luxury travel company malta

• Your Curators
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• Discover Malta
• E: [email protected]
• T: +356 9959 6290 - Malta
• T: +1 905 515 0199 - United States
• T: +1 800 598 5474 - Canada

STORYTELLERS OF

The maltese islands.

Why choose us?

We are exclusively malta.

Providing authentic and exclusive experiences, the Maltese Islands are an oasis for the cultural enthusiast and keen explorer.

SERVICE DRIVEN

From exploring possibilities to the fulfillment of your journey. We are with you every step of the way.

TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS

The key to creating a perfect experience is in knowing the personality and desires of each traveller. Exclusively Malta are your personal curators.

CULTURE, HISTORY & FAITH

7000 years of significant history for the cultural enthusiasts. From ancient temples to St. Paul and the Knights of St. John, delight your every sense of exploration.

FOOD & WINE

Dive into the world of Maltese cuisine and drink. From cooking classes to specialized food tours, we’ve got every base covered.

SMALL GROUPS & INCENTIVE

Providing the very best in small group experiences. Spend between 7 and 10 nights covering all 3 of the Maltese Islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino.

ROMANTIC HONEYMOONS

Romance with Malta as the striking backdrop. Whether it’s a destination wedding or a spectacular honeymoon, Malta’s charm will overwhelm you.

LGBTIQ+ TRAVEL

Celebrating inclusive travel for all. Malta continues to occupy the number one spot on the Rainbow Europe Map.

Take an adventurous perspective by land and sea. Countryside bicycling, quad biking, scuba diving some of the clearest waters in the world and more!

JEWISH CULTURE

An exclusive discovery of a unique and remarkable Jewish history.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Well beyond the ordinary. Our accommodations are extraordinary. Premier experiences including resorts, boutique hotels, villas, palazzos & farmhouses.

Testimonials

I chose to visit Malta because of the warm weather in April, I had no idea the magnificent experience that this would be! All arrangements were made through Exclusively Malta, the process was so simple and efficient. Since the moment we arrived until our departure every detail was taken care of. The choice of hotels was lovely, the restaurants were hand picked and served very different food and the tours were exceptional! We enjoyed aspects of Malta that are only known to the locals! Our driver was wonderful, he took care of us in every possible way, courteous and respectful! Our guide was so knowledgeable and a warm and caring person! My thanks for planning this memorable vacation!

I just had a long call with KB….who you may recall was a client of mine that you hosted in Malta. Anyhow….we realized that he had not really given me a full report from his Malta trip so he did that just now. Simply put, he was blown away. It has totally re-wired the way he thinks about travel. We will for sure get him back for another trip and ideally he will send some of his friends my way so that we can get Exclusively Malta to give them the royal treatment.

You are the very best travel hosts EVER! Thank you for 4 incredible days and service that went above and beyond my very high expectations. Available as a reference at: [email protected]

You are absolutely my go-to source for any booking to Malta. You and company always seem to go the extra step (without being prodded) to be sure I have the information I need for my clients. Your care for them on site has been thoughtful. Clients come home raving about your guides. I wish more tour operators were as thorough and well-informed as Exclusively Malta.

The itinerary offered real insight into the country and its history. We had a great walking tour of Valletta and had a very special tour of a private Palazzo with the descendants of the original family which was outstanding. Highly recommend.

Jason listened carefully to our requests (wine tasting, some hiking, boutique hotel in the center of Valletta, food experiences and one on one encounters) and incorporated them all and provided us with a great and flexible guide and driver.

Jason and Damon were fantastic from our initial conversation until the tour ended. Jason and Damon were incredibly responsive to all concerns and planned several exclusive events for us which were memorable.

To see as much as we did, you need a well planned, well executed schedule. Each day in Malta, we had private visits, but our favorites were the private after-hours visit to St. Johns Cathedral, the Chef Shopping, Cooking & Lunch on Gozo, the Palazzo Falzon in Mdina with Curator and a private palazzo. Unbelievably, there were still several “experiences” that couldn’t be arranged due to our timing. We’ll have to go back!

Malta is amazing and, for those of you who’ve never been here, consider putting it high on your list.

Malta was marvelous, and we thoroughly enjoyed all of it – most of which we’re pretty sure we got to see. The itinerary couldn’t have been better for us. In short, we had a great time, and we thank you most sincerely for having arranged it for us.

My whole group were delighted with every aspect of the tour along with all the little extra's you provided which were always a lovely addition. You have won me and all my fellow traveler's over with your over the top personal service and your attention to detail. Sincerely

I had the chance to personally use Exclusively Malta's services in October, and I can tell you that they are top notch. I would highly recommend Malta as a destination, but even if you have passengers who are only doing a one day shore excursion, this is the company to use. Do not let your clients see only Valletta – have Damon and Jason to get them to Rabat, a visit with an artisan gilder, see Mdina and St. John’s! Your clients will thank you – we were gone 25 days and this experience was one of our top three!

Damon is very hands on, and he has many local connections. Extremely personal and service oriented. We did a lot in 4 days! But it was not overwhelming, the people were very friendly, English is the official language, and it is quite safe. They say that the island is small and there is no place for criminals to hide.

My client just spent a half hour telling my how wonderful their experience was - how well planned it was and what a great time she had. What most impressed her was the little surprises, the table prepared for them at the Canons with drinks and hors d'oeuvres, the special attention, all unexpected. In the countryside, the personal visits with locals were wonderful. My recommendations re pacing were followed to a T. Actually, her impression was that everyone was listening to what her needs were and was happy to fulfill the smallest request. All the positive feedback is really significant, but they are very experienced travelers. She knows what's good and what is not. No negatives, only positives.

We are 50/50 about recommending Malta since its such a great place and we wouldn't want it to become too popular.

Hey guys! Wanted to thank you all again for taking the time to plan such a spectacular family trip to Malta for all of us. It means so much that you put so much time and thought into what we do every day + who we interact with — the effort really shows and makes the trips utterly seamless. Thanks again for all your hard work, we appreciate it more than you can imagine! Thank you and you will be our Malta people forever !!

