DAY 1:
Monday 17th

VALLETTA DAY

1000-1200 (10am to 12noon):   Pack Stuffing

• Pack stuffers and other volunteers assemble at the Knights' Room on the ground floor of the Phoenicia to stuff packs, run through setting up the computer projector, practice with the video camera, etc.

1400-1630 (2pm to 4:30pm):   Registration and Valletta Day

• Registration at the open air Cafe in Republic Square in Valletta, if fine. That's the cafe in front of the National Library and with a statue of Queen Victoria sat in it. The square is filled with tables, most or all of them with umbrellas/sunshades above. There is a red phone box in one corner. If the weather is wet, we'll have registration in the Palm Court of the Hotel Meridien Phoenicia - this is straight ahead through the main doors.
• There are no formal activities in Valletta, but we'll be handing out information sheets (as part of your registration packs) on various places of interest in Valletta (and there are LOTS), and pointing people in the direction of anything you want to see.   Or you can just chill with us in the cafe drinking coffee and eating cake! Just being in Valletta is a delight.
• Within a 10 minute walk of the Cafe are the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the Cathedral and its museum, the Grand Master's Palace, the National Library, the Archaeological Museum, the Arts Museum, the Casa Rocca Piccola. The Great Siege Experience is just adjacent to the Cafe.
• A little further away (15 minutes) are Fort St Elmo (open only on Sundays), the War Museum, the Malta Experience, the Siege Bell Memorial, and the Lower Barrakka Gardens
• It's impossible to get lost in Valletta - it's only a Kilometre (3300 feet) long and 600 metres (2000 feet) wide, though you might get slightly mislaid. Those of who who dislike slopes and stairs are best to stick to the area around Republic Street and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. The North Americans will be relieved to hear that Valletta is laid out on a grid pattern.

1630-1745 (4.30 to 5.45pm)

• There will be no registration during this period, as Cindy and Simon will be heading back to the Phoenicia to help set up the room for the welcome talk.

1745-1915 (5:45pm-7:15pm):   "Welcome to Malta", "Birgu, the Knights - 1530-1565"in Green Lounge C, Meridien Phoenicia

• Welcome to the Siege, and to Malta
• General administration stuff, and some information about Malta. There will be a quiz.
• The Maltese Language
• Talk by Mr Antonio Espinosa Rodriguez on Birgu and the Knights from 1530-1565. This will take about 1 hour.
• Questions

• Mobility: Green Lounge C is on the ground floor of the Phoenicia. It down the corridor to the left as you enter the hotel.
• Toilets: There are toilets on the ground floor of the Phoenicia. The Ladies' are near Green Lounge C, and Gents are at the other end of the hotel (walk past the reception desk and keep going, then will be on your right near the Pegasus Brasserie).
  

2000-2300 (8pm - 11pm):   Welcome Meal (LM15.50)

• The welcome meal at the Hotel Meridien Phoenicia. This will take place by the pool of the Phoenicia in the shadow of the massive fortress walls of Valletta. The restaurant at the Phoenicia is classified by the Malta Restaurant as "the second best restaurant on Malta" - so some (but not much) room for improvement!
• Menu: The Meal will consist of a barbecue with the following options: Penne with rocket, mushrooms & pepper jus*; Chicken drumsticks with mustard glaze; BBQ soya spiced pork ribs; Grilled Cumberland sausages with fried onions; Tuna steak in Thai fish marinade (lime & ginger); Baked jacket potatoes in sea salt*, Chili sauce; Sweet & Sour sauce; BBQ sauce; Caesar salad with Italian Dressing (dressing served separately)*; Tomato & Mozzarella salad with pesto dressing (dressing served separately); Smoked beef salad with noodles; Butter beans in garlic and herb drizzle*; Crunchy coleslaw with poppy seeds*; Aubergine & Courgette Moussaka*; Carrots with orange segment and sesame seeds*; duet of water and sweet melon*; Forest berry slice*; Fresh fruit brochette with cracked pepper*; Tea/Coffee/Decaff Coffee
• Drinks: Also included with the Meal are some drinks. A cash bar will also be available.
• Special Diets: People with special diets will mostly be expected to select items from the buffet that suit their own tastes, morals and allergies. However, more detailed information will be provided nearer the time, and special alternatives may be provided in some cases (but not, frex, for Vegetarians). Note that the Thai fish Marinade does not include seafood.
• Mobility: The pool is about 300 metres from the hotel down a path. There are some steps, but not many. You can get to the pool from the rear of the hotel, by going down a floor. However, you may find it more easily by going out of the front door of the hotel, and turning right along the side of the hotel until you reach the gardens.
• Toilets: There are toilets in the changing rooms near the pool.
• Swimming: Not permitted at this meal.
• Privacy: We will have the pool to ourselves.
• Music: Just the music of a Valletta evening (we figured people would want to talk, not listen).
• If Wet: We'll be eating in the Ballroom. The menu may change somewhat as a result, because the meal would then be prepared at the main Phoenicia kitchens rather than in the Poolside kitchens.

