Valletta Harbour Travelling Surgical Society of Great Britain and Ireland tour to Malta 10 17 May 2019
A street in Mdina Malta s beauty is battle-scarred, thanks to the island s strategic position in the Mediterranean, which attracted the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Byzantines and the Ottomans, as well as the French, Germans and the British. In 60 AD St Paul brought Christianity to Malta via a shipwreck and the Arabs conquered the island in 870, leaving indelible marks on its language and culture. Malta was an extension of Sicily until 1530, when Charles V bequeathed Malta to the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem, leading to its golden age from 1530 to 1798. This is the first visit of the TSS to Malta. The island now has a thriving medical school and significant postgraduate output. There will be visits to the Mater Dei Hospital on 11th May for an all-day conference with local surgeons, along with a further meeting on 14th May centred around clinical problem solving. There is a final session on 16th May to workshop particular topics that the Maltese hosts would welcome advice on, such as setting up robotic surgery programmes and training the trainers. Arrive in Malta and transfer to the Victoria Hotel in Sliema. The afternoon is at leisure while the group arrives. Pre dinner drinks will be at Terrazin in the neighbouring Palace Hotel before dinner at A Tavola in the Alexandra Gardens. The next day will be a full day conference at Mater Dei Hospital for the surgeons. Partners will enjoy a visit to San Anton Gardens, one of the most beautiful gardens in Malta. It has been open to the public since 1882 and built by Grand Master Antonine de Paule. The Palace itself is residence to the Maltese President. There will then be a visit to the crafts village in Ta Qali, which is located in the former RAF wartime air field. From here head to Meridiana, a small winery where you will be able to try some of the local wine made from 100% locally grown grapes. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. In the evening transfer to dinner at the Two Buoys Wine tasting at Meridiana vineyard
have a full day meeting. The partners will visit Palazzo Parisio, which is often described as a miniature Versailles. It a showcase of Maltese and Italian craftsmanship at the turn of the 19th century with lavishly decorated ceilings, murals and frescoes. There will be a tour of the palace before an afternoon tea lunch. The afternoon will be at leisure. In the evening dinner will be at Ta Kolina, a family run restaurant that offers the best of Maltese cuisine on the Sliema seafront. located in beautiful Spinola Bay. Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta The following day travel by ferry to the island of Gozo. Visit the Salt Pans, Dwejra Bay and its beautiful coastal formations and Ta Pinu Miracle Church. There will also be time to see Xlandi Bay and Red Sandy Beach for those that want to dip their toe in the sea. In the afternoon visit Rikardu Vineyard where the owner produces his own wine and cheese. Sample the local produce while taking in the beautiful views. Return to Malta by ferry with your evening at leisure. Start the next morning by exploring some of the magnificent legacies left by the Knights of St. John in Valletta, the capital since 1571. Visit the Sacra Infermeria, a former hospital of the Knights - now a museum - and enjoy the Malta Experience, which will give insight into the history of the Island. Visit St. John s Cathedral, which is considered the jewel of Valletta. Its stark façade does nothing to indicate the treasures that lie within. At noon visit the Saluting Battery in time for the cannon firing and continue to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for its beautiful views. The final stop will be the Grand Master s Palace and its state rooms. Built in the 16th century, it has since been enlarged and developed by successive Grand Masters to serve as their official residence. It later became the Governor s Palace during the British Period. The place is today the seat of the office of the President of Malta. After breakfast the next day the surgeons will The next day the group will depart for Mdina, the old capital of Malta, whose earliest inhabitants date back to 4000 B.C. This fortified town is known as the Silent City due to its narrow and quiet streets. Enjoy a walking tour through the winding historical streets, taking in the atmosphere and architecture. Take in the wonderful views from the Bastions before lunch at the Secret Garden where you can relax and enjoy the ambience of Mdina. There will be free time to explore on your own before returning to the hotel. Next day the surgeons will have a workshop before returning to the hotel in the afternoon for a business general meeting. The partners will enjoy a dghajsa cruise on the harbour to Birgu. Take a walking tour of the old fortified city of Birgu on the south side of the Grand Harbour before returning to Sliema, with the rest of the afternoon at leisure. In the evening enjoy dinner at TemptAsian, a rooftop restaurant that offers magnificent panoramic views of Sliema and Valletta Harbour. The next morning the tour will end after breakfast. Grand Masters Palace (copyright viewingmalta.com)