Fantastic tour of Malta with Joseph our guide and Adrian our driver. Experienced Malta to the fullest. Great restaurant suggestions. Thank you so much.

Every door opens for our clients. It's always timely and exciting to work with Exclusively Malta. Like us luxury travel advisors, our clients are well traveled and a lot of the world is too familiar. There are few places that give me butterflies when I am there because it is so other worldly. Malta is one of those places. Malta is so incredible - out of this wold and surreal.

My group has just returned from their cruise, and they were thrilled with the tour that your guide gave them. They loved Malta, I am sure in no small part because of the wonderful experience they had. Thanks so much for creating this tour for them, and for executing it so wonderfully.

Every single day worked out like a Maltese clock! It was a wonderful trip, and I hope that more people will choose to visit Malta. If interested travelers ask us, we'll recommend your expertise.

Thank you so very much for all your attention to my clients. I know you made their trip extra special. I truly hope to have more guests come your way!

Thank you for the updates. I love that you take the time to let me know how the clients’ experience was handled and the feedback.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the day in Malta Your guide was lovely and very accommodating. Thanks for your quick follow up. Very impressive. I hope to send lots of business your way.

Jason and Damon’s experience in the industry is second to none and their "Customer First" philosophy is so welcoming. I hope to be doing business with them for a long time.

This is Malta

Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, the Maltese Islands are an oasis that provides a very unique mix of culture, history, nature and relaxation. With a local population of just over 460,000 and a land mass of 122 square miles, you can see and do more within short driving distances. Some seek out Malta for its rich UNESCO heritage, World War II history or the Knights of St. John storyline. Whatever the reason for visiting, our islands will leave you speechless. #braggingrights

Tailored to your needs

Let us craft the perfect experience for you – taking your personality and desires into consideration. We stand out as the best host in the Maltese Islands because of our dedication to attention and personalization.

Lawrence Formosa – Bringing Back Falconry

Travellers to the Maltese Islands who visit the famed Blue Grotto often stop at an upper viewpoint to capture the Grotto’s magnificence.  If they happen to visit on a Sunday, they may very well see a man dressed in period clothing with birds that include owls and falcons.  Lawrence Formosa has been delighting visitors to […]

Brand Cause

Supporting the mission of the Order of St. John (Knights of Malta): Upholding human dignity and caring for people in need.

Privacy Overview

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Luxury Malta Tours

Introduction to Malta (4 days) Valletta & Mdina

Highlights of Malta (6 days)  Valletta with Mdina, Rabat & Gozo

Essence of Malta & Gozo (8 days)  Valletta with Mdina & Rabat, Gozo

Malta in Depth (9 days) Valletta, Mdina & Rabat, Gozo

Multi-country Tours

Highlights of Sicily & Malta (12 days) Palermo with Monreale & Segesta, Sciacca & Agrigento, Noto & Syracuse, Taormina & Mount Etna, Valletta with Mdina, Rabat & Gozo

Fascinating Malta is a tiny island country in the strategic heart of the Mediterranean Sea between Europe and North Africa. Many empires have left their mark on the Maltese archipelago over the centuries, helping shape the country’s rich and diverse culture.

Our private Malta tours highlight the best of the country, allowing travelers to dig deep into Maltese history, experience Malta’s unique natural beauty, and connect to contemporary Maltese lifestyle through private meetings with local experts and artisans, exclusive after-hours experiences at some of Malta’s most important cultural sites, special dinners in unique locations, private yacht charters, World War II touring, private Maltese cooking lessons and more.

The largest island, also called Malta, is a cultural powerhouse. In the capital city of Valletta, historic limestone buildings and gilded churches stand alongside Renzo Piano-designed modern masterpieces, and the colorful facades of Malta’s quintessential enclosed balconies brighten narrow streets lined with charming cafes and upscale boutiques. The southern part of the island offers colorful fishing villages tucked in coves along the rugged coastline and UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins that date back millennia. 

In the hills of central Malta, the atmospheric town of Mdina stands at the country’s most visible remnant of the period of Arabian control inside its imposing fortress walls. Its winding atmospheric alleyways lead to hidden courtyards and give way to cobblestone plazas which offer views of the entire island.

Gozo, the second largest island, provides an idyllic counterpart with its rural landscapes, hilltop fortresses, resplendent green hills, boutique vineyards and beautiful coastal caves.

Malta combines well with many other European destinations, including Sicily, southern Italy and Turkey.

Our Malta tours feature:

• Preferred rooms in Malta’s best luxury hotels
• Your own private guide and driver for flexible touring based on your interests
• Special activities and access to the country’s most popular sights, as well as the option for private cooking classes, active touring on Malta and Gozo, specialized shopping, private yacht excursions, festival visits and more 
• Highly personalized itinerary planning
• Expert advice from our Malta specialists, all of whom have traveled extensively in Malta
• Local contacts at our associate offices throughout Malta
• Private transfers and all transportation within Malta
• Restaurant reservations, shopping recommendations, tickets to cultural events and exclusive access to local activities

All tours are private, depart daily, and can be customized to suit individual interests and schedules.

Please contact us at (800) 214-8144 for more information about our private, deluxe Malta tours.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

Testimonials

My trip to Malta was outstanding. The itinerary included fascinating touring throughout the country, and your in-depth cultural knowledge, special experiences, and behind-the-scenes access really brought Malta to life. ~ A.C., New York, NY

Our Malta tour was great. The tours, sights and country itself were terrific. We especially enjoyed the unique experiences such as wine tasting, touring the ruins, and the private yacht charter. Our guide was terrific. ~ L.H., Cherry Hills Village, CO

Our Austria and Malta tour was superb. The guides were incredible. Thank you for all of your excellent arrangements. ~ S.W., Bethesda, MD

Read more...

