Mediterranean Cruise 2025 - Malta
26th October, Sunday
We were in the Lido café having breakfast as the ship entered Grand Harbour. Valletta. We met Susan and David, Gary and Angela before we disembarked and found our way to the bus-stop opposite the Cruise Terminal, and were met by our driver Tony, from Malta Local Drivers. He had an air-conditioned tourer to seat 8-people and as the temperature was 27° outside it was nice to ride in comfort.
We beat the crowds to Mdina and as we wandered around this 4000 year old walled city and we were lucky enough to see the Malta Classic Car grand prix pass through.
We were then driven to Dingli Cliffs, the highest point in Malta offering panoramic views over the sea. The chap was selling the fruit of the prickly pear cactus, which are all over Malta.
From there we went to Ħaġar Qim Archaeological Park, a group of monumental megalithic stones that 5000 years ago were temples for ancient peoples.
Next stop was the Blue Grotto where we went on a small open boat to the sea caves along the cliffs, with the water reflecting all different shades of blue.
We went on to Marsaxloxx, a village known for its traditional fishing boats, but today was crowded with people due to the waterfront markets, and the Grand Final of the Malta International Folk Festival.
We had quick photo op stops at the Three Cities (collective description of the three fortified cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, even older than Valletta) before being dropped off at the top of the lift in Upper Barrakka Gardens with panoramic views over Grand Harbour.
Our tour was 6 hours for €100pp which was very good value compared to the Shore Excursions offered by Holland America. We had a late lunch near the Cathedral, which was unfortunately closed as it is Sunday, before wandering the streets of Valletta, then descending 58m from Upper Barakka Gardens by the lift back to Grand Harbour. We returned to the ship late afternoon, had a late dinner, before going up to the Crow’s Nest to watch the lights of Valletta as we left port at 10:30pm. A wonderful day!
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