The Maltese Archipelago and Baroque Festival

Fly from London Heathrow to Malta International. Transfer by private coach to our hotel at the grand entrance of Valletta, the fortified capital said to be ‘built by gentlemen for gentlemen’. Check in and meet for a canapé reception and introductory lecture on the history of Malta.

A morning to explore the city on foot. Our walk will take in Renzo Piano’s 2014 Parliament Building, its pierced sand-coloured stone façade is an elegant and innovative rejection of the usual glassy trends of 21st century architecture, before continuing to the Upper Barakka gardens, with breath-taking views of the Grand Harbour and the fortifications built by the Knights of Malta. Pause to explore the Church of Our Lady of Victories, notable as the first church of Valetta, before walking on to St John’s Co-Cathedral, where a sumptuous interior, decorated with richly gilded arched columns and remarkable inlaid marble floors, holds two of Caravaggio’s masterpieces, ‘The Beheading of St. John the Baptist’ and ‘St. Jerome’. Continue to the 16th-century Grandmaster’s Palace to visit the State Rooms and Armory before some time to relax over a group lunch. In the afternoon our explorations continue. The Manoel Theatre, named after Grand Master of the Order of the Knights Hospitaller, Fra António Manoel de Vilhena, who ordered its construction in 1731 is a magical visit, while the Archaeological Museum a wonderful collection of prehistoric Maltese artefacts. Return to the hotel via the Hastings Garden, offering views of Floriana and Sliema.

After breakfast we travel by coach to the nearby town of Attard, famous for its public gardens. The town’s Latin motto is Florigera rosis halo (‘I perfume the air with my blossoms’). The town is also home to the San Anton Palace, which serves as the official residence of the President of Malta. The palace gardens, our first destination, are particularly lovely, with cobbled paths, ancient trees, fountains, statuary and orange and lemon groves. Continue to the privately owned 18th-century Villa Bologna for a private visit to the house and gardens. Here, Italian elegance and English restraint combine in a series of terraced gardens with immaculate lawns, a unique dolphin fountain, a sunken pond and a Nymphaeum. After some free time for an independent lunch we continue to Mdina, the important and beautiful old capital. To celebrate the tricentennial of J S Bach's St John Passion, together we shall enjoy an evening performance given by the Valletta Baroque Ensemble in St John's Cathedral.

All-day excursion by ferry to Gozo, the other inhabited island of the Maltese archipelago and home to the Ġgantija Neolithic temples. Excavated in 1826 and thought to be dedicated to a fertility deity, the complex is our first destination. Some believe that Gozo is in fact Ogygia, Calypso’s legendary island in Homer’s Odyssey. The Calypso’s Cave viewpoint takes its name from this idea and offers beautiful views across Ramla Bay. After a group lunch, our explorations of Gozo conclude with a visit to Victoria (originally Rabat), the capital city of Gozo, which is crowned by the fortified mediaeval Citadella. Return by ferry to the island of Malta and transfer to our hotel.

After breakfast some free time before we check out of our hotel and walk to Casa Rocca Piccola, a 16th-century palace and home of the noble Maltese de Piro family. Constructed as one of the first noble houses in the city, most of the building’s fifty rooms are open to the public (although our visit will be private) and contain fascinating collections of furniture, silver and paintings. Beneath the palace lies a network of tunnels and passages, which were used to shelter hundreds of people from enemy bombing during World War II. Travel by coach to Birgu for a short walking tour of the town and a final lunch together. Transfer to the airport for our return flight to London.