Fortress Malta

Fortress Malta

From The Knights of St John to World War Two

Experience ToursGeneral History ToursMilitary History and Battlefield Tours

6th - 13th November 2024
(8 Days)

Expert Historian : Major General Ashley Truluck CB CBE BA

Tour price: £2,795

click here to book

Fortress Malta

From The Knights of St John to World War Two

Experience ToursGeneral History ToursMilitary History and Battlefield Tours

Your Holiday Essentials

6th - 13th November 2024
(8 Days)

5-star hotel, meals as indicated,

drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,

tour manager and expert historian

throughout, all internal travel,

optional travel from UK.

Activity Level: 2

Expert Historian: Major General Ashley Truluck CB CBE BA

Prices:

Standard price: £2,545

Incl. travel from UK: £2,795
Room sole occupancy supplement: £425
Non-refundable deposit: £500

Booking open

click here to book

Interested in this tour but not ready to book? Register your interest using the link below and we will keep you updated on the progress of the tour.

click here to register your interest

Tour Introduction

This is a wonderfully varied and scenic tour of Malta – a tiny island with a warm welcome and proud military and cultural heritage. The Second World War siege will be our main focus, but we also examine the indelible marks that other cultures and events have left behind: the unspoilt ancient walled city of Mdina, the renaissance architecture of the Knights of St John, the brief occupation by Napoleon and the extant Victorian fortifications. We will enjoy coastal drives, a harbour tour, a break on the island of Gozo, visit superb palaces and fortresses, see underground shelters and secret command posts, and many other places of interest on this wonderful and friendly Mediterranean island. Throughout we will be based in historic Valetta with its heritage sites and excellent restaurants – a wonderful holiday for military, cultural and culinary enthusiasts alike.

Background

Malta has stood at the strategic crossroads of the Mediterranean for centuries, its history shaped by successive incomers: ancient Phoenicians, Romans and Arabians, the Knights of St John, Napoleon and the British. It was the scene of two of the most cataclysmic sieges in military history: the Great Siege of 1565 when the Knights of St John held out against vastly superior Ottoman forces; and the Second World War siege of 1940-43 when British and Maltese forces and civilians together held out against the might of Hitler and Mussolini, making a significant contribution to the success of the land campaign in North Africa, naval operations in the Mediterranean and, indeed, the outcome of the Second World War itself. There are striking similarities between the two sieges; the spirit of The Knights’ earlier struggle inspired their 20th Century successors to fight on against seemingly impossible odds.

Highlights

  • Based throughout in the centre of historic Valetta
  • Discover the Great Siege of 1565
  • Fabulous Military, Gothic and Baroque architecture
  • Learn the fascinating story of the Knights of St John
  • Explore and interpret the island's extensive fortifications 
  • The best part of a day on Gozo
  • A thorough study of Malta's heroic and epic defence during WW2
  • All in the company of expert historian and retired general, Ashley Truluck

 

 

What's Included

  • Expert historian throughout providing a daily variety of talks, presentations and Q&A
  • Dinner parties hosted by your expert historian and tour manager
  • 5 Star Hotel
  • Buffet breakfast each morning
  • Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
  • Return flights from London (optional)
  • Dedicated Tour Manager
  • Helpful and friendly travel advice
  • Tour information booklet
  • Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach
  • The company of like-minded travelers
  • Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening

"Ashley’s thorough homework and handouts were a huge component of the tour’s success. Thank you."

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Malta.
Arrive at Luqa airport, the former RAF Bomber Command airfield, and check-in to our Valetta hotel and base throughout the tour. After introductions and welcome drinks, walk to nearby Upper Barrakka Gardens to enjoy sunset over the Grand Harbour before dinner. (D)

Day 2: The Great Siege 1565.
A pleasant walk along the harbour front to the northern end of Valetta peninsula with views over the Mediterranean. Enjoy the entertaining audio-visual ‘Malta Experience’, which portrays the island’s 7000 years of history, and time to explore the National War Museum. Discuss the epic defence of Valetta by the Knights of St John in 1565 at St Elmo’s Fort and visit the ‘Sacra Infermeria’, the original Hospital of the Order of St John, where patients famously dined on silver plates. (B,D)

