozo instead of the Cornucopia as the Calypso was very good and much better located .

Overall satisfaction
7.5
Value for money
7.5

Customer rating:10/10

Maria Gutierrez11th Aug 2016

Our guide on this tour has been excellent and very helpful and informative. We Couldn't have asked for more.

Overall satisfaction
10
Value for money
10

Customer rating:10/10

Gillian Howell- Jones11th Aug 2016

The guide was very knowledgeable and helpful.

Overall satisfaction
10
Value for money
10

Customer rating:8.8/10

Anthea Fielding11th Aug 2016

Wish we'd booked a longer stay!

Overall satisfaction
10
Value for money
7.5

Customer rating:10/10

Keith White11th Aug 2016

We had an excellent rep she was very informative and enthusiastic and we enjoyed al our trips and thought the hotel in Gozo was fabulous.

Overall satisfaction
10
Value for money
10

Customer rating:10/10

Lavinia Blanche11th Aug 2016

We have been very happy with the overall package from day one. The food at the hotels, the staff were courteous and helpful and the tour guide was very efficient, informative and caring.

Overall satisfaction
10
Value for money
10

Customer rating:7.5/10

Marion Kennedy9th Jun 2016

The guide was terrific, very informative. Not too pleased about the room at the Fortina, no window and the room was very dark and dingy although spacious with 4 beds. The hotel in Gozo was fantastic and the food was good. Lovely room perfect position, but no tea facilities.

Overall satisfaction
7.5
Value for money
7.5

Customer rating:5/10

Colin Ladley9th Jun 2016

Initially we were upset at the room we were given at the Preluna but we were then given a different room which was satisfactory. The second hotel was lovely but isolated. Both hotels offered excellent menus and service was very goof. The second guide Doris was very informative and pleasant, made sure that we were all looked after.

Overall satisfaction
5
Value for money
5

Customer rating:10/10

Paul Jeffery31st May 2016

I thought the tour was excellent – seeing everything I wanted to which would have been impossible travelling alone. The 2 hotels complimented each other and offered a very relaxing break.

Overall satisfaction
10
Value for money
10

Customer rating:7.5/10

Gillian Caldwell4th May 2016

This is a terrific hotel nothing too much trouble for the staff excellent food and drink clean in every way we enjoyed every minute of our stay here. Having read some of the comments about this hotel on trip adviser I was a bit apprehensive but I was very pleasantly surprised and would advise people to ignore the negative comments and judge for themselves.

Overall satisfaction
7.5
Value for money
7.5

Customer rating:10/10

Raymond Parrott28th Mar 2016

excellent charming hotel on Gozo with brilliant service

Overall satisfaction
10
Value for money
10

Customer rating:8.8/10

Linda Cox19th Mar 2016

I have already advised you of my opinions on a paper survey

Overall satisfaction
7.5
Value for money
10

Customer rating:10/10

Nicola Ward18th Oct 2015

Preluna Hotel was dated but fine in all repects. Staff very friendly and hotel and rooms very clean. We particularly enjoyed the roof top bar, lovely views and the evening entertainment which was of a very high standard. The chefs worked hard to keep the food coming and bringing out hot food on a regular basis. The food was excellent with lots of choice. The service was friendly and prompt. Everyone was so friendly and kind. We enjoyed the bar and 'happy hour' for a relaxing drink before our evening meal. Hotel is well placed for getting around. We used the ferry over to Valetta a lot.