The price includes:
Pilgrimage itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Malta
Transfer by bus to the Dusseldorf airport, departure to Malta at 7:35 PM. Arrive at 8.20 PM. Welcome at Malta International Airport, transfer to the hotel, check-in, overnight.
Day 2: Valletta
Breakfast, Holy Mass in the beautiful Church of St. Paul’s Shipwreck, visit to Valletta, the capital of Malta: visit to the Upper Barrakka Garden with a magnificent view of the Grand Harbor and the famous Tri-City: Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua.
While walking along Merchant Street, we reach the monastic church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, now a cathedral. Visit to the church includes a visit to the Cathedral Museum and a visit to the oratory of the church, where we can admire two masterpieces of the Italian painter Caravaggio: The Beheading of Saint John and a smaller painting of Saint Jerome. Next we will admire the monuments of Valletta: the National Library and the Grandmaster’s Palace (from the outside).
Day 3: Mdina, Rabat, Mosta
Breakfast. We start with the visit to the church in Mosta, which form refers to the Roman Pantheon, with one of the largest domes in Europe. Next, we will go to Rabat to participate in the Mass in the church of Saint Paul. According to the tradition, Saint Paul remained hidden in a grotto located under the church during his stay in Malta.
We will also visit Mdine, the old capital of Malta, a fortress built during the Arab domination period. In the further part of the trip, visit to the handicraft village, where you can witness the manufacture of glass and filigree in silver (specialty of Maltese goldsmiths). Free time in Mdina. Visit to the Cathedral and the Cathedral Museum.
Day 4: Gozo Island
Breakfast. About 30 minute drive to the small harbour of Cirkewwa from which we sail by ferry (30 min) to the island of Gozo. Holy Mass in the sanctuary of pilgrimages – the Ta ‘Pinu Sanctuary at 10.00 AM. We will visit the capital of Victoria-Rabat, see the Azure Window and Fungus Rock, in favourable weather we can sail near this magnificent sea cave. Visit to the handicraft centre with a small grotto where we can taste local delicacies (wine, cheese, sweets) that Gozo is famous for. Free time in a charming bay on the south of the island of Xlendi. After the visit to Gozo, we will take a ferry to Cirkewwa harbour and arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 5: The Tri-City
Breakfast. At 09.30 AM Holy Mass in the Church of St. Lawrence. Visit to Gardjola’s small garden situated on the defensive walls of the city of Senglea, with a magnificent view of the Great Harbor, sightseeing the fortresses of the Knights of the Order of Malta and the cities around the harbour. Next, visit to the town of Birgu, where the first residences of the Order of Malta were built in years 1530-1565. We will visit a small church museum full of memorabilia of the great master La Valletta, a hero who defended this fortress against the advancing Turks in 1564. We will pass by the Inquisitor’s Palace, see the monument commemorating the departure of Malta by the last soldiers of the British army in 1979. Walk through the oldest Renaissance part of the city – the Knights’ Residence.
Day 6: Grand Harbour Tour
Boat trip around the Grand Harbour – the bus will take us to the marina just outside the city of Sliema for a cruise along the Grand Harbour. Only from the deck of the ship you can see the power of the fortifications of the Order of Malta; the fortress of St Elmo. Valletta, Floriana, Senglea, Fort St Angelo and Fort Ricasoli, defending the Great Harbour with walls winding for miles. The name of Malta – the Defence Shield of Europe becomes quite clear after seeing this system of fortresses that had been built since Roman times to World War II. Free time in Sliema. Return to the hotel.
Day 7:
Day off. Leisure.
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast, free time, check-out, transfer to the airport, departure to Dusseldorf at 4.00 PM, arrival at 6.50 PM. Bus transfer to the pick-up point – end of the pilgrimage.
The price does not include:
– insurance
– drinks for dinner
The order of visited places may change.