2300 - Midnight

• Sit and chat (and drink) in the Palm Court Lounge; or sit and chat (and drink) in the Club Bar which remains open until midnight and beyond. Non residents are welcome, and can pay for drinks with cash and cards.

0715-0845 (7:15am-8:45am): Breakfast in the Phoenix Restaurant

• Enjoy the Buffet Breakfast in the main Restaurant (the Phoenix Restaurant) of the Meridien Phoenicia. For residents, the price is included with your room.
• For non-residents, you are welcome to breakfast with us, but the cost will be approximately LM7.25. You may wish to book ahead to be sure of a place. Payment would be direct to the hotel at the time.
• Go to the toilet before we leave! There are no loos on the coaches and no public loos in Fort St Angelo, and very few loos in Birgu (there is 1 loo in the cafe in the main square [basic], and there are loos at the Boccaccio Restaurant and the Maritime Museum.
  

TRIP TO BIRGU (LM16.00)

0900 (10am-1015am):   Gather for the Bus

• Gather on public pavement outside the front of the Hotel Meridien Phoenicis, and board the air-conditioned modern coaches when they arrive. It doesn't which coach you get on.
• Anyone with limited mobility, or who thinks they may want to split off from the group during the morning and wander around Birgu on their own, should get on Coach 1.
• Note that the buses are being provided only to get us TO Birgu. We will be making our way back by Yacht and then coach (quite possibly different coaches) so you will need to remove all your belongings from the coach as soon as you reach Birgu.
  

0930:   Coach 1 - Arrive at Birgu (aka Vittoriosa) at the Freedom Monument by Dockard Creek

• Be ferried by minibus shuttle to the central and oldest section of the Fort. Assemble there at about 9:55am.
• Enter that part of the fort (20 steps) where His Excellency Fra' John Critien, Grand Cross of Grace and the Knight Resident for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta will show us round this section of the Fort. This includes the Chapel of St Anne, the Grand Master's House, the Grand Master's Garden and a rather nice Nymphaeum. This part of the tour will last about an hour.
• Anyone who wants to leave the group and wander around the remainder of Birgu on their own may do so when this part of the tour ends.
• At about 1100 (11am) the minibus shuttle will collect people from the Fort and transfer them to Victory Square (the main Square of Birgu). Fitter people may prefer to walk. When everyone is gathered there, the group will split into two groups: The English Langue and the French Langue. Each group will be led by a different guide, They will visit St Lawrence's Church, Nick Upton's memorial stone, and the Relics of Valette, plus dockyard creek. The group will end their walk at the land end of Birgu at the Couvre Porte and Boccaccio restaurant (where there are toilets!) at about 1200 (noon).

0930:   Coach 2 - Arrive at Birgu (aka Vittoriosa) at the Main Gate (Couvre Porte)

• The group will split into two groups: The Italian Langue and the Castilian Langue. Each group will be led by a different guide, They will visit St Lawrence's Church, Nick Upton's memorial stone, and the Relics of Valette, plus dockyard creek. The group will end their walk at the freedom monument on Dockyard Creek at about 1030 (10:30am).
• Be ferried by minibus shuttle to the central and oldest section of the Fort. Assemble there at about 10:55am.
• Enter that part of the fort (20 steps) where His Excellency Fra' John Critien, Grand Cross of Grace and the Knight Resident for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta will show us round this section of the Fort. This includes the Chapel of St Anne, the Grand Master's House, the Grand Master's Garden and a rather nice Nymphaeum. This part of the tour will last about an hour.
• At about 1100 (11am) the minibus shuttle will collect people from the Fort and transfer them to the Couvre Porte and Boccaccio restaurant (where there are toilets!) at about 1200 (noon).

1200-1400 (1pm-2pm):   Lunch in Birgu

• Eat lunch at the Boccaccio Restaurant at the Couvre Port landward defences of Birgu.
• Lunch will be at the Boccaccio it will include Starter, Main Course, Sweet as well as mineral water (ice to be supplied for the drinks), and Tea/Coffee/DeCaff. Details of the meal will be provided later.
  
• Special Diets: Yet to be arranged, as we have not settled on a menu for the meal.
• Toilets: The Couvre Porte, in which the Boccaccio is situated, has toilets
• Limited Mobility: The seating at the Boccaccio is all at ground level
• Rain: If wet, everyone will eat in the inside section of the restaurant, or under the arches
• While there, you may wish to visit the Underground WW2 Shelters dug into the rock beneath Birgu, where many of the population sheltered during the bombing. The cost is currently LM1.50.
  