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In the Press

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Departures Conde Nast Traveler The New York Times Wall Street Journal Travel + Leisure Town & Country

Malta On Our Blog

Exploring Malta, a Jewel of the Mediterranean

Read more on our blog...

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L O A D I N G .

A Trove of Mediterranean Treasures

Travel to Malta with  Ker & Downey on an inspired and fully customized luxury Malta vacation. The three principle islands in the archipelago country of Malta hold countless treasures, both natural and cultural. The country’s location in the Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast contributes to its fascinating history. Indeed, its unique location made it a natural asset for nations looking to expand their empires and military presence. To travel on a luxury Malta vacation means traveling back in time, whether through architecture,  food , or artisanship.

History of Malta

After centuries of conquest, tiny Malta achieved its independence. It therefore took with it architectural and archaeological riches left behind by the Romans, Moors, and the Knights of Saint John. This is a medieval military order of the Catholic church. The Knights, now known as the Order of Malta, are still present and active in Malta as the world’s oldest surviving chivalric organization. In fact, their contributions to Maltese culture are vast. You can witness them on a luxury Malta vacation in the imposing Fort San Angelo, Valletta’s baroque architecture, and the Maltese Cross, a prominent motif across the country.

Travel to Malta

Of course, any luxury Malta vacation begins in Valletta, Malta’s capital city. This dynamic town still retains its historical grandeur. Built as a city “by gentlemen, for gentlemen,” you can still stroll the streets at night and capture a sense of the stately ideals of the Knights of St. John. Nowhere is this more evident than the co-Cathedral of St. John. The lush Barrakka and Hastings gardens contribute to the air of gentility. Plus, the city teems with votive statues and fountains.

Meanwhile, the island of Gozo offers a quieter, more rural scene. Malta's "Sicily," it also claims some of the best dive sites in the Mediterranean. Like Malta island, it boasts several historical and archaeological sites. This includes Ggantija, a marvelously preserved pre-historic temple complex dating back to the Neolithic period.

Finally, Comino takes a Malta luxury vacation even further. Virtually uninhabited, Comino is car-free and highly appealing to snorkelers, hikers, and wind-surfers. While the other islands are home to more historical treasures, the crowing jewel of Comino is the Blue Lagoon with its turquoise waters and soft, white sand.

Book a Luxury Malta Vacation with Ker & Downey

Travel to Malta pairs well with other countries along the Mediterranean, including Greece and Italy. Your Ker & Downey luxury travel consultant will ensure that you see the best the islands have to offer with our expert local guides and ideally located partner properties.  Contact us  now to start planning your luxury Malta vacation.

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LUXURY HOLIDAYS & TOURS MALTA

Picturesque scenery and rich history.

People visit Malta for its warm water and beautiful beaches. But they return again and again for its history, its varied and picturesque architecture, its superb food, its art treasures, its scenery and the warmth of its welcome.

Visitors have always been attracted to this small gem of an island, at the heart of the Mediterranean. Neolithic people built mysterious temples dedicated to a goddess of fertility; then came the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Byzantines – all of whom have helped shape the island’s character, language and culture. Arabs followed, and then the Normans. But the knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem – Crusaders – took the island into a new golden age. Upon which Napoleon Bonaparte, and subsequently the British, built.

So, as well as long stretches of beach, the island has an extensive 7,000-year history. Ask one of our Europe consultants about Malta and they will suggest spending time wandering through the meandering lanes of Valletta – Malta’s capital – and soaking up the atmosphere of the ancient walled city of Mdina.

Discover Malta’s impressive palaces, churches and auberges – often decorated by the likes of Caravaggio, Mattia Preti and Antoine Favray. We recommend taking a trip on a ‘dghajsa’ (a Maltese gondola) from Vittoriosa marina, or a hop across to Gozo to visit its stone houses and Baroque churches.

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

With over 30 years of experience in the luxury tailor-made travel sector and over 40 destination specialists, we will source the perfect accommodation for your every need.

The Corinthia Palace Hotel

The phoenicia hotel, valletta, the xara palace relais & chateaux, when to visit, april – june, july – september, october – november.

• FLIGHT (FROM LDN) 3 hrs (Direct)
• CURRENCY Euro
• POPULATION 518,536
• BEST TIME TO GO April – November
• LANGUAGE Maltese
• TIMEZONE GMT + 1
• CAPITAL CITY Valletta
• GEOGRAPHIC SIZE 316 km²

DESTINATION SPECIALISTS

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP WITH US

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Your trusted travel partner in Malta

Our services.

At Citrus Luxury, we pride ourselves on providing a wealth of services backed by many years of experience for both individual travellers and group travel. Our aim is to design fantastic packages that are tailor-made to the highest level to make sure our clients get to enjoy a trip of a lifetime. We guarantee a personalised service and attention to detail in every aspect of our work.

Citrus Luxury specialises and offers competitive rates in:

Hotel Accommodation

Cultural and leisure programmes, tailor-made incentive and conference packages, professional licensed guides, vip private tours with luxury class vehicles, exciting shore excursions, meet our team.

Matthew Scicluna

Michael Gatt

Andrew Sullivan

Martina Abela

Luisa Sullivan

Irina Kosilova

Dejana Paunovic

Jessica Bianucci

Mihoko Sugiura

Melina Rabehi

The launch of P&A Sullivan Ltd. in 1997 resulted after years of hard work for Captain Harry Sullivan and his wife, Lina. The company was setup by their sons Peter and Andrew, who both shared the same passion for travel, this gave them the opportunity to offer unique services and succeed in the travel sector in Malta.

In 2021, P&A Sullivan became part of Citrus Travel Ltd which has over 30 years of experience in the travel industry. P&A Sullivan, now rebranded to Citrus Luxury will form part of Citrus Travel Ltd. who offer inbound operations within the luxury, leisure, meeting and events. Citrus is literally a one stop shop for all inbound requirements.