Itinerary 10 17 May 2019 B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner 10 May (Fri) Sliema D Arrive and check into the Victoria Hotel Welcome drinks at Terrazin followed by dinner at Alexandra Gardens 11 May (Sat) Sliema B D Surgeons: professional visit Partners: Visit to San Anton Gardens, craft village and wine tasting Afternoon at leisure Dinner at Two Buoys in Spinola Bay 12 May (Sun) Gozo B Set sail for Gozo by ferry and enjoy sightseeing around the island Visit Rikardus farm and sample its cheese and wine. Return to Sliema 13 May (Mon) Valletta B L Enjoy a full day tour of historic Valletta. Take part in the Malta Experience with a Sacra Infermeria Tour; visit St. John s Cathedral. Lunch at Kings Own Band Club Visit the Grand Master s Palace including the staterooms. Return to Sliema in the late afternoon L 14 May (Tue) Sliema B L D Surgeons: professional visit Partners: Visit to Palazzo Parisio with a guided tour and enjoy afternoon tea Afternoon at leisure Dinner at Ta Kolina 15 May (Wed) Sliema B L Morning tour to Mdina Lunch at the Secret Garden. Free time in Mdina before returning to hotel 16 May (Thur) Sliema B D Surgeons: Professional meeting with afternoon business general meeting at the hotel Partners: Enjoy a dghajsa cruise on the harbour to Birgu Afternoon at leisure Dinner at TemptAsian 17 May (Fri) Sliema B The tour ends after breakfast. Transfer to the airport Salt Pans, Gozo
The cost of the tour is 1,495 per person The cost includes: 7 nights accommodation in double bedded rooms at the Victoria Hotel The single supplement is: 470 Meals as per the itinerary Drinks packages included for dinners on the 10th, 11th, 14th and 16th English speaking guide throughout Transport within Malta by air conditioned coach and mini bus Full programme of cultural visits throughout and admission fees where applicable Partner Programme The cost excludes: International flights and airport transfers All personal extras such as porterage, laundry, inoculation fees, drink not included with meals All optional excursions, tours and visits Travel insurance Tips Flights A classic room at the Victoria Hotel (top); The rooftop pool at the Victoria Hotel; Victorian charm at the Victoria Hotel (above) Flights are not included in the cost of the tour, but we can assist in booking them. There are options with both BA and Air Malta that we can arrange for you. We do suggest you book flights as soon as possible as May is a very popular time of year in Malta and prices will go up as the tour gets nearer. Hotel During your tour you will stay at the charming Victoria Hotel in Sliema, which combines classic Victorian style and comfort with modern amenities and first rate, friendly service. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the amenities are excellent, including an indoor pool, a rooftop infinity pool with spectacular views, a cosy bar, a very good spa and fitness facilities. There are also flights with low cost airlines from both London and regional airports that can be booked directly with the airline. On arrival, you can take a taxi from the airport to hotel, or alternatively we can arrange private transfers. A car for 1-2 people is 37 each way. We will of course group people together if multiple people are arriving on the same flight and quote for a transfer once we know the final numbers.
About Us To travel with us is to dig below the surface, revealing the deeper destination. Of course, you will visit the great historical sites; marvel at the wonders of architecture and engineering; be moved by the riches of culture and art; and experience the most spectacular landscapes in the world. What we also do is make sure that you see the country as it is today, giving you privileged access that independent travel and other tour companies rarely get close to. We give you a variety of experiences, from the sublime to the humble, in the company of intelligent, curious, like-minded people. And while we can be worthy, we also make sure that you have a lot of fun. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/atolcertificate Jon Baines Tours (London) Hyde Park House, 5 Manfred Road, London, SW15 2RS Tel: +44 (0) 207 223 9485 / 5618 Email: info@jonbainestours.co.uk www.jonbainestours.co.uk Jon Baines Tours (Melbourne) PO Box 68, South Brunswick, Victoria 3055 Tel: +61 (0) 3 9343 6367 Fax: +61 (0) 3 9012 4228 Email: info@jonbainestours.com.au www.jonbainestours.com San Anton Gardens (top); Gozo Landscape; Dewjra Tower, Gozo; Tower or Palazzo Santa Sofia, Mdina (above) topp PROTECTED