There are seven islands that make up the Maltese archipelago of which only Malta, Gozo and Comino are inhabited. Malta is the largest island lying only 93 km south of Sicily and only 288 km from the coast of North Africa. At its longest point is 27 km and approximately 14 km across.

Malta is characterised by rolling hills and numerous bays, harbours, beaches and rocky coves. It has a glorious climate, a rich history and culture, fine cuisine, an abundance of entertainment and water sports facilities. Although small and without natural resources, we are proud of our Island and it glorious past, exciting present and bright future. We are eager to introduce our home to your passengers.

Art and historical events in Malta are intrinsically connected. This is particularly true of the Renaissance period when the Knights of St. John were masters of Malta and the Mediterranean. Masterpieces like those of Caravaggio and Mattia Preti are symbols of the grandeur which marked the long rule of the Knights and which transformed the islands into a cosmopolitan centre in the Christian world. This became especially true following the epic Great Siege, and the construction of Valletta - "an epitome of all Europe" - as it was referred to in the eighteenth century by Patrick Brydone, the well-travelled Scottish author. But these islands are not just a showcase of history, art and architecture. In fact, a visit to Malta may be worth more than your passengers think. Passengers might find out that by walking through 6,000 years of history among a people renowned for their fortitude, religious faith and hospitality, they could even discover something about themselves!

 

Maltese Sights... and Sounds

The Maltese landscape, with its magnificent panoramas, always amazes tourists. The views of lovely beaches, sparkling blue waters, gently rolling hills, precipitous cliff faces, churches, piazzas and historic buildings will be remembered by your passengers. Maltese festivals include:

Carnival: Masked parades, processions and competitions in Valletta to celebrate the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring, lasts from Friday to Shrove Tuesday.

Mnarja: a folk festival lasting two days, with pageantry, processions and races marking the feast of St.Peter and St.Paul on the 29 June. On the eve of the festa there is singing and dancing in Buskett Gardens.

Festa: during the Summer not a weekend goes by without a parish festival taking place somewhere on the Islands. The 15 August, the whole of Malta and Gozo are on feast because it is the feast of the Assumption and more than seven villages would be celebrating this "mother of all feasts". Festas are big occasions with every village trying to outdo its neighbour. Banners, garlands and statues decorate the streets, and in the evening the local church is beautifully illuminated with thousands of multicoloured lights. Most Festas culminate with spectacular fireworks displays.

Our Lady of Victory: this feast on the 8 of September recalls both the end of the Turkish siege of 1565 and the German and Italian aerial bombardment and blockade of 1943. A colourful regatta takes place in the Grand Harbour.

"Whenever possible we try to include these local events into the programmes of our excursions"

 

Surprising Malta

Culture, history and tradition usually set the tone when it comes to images of Malta. You might also forget that Malta is also a modern country that has a great deal to offer in terms of contemporary culture, entertainment and recreation. Mifsud Brothers can bring your passengers in contact with these less familiar but by no means less fascinating aspects of Malta.

Malta Jazz Festival: usually takes place on the last weekend of July, on the water's edge in Liesse, Valletta. This festival has year after year attracted International jazz stars. A must for Jazz afficionados.

The Manoel Theatre: Malta's national theatre, is one of the oldest functioning theatres in Europe. The Portuguese Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena built it, and the first-ever performance took place on January 9, 1732. There are guided tours of the theatre and the recently-set-up Theatre Museum. The courtyard houses an open-air cafe'.

"Again, whenever possible we try to include such events in our programmes when they coincide with the ship's call"

Try It Yourself

Lace, glassware and silver filigree are traditional Maltese products that widely travelled tourists think they know very well, or at least they think they do. When they work with the materials themselves, they'll discover the impressive amount of skill and patience that go into making these genuine handicrafts.

We can organise visits to a workshop to see lace, glass products and filigree being made by skilled craftsmen. We could also arrange for a lady to come on board to give a lace making demonstration.

 

...And Historic Places

Malta Cruise Services introduces your passengers to the rich history of the Maltese Islands. A tour called “Malta’s Capitals” takes you to the capital city Valletta with its abundant fine old buildings, museums and churches, and the medieval walled town of Mdina with its narrow streets and alleyways on, whereas “Malta’s Mysterious Megaliths” offers you a chance to experience the Megalithic phenomenon when visiting the temples of Tarxien and Hagar Qim – these are just a sample from our vast selection of tours.

Your passengers will travel in the best of comfort, thanks to the first-class transportation and professional guidance by our multi-lingual hosts and hostesses. The excursions can last as long as you wish, with options for day trips as well as half-day tours.