We work to such high standards that over the years we’ve provided services for big names such as Meghan Markle, Luke Evans, Josephe Fiennes, John Simpson, various DJs including Steve Aoki, Paul Kalkbrenner, Jonas Blue, Bob Sinclair, Mambo Brothers, Bakermat, Watermat, Deepend, DJ Snake, Tiny Tempah and all of the artists performing at Unite with Tomorrowland 2019, Mr. Bill Marriott and his family, Oprah Winfrey, Sharon Stone, and the national football teams of Italy (3 times in 4 years), Israel, the Czech Republic, and many more.

What Our Clients Have To Say

“ Thanks very much! You are a pleasure to deal with. We wish you handled more countries! Bobbie Hirschhorn Travel Consultant, Protravel International

“ First of all, I would like to thank you for your super input. Congratulations for not only doing what we agreed upon but exceeding my expectations (which are always very high and demanding). What we did together resulted in great feedback from all artist management and agencies. Matthew Vassallo Organiser, Unite with Tomorrowland Malta

“ Thank you for a lovely day yesterday for our Virtuoso Voyages shore event. I have received already positive feedback from our group. Rachel is a wealth of informative and a delightful tour guide. Alicia Doak Travel Advisor, Sanborn's Travel Service

“ P and A Sullivan went over and above to make my reserve client extremely satisfied with his recent trip to Malta. They paid attention which was extremely detailed and all of my requests were met. They saw him every morning to discuss the days plans. All tours and dinners were executed perfectly and he felt Luisa Sullivan should be recognized. Barbara Muglia Travel Experts

“ The guide provide for the tour of Gozo was beyond excellent. Her insights and explanation of the G’gantija exceeded expectations and provided exactly what I was after. In addition, she found the time to squeeze in an overview of the island which was very enjoyable. On a scale of 1-10, she was 10+. John and Jo Ann Stewart From Going Places Travel

“ I am very touched by your special attention. It is very unusual to meet such nice and beautiful people. It is heartwarming. Don't change anything, stay as you are, you are so friendly. We will never forget you Louise and Luisa. Thanks goes to Andrew too. Isabelle Renaux

“ Getting back to the real world today after the Malta experience. The trip was FANTASTIC!!!! It absolutely exceeded our expectations beyond measure. I don't think any of us have ever had a trip wherein worked our minds that much 🙂 Such great history to learn & take in. Absolutely an A+ trip!!!! Jess From DT Travel

“ Cynthia and Ronnie have both been super tour guides and we will recommend them and your company to any friends that will be traveling to Malta. Mr Larry Ost Client of Avanti World Travel

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Luxury Travel

Luxury travel is an industry in constant progression, which varies according to different perspectives. At SIT we know how to adapt, and we are hungry for innovation and originality. We are experts in designing and executing memorable experiences.

Learn the history and techniques of the perfumer’s art at a Maltese acclaimed Atelier!

What better way to express your personality than by creating your own perfume? A unique formula that can be taken home! Get ready for a true journey of your senses! Enjoy an activity accompanied by an expert in perfumes who will reveal the magic of this delicate art.

We offer an exclusive and personalized high end chauffeur service with well-mannered professional drivers who are also always ready to greet you with a smile.

Admire Malta in style aboard the legendary and fascinating vintage cars whilst evoking the admiration of passersby as you parade triumphantly through the streets of Malta!

There’s the good life, and then there’s the yacht life. Maltese islands are the perfect spot for yacht life. Let yourself be pampered by the gentle waves of the Mediterranean Sea and by the luxury services worthy of a 5-star hotel.

Michelin is the most authoritative guide for restaurants globally and for the first time in 2020, the guide included 31 Restaurants in Malta and Gozo. In addition, 4 of these restaurants are awarded, with one Michelin Star: De Mondion, Under Grain, Bahia and ION The Harbour and four MICHELIN Bib Gourmand awards: Grain, Terrone, Rubino and Commando.

Keen to travel in luxury and style? Would you like to avoid airport queues and long check-ins? Private jet charter is an exclusive way of air transportation for corporate and leisure travel. A memorable experience which is sure to leave you gob smacked with an unforgettable mental souvenir.

Rooms that look like works of art, spectacular views that could enchant anybody and impeccable services. This is just a taste of what you can find in the Maltese Luxury Hotels.

What better way to help your body, mind and soul rejuvenate, unwind, get rid of its toxins, and help it find its balance then a health and wellness retreat in a tranquil green oasis in Gozo? This green oasis offers a range of SPA and wellness treatments.

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Talk To The Experts

Your personal travel consultant will get to know your needs, ensuring they find you the most suitable holiday, at the best price!

or call us on  01706 753 636

Home > Destinations > Europe > Malta

The Maltese Islands rest like jewels in the centre of the Mediterranean. North African, Arabic, Greek and Sicilian influences blend together, creating a mysterious country, rich in culture and full of unique flavours. You’ll be mesmerised by the medieval towns, prehistoric temples and stunning landscapes, as well as some of the Med’s best dive spots. It also boasts a vast range of places to visit, from Mdina, Malta’s ancient capital which is an intriguing maze of winding streets, to Gozo, a tranquil haven steeped in myth, with landscapes dotted with baroque churches and old farmhouses.

Hilton Malta

This award winning hotel is probably Malta's most luxurious complex, located along the chic Portomaso Waterfront, in St Julian's.

Hotel Juliani

Malta's finest boutique hotel, an exclusive townhouse, contemporary whilst respecting Maltese traditions, set in the heart of St Julians.

Reviews: Rated Excellent

Alison fletcher.

Brilliant trip organised by Dave, included Helsinki, Tallin, Vilnius and Riga. (4 different countries) Everything ran smoothly. Dave organised hotels, flights, taxis, ferry and coach. Have used this company a few times and can't recommend highly enough they are fab 😀

As always, Chris was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. He gave me good advice on my travel plans and booked the holiday on my behalf. I've used eshores a number of times, and will continue to do so.

