Mediterranean Island Escape
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About the Trip
September 30–October 22, 2024 | 23 Days
Embark on an unforgettable Maltese adventure with a 23-day extended tour of this captivating island nation. Your journey through Malta’s rich cultural mosaic begins in Gzira at the exquisite Grands Suites Hotel Residences & Spa. Follow expert guides as they unveil Valetta’s history through tours of St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Casa Rocca Piccola, then enjoy a picturesque Dghajsa water taxi to Birgu. Immerse yourself in the history of Rabat’s St. Paul’s Catacombs, bask in the splendor of Mdina Cathedral, and marvel at the medieval Palazzo Falson. Throughout your journey, savour local folklore and cuisine for an authentic experience like no other. Explore this dynamic Mediterranean country and its fusion of culture, cuisine and coastal beauty at a pace that lets you soak it all in.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- $25 CAD Beverage card†
- 25 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
An Evening of Maltese Folklore & Gastronomy
Enjoy an unforgettable evening filled with authentic Maltese cuisine and traditional entertainment. Once seated, your culinary delights will begin with a delicious platter of Maltese dishes, while a folklore band keeps everyone entertained. Throughout the evening, a team of traditional dancers dressed in 18th-century costumes will enact a jovial story of Maltese history told through dance. This delightful combination of traditional Maltese food, all produced on the estate, and lively performances will make you fall in love with Malta.
Package Includes:
- Return airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Valletta
- 21-night stay in first-class accommodation in Gzira
- Breakfast daily, 2 lunches,1 dinner, 2 snacks and 1 tasting
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour director
- Hotel porterage of 1 suitcase per person
- Destination transfers
- CAA Bilingual Host
Mediterranean Island Escape: Extended Stay in Malta
Activity Level: Moderate. Experience the ultimate relaxation of an extended tour of Malta, with an itinerary steeped in culture, history and authentic cuisine.
Day 1
Depart on your overnight flight to Valletta.
Day 2
Gzira – Upon arrival, meet your tour director for transfer to Gzira to check into your extended stay hotel, the Grands Suites Hotel Residences & Spa.
Day 3
Gzira – Day at leisure. Later, enjoy an extraordinary evening of Maltese folklore and gastronomy. Receive a delightful welcome by a local Maltese street band, followed by a buffet dinner accompanied by authentic Maltese entertainment. (B/D)
Day 4
Gzira – Enjoy a guided walking tour of the fascinating city of Valletta. Stop at Upper Barakka Gardens for local refreshments like pastizzi, cisk or Kinnie. Afterwards, visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral, a gem of baroque art and architecture. Next, take a private tour of the 16th-century Casa Rocca Piccola, the only privately owned palace in Malta open to the public, followed by a walk to the Valetta Lift for a spectacular boat crossing to Birgu via “Dghajsa”, a traditional Maltese water taxi. Stop for lunch before transferring to your hotel. (B/S/L)
Day 5
Gzira – Your full day begins with a visit to the town of Rabat to tour the St.Paul’s Catacombs. Afterwards, travel to Mdina for a guided walking tour and visit to the cathedral. Next, tour Palazzo Falson, an impressive 13th-century historic home, then indulge in a tour and tasting at Meridiana Winery in Ta’Qali followed by a buffet of traditional Maltese platters. Transfer back to hotel. (B/L/T)
Day 6 - 21
Gzira – Explore, relax, and enjoy the next two weeks at your leisure. Hotel breakfast buffet included daily. (B)
Day 22
Gzira –In the evening, enjoy a group reception at the hotel. (B/S)
Day 23
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | S - Snack | T - Tasting
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Beverage card is one per person, in Canadian funds and has no cash value.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance Company, a CAA Company. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2024. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart on your overnight flight to Valletta.
Day 2
Gzira
Upon arrival, meet your tour director for transfer to Gzira to check into your extended stay hotel, the Grands Hotel Residences & Spa.
Day 3
Gzira
Spend your day at leisure discovering the Malta coastline. In the evening, meet your tour director and fellow travellers for an extraordinary evening of Maltese folklore and gastronomy. You’ll start with a delightful welcome by a local Maltese street band, followed by a buffet dinner and an evening of authentic Maltese entertainment. (B/D)
Day 4
Gzira
Travel to Valletta and enjoy a guided walking tour of this fascinating city. Stop at Upper Barakka Gardens for local refreshments like pastizzi, cisk or Kinnie. Afterwards, visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral, a gem of baroque art and architecture.
Next, with prosecco in hand, experience a private tour of Casa Rocca Piccola, a 16th-century palace deemed “a living museum” as the only privately owned palace open to the public in Malta.
After the tour, walk to the Valetta Lift for a spectacular boat crossing to Birgu via “Dghajsa”, a traditional Maltese water taxi. Enjoy lunch before transferring to your hotel late afternoon. (B/S/L)
Day 5
Gzira
Today, your full day begins with a visit to the town of Rabat to tour the St. Paul’s Catacombs. Afterwards, travel to Mdina for a guided walking tour and visit to Mdina Cathedral. Next, tour Palazzo Falson, an impressive 13th-century historic home built in the fortified walled medieval city of Mdina.
In the afternoon, experience Maltese wine at Meridiana Winery in Ta’Qali, where you’ll enjoy a tour and tasting followed by a buffet of traditional Maltese platters. Transfer back to hotel. (B/L/T)
Day 6 - 21
Gzira
Explore, relax, and enjoy the next two weeks at your leisure. Hotel breakfast buffet included daily. (B)
Day 22
Gzira
In the evening, enjoy a group reception at the hotel with the new friends you’ve met over the course of your holiday. (B/S)
Day 23
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | S - Snack | T - Tasting