2023 Valletta Optional Pre-Cruise Extension - 2 Days, 1 Night

Day 1 — Valletta, Malta

Arrive at Malta International Airport. You will be met at the exit of the arrivals hall. Look for the PONANT-SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS sign or a sign with your name on it. Transfer from the airport to The Phoenicia Malta (or similar) and check in. Official check-in time is 3:00 p.m.

A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have.

Join your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception this evening. An independent dinner is at your leisure.

The Phoenicia Malta

Day 2 — Valletta / Embarkation

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. After check-out, depart on a walking excursion of World Heritage-listed Valletta, Malta’s fortified capital city located on a hilly peninsula between two natural harbors. Visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens to enjoy panoramic views over the Grand Harbor. Proceed to the 16th-century St. John’s Co-Cathedral and view Carravaggio’s famous masterpiece, The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, during an inside visit. Walk to the Magisterial Palace, today serving as the office of the president of Malta. Here, visit the state rooms and the tapestry chamber.

Board your coach and drive to a local vineyard. At the Meridiana Winery, enjoy a wine tasting of some of the country’s most delicious wines.  Proceed to a historic local restaurant for a lunch of traditional Maltese specialties. The chef will speak to you about Maltese cuisine and introduce the dishes that you will eat. After lunch, reboard your coach and drive to the Hagar Qim Temples, a World Heritage site. The temple complex dates to 3600 B.C. and is in a beautiful location on a cliff overlooking the sea. After a guided visit, transfer to the ship for embarkation.

Optional Extension Accommodation - The Phoenicia Malta

The Phoenicia Malta, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, is Malta’s most iconic hotel with a storied history spanning over 60 years. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, the hotel is situated in an ideal location just outside the walled city of Valletta and its 16th-century bastions. From the hotel’s front door, the historic wonders of Valletta, including St. John’s Co-Cathedral, are all within easy walking distance. The hotel boasts 136 rooms and suites combining old-world elegance and a fresh style. Its modern conveniences ensure a comfortable and luxurious stay.

Your program includes:

• 1 night at The Phoenicia Malta (or similar), including breakfast
• Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
• Transfer and luggage handling to the pier on embarkation day
• Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1
• Breakfast and lunch on Day 2
• Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
• Local English-speaking guide
• Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

• Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
• Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

• It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 30 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
• Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
• The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are largely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
• The duration of the visits is given as a guide only, and the order of the visits may change.
• This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
• Program is offered on a space available basis and is subject to change without notice.