In-Depth Trip Itinerary
Be prepared—Spontaneous changes are part of the fun!
Click on the LOCATION link above for photos and descriptions of these sites.
DAY 1. THURSDAY, 9 SEPT. ARRIVE
ARRIVE AT MALTA INT'L AIRPORT (MLA) on the energy of the New Moon where you will be warmly greeted by our guide and brought to the hotel.
Evening Welcome Dinner and gathering.
Overnight — Grand Hotel Excelsior. (D)
DAY 2. FRIDAY, 10 SEPT. VALLETTA
After a sumptuous breakfast buffet we will gather for a morning circle before departing for the heart of Valletta. Our guided tour through the bustling streets will first allow you to view the Barracca Gardens that command a breathtaking panorama of the Grand Harbour and then to St John’s Co-Cathedral, adorned in riches that date back to the Knights of Malta including the world famous Caravaggio painting that is on display in the Oratory of this Cathedral. After we will visit the Archeology museum which has an exceptional array of artifacts from Malta’s unique prehistoric periods, starting with the first arrival of humans in the Ghar Dalam phase (5200 BCE). We will also view from the outside the Grand Master’s Palace and other buildings of historical importance.
Afternoon in-depth workshop with Christine Page on the Great Mother Goddess.
Overnight — Grand Hotel Excelsior. (B, L)
DAY 3. SATURDAY, 11 SEPT. MNAJDRA, HAGAR QIM, DINGLI CLIFFS, MOSTA DOME CHURCH
After breakfast and our morning circle we depart for Hagar Qim and Mnajdra. Much interest has been unearthed at Hagar Qim, notably a decorated pillar altar, two table-altars and some of the `fat lady' statues. Hagar Qim itself consists of a single temple unit. The forecourt and facade follow the pattern typical of temples across the Islands. Particularly noteworthy are the larger orthostats at the corners, which are notched to take the second of the horizontal courses above.
From Hagar Qim we walk about 10 minutes to Mnajdra. The Mnajdra Temples are three conjoined Neolithic temples on the southern coast of Malta, ranging in dates from 3600 to 2000 BCE. The southern temple is aligned with the solstices and equinoxes.
We will also visit the Dingli Cliffs and the mysterious "cart ruts" and the magnificent dome at Mosta Church.
Overnight — Grand Hotel Excelsior. (B, L)
DAY 4. SUNDAY, 12 SEPT. GOZO — GGANTIJA TEMPLES, VICTORIA, DWEJRA, CALYPSO CAVES
After breakfast and our morning circle we depart Gozo, Malta’s smaller sister island. After a twenty-minute ferry crossing, on setting foot in Gozo you will notice that although both islands are similar in history and development Gozo has a character entirely of its own. Gozo, which is a three hilled island, is greener and more picturesque than Malta. During the excursion we will visit the pre-historic Ggantija Temples in the small town of Xaghra.
After the visit of the temples we will discover Victoria. The town of Victoria embraces both the Citadel, the ancient city of the Island, as well as Rabat, the old suburb of the Citadel. From these fortifications, we will enjoy a superb view of the whole Island.
Overnight — Grand Hotel Excelsior. (B, L)
DAY 5. MONDAY, 13 SEPT. SKORBA, HAGRAT, GHAR DALAM
After breakfast and our morning circle we depart for the Skorba Temples, which lie in fields overlooking Zebbiegh, a hamlet near Mgarr, in northwest Malta. The site comprises two temple remains, side by side. Skorba, excavated in the 1960s, is one of the most informative sites since it was left untouched during the first two phases of archaeological digs at temple sites in the early 19th and 20th centuries.
Ta'Hagrat is an important temple site lying in a picturesque and evocative setting on the outskirts of Mgarr. Dating from around 3600 – 3200 BCE, it is one of the earliest temple buildings in Malta. Ta’ Hagrat is smaller than many of the Islands’ temples, at 15m long internally, but it is better preserved.
Ghar Dalam (Cave of Darkness) is where bones of dwarf elephant, hippopotamus, deer, and other species dating back several hundred-thousand years were found.
Overnight — Grand Hotel Excelsior. (B, L)
DAY 6. TUESDAY, 14 SEPT. TARXIEN TEMPLES, THREE CITIES
Breakfast and morning circle in hotel.
The Tarxien temples, dating from 3600 to 2500 BCE, are the most complex of all temple sites in Malta and consists of four megalithic structures. The temples are renowned for the detail of their carvings, which include domestic animals carved in relief, altars, and screens decorated with spiral designs and other patterns. Of particular note is a chamber set into the thickness of the wall between the South and Central temples, which is famous for its relief of two bulls and a sow.
We will discover the historical area known as the three cities: Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. A drive past Cospicua will bring us to Vittoriosa where we will walk through the various narrow streets shaded by many historic buildings. From the old quay you we will take a typical harbour ‘fregatina’ for a tour of the famous harbour creeks. In Senglea we have a look from the beautiful ‘vedette’ placed in the centre of the Grand Harbour.
Overnight — Grand Hotel Excelsior. (B, L)
DAY 7. WEDNESDAY, 15 SEPT. HYPOGEUM, MDINA
After breakfast and our morning circle we depart for the The Hypogeum, or underground cavity, a unique monument and a splendid example of architecture in the negative. The Hypogeum consists of halls, chambers and passages hewn out of the living rock and covering some 500m˛. The rock-cut chambers are of diverse shapes and sizes and finished to different standards of workmanship. The complex is grouped in three levels – the upper level (3600—3300 BCE), the middle level (3300—3000 BCE), and the lower level (3150—2500 BCE).
We will enter in groups of 10 at one time, while the others enjoy the local cafes and shopping. This will be a very powerful experience and we will take the afternoon at leisure to integrate the experience.
In the evening we depart for the beautiful walled city Mdina. We will take a brief walking tour around this tiny city and enjoy a pre-dinner drink on the bastions that command a breath taking view. We will then proceed to a restaurant for our lovely farewell celebration dinner.
Overnight — Grand Hotel Excelsior. (B, D)
DAY 8. THURSDAY, 16 SEPT. DEPARTURE
After breakfast we will check out of hotel and transfer to the airport, where we will depart for home.
Note... BLD stands for (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner) the meals that are included in the tour.
Due to the magical and spontaneous nature of these trips the itinerary is subject to change, although all sites listed will be visited.
For more information:
Call (1) 505 559 4632 or (44) 020 8133 4994
email: Annie
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