Depart on your flight to Istanbul, the first of your two destinations on your 10-day vacation. After landing at Istanbul International Airport, meet our English-speaking representative and enjoy an air-conditioned transfer to your hotel. Once the capital of the Roman-Byzantine and Ottoman Empires and formerly called Constantinople, Turkey’s largest city is bisected by the Strait of Bosphorus, whose lapping waters divide Europe and Asia. This location, along with its checkered past, makes the city a crucible of cultures, traditions, religions and cuisine. This evening, look forward to enjoying some of the best tours in Istanbul over the next two days: discovering everything from its Roman ruins, Byzantine showpieces and Ottoman palaces to its medieval bazaars and buzzing squares.

Meet your Istanbul travel guide for a tour of the city’s must-see sights. Everything starts in historical Sultanahmet, once the social centre of Constantinople and brimming with Roman and Byzantine landmarks. Stroll around the Hippodrome, the setting of Byzantine-era chariot races and then, with your Istanbul guide, tour the 17th-century Blue Mosque and UNESCO-protected 6th-century Hagia Sophia, the great cathedral built by the Emperor Justinian which was later converted to a mosque. Admire its glorious interior as your Istanbul travel guide explains its history and architecture. Next, pay a visit to the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, the world’s biggest covered marketplace—following its winding corridors to browse some of its 4,000-plus shops hawking everything from Turkish carpets and jewelry to antiques and spices.
Enjoy the rest of your evening free at leisure or option to join our Landmarks of Istanbul tour. Visit the Topkapi Palace, the one-time residence of Ottoman sultans, to see its imperial treasures, gardens and harem. Explore the vibrant Taksim and Galata districts and stroll along the traffic-free Istiklal Street.

Today is yours to explore and enjoy Istanbul as you please. Alternatively, discover the sights, colors and flavors of Istanbul on our optional Treasures of Istanbul tour.  This half-day excursion will take you to the aromatic Spice Bazaar and the famous Rustem Pasha Mosque. Finish with a shared motorboat ride on the Bosphorus to see its waterfront sights before transportation back to the hotel. 

After an airport transfer, fly to Malta. On arrival, meet your Malta travel guide, enjoy a convenient transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of today settling in.

Your Malta travel plan begins with a half-day tour of the island’s former, walled capital, Mdina, which dates from prehistoric times and is dubbed the ‘Silent City’. Enter the main city gate—which doubles as the entrance to the fictional King’s Landing in the cult “Game of Thrones” TV show—and meander the narrow stone lanes to view the handsome mansions and imposing Cathedral of St. Paul’s. Your tour also takes you to St. Paul’s Catacombs and Grotto, a subterranean network of Roman tombs and series of caves where St. Paul is thought to have stayed.

Later this afternoon or evening, we recommend taking our optional tour to the pretty fishing village of Marsaxlokk and boat trip to the Blue Grotto sea caves, famed for their electric-blue waters.

After breakfast, join your Malta travel guide to explore the capital, Valletta. Built after the Great Siege of 1565, this UNESCO-listed city is a vision of golden stone and baroque buildings. A highlight is the 16th-century Grand Master’s Palace*, once a Knights of St. John power-base and now the Prime Minister’s official residence, or the Museum of Archaeology which houses some of the most important artefacts from Malta’s historical sites dating between 5000 BC to around 400 BC. Here visitors can bask in the glory of days gone by as they wander through the Auberge’s sumptuous halls, splendidly categorised to represent different periods in history, from Neolithic times to the days of the Phoenicians.

Plus, why not book our optional Three Cities tour to Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua? These three historical enclaves overlook Valletta and boast atmospheric churches, palaces and stone bastions giving stunning views over the capital.

*The Grand Master’s Palace is currently undergoing restoration; in the event it is closed during your tour, it will be substituted with a visit to the Museum of Archaeology.

Today is at your leisure. Perhaps explore Valletta independently or make the most of your hotel’s leisure facilities and proximity to great restaurants, shops and entertainments.

If you want to explore further without having to figure out how to travel around in Malta, take advantage of our optional full-day tour to Gozo, Malta’s smaller sister island. After a ferry ride to this sun-burnished gem whose way of life is little changed in centuries, discover its principal sights, including the Ggantija Temples—one of the world’s oldest Neolithic sites—the walled fortress of Cittadella in Victoria and the shimmering Xwejni Salt Pans (additional cost).

Your last full day on Malta is free to spend as you wish. Culture-vultures will be tempted by our optional half-day palazzo and winery tour. Head north with your Malta tour guide to the Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar —an aristocratic palace often dubbed the “mini Versailles.” Trace the history of this stately mansion as you experience its elaborate art-filled interiors and walled gardens and enjoy a glass of prosecco. Continue from here to the Meridiana wine estate, one of Malta’s finest, to discover its wine-making processes and enjoy a wine-tasting before returning to your hotel. Alternatively, spend today exploring more of Valletta or the island independently or by simply relaxing and reflecting on your vacation beside your hotel pool.

Say farewell to Malta as you transfer to the airport and board your return flight.