Day 3: The Development of Valetta 1565-1800.
Another day on foot wandering through Valetta’s golden streets to trace the development of the city’s fortifications & architecture during the rule of the Knights of St John after the Great Siege. Visit the Grand Master’s Palace, the traditional and current seat of Maltese government, where its rich tapestries record the country’s turbulent past, and its Armoury which houses one of the best collections of medieval weaponry in Europe. After lunch in the fashionable Grand Square, visit the Grand Master’s magnificent Cathedral which includes a wealth of art including works by Caravaggio, Rubens, and Poussin. Explore the Knights ‘auberges’ and city walls to discuss the genius of Valetta’s impregnable defences and see how the British subsequently adapted them for more modern uses. End the day at the Casa Rocca Piccola, home to a modern Knight of St John, the Marquis de Piro and his wife, for an intimate guided tour of their beautiful 16C Palace. (B,D)

Day 4: British Colonial Period 1800-1942.
Drive along the scenic east coast stopping at the former Pembroke Army Garrison; eponymous St Paul’s Bay, where the saint was shipwrecked, and the scene of many historic events since; and Wignacourt, or St Paul’s Bay, Tower, the oldest surviving coastal defence post in Malta. Follow the impressive 19th century defensive Victoria Lines to Fort Rinella with its impressive 100-ton gun and watch demonstrations of Victorian soldiering. Dinner at your own expense this evening. (B)

Day 5: Gozo.
Visit the Knights’ lookout at the Red Tower high up on Marfa Ridge with its splendid views. Ferry to Gozo and thence to the hilltop city of Ir-Rabat, or Victoria, to explore its fortified citadel, walk its dominating walls and visit the lavish Baroque cathedral. There will be some free time for personal exploration before returning to Valetta. (B,D)

Day 6: Second World War: The Maritime & Home Fronts.
Experience a relaxing boat trip around Valetta’s magnificent harbours to see the site of the submarine base, discuss the Italian navy raid, the fight to save aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious and the heroic Santa Maria Convoy. Disembark at Birgu wharf for lunch break in the old town square, followed by a visit to the strategically located Fort St Angelo (the Knights’ first, and the Royal Navy’s last, HQ in Malta) for spectacular panoramic views across Grand Harbour. The day ends at the Second World War Museum with its underground tunnels recounting the dramatic story of the civilian population under siege. Ferry back to Valetta. (B,D)

Day 7: Second World War: Land & Air Fronts.
Coach tour of central Malta with stop-offs to view evocative evidence of Land defences, barracks and hospitals ending for a lunch break at the fascinating Mdina, the magnificent ancient capital of Malta. Drive to Ta’qali, the epicentre of the Air Battle and “the most bombed airfield of the 2WW” and home to the excellent Malta Aviation Museum. Thence a drive along the dramatic Dingli cliffs to discuss their contribution. (B,D)

Day 8: Second World War: Command & Control.
Visit the Lascaris War Rooms, restored to give a fascinating glimpse of how the command bunker operated during Battle for Malta and as the operational HQ for the Invasion of Italy. The firing of the Noon Day Gun is the signal to take an early lunch, check-out and drive to the airport for return flights to London. (B)

Recommended Reading List

Major General Ashley Truluck CB CBE BA

Major General Ashley Truluck CB CBE BA

Ashley Truluck is a History graduate with a life-long fascination for Military History. As a soldier, he served worldwide with the Gurkhas, in Communications and Intelligence, with Army Aviation and on the General Staff, retiring as a Major General. Throughout that time he led battlefield studies – a passion he has carried over into his second career. He is now Chairman of the Army Society for Historical Research and leads a number of popular tours to Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain and Malta.

Photo Gallery

  • The Guard of the Grand Master of the Knights of St John parading in Fort St
  • Our tour group atop the largest gun in Europe
  • Watching the cannons
  • Grand Harbour
  • Grand Master's Cathedral
  • Group photo
  • Cannon firing across the harbour
  • Bridge over the Coa

Your Holiday Essentials

6th - 13th November 2024
(8 Days)

5-star hotel, meals as indicated,

drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,

tour manager and expert historian

throughout, all internal travel,

optional travel from UK.

Activity Level: 2

Expert Historian: Major General Ashley Truluck CB CBE BA

Prices:

Standard price: £2,545

Incl. travel from UK: £2,795
Room sole occupancy supplement: £425
Non-refundable deposit: £500

Booking open

click here to book

Interested in this tour but not ready to book? Register your interest using the link below and we will keep you updated on the progress of the tour.

click here to register your interest

Tour Reviews

Take a look at some of the images taken on our most recent tour

Take a look at some independent reviews of this tour by previous participants here

Photo Gallery

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