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Malta
The History, Romance, Drama
of the
Mediterranean
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Package
includes:
Round Trip Air from New York, Boston, or
Washington DC
(add just $80 to fly from Miami or Orlando and $100 from Los Angeles or
San Francisco)
5 Nights at the Golden Tulip Vivaldi, St. Julian’s
Breakfast daily
Round Trip Transfers from airport to hotel
Choice of TWO Full Day or FOUR
Half Day tours or a Combination |
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Golden Tulip
Vivaldi Hotel
When you stay at the Golden
Tulip Vivaldi, you are in the midst of Malta’s top entertainment spot,
St. Julian’s. Yet shopping attractions, business opportunities and a
bevy of great restaurants surround us. Located
just 50 meters from the sea and 300 meters from the Dragonara Casino,
the Golden Tulip Vivaldi is a superior Four Star Hotel that combines the
local flavors of the Mediterranean whilst ensuring international
standards.
A number of rooms and outlets have breath taking sea views. You can try
your luck at the nearby casino, or just relax over dinner or the various
other facilities provided by the hotel. Those who would like to dance
the night out, well, nothing on the Island beats the night life in St.
Julian’s.
On the other hand, spacious conference facilities and the location of
the hotel is just a mere 10 minutes by car from the business district of
Sliema or a 15 minute-drive from the capital of Malta, Valletta,
qualifies the hotel as an excellent host for people on business.
 Providing
the finest accommodation with spacious and well appointed rooms and
suites, some of which offer a commanding view of the eastern coast of
Malta, equipped with all the necessary up-to-date amenities, your search
for the ideal hotel, be it business or leisure, is over.
Inaugurated in July 1999, the Golden Tulip Vivaldi is elegantly
decorated, with a classical style that ponders on the musical talents of
the Venetian virtuoso Antonio Vivaldi. Indeed, the level of service
sounds music to the ears of our guests! |
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History
of Malta
Malta has been inhabited since around 5200
B.C.E and a significant pre-historic civilization existed on the islands
prior to the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat,
meaning safe haven. The islands later came under the control of first
Carthage (400 B.C.E) and then Rome (218 B.C.E).
During Roman rule, in C.E 60, Saint Paul was shipwrecked on Malta at a
place now called
St. Paul's Bay. Malta was conquered by Arabs in 870 C.E, who would
greatly influence local culture, notably in the Maltese language. In
1090 they were finally replaced by the Sicilian Normans, namely by Roger
I of Sicily, after which Malta became Christian again.
 In
1530 the islands were given to the Order of Knights of the Hospital of
St. John of Jerusalem, who had been driven out of Rhodes by the Ottoman
Empire. This militant monastic order, now known as the "Knights of
Malta", withstood a siege by the Ottomans in 1565, after which they
increased the fortifications, particularly in the city of Valletta.
Their reign ended when Napoleon conquered the islands in 1798. The
British then took the islands in 1800 and appointed Sir Alexander John
Ball governor.
In 1814, as part of the Treaty of Paris, Malta officially became a part
of the British Empire and was used as a shipping way station and the
headquarters for the Mediterranean Fleet was based there, until the
mid-1930s. Malta played a role during World War II, due to its proximity
to Axis shipping lanes. After the war, Maltese independence was granted
on September 21, 1964. It has remained a member of the Commonwealth,
becoming a republic in 1974. In the April 2003 referendum, voters
expressed their will to join the European Union, which led to the island
joining as a full member on May 1, 2004. |
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What To See
and Do
In Malta, you'll
explore 7000 years of history yet live passionately in the present.
You'll span the millennia with an astonishing array of things to
discover. And wherever you go, the Islands' scenery and architecture
provide a spectacular backdrop. The colors are striking. Honey-colored
stone against the deepest of Mediterranean blues.
The Maltese Islands have been described as one big open-air museum. What
makes them unique is that so much of their past is visible today. Delve
into the Islands' mysterious prehistory, retrace the footsteps of St
Paul or see where the Knights of St John defended Christendom.
