Malta: Valletta, the Blue Grotto & Gozo Island

  • thumbnail image_maltavallettathebluegrottogozoisland
  • thumbnail map_maltavallettathebluegrottogozoisland

Duration: 8 days

Begins: Valletta

Ends: Valletta

Trip Code: EVGM

From

£2,549 per person

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    Malta has spent 7,000 years perfecting the art of hospitality, and this trip proves it. Wander Valletta's fortress streets and Gozo's rustic lanes, duck into sea caverns by boat, and let a family farm feed you before the limoncello does its job. Ancient temples, warm seas, and even warmer welcomes — this is Malta at its sun-drenched, unhurried best.
    Is this tour for me?
    Travel Style
    The Geluxe Collection
    With perfectly paced itineraries, one-of-a-kind accommodations, and comfort at their very core, these premium active trips are adventure at its finest.
    Service Level
    Upgraded
    Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
    Physical Rating
    3 - Average
    Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
    Trip Type
    Small Group
    Age requirement
    12+
    All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
    What's Included
    • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
    • Your Foodie Moment: Gozo Cottage Factory, Gozo
    • Your OMG Day: Hike Ta Cenc Cliffs or Coastal Kayaking, Gozo
    • Your Foodie Moment: Lunch at the Is Suq a Belt Market, Valletta
    • Your Foodie Moment: Farm to Table Lunch at Diar il Bniet farm, Dingli
    • Complimentary arrival transfer
    • Tuk Tuk Tour Gozo
    • Visit to Victoria
    • Gozo's artisanal culinary experience and lunch
    • Choice of coastal hike or coastal kayak excursion
    • Visit to Hondoq village
    • High-speed ferry rides
    • Guided walking tour of Valletta
    • Lunch in Is Suq a Belt Market in the heart of Valletta
    • Guided walking tour of the Three Cities
    • Blue Grotto boat ride along coastal cliffs
    • Walk through Hagar-Qim Archaeological Site
    • Farm to table lunch at family establishment
    • Guided tour of the Limestone Heritage Park and Gardens
    • Limoncello making and tasting experience
    • Tips for all included meals and activities, except for CEO and Porterage
    • Departure transfer
    • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

    Day 1 : Malta: Transfer and Welcome Moment

    Touch down in Valletta for a week of active discovery and cultural immersion. Meet your CEO for an included transfer by coach and ferry to your hotel on the island of Gozo. Prepare for a trip of a lifetime including island hikes, culinary delights, historical sights and scenic coastal walks. Every Mediterranean vista is paired with curated comfort and deep local flavours.

    Arrive and make your way to the meeting point for your private transfer direct to your hotel on the island of Gozo. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group and CEO later this afternoon. Afterwards, enjoy an orientation walk and dinner with your CEO.

    Arrival Transfer

    Valletta - Gozo 1h

    You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

    Meet Your CEO and Group

    1h

    Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

    Meals Included:

    Dinner

    Day 2 : Gozo: Tuk Tuk and Culinary Delights

    This morning climb into a private tuk-tuk with your CEO to navigate Gozo’s hidden, narrow streets and visit historic Victoria. Next, immerse your senses at the Gozo Cottage Factory for an artisanal foodie moment. Here you can see the making of gourmet items such as olive oil, wines, liqueurs, jams, balsamic vinegars, and distillates, while exploring the aromas, flavours, and traditional methods behind them. Enjoy a tasting of estate DOK wine, fresh local bread, and traditional delicacies at an included lunch. Return by tuk-tuk for a relaxing afternoon before dinner on your own.

    Meet your CEO in the hotel lobby to board 6-person motorized tuk-tuks for a 1-hour island tour. Stop in Victoria for a CEO-led orientation walk and free time, followed by a short walk to a local winery for an included wine tasting and lunch. Return to the hotel by tuk-tuk for an independent afternoon and evening, with CEO recommendations available.

    Tuk Tuk Tour of Gozo

    Gozo 1h

    Hop into an open-air three-wheeler to explore secluded island lanes, pausing at the central old fortress city during a breezy, highly scenic local day trip. Includes a stop in Victoria and a CEO led orientation walk of the town.

    Gozo Cottage Factory

    Gozo 1h30m

    Step inside a bustling family-run workshop where the island's raw bounty is transformed into gourmet delicacies, rich liqueurs, and cold-pressed olive oils. Depending on the season, you might witness the theatrical pressing of local olives, the aromatic distillation of citrus fruits, or the harvesting of sun-ripened grapes for DOK-certified wines. Your experience culminates in the cellar, where you will gather to sample freshly baked local bread dipped in robust oils, paired perfectly with hand-salted specialties and a glass of estate wine.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 3 : Gozo: Your OMG Day

    Today is all about you. Kick off your journey with a choice of active adventures. Trek along Gozo’s rugged Ta’ Cenc cliffs past rugged scenery and serene bays or opt for a coastal kayaking excursion. Reconnect over a local group lunch at Hondoq before a relaxing afternoon. Tonight, explore regional flavors with your CEO’s insider dining recommendations at an optional dinner.

