Malta - the Jewel of the Mediterranean - is a fabulously diverse island off the coast of Sicily. For this City Break you will stay in the Capital City of Valletta.
Valletta owes its existence to the Knights of St John, who planned the city as a refuge to care for injured soldiers and pilgrims during the Crusades in the 16th century. Until the arrival of the Knights, Mount Sceberras, on which Valletta stands, lying between two natural harbours, was an arid tongue of land.
Dominating Palace Square, the Grand Master's Palace has always been the house of government in Malta, first by the knights, then the British and now hosts the President’s office. When parliament is not in session you can visit the palace for free, and there is an awful lot to see in here.
The Co-Cathedral of St John is nothing short of a gem and quite simply a must for any tourist. Described as the first complete example of high Baroque anywhere, it epitomises the spiritual and military role of its patrons.
Commissioned by the Grand Master, Caravaggio's Beheading of St John was made in 1608 for the chapel of the Co-Cathedral. It is the largest work the artist ever painted (12 feet x 17 feet) and the only one he ever signed. This painting is described as his all-time masterpiece. The painting depicts the moment in Biblical history where St John is beheaded by King Herod to satisfy the blood lust of the seductive dancer, Salome. The scene is the courtyard of a prison and the grisly murder is observed by two other prisoners looking through a grille, while a young woman and an old crone stand ready to take the severed head and put it on the waiting platter. The blood flowing from St John's neck drips towards the bottom of the frame and in its red stream, Caravaggio signed his name.
To help you begin your holiday as soon as possibe and so you can arrive stress-free, we have even included Private Airport Transfers in Malta.
We have also included a FREE tour of Valletta and the Malta Experience:
Our guided tour through the busting streets of Valletta will first allow you to view the Barracca Gardens that command a breathtaking panorama of the Grand Harbor and then to St. John's Co-Cathedral, adorned in riches that date back to the times of the Knights of Malta, including the world famous Caravaggio painting that is on display in the Oratory of this Cathedral.
We also visit the Church Museum that is adorned with Flemish tapestries. Afterward, we will also be visiting the Grand Master's Palace and other buildings of historical importance.
Lastly we stop at the Malta Experience, a multi-vision show that depicts Malta's history throughout the ages.
The Osborne Hotel's privileged location and comfortable facilities makes it the ideal place to soak up Valletta's cultural heritage and to organise successful events. Let yourself go with the quality of its cuisine, which can be enjoyed in its restaurant.
The hotel is situated in the heart of the capital city, Valletta. Just a stones' throw-away from the island's major museums, art treasures and the unique 16th century architecture of the city. The hotel is located close to shops, entertainment, cafes and restaurants.
The Osborne Hotel makes life for the business traveller easier and more comfortable than ever before. Whether escaping the grind by the outdoor pool, planning a important event using our conference facilities, or meeting business associates for a drink at the bar, the Osborne Hotel is all about you.
Described throughout the ages as a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen. Europe's smallest capital city in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, Valletta is a dynamic cultural and commercial hub full of activity, which has never ceased to change and move forward, yet retaining its original beauty and splendour.
As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the state of preservation of its well-constructed patrimony serves to make Valletta an example of historic conservation on a universal scale.
All 63 hotel rooms are pleasantly furnished with an en-suite bathroom, air-conditioning or central heating and a flat-screen satellite television. Tea / coffee making facilities, replenished daily, are available in each room. Furthermore a hairdryer, toiletries, direct dial telephone, pre-paid telephony (extra charge applies), wake-up call service and Wi-Fi access (extra charge applies) is also available in all our rooms.
Osborne Hotel has recently re-decorated its Deluxe Sea View rooms. In addition to the standard facilities, these rooms also include ironing facilities, coffee machine, electronic safe (laptop size), stocked minibar, bathrobes, bath slippers, sewing kits, dental kits, shaving kits and a docking station/radio and alarm clock, all for your perusal at no extra charge.
The hotel is fully air-conditioned and has a 24 hour reception. Our knowledgeable and friendly front-desk staff will be delighted to help our guests in any way possible throughout their stay.
The Osborne Hotel features a cosy bar and lounge as well as a buffet restaurant. A rich buffet of local and international cuisine is available at lunch and dinner. Vegetarian and Celiac meals are available on request.
In the summer months we welcome you to enjoy our rooftop swimming pool and sun terrace, which boasts amazing views of the Valletta and the Marsamxetto Harbour.
We know that your holiday is important to you and that you will have many questions about the destination, the accommodation, how the booking process works and what guarantees you have. We have tried to provide the answer to the most Frequently Ask Questions below. If you have a particular question that we have not thought of, please let us know - We're happy to help.