1400-1600 (2pm-4:00pm):  Tour of Birgu

• Our four Langues (English, French, Italian, Castilian) will re-form (not necessarily with the same members as in the morning) and make their way to and around following places:
  • The Auberge de France (may not be open)
  • The Auberge d'Angleterre (courtyard only)
  • The Hospital (closed convent)
  • The fortifications of Birgu
  • The Maritime Museum - (toilets)
  • Dockyard Creek to talk a little about the Knights and the general history of Birgu and Senglea
• If you choose to make your own way around Birgu (and you can leave the tour at any point), you may also wish to visit:
  • The Casino - T
  • The Inquisitor's Palace (those of you attending the Gala Dinner will be visiting this on the final day, but the Torture exhibit will be mostly (or entirely) hidden away then.
  • The Vittoriosa 1565 Museum - T (not included in the price. cost approx 1-2 LM)
• At 16:30, anyone who plans to make their way home by means other than the cruise (as at 21 May, this is only 1 person), may wish to make their way to the bus station at Birgu. Your guide can tell you where it is. There are several buses to Valletta each hour.

1600 -1800(4pm):   Cruise back to Valletta (LM7.00)

• At Dockyard Creek, get onto a yacht outside the Maritime Museum for a cruise around the Creek, and the remainder of the Grand Harbour, then around the point at Valletta briefly into the open sea before entering the Marsamxett (DK: Marsamuscetto) Harbour on the other side of Valletta, before alighting at Sliema at about 17:45 to get the coach back to the hotel. (if you choose not to take the cruise, you would need to arrange your own transport back the Valletta - the bus service from Birgu is frequent).
• Those not taking the cruise can catch the bus back to Valletta from the Bus Station near the Couvre Porte.
• Toilets: There are toilets on the yacht
• Limited Mobility: You may need some help to get onto the yacht, but the gangplank has handrails and there will be people to help you. The deck level is flat, but the toilets are down some steep stairs.
• Bar: There will be a cash bar on the yacht. There will be ice.
• Seating: There is seating in the yacht, in the cabin and on the deck. However, not everyone will be able to be seated at the same time, so do be considerate of others.
• If the weather is bad: If the weather is stormy, then the cruise may be cancelled, or limited to the Grand Harbour. If it rains, you may well get wet as only the cabin area (which is not huge) is covered.
  

20:00 - 22:30 (8:00pm - 10pm)):   Folklore Night in Mosta (LM16.00)

• Take the coach to Mosta (the church here has the largest dome in Malta - and there are a LOT of domes on Malta). The Restaurant, Ta' Marija will serve traditional food such as Bigilla (beans pate)*; Ravjoli Maltese style; Rabbit; Bragjoli (rolled beef with special filling); baked potatoes and fresh vegetables*; Gozo cheese and galletti*; and typical Maltese desserts such as Helwa Ta Tork*; Ta Marija also provides traditional entertainment in the form of folklore dancers and mandolin and guitar players for the evening.

• Limited Mobility: We've not visited the restaurant but have not been advised of any particular mobility problems.
• Special Diets: Alternatives will be provided as necessary. *These items are vegetarian.

0715-0800 (7:15am - 8.00am): Breakfast in the Phoenix Restaurant

• Enjoy the Buffet Breakfast in the main Restaurant (the Phoenix Restaurant) of the Meridien Phoenicia. For residents, the price is included with your room. Non-residents, may choose to breakfast with us, but the cost will be approximately LM7.25.
  

0815-0850 (8.15am-8:50am):   Jan Fergus on Austen [not Austin!] and Dunnett in Green Lounge C

• A Talk by Jan Fergus, in Green Lounge C - on the connections and contrasts between the works of Jane Austen and the works of Dorothy Dunnett.
  

TRIP TO GOZO (LM21.00)

0900 (9:00am):   Gather for the Bus

• Gather on public pavement outside the front of the Hotel Meridien Phoenicis, and board the air-conditioned modern coaches when they arrive. It doesn't which coach you get on.
• The coaches have a ferry to meet, and will need to get to Cirkewwa (the ferry port) in order to meet the ferry departure
  

1030 (10:30am) Disembark at Cirkewwa

• Disembark the coach - taking all your belongings with you
• Board the ferry to Gozo - T
• Cross to Gozo
• Go to the loo on the ferry
• Disembark Ferry
• Board A DIFFERENT COACH to continue the journey to the Citadel. The guides will advise you what to do and where to go.
  

1115 (11:15am):  Arrive at Victoria Bus Station

• The coaches cannot get right up to the Citadel, so will stop at the bus station in the centre of Victoria (aka Rabat) - the capital of Gozo and the town in which the Citadel is located. It's a steep walk up to the Citadel, and the stout hearted and fit may choose to walk up to the citadel briskly (no stopping at the Market!) with one of the guides any sympathise with the slaves who had to drag the Turkish cannon (and Christian stone) up there. The walk is about 15 minutes.
• The remainder of you will be shuttled by minibus up to the steps of the