    This morning meet your CEO in the lobby for your included choice of excursion. Join a local guide for a hike along the Ta’ Cenc cliffs or board a kayak for a paddle along the scenic coastal coves and inlets. At the end of the excursions you will transfer by coach to the town of Hondoq where we regroup for an included local style lunch. There is also time for swimming before transferring by coach to your hotel. Your evening is free to explore as you wish.

    Hike Ta Cenc Cliffs or Coastal Kayaking

    Gozo 3h

    Option 1: Trek along the stunning Ta’ Cenc cliffs Option 2: Kayaking trip gliding past deep, open caves, hidden rocky coves, and nesting seabirds.

    Visit to Hondoq Village

    Gozo 1h30m

    Ħondoq ir-Rummien is a beautiful, sheltered cove on the southeastern coast of Gozo, just below the village of Qala. It features crystal-clear, azure waters, a small sandy-pebbly beach, and stunning views of the nearby island of Comino.

    Private Vehicle

    Ħondoq - Ta’ Ċenċ 0h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 4 : Gozo to Malta

    Bid farewell to peaceful Gozo this morning as we board a high-speed ferry, cruising across the sparkling Mediterranean toward the vibrant shores of Malta. Upon arrival, dive straight into the living history of Valletta on a guided walking tour. Explore the city’s iconic waterfront, towering fortifications, and Baroque architecture. Afterwards, enjoy a culinary immersion at Is Suq Tal-Belt. This beautifully restored historic market features a bustling food court where you can navigate artisanal stalls and sample authentic Maltese flavors for lunch. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

    Depart your hotel by private coach for transfer to the Gozo ferry terminal. Travel via high-speed ferry to Sliema, Malta. Proceed to Valletta for a locally guided walking tour of the waterfront and architecture. Break for lunch at Is Suq Tal-Belt Market. Proceed by private coach to your hotel in Sliema for an afternoon at leisure prior to independent evening dining in Sliema. Perhaps join your CEO for an orientation walk around the hotel and optional dinner tonight.

    Private Vehicle

    Ta’ Ċenċ - Mġarr 0h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    High-Speed Ferry to Malta

    Gozo - Sliema 1h

    Skimming vibrant blue seas, the fast catamaran leaves Gozo’s terraced hills behind, slicing smoothly toward Valletta’s sun-drenched, historic stone fortresses.

    Private Vehicle

    Valletta Ferry - Valletta 0h15m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Locally Guided Tour of Valletta

    Valletta 2h

    Valletta, Malta's fortress capital, is an open-air museum built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century. Walking through this UNESCO World Heritage site alongside a local guide transforms a simple stroll into a journey through time, as they reveal the secrets behind the massive limestone walls, asymmetric side streets, and iconic colourful wooden balconies.

    Lunch at the Is Suq a Belt Market

    Valletta 1h30m

    Is Suq Tal-Belt (The City Market) is famous because it beautifully blends 19th-century industrial heritage with a modern, bustling food culture. Built in the 1860s during British rule, the food court is located in the heart of Valletta, featuring a mix of vendors offering everything from traditional Maltese cuisine to international favourites.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 5 : Malta: Explore the Three Cities

    Today you step back in time during a locally guided tour of the three cities, the fortified maritime heart of Malta whose history predates even Valletta and is the ancient cradle of Malta. Start with a walk through the historic, winding streets of Senglea (Isla) passing by St. Philip's Church, uncovering towering bastions and hidden gardens that look out over panoramic views of the Grand Harbour. Next, trace the waterfront promenade and cross the marina into medieval Birgu (Vittoriosa) pausing to absorb the deep heritage of the Knights of St. John. After working up an appetite, conclude your active morning of discovery by gathering at a handpicked local restaurant to savor a traditional Maltese lunch.

    This morning transfer by private coach for a locally guided tour of the Three Cities. Walk through the historic streets of Senglea, Cospicua (Bormla) and Birgu along waterfronts and through gardens. Stop to see the Inquisitor’s Palace before sitting down for an included local restaurant lunch. An included transfer takes you back to your hotel in Sliema for a free afternoon and evening.