We haven’t been on our trip yet but based purely on the experience of booking the trip we are pleased with the result. It started with a bit of a hiccup as we spoke to a member of staff who never came back to us but when we reached back out again we were placed in the hands of Andy who has helped us book a 2 week trip to India including the golden triangle and then a few days on the beach. Andy was very patient with us with our changes to our tailor made holiday, even when we asked him to explore different areas only to revert back to the original plan. He also recommended moving the holiday back one week which created a saving of over £700 which meant we could upgrade the room for our beach stay in Goa. Andy was also available on weekends if we wanted to speak and regularly picked up the phone as opposed to keeping it to purely email dialogue. Hopefully the holiday will be amazing but based on the booking experience I would recommend eShores if you’re looking to book a tailor made holiday

I spoke to Lynette who was extremely helpful in understanding the trip that myself and my sister in law wanted from Thailand. Myself and my sister in law are both 72years young and we are really looking forward to our trip.

Excellent service from Matt at eShores. So very helpful and nothing was too much trouble. I booked Mya holiday after all his hard work finding me the perfect holiday that I wanted. Superb service and not pushy all all.

We have booked two big holidays this year for a group of 8 and a group of 10, Rachel has coordinated our holidays with the utmost excellence, during the consultation we changed countires hotels and even flights but it did not phase Rachel one bit. Exceeds customer expectations by helping advising and supporting throughout the holiday. We are off to Thailand and Dubai in August and then followed by India and Thailand in November, I have rang emailed Rachel many times during the booking and I got very prompt responses even on her days off. Rachel is a credit to EShores and EShores is setting standards regarding customer focus.

Iain William

I can’t praise Lynette at EShores enough. She has organised my trips perfectly to the point that I wouldn’t use anyone else. She listens to what I want or to the problem I have and comes up with a solution. Nothing is too much trouble. Try them out yourselves and I bet you become a repeater too!

At short notice, I needed a quote to travel through the USA (July the 20th) I emailed eShores with an idea of what I wanted to do, within a short period of time I had a response from Matthew, After several amendments to my holiday which wasn't any trouble to Matthew, Holiday all booked, now looking forward to travelling through the USA Have to say, the service I had through eShores was fantastic, well done Matthew for working through the changes,

Dealt with Adam who was great, I went back and forth many times, nothing was a problem for him. We got there in the end and Adam arranged a 3 place holiday to Malaysia and Singapore. We go on 5th August, will if update review when we return. EShores so far brilliant hats of to Adam.

We as a family used eShores last year to go to USA, and they were brilliant, my husband and 1 are going to Italy with them this September and we have just booked again to go back to USA with them next May, very efficient and Matt is lovely to deal with

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Top 10 Best Luxury Hotels In Malta

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1. InterContinental Malta

2. palazzo consiglia boutique hotel, valletta, malta, 3. the saint john boutique hotel, 4. malta marriott hotel & spa, st. julian’s, 5. westin dragonara resort st. julians, 6. the xara palace relais & chateaux, 7. the phoenicia malta, 8. kempinski hotel san lawrenz malta, 9. grand hotel excelsior malta, 10. radisson blu resort & spa, malta golden sands.

We review the best luxury hotels in Valletta and St Julian’s in Malta. These include InterContinental, Grand Hotel Excelsior, Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, Marriott, Palazzo Consiglia Boutique Hotel, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Saint John, Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux, Westin Dragonara Resort.

The luxury traveler can sometimes overlook malta but make no mistake. It’s a stunningly beautiful island with a rich and fascinating historical past, some lovely beaches, and a laid-back vibe. It’s just about knowing where to stay, which of course, we can help with.

Often described as the best-kept secret of the Mediterranean, Malta is jammed with history, partly because its fascinating past features the Phoenicians, Romans, Normans, Knights of St. John, French and British. The capital, Valletta, is steeped in history, culture, style, art, and technology and is both a UNESCO world heritage site and has also been nominated for a European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta is one of those fabulously accessible sunny islands, with flights from London coming in at fractionally over 3 hours; perfect for a short break when you don’t want the inconvenience of a long transfer.

I have compiled a list below containing the best luxury hotels in Valletta and St Julian’s in Malta. I list the ones I consider to be the best at the top.

Situated in the exclusive beachside resort of St Julian’s, InterContinental Malta is just seven kilometers from Valletta, Malta’s capital city, and within walking distance of some of the islands finest shopping and entertainment locations. This is one of the cheapest InterContinental hotels in the world.

Unwind at the wonderful lagoon-styled outdoor pool, or enjoy a day at their private sandy beach. There is also an indoor pool, gym, and spa. With a variety of restaurants and bars (some seasonal), InterContinental Malta is one of your best luxury hotel choices in Malta.

The interior of this hotel is lovely, with lots of intricate, stylish lighting. If you request a room facing the hotel courtyard and outdoor pool rather than the main street, you will enjoy a very peaceful night’s sleep.

The club lounge here is great, with coffee, tea, juices, soft drinks, and snacks available throughout the day. Breakfast is served. The buffet is great with cold cuts, smoked salmon, olive and sundried tomato pastes, salad, pastries, bread, cereal, fresh fruit, plus Prosecco, juice, tea, and coffee. Hot dishes include scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausages, etc.

Evening drinks and canapes are served from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. The drinks selection includes Prosecco, wines, spirits, beers, and soft drinks. Canapes are things like chicken skewers and fish cakes, enough for a drink accompaniment but not enough to fill you up.

Club Lounge access is free here if you book via our luxury travel concierge along with benefits including room upgrade on arrival, welcome amenity, early check-in / late check-out (all subject to availability) and complimentary Wi-Fi.

You can see what we have experienced in terms of food and drink at the club lounge at InterContinental O2 in London and the club lounge at InterContinental Park Lane which will give you an idea of what to expect.

Anyone who wants to lay on a beautiful beach but also to feast upon historic gems on their days off sun-worshipping should have their sights set firmly on Malta. Come to the capital of Valletta and be at the center of the action in this stunning antique city; a very fitting place to stay is Palazzo Consiglia (pictured above); a stunningly restored building where Baroque influence sits with Roman and Arabic features.