But Malta is no regular museum. Here life is lived to the full, so make
time for some living history and action. Visit locations where
Oscar-winning blockbusters were filmed. Hollywood Directors like Steven
Spielberg (Munich), Ron Howard (The Da Vinci
Code) and Ridley Scott (Gladiator) have made
movies here. Or go off the beaten track into
ancient villages. Marvel at the fireworks and revelry of the summertime fiestas
and enjoy a packed calendar of events all year round.
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| Malta
Tours |
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Mondays: Half
Day Valletta and Malta Experience: Departure from hotel in coach accompanied by guide to Valletta – The Capital City of Malta,
the City built by the Knights of St. John. During our walking tour of the city, we will first
visit the Upper Barracca Gardens which enjoy a wonderful view of the Grand
Harbor and the Three Historical Cities . We then visit St. John’s Co Cathedral which is historically and artistically
one of the most important monuments on the island. The beginning of the building of this Conventual
church started in 1573 by Grandmaster La Cassiere. Four hundred memorial slabs cover the floor and
the cathedral is full of beautiful paintings. Finally, we visit the Grandmaster’s Palace which has two
lovely courtyards. In the Tapestry Chambers, one can see the priceless Gobelein
Tapestries. We will finally walk down Republic Street to Fort St. Elmo and we will view “The Malta Experience Show” which
is an excellent multi-vision show (runtime. 45 minutes), which introduces visitors to Malta and its people.
Afternoon at leisure.
Tuesday: Full Day at Mdina: Departure from hotel in coach and we transfer to Mosta to visit the
parish church dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This church was built in the classical style and based on that of
the Pantheon in Rome . It is said that the dome of this church is the third largest in Europe
We then proceed with our tour and we visit Ta’ Qali handicrafts village where we will be able to watch
local artisans at their work such as filigree and ceramic making and
glass blowing etc., etc. We then drive to Rabat and we visit the catacombs of St. Paul , which are typical underground Christian
cemeteries, which were common in the 4th century AD. Finally we walk to Mdina – the Old Capital City
of Malta and we visit the cathedral which was built on plans by Lorenzo Gafà. We walk around the narrow
and winding streets and enjoy the panoramic view of Malta from the historic bastions.
Tuesday: HDeparture from hotel in coach and we transfer to Mosta to visit the parish church dedicated to
the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This church was built in the classical style and based on that
of the Pantheon in Rome . It is said that the dome of this church is the third largest in Europe.
We then drive to Rabat and we visit the catacombs of St. Catald, which are typical underground Christian
cemeteries, which were common in the 4th century AD. Finally we walk to Mdina – the Old Capital City of
Malta and we visit the cathedral which was built on plans by Lorenzo Gafà. We walk around the narrow and
winding streets and enjoy the panoramic view of Malta from the historic bastions.
Afternoon at leisure.
Wednesday: Half Day of Three Cities: Departure from hotel in
a motor coach accompanied by guide to visit the Three Historical Cities of
Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa. When the Knights first arrived in Malta , they chose as their home Vittoriosa
(Birgu) because of its vicinity to Fort St. Angelo. In Cospicua (Bormla) one can admire The Cottonera Lines,
the Santa Margherita Lines, Verdala Fort & Barracks and the magnificent Collegiate Parish Church and its
artistic Oratory. In Vittoriosa we will be able to visit the church dedicated to St. Lawrence and the Maritime Museum
Wednesd Afternoon:
Half Day Harbor Cruise: Departure from hotel by coach and accompanied by a fully licensed guide to Sliema Ferries.
We embark on a pleasure boat to visit the natural ports of Marsamxett and the Grand
Harbor whose natural creeks make this port one of the most beautiful in Europe . The view of the fortifications from
the seaward side are unique and a treasure for photographers.
Thursday Full Day Gozo Experience: Departure from hotel in coach and we
transfer to Cirkewwa for ferry boat crossing to Mgarr - Gozo. The short trip from Malta to
Gozo is in itself a pleasant experience especially on a fine day. Mgarr Harbor
is picturesque with all kinds of sea craft. We proceed to Dwejra Bay which is famous for
its hanging window. We then proceed to Victoria which is in the centre of the island as well as being the
center of commerce. The Citadel is a medieval fortified town with massive bastions that date back to the
17th century. In the afternoon we continue with our tour, visiting
Xlendi Bay which has sheer Cliffs and clean water and is in itself a very picturesque little village and then finally to the Gozo Heritage.
Friday Half Day Blue Grotto: Departure from hotel in coach accompanied by guide and we drive to Wied Iz-Zurrieq which is also a small
fishing village. Subject to weather permitting we may take a small fishing boat to visit the
Blue Grotto cave which can be reached only by sea. The cave is 40 meters
in circumference and reaches a depth of 26 meters. The Blue Grotto faces east and it is at its best in the morning because the sunrays floodlight the entire grotto
revealing its beauty. (boat price not included – weather permitting). We finally drive to
Marsaxlokk fishing village which is Malta 's largest fishing village. Here one will be able to watch the fishermen mending their
nets or painting their boats but above all admire this quaint village full of the typical
colorful fishing boats.
Friday Full Day Blue Grotto and Temples: Departure from hotel in coach accompanied by guide and we transfer to the drive to Wied Iz-Zurrieq which is
also a small fishing village. Subject to weather permitting we may take a small fishing boat to visit the
Blue Grotto cave which can be reached only by sea. The Blue Grotto faces the east and is at its best in the
morning because the sunrays floodlight the entire grotto revealing its beauty.
(boat price not included – weather permitting). Lunch is served in one of the picturesque village. Then we go
and visit the Tarxien Temples and finally we drive to Birzebbuga to visit
Ghar Dalam which is a 144 meter long natural cave.
Saturday Full Day Gozo: Departure from hotel in coach and we transfer to Cirkewwa for ferry boat crossing to Mgarr -
Gozo. The short trip from Malta to Gozo is in itself a pleasant experience especially on a fine day.
Mgarr Harbour is picturesque with all kinds of sea craft. During this tour we will visit
Ggantija Temples in Xaghra which were built and developed between
3600 and 2400 BC, making them among the earliest architectural planned facades in the world. We then proceed to
Victoria which is in the centre of the island as well as being the centre of commerce.
The Citadel is a medieval fortified town with massive bastions that date back
to the 17th century. In the afternoon we continue with our tour, visiting
Xlendi Bay which has sheer Cliffs and clean water and is in itself a very picturesque little village.
Sunday Half Day Blue Grotto, Limestone Heritage and Marsaxlokk
Market: Excursion to the south of the island. We commence our tour with a visit to the Blue Grotto and the other
grottoes from close by. (boat price not included – weather permitting).
We proceed our tour with a visit to an insight of Maltese history. Bringing old and new together
enjoy an extensive feature within a modernized quarry that explains one of Malta’s foremost trades of
quarrying together with farmhouse building and stone decoration always using the limestone that gives
its name to this spectacle called “the Limestone Heritage” Lastly we will visit the main
fishing village off Marsaxlokk whose water front is lined with “luzzuz”
painted in traditional reds, blues and yellows that add color to this peaceful bay once the site of the
first Turkish landing during the great siege of 1565 where you will be given free time to spend browsing
around the local market stalls.
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Pricing |
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Due to the current fuel situation and the fact the most airlines are modifying
the number of flights that are available and the cost of those flights, we are
temporarily asking our customers to please either telephone us or send an e-mail, with the trip you are
interested in, with the departure dates, and we will respond as quickly as we can with the
price. We are sorry for any inconvenience. |
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Questions?
Comments?
email us: |
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pam@duso2go.com
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peggyg@duso2go.com
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Fine Print: Deposit of $200.00 is non refundable. The round trip cost of transportation to JFK in
not included. Single supplement $199.00 per person. Single
supplement is not an extra cost. This is because the room cost is
divided between 2 persons on the double rate. All pricing that includes airfare
now includes air fuel surcharges per U.S.
D.O.T Regulations. Air taxes are additional. In the past fuel surcharges
were paid with final payment and were collected along with the taxes,
now the fuel surcharge is collected as part of the package price. Bottom
line is the same. You are not paying more now, you did not pay less
before!
Prices quoted
do include fuel surcharges, but do not include airport
fees or airline taxes.
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