    Private Vehicle

    Sliema - Senglea 0h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Locally Guided Walking Tour of the Three Cities

    Senglea - Vittoriosa 2h

    The Three Cities—Birgu (Vittoriosa), Senglea (Isla), and Cospicua (Bormla)—form the fortified core of the island spanning the Era of the Knights, the Great Siege of 1565, and the destruction of WWII. Meander alongside your guide through historic harborsides and fortified stone settlements, discovering legends and architectural marvels tucked away in quiet alleys

    Private Vehicle

    Senglea - Sliema 0h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 6 : Malta: Highlights of the Island

    Your day begins at the stunning Blue Grotto. Board a traditional boat to glide through sea caverns, marveling at the vibrant, glowing shades of cyan and cobalt reflected on the limestone walls. Next, journey to the dramatic cliffside setting of Hagar Qim. During a self-guided exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage megalithic complex, travel back 5,000 years in time, as you walk among some of the oldest freestanding stone structures on Earth. Conclude your morning adventure at Diar il Bniet, an authentic estate farm. Here, you will gather for an estate-to-table lunch celebrating Malta's culinary traditions, packed with fresh, locally harvested ingredients.

    Transfer by private coach to the Blue Grotto for a private boat tour of the coastal caves and inlets. Returning to the harbor we transfer to Hagar Qim for a visit to this ancient site. Along the way the CEO will introduce you to the importance of this site. Upon arrival, you have free time to explore the ruins on your own. Conclude the day with a local style lunch at Diar il Bniet farm. Return to your hotel by coach for a free late afternoon and evening. Perhaps join your CEO for an optional dinner tonight.

    Private Vehicle

    Sliema - Qrendi 0h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Blue Grotto Boat Ride

    Sliema - Qrendi 1h

    Located on the rugged southern coast of Malta, the Blue Grotto is a network of seven seaside caverns carved out of sheer limestone cliffs. The experience centers around a boat ride in a traditional Maltese wooden fishing boat, known locally as a frejgatina. The site is globally famous for its bioluminescent-like glow, where the water shifts into brilliant shades of cyan, cobalt, and emerald.

    Visit Hagar Qim Archeological site

    Qrendi 1h15m

    Walking around Hagar Qim is an experience of massive scale and ancient mystery, set against a dramatic backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea. Walking along the raised wooden walkways, you are surrounded by towering freestanding stones. The wind from the nearby cliffs sweeps through the open-air chambers, where you can see ancient doorways, smooth altars, and mysterious "oracle holes" cut directly into the rock faces.

    Private Vehicle

    Qrendi - Dingli 0h15m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Farm to Table Lunch at Diar il Bniet farm

    Dingli 2h15m

    A lunch at Diar il Bniet in the rural village of Dingli is an immersive jump into authentic Maltese agricultural traditions. This family-run estate operates on a strict farm-to-table philosophy, meaning the ingredients on your plate are harvested from their nearby fields just hours before your meal. Sitting down in the rustic, stone-walled dining room, the meal feels less like a commercial restaurant and more like a traditional family gathering.

    Private Vehicle

    Dingli - Sliema 0h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 7 : Malta: Limestone Heritage Park and Limoncello Making

    Your morning begins at the Limestone Heritage Park and Gardens. On a guided tour of this historic quarry, discover the 22-million-year story of the golden limestone shaping Malta's architecture. Next, head to the citrus orchard, sheltered by towering quarry walls that create a lush microclimate. Here, join a hands-on Limoncello Making experience. Craft this traditional liqueur using freshly picked lemons, followed by a chilled tasting. Any remaining fruit is sustainably repurposed into refreshing sorbet. Afterward, transfer to the historic village of Naxxar for a local lunch on your own.

    This morning meet your CEO for a transfer by coach to the Limestone Heritage Park. Here you will have a locally guided walk through the grounds. Continue by coach to the historic town of Naxxar for free time and lunch on your own. Return to your hotel by coach.

    Private Vehicle

    Sliema - Siġġiewi 0h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Limestone Heritage Park and Limoncello Making

    Siġġiewi 2h

    The site is a former Maltese quarry that has been transformed into an award-winning walk-through museum and landscaped park. Explore the traditional, hands-on stone-sculpting demonstrations and the history of the quarrymen who cut these massive blocks by hand. Step into the hidden gardens sheltered by towering quarry walls, where you will participate in a seasonal limoncello-making experience and tasting of this delicious drink.

    Private Vehicle

    Siġġiewi - Naxxar 0h15m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Visit to Naxxar Village

    Naxxar 1h30m

    Naxxar is a classic Maltese town built on a strategic hill, its history stretches from prehistoric times to the era of the Knights of St. John. It is home to Palazzo Parisio, where you can experience seasonal Mediterranean dining or a classic afternoon tea right inside a majestic 19th-century palace garden. The village has also developed a trendy brunch and coffee scene. Tucked into Naxxar's winding alleys are converted traditional houses of character that now operate as upscale wine bars, bistros, and specialised steakhouses, offering an intimate culinary vibe.

    Private Vehicle

    Naxxar - Sliema 0h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 8 : Departure Day

    Today your adventure comes to an end, but the memories made during your time in Malta will live on.

    The adventure finishes today, and you can depart at any time.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

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