Our exclusive benefits at Palazzo Consiglia are a free alcoholic welcome drink upon arrival for each guest on any level or room booking. All Superior room bookings include a complimentary airport transfer on arrival only. All Deluxe room bookings will include a complimentary airport transfer on arrival only, a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival, and free use of the minibar replenished once daily as well as a 15% discount on the beverage bill or final bar bill. The benefits outlined above are applicable to non-refundable rates.

Palazzo Consiglia is located in a beautiful traditional Maltese townhouse. As soon as guests enter, they find themselves in a lavish entrance hall with marble floors, wall paneling, and pretty teal hues throughout. The chic guest rooms are light and airy with rich oak hardwood floors, glass separations in bathrooms, and dramatic, almost personal flairs, which create a very stylish room. Typical in Maltese townhouses, there is an internal courtyard; Palazzo Consiglia’s is a heavenly space, perfect for relaxing with a book or enjoying a hearty breakfast.

Despite the history, this is very much a modern hotel and technology features heavily; expect soundproofed walls and floors, energy-efficient LED lighting, full HD 40-inch television with radio and 72 channels, Bluetooth speakers (which connect to the room’s sound system that’s also available in the bathroom) and USB charging ports next to the bed; all fabulous for a gadget-lover!

A total delight of a spa awaits you in the cellar beneath the townhouse; the Cantina is a top-quality wellness area where you feel like you’re in a secret, very-glamourous grotto; very exciting but also very relaxing. Don’t miss the spa treatments but also ensure you leave time to waste away several hours in the heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, and steam room.

The cozy roof terrace is another beautiful space to relax (Palazzo Consiglia does them well, as you can tell!). There’s a mini pool, a reading nook, and a winter sundeck, plus simply spectacular views across Valletta and the Grand Harbour.

This is a boutique hotel with 13 rooms that are individually named and individually designed with custom wallpaper, upholstery, headboards, and stunning furniture sourced from Italy, France, and Malta. Depending on your taste, stay in a room with an Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Classical or Baroque vibe. Some of the rooms have balconies, so be sure to request one of these if you like your people-watching. My personal favorite is probably Sirena, an enchanting and glamorous room with a separate living area and a balcony overlooking the street below.

Ursula’s Lounge serves up a scrumptious continental breakfast, which you can eat in the courtyard or on the roof terrace if you prefer. There’s also a tempting selection of cheese and meat platters, as well as pizzas and other hot snacks, available until late; perfect to accompany a refreshing beverage at the terrace bar. For fine dining, there are several restaurants within walking distance, ask for recommendations, and they’ll be more than happy to oblige.

The Saint John Boutique Hotel , Valletta is situated in the very heart of Valletta. You are close to all the main attractions in Valletta and are a short walk away from the unique Grand Harbour.

The décor gives you lots of wow-moment that will have your Instagram twitching as soon as you arrive! There’s a cool, industrial vibe. A lot of the spaces are open-plan with incredible attention to detail in the finishings and retro touches, which are very nicely done. Don’t miss the traditional vintage-style courtyard and the wonderful architecture of the 17th-century building within which the hotel is housed.

Despite the historic exterior, inside the hotel has all the mod-cons and latest technology that you would expect with a modern, luxury hotel, as well as a couple of gadgets and gizmos that you might not expect; smart lighting and USB ports next to your bed to name just a couple. The hotel is a member of AX Hotels, and so members of their loyalty program AX Plus, can take advantage of a range of benefits, including complimentary arrival drinks, free airport transfers, and late check-out.

There are 21 rooms at this boutique hotel; choose from Comfort Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, or Superior Rooms. To be honest, all the rooms are divine, but you get a little more space and a little more luxury as you head through the levels. Predictably perhaps, the Superior Rooms are my favorite, with an extra living space and a traditional Maltese balcony overlooking a pedestrianized street below; prepare for some awesome people watching! If you’re traveling with friends, the Superior Quad Room is an excellent bet; spacious, sociable, and of course, luxurious.

The hotel has its own dining brand, the ultra-trendy Cheeky Monkey range. Cheeky Monkey Gastropub is the place to go in Valletta; come for the tasty food and stay for the top-quality beer and heavenly cocktails. You’re spoilt for choice at breakfast time as Cheeky Monkey Creperie serves a scrumptious breakfast, as well as being the spot to satisfy a sweet tooth, with authentic crepes piled with mountains of delicious fruits, whipped cream, sauces, and 12 flavors of ice cream.

The Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa is a Rewards Category 5 Marriott Bonvoy hotel located meters from Balluta beach, alongside a tranquil seafront promenade within the bustling, cosmopolitan St. Julian’s town. It is a 20-minute drive from Valletta, a European capital of culture city, and has been newly refurbished.

The rooms are luxurious, and there are five restaurants and three bars. A rooftop pool gives leisure travelers time to soak up the sun, whilst the spa provides an array of treatments, including a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, fitness center, and squash court.

The M Club lounge is absolutely gorgeous with double-height ceilings and black and white partitioning with a pale wood floor. It is an incredible space and offers a terrace with spectacular views and outdoor sofa seating. This is the best-looking and most exciting design of any club lounge in Malta.

The food in this club lounge is good too, with a full breakfast and a decent selection of hot and cold light bites and pastries and every kind of alcoholic beverage imaginable except for champagne.

The Westin Dragonara Resort , Malta is a Rewards Category 6 Marriott Bonvoy hotel perched on a 74,000 m² private peninsula in the island nation of Malta and offers a rocky beach with parasols and sunbeds.

This resort is absolutely lovely with a big freeform pool which sits in front of the beach. Rooms look out over opulent grounds, historic buildings, and the sparkling turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Two private beach lidos offer refreshing outdoor pools, spacious, full-service sundeck with loungers shaded by straw umbrellas. Here you can enjoy spectacular views and direct access to the sea.

