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Depart London Stansted direct to Malta International airport. Upon arrival our coach and professional local guide will be waiting to take you to our hotel in St Paul’s Bay. This is one of the largest seaside towns in Malta, famous for its long promenade and a spectacular view of St Paul’s Island, where Apostle Paul was shipwrecked in 60 AD. Check-in to our hotel followed by free time and then evening dinner.

Day 2, Saturday 6th June After breakfast meet up with your guide at the hotel and we drive to Valetta to visit St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral - this is the centre of Anglican worship in Malta - a piece of England in a foreign land. The church was endowed by Dowager Queen Adelaide in the 1830’s. The oak panels around the altar are a testament to the Allied forces activity in Malta during WWII. You can view the bell tower from outside and a newly opened visitor centre is in the crypt where a short film is played. There is a café, rest room facilities and a shop here. Afterwards, we visit the Upper Barrakka Garden for an opening reflection overlooking the Grand Harbour. Here you can see stunning views of the Grand Harbour, the historic Saluting Battery, the Lascaris War Rooms, and various monuments like the one to Sir Winston Churchill. The Saluting Battery’s daily cannon firings at noon and 4pm are a highlight; many say that timing a visit for the noon salute is a must. Walking paths, a terrace with benches, and a friendly kiosk for snacks let you relax and enjoy the scenery. Return to our hotel and evening dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet the guide at the lobby and travel to Valletta. We have a walking tour here visiting heritage sites including St John’s Co-Cathedral built between 1573 and 1577. It was built as the conventual church for the Knights of St John. This church is till this very day an important shrine and a sacred place of worship. St John’s church is administered by the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation, responsible for the religious cultural heritage of the monument. The cathedral contains two masterpieces by Caravaggio, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist" and "Saint Jerome Writing". The former is his largest work and is the only painting he signed, while the latter is a more intimate depiction of the saint. We also visit Grand Master Palace - this building used to be the palace of the Grandmasters of the Order of the Knights of St. John but is now the Office of the President of Malta. The palace is recognized for its historical importance as a former seat of government and a former residence of the Knights of St. John. The most impressive is the armoury museum with its incredible collection of armoury. The oratory holds the biggest and only signed masterpiece by Caravaggio. Afterwards we visit the Church of Our Lady of Victory - this is the first building that was completed in the new town that the Knights of the Order of St John decided to build, after the Great Siege of Malta (1565). Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette funded the building of this church as a form of thanksgiving. It is a beautiful church smaller that most churches in Malta but it is very beautiful inside. After lunch, reflection time at St Paul’s Shipwreck Church (important for Christian unity and shared apostolic heritage). We pay a visit to the National Museum of Archaeology to trace Malta’s spiritual past. Short devotional service or Evensong at the Pro-Cathedral.

Our guide will pick us up in the hotel lobby and we will travel to Rabat and Mdina. We visit St Paul’s Grotto And the Catacombs. It is in this grotto where Paul the Apostle lived for 3 months after his shipwreck, before finally completing his journey to Rome. He had already performed miracles and the healing and was well received by local residents. The site includes a grotto, ancient catacombs, WWII air raid shelters and a museum with various relics. The catacombs housed families during WWII, which is quite remarkable, (if you suffer from claustrophobia, you may not enjoy the experience, as the paths can be very tight and cramped). Time for reflection within the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient city.

To enable our day trip to Gozo Island we leave the hotel at 7:30 and take the ferry to the island. Here we visit The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu. This is one of Malta’s most revered pilgrimage sites, a symbol of faith, devotion, and national pride. The basilica is an impressive structure surrounded by peaceful landscapes and oerlooks the sea. Its interior is richly decorated with mosaics, stained glass windows. It houses numerous offerings of thanksgiving for answered prayers and miracles attributed to the Virgin’s intercession. And votive plaques from pilgrims who have testified to receive graces. The basilica was built on the site where, in 1883, a local woman named Karmni Grima is said to have heard the voice of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This miraculous event quickly became a focus of veneration, leading to the construction of a magnificent Romanesque-style church between 1920 and 1931. St John Paul II visited the Shrine in 1990 and celebrated Mass here. We will have a short prayer service at the outdoor Stations of the Cross area. Lunch here. We then visit the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary inside the Citadel. Built between 1697 and 1711 to the designs of the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafa, it is the mother church of the Diocese of Gozo, dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady and a living testimony of the faith of the Gozitan people. Return to hotel and evening dinner here and overnight. NOTE: Please dress respectfully and appropriately (no shorts above the knees or short skirts).

After breakfast meet our local guide in the hotel lobby and take the 5-minute cross-harbour ferry to Birgu (Vittoriosa). Here we visit St Lawrence’s Church - The Collegiate Church of Saint Lawrence has played a central role in the life of Birgu for centuries and is often regarded as one of the most beautiful churches in all of Malta. Inside, you’ll find an array of remarkable artworks, including a striking main altarpiece by Mattia Preti depicting the martyrdom of St. Lawrence. The church’s rich history and stunning architecture make it a worthwhile visit for anyone exploring Birgu. We also visit the Inquisitor’s Palace Chapel - is a fascinating historical site that offers a glimpse into Malta’s past, particularly during the time when religious trials were a common occurrence. This medieval palace, with its prison cells, tribunal rooms, and even a torture chamber, served as the headquarters for the Inquisition in Malta for over 200 years. The palace also houses the Museum of Ethnography, which explores the impact of the Inquisition on Maltese society and the role of religion in everyday life. After lunch we visit the Three Cities of Malta located at the Grand Harbour - a picturesque waterfront. They are Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. All three are rich in history, having been the first fortified cities built by the Knights of St John when they arrived in Malta in 1530. The Knights had been thrown out of Rhodes in 1522, and after seven years of wandering, they were finally given Malta as their new home. Between the three there are some truly spectacular sights as we stroll around the beautiful yacht marina or just simply relax in one of the many cafes and restaurants. Lastly, we celebrate Eucharist or Evensong at St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral or attend a service in Holy Trinity Church in Sliema (subject to the service schedule). Return to hotel. Evening dinner and overnight here.

You’ll have time for independent exploration of the island at your leisure. Enjoy shopping, a relaxing sunrise or sunset stroll along the long promenade, and lunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants available. Optional tours can also be arranged to visit places of your choice.

Depending on the time of departure, we may have a chance to celebrate Eucharist or Prayer Service at St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral or even in Holy Trinity Anglican church and visit Harbour Chapel of Our Lady of Liesse before departure. Note: This itinerary is subject to change and this tour is based on 20 paying pilgrims. We are unable to guarantee the exact day to day order of the pilgrimage, and it may be possible (but this is unlikely) that one or two places may have to be cancelled or closed owing to local circumstances beyond our control. The guide may change the order to ensure the smooth running of the pilgrimage. Services can be arranged each day except on travel days. E&OE.