Malta Pre-trip Option II: Sightseeing, History and Culture

Three Cities, Malta © Crodo Agency Kordian Pach/Shutterstock

An optional cruise pre-trip to Sicily and Malta aboard the Sea Cloud brings much more exposure to Malta than is offered in the cruise program, with visits to the most important cultural and historical sites.

Situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta is famous as a crossroads of history’s greatest civilizations. Malta is one of Europe’s smallest countries, but what it lacks in size is made up for in charm. Prosperous and historic and culturally rich, Malta is a favored getaway for travelers from Europe and the United States.

On this pre-trip option, we’ll experience the island-nation of Malta beyond what is offered in the cruise program. We will have two days to explore the island, visiting a number of important historical, birding, and scenic locations.

Malta’s illustrious history is on display everywhere, as evidenced by the fact that it hosts a greater density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any country in the world. Our itinerary visits a selection of prominent sites, each of which provides exposure to a slice of Maltese history and culture. On the first morning we’ll enjoy a boat ride on Grand Harbor, featuring inspiring views of the walled capital city, Valletta, followed by a walking tour of the Three Cities district. On our second day we’ll travel inland to the remarkable St. Paul’s Catacombs, an expansive underground burial chamber used during Phoenician, Punic, Roman, and early-Christian times. We’ll then move to South Malta for a visit to the remarkable Neolithic site of Hagar Qim.

Two nights in Valletta at a high quality hotel, with very good food; visits to cultural and historical sites; easy physical conditions, with moderate walking and standing on a variety of terrain; warm conditions expected, but rain possible.

St. Paul's Catacombs, Malta © Anca Popa/Shutterstock