Entertainment includes diving and water sports, on-site shopping, and Malta’s most historic casino. Stretch out in Malta’s largest standard rooms or luxuriate in an opulent suite. All of their 340 rooms feature Westin’s signature Heavenly® Bed and private balconies or terraces overlooking the sea.

The rooms in this hotel are very nice. Request a Tower room to avoid the thumping beats from the Royal Beach Club in the South wing in the evenings, and be aware that this hotel gets very crowded in the summer. It is much more peaceful outside the holidays.

The executive club lounge here is very good with 3 services a day; buffet breakfast inc. hot food options. Savory and sweet snacks and drinks are served from lunchtime. Drinks, including wines, soft drinks, hot beverages, juices, and canapés, are served in the evening.

Children under 12 years are sadly not permitted in this lounge between 6:00 pm and- 8:00 pm.

The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux is a 17th-century palazzo linked to the medieval city of Mdina. Its walls form part of the bastion walls that surround the former capital of Malta, with remarkable baroque architecture.

All rooms have been individually designed with romantic décor, original paintings, antique tapestries, and furnishings. They are reminiscent of the noble origins of the Xara Palace and boast spectacular 180-degree panoramic views of Malta. Enjoy attentive service and gastronomic delights at the award-winning de Mondion restaurant, or dine at Trattoria A.D. 1530, situated on the charming Piazza.

The Phoenicia Malta is one of the finest 5-star luxury hotels in Valletta. Steeped in history and boasting magnificent décor matched only by the stunning views, this hotel has been recognized as one of the city’s most revered architectural treasures since 1947.

The Phoenicia Malta is a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World. A stay at The Phoenicia Malta is nothing short of perfection, bringing together tradition, warm Maltese hospitality, modern amenities, and all of life’s comforts for its discerning guests.

Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz Malta is on the island of Gozo. Each of the rooms and suites at Kempinski has a beautiful balcony overlooking the surrounding countryside or the resort’s gardens and swimming pools.

Guests can sample Mediterranean cuisine at the award-winning L’Ortolan restaurant and genuine Italian recipes at the Trattoria San Lawrenz. Il-Baldakkin Lounge has a terrace and serves light meals and cocktails, while the poolside grill and fish restaurant open in summer offers alfresco dining space.

Days here can be spent wandering through the magnificent gardens or under a parasol with a cocktail by one of the three outdoor pools. At Kempinski, The Spa & Ayurveda Centre offers traditional treatments like the hammam and facilities, including a heated Jacuzzi.

Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta is ideally located on the doorstep of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Capital City of Valletta, with all its major attractions, culture, art treasures, and historical architectural gems.

This acclaimed Valletta Malta hotel prides itself in magnificent accommodation, breathtaking views of Marsamxett harbor and Manoel Island, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, and unforgettable dining experiences. Its central position allows for easy travel to all parts of the Maltese islands.

Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands is a 5-star hotel in Malta, situated on the northwest coast of this island paradise and on the magnificent shores of Golden Bay Beach, near Mellieha.

This beach resort offers everything you could wish for from an upscale spa hotel. Along with sunbathing, swimming, and other beach activities, you can enjoy lavish accommodation that capitalizes on the surrounding scenery with balconies and plenty of windows. Dining is also a pleasure at our Golden Sands resort, with four on-site restaurants and three on-site bars.

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How aqua expeditions ceo built a luxury tourism brand on waters less explored.

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Aqua Blu is transforming luxury expedition yachting in Indonesia

If you want to inspire Aqua Expeditions CEO and Founder Francesco Galli Zugaro, don’t tell him he’s brilliant, even though he is. Tell him he’s crazy. Tell him his ambitions are impossible. And then sit back and watch the magic happen. Galli Zugaro is a man who thrives on turning challenge into opportunity. The Italian-American has built a business operating luxury river cruises and yacht charters in some of the most complex destinations in the world – the Peruvian Amazon, the Vietnamese Mekong, the remotest Indonesian islands – onboard yachts he has had specially built.

Since founding Aqua Expeditions in 2007, Galli Zugaro has created several game-changing travel propositions for “affluent explorers” and been commended for feats including launching Peru's first luxury river cruise on the Amazon River, transforming luxury expedition yachting in Indonesia with Aqua Blu , and taking the first commercial superyacht ( Aqua Mare ) to the Galapagos. And with a fleet of six boats and counting, he’s not done yet.

As Aqua Expeditions prepares to announce its next project, we take a deep dive into Galli Zugaro’s greatest passions, chart his journey to success, and unveil the next steps of his master plan – which may soon be open to strategic investment.

Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO of Aqua Expeditions

Where did your passion for travel stem from?

Francesco Galli Zugaro: Growing up in 16 countries put the travel bug in me. My dad was Managing Director for Latin America for Alitalia – it was in his blood to travel and this passed down to me. When my parents divorced, I started living with my mom and my stepdad; he was Bureau Chief for TIME magazine in many countries so we moved around from Germany to Lebanon to Israel to Cyprus to Italy, and so forth. After later graduating from Boston, I started working with a private equity group in South America that was investing in telecom and tourism. I ran the telecom startup for five years and then moved over to a small ship expedition investment that we made in the Galapagos. That was how I cut my teeth in travel.

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What lead you to leave the private equity group and set up Aqua Expeditions ?

Having left Ecuador and the investment there that we exited, I started looking around South America. Originally, I wanted to go to Argentina. There was an American gentleman called Douglas Tompkins who owned North Face and invested in buying up cattle ranches so I thought, ‘let's head out there’. On the way, I stopped at Iquitos and the Peruvian Amazon and I realise no one was doing the Amazon at a really high-end level’.

I went around Iquitos with a Peruvian Navy Admiral who told me there was a 50-metre steel hull for sale around one of the tributaries. So, we took one of the Navy’s little tugboats and knocked on the shed and this guy sold it to me – I towed it away that day. I then commissioned a shipyard to obviously build it for me and brought in Jordi Puig, a very well-known Peruvian architect at the time. From buying it to launching it with heads and beds took us eight months. I don't claim to be the first, but I was the first at the top-end level catering to what I call today ‘affluent explorers’.

