Malta's Mediterranean TemplesMay 29 - June 7, 2011 (10 days / 9 nights) 
Join us in exploring some of the world's oldest temples and discovering the Spirit of Place on this sun-kissed Mediterranean island Under sunny blue skies and surrounded by crystal-clear azure seas the honey-coloured temples of Malta were built on exceptional sites and would have been a powerful celebration of the abundance of nature. Dwarf elephants basked in the sun while eagles soared high above. The island's golden stone earned Malta the name of Melita, “the island of honey”. Malta, with its two sister islands of Gozo and Comino, sits in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and enjoys a sunny climate most of the year. At just fifteen miles by eight miles Malta boasts many world-class attractions from pre-history, history and the present; on this trip you'll experience them all. 
The temples are the oldest free-standing structures in Europe at five and a half thousand years old. That these are older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids makes these islands fascinating ‘must-visit' places. Who built the temples? Why here? And for what purpose? Our local guide will accompany us to visit all the main temples and share his insights with us. The design of the temples and figurines found in situ would indicate that they were dedicated to the goddess. Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Tarxien, Mnajdra, Hagar Qim and Ggantija are the best-preserved examples of this temple culture and are now recognized as Unesco World Heritage Sites. Malta's rich history of the last two thousand years reflects the succession of invaders who all left their mark on the culture and its buildings. One time capital of Malta, the medieval walled citadel of Mdina is known as the ‘Silent City', justifiably because cars are not allowed and the population is a tiny three hundred people; ideal for exploring this ‘living museum' at your own pace. The present capital Valetta, built by the Knights of St John, is perched on the rock above the Grand Harbour, the largest harbour in Europe, that we'll see from a harbour cruise boat. The churches, piazzas, and palaces are round every corner as we spend a whole day exploring the city. Mosta dome is the third largest unsupported dome in the world, after St Peter's in Rome and St Paul's in London, and is dramatically decorated with a pattern based on sacred geometry. 
But Malta also has natural beauty and being a small island the sea is visible from many places. We take small boats to see the breathtaking flooded caverns including the Blue Grotto. Every morning the light creates remarkable colours in the water ranging from deep blue and purple to fluorescent aquamarine. We'll also enjoy a boat ride over to Gozo for a day to visit the oldest temple and to see the natural beauty of Dwejra Bay and the Azure Window. 
Despite being invaded so frequently the Maltese people have always had an international reputation for their warm hospitality that we'll experience as we eat out at local restaurants. Being on a sunny Mediterranean island of course we'll have time to go swimming, relax on the beach and do a little shopping for hand-made glass or other crafts to take home as gifts. Or you may like the idea of extending your European trip with a stopover in Rome or London, a flying visit to Tuscany or if you feel really adventurous North Africa is only 180 miles away… This tour will be co-led by Karyl Huntley and we will be guided on the ground by our Maltese temple guide Francis Xavier Aloisio.
Malta lies on some major pathways of highly charged electromagnetic energy. The temples were built on energy or ley lines and they are very much alive and pulsing. Each temple has an energy point that vibrates stronger than in other areas. It's up to us now to re-energies these power points, vortexes and energy centres. The vortex of each temple will get stronger each time we acknowledge and connect with these power points. It is similar to winding a clock, and every time we visit these sacred places we are nurtured and inspired by the energetic imprint left in our beings by the innate power of each place. - Francis Xavier Aloisio. |
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Call: UK (+44) 7423 250 976 | USA (+1) 802-922-7507 | Background: St Paul's Catacombs, Malta |
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