Simply click on the "Enquire Now" button which will take you to our online enquiry page. You will be able to select various options such as which airport you would like to fly from and dates of travel and tell us about any particular requirements you have for your holiday.
You will have a dedicated Travel Consultant who will initially send you a quote by email and then continue to work with you to ensure that we meet all your requirements and provide the highest level of service.
If you are happy with the quote you have received, simply send a reply email with the names of the passengers travelling and we will begin the booking process immediately. If, once you receive your quote, there is something you would like to change then smiply let us know.
Remember - We're always Happy to Help!
There are so many different options available for any particular holiday that provide opportunitie for a more cost effective price or upgrades with certain hotels that you might miss out on a better deal.
We strongly believe that a real person is better able to make intuitive decisions about a holiday enquiry than a computer programme that will not have the same dedication or commitment to providing the best possible service.
ALSO, why should you waste your time searching for a great deal when we can do it for you - with a personal touch. Rest assured, you will always be dealing with a real live person and you will have direct contact with the same person all the time. You will never have to deal with an anonymous person in a call centre.
It is our absolute, number one, priority to ensure that you are happy with the details of your holiday before you book and it is important that you have the time to do this.
It is also important to remember, however, that prices change all the time (particularly the cost of flights) and it is with this in mind, that we would urge you to try and confirm the booking as soon as possible. We will provide a quote according to your enquiry for the best prices on the day. Communication is the key to getting the best deal and we will work to ensure that we respond to your requests as quickly as possible to guarantee the best prices for you.
Yes, of course.
If you have heard about a certain hotel or you have a particular hotel in mind where you would like to stay, simply let us know if the "Comments" section at the end of the online Enquiry Form (Enquire Now) and we will be pleased to check availability and include this in your quote.
The simple answer is "...just let us know."
We have tens of thousands of hotels available to us throughout the world and we fully accept that we might occassionally select a hotel that doesn't quite meet your requirements. You might prefer a different location or have in mind a particular hotel in mind that you would like to stay at. Simply drop us a line and we will look for alternative options that better meet what you are looking for
It is impossible for us to send you a quote for every possible hotel option so we usually provide a choice of two or three different hotels in each quote. We are always happy to provide you with other choices and the more information you can give us will help us in finding that sought after hotel that is "Just Right".
We have several very simple and straightforward methods available for receiving payment.
The most popular method is for us to give you a quick call, answer any final questions you might have, and take a debit or credit card payment. If you prefer, we are able to send you a Client Paymet Form that can be completed and emailed back to us.
We are also able to take payments by direct bank tansfer and would be pleased to send you our bank details on request.
As soon as we have received payment of your deposit, we will immediately begin confirming all the relevant flights, accommodation, tours and any other services.
Once your initial documentation becomes available in the booking system (usally within two hours of receiving your deposit) we will email this to you.
Your initial documents will usually include a Receipt, Confirmation of Booking, Flight Confirmations and Confirmation of Accommodation Reservations.
Occasionally, emails which contain attachments can be delayed or filtered out by your email provider. If you have not received your documents from us within 24 hrs, please let us know and we can resend them.
We are delighted to suggest a number of Tours and Excursions that might be of interest to you. If there is something you would particularly like to see or place you would like to visit which is not shown below, please let us know in the "Additional Comments" section on the Enquiry Form and we will be pleased to send you details.
Take the North-Malta line and see Malta in a new way in this Hop On Hop Off tour! It has stops including Valletta, Manoel Island, Roman Villa, Mdina Gate, Aviations Museum, Ta Qali Crafts Village, Mosta Church, Golden Bay, and more!
From/Per Person £14.99
Start the tour by going on a 20-minute ferry ride to Gozo. Upon arrival at Mgarr harbour, your guide will lead you around the Megalithic temples of Ggantija, the oldest free-standing monuments in the world, pre-dating the Pyramids of Egypt.
Next, we will proceed to visit the medieval citadel in Victoria, the fjordlike bay at Xlendi and the Azure Window in Dwejra.
Gozo is well-known for its crafts, particularly handmade lace and knitted garments. Visitors cannot fail to be impressed by the island's lush countryside, its serene atmosphere and how different it is from the larger island of Malta.
Enjoy a guided coach tour of Sicily and visit Mt. Etna, the largest and most active volcano in Europe. Go to Taormina in the summer and enjoy the unique panoramic views overlooking Giardini Naxos. Visit the proud, prosperous and ancient city of Modica during the winter, one of Sicily's baroque gems.
From/Per Person £119
We are always happy to help. Our team is available by phone, email and online chat. Emails are regularly checked outside of office hours.
020 7095 0925
With good reviews and centrally located.
We negotiate the best possible rates with hotels and offer a price-match guarantee.
Full support throughout the booking process and whilst you're away. Please see our About Us page.