Onboard Aqua Blu in Indonesia

Why did you pick South America to launch the business?

I picked South America because I knew it. At the time, the hottest package in South America was Machu Picchu and Galapagos. Compared to Ecuador at the time, the potential growth in Peru was amazing. Orient Express had come in and has five properties and three trains so they were pumping money into promoting the destination. So, I thought, all I have to do is plug a great product in the Peruvian Amazon and it's automatically going to be packaged up into the circuit of Peru at the time. It was very easy to quickly position a top end premium product. So I sold my house in Ecuador, moved my whole family to Peru and put everything into it. It was a risk, but I have a healthy measured appetite for risk.

Why did you decide to build a boat-focused business rather than enter the hotel market?

Having operated in the Galapagos, I thought how cool is it that you can control the guest experience? To really curate a guest experience in a one-night stay in a hotel is very difficult – you can't really make an impact. With the whole yachting experience cruising experience, you can curate something and create really cool environment for guests.

From a business perspective, these businesses are very cash rich because you can have high cash flow because people are booking ahead of time, with very few cancellations because these are long-haul aspirational trips. So, this has always been an appealing a both experiential and business opportunity.

Service and hospitality is key onboard all of Aqua Expeditions' boats

Why did you decide to build 12-cabin boats, and do you have plans to create larger ships?

I wanted something small. Originally the concept was to copy the idea of houseboats from Kerala put them on Amazon. I said ‘let's do four ships with two smaller cabins’, but when I ran the numbers, it wasn't scalable – the more you grow, the more fixed costs you have. Whereas on a 12-cabin ship, you can have 24 guests, but the economies of scale, as soon as you break even, become super attractive because our variable costs are very low. The only variable costs are the additional food and additional guides; the fuel and the operation are still fixed.

Secondly, the guest experience has to be dictated by small groups. These are trips with a high level of engagement to the the connection with the guides is key. We will never do anything that's above four couples to a guide – that allows you really to have an opportunity to engage, and the guide can tailor the excursions to that group. You can’t accomplish something so unique with a 100-guest ship.

Francesco Galli Zugaro in front of luxury river boat Aqua Mekong

How many of your ships are private charters versus tour operator bookings?

About a quarter of our business is private charter. Today, all of our ships operate 48 weeks. We have 30% charters, so about 15 charters a year, and most of them are private, but a lot of them are tour operator buyouts. So, in other words, a client comes in, buys out the ship for the week, and then resells it under their brand, because they package that up with a week in Siem Reap or Ho Chi Minh.

On private charters, what happens a lot is that we have two principal clients paying and it was hard for them to figure out who gets that top owner suite. So, in our river ships we have three suites which are very similar and very large. We've done that on all the ships, and that's allowed us to appeal very well to a private charter client.

Why did you choose to focus your business on areas that are more complex than others?

I just like the challenge. I like the feeling of accomplishment when I’ve been told many times ‘no it’s impossible, or no, you’re crazy,’ and then I showcase that it can be done. It just requires a vision and the capacity to execute. What initially started off as a vision is today a realization of 300 talented individuals that are working with me, from crew to management. I like a challenge; I don't like to take the easy way out. My biggest enjoyment comes from seeing guests appreciate what we've done.

Aqua Blu is redefining luxury expedition cruising in Indonesia . What lead you to operate in this destination?

I liked Indonesia you still feel like you're exploring. Galapagos in comparison is very structured. It's an amazing guest experience, but it's very regimented. In Indonesia, you can go exploring to see volcanoes, find dragons and birds-of-paradise, sail around Raja Ampat and the Spice Islands, and see what nature throws at you. That excites me, even though it's very difficult to get the permits. It look me two years to get the permits to flag in Indonesia, but I want to bring guests to see these parts of the world that are logistically complicated, and do it at a very high level.

What are your guests looking for, and how do you match destinations to meet their expectations?

If you talk to our guests, they've done everything. They're looking for something cool, different and relaxed. They want the world-class service but they're not pretentious so they're willing to walk barefoot and let their hair down. And a destination has to check their boxes in terms of nature and wildlife.

I chose the Vietnamese Mekong because it’s an iconic river connected to two iconic World Heritage sights – Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. And then I decided to operate in three marine biosphere reserves – Galapagos, Raja Ampat and Komodo – which are on everybody's bucket list. The next destinations will have a combination of that; they'll have either iconic rivers of the world or iconic coastal cruising that will provide a wildlife and nature component, and sometimes even a cultural component.

Private beach sundowners at Komodo National Park

What are your long-term plans for the company?

I've got a very clear map of exactly where I'm going to put ships. Pretty much true to form, I've delivered one every three years. Next year will be my 18th year and I'll be delivering my sixth ship. The details of where how and where will be revealed later this year. I've scouted the destinations and built itineraries – that's what I do on my off-time; I spend weeks and months scouting different bodies of water all over the world. That's my passion; finding new logistically complex destinations that I think I could venture into; raising the capital to finance the ships, because these are getting more and more expensive; and building unique itineraries.

What opportunities are there for interested investors?

This is a very profitable business because of our fixed costs. As long as you break even, profit could be in the range of somewhere around 50%. This year we’re going to exceed our forecast and forward bookings for 2025 are very strong already.

From an investor point of view, I've obviously retained control of the business and continue to do so. It doesn't mean that that will continue to be the case in the future. I'm open minded to see if I can add value strategically from a strategic partner – I have access to capital, but that strategic capital is something that I'm looking for in the future so that I can strategically roll out my business faster, and maybe have an opportunity to bring passenger flow to us faster, rather than organically growing.

There aren’t that many Aquas around. We’re the only business that has this size, this niche, this reach. The day Aqua goes out to market to find that strategic partner, I think it’s going to attract a lot of eyes that want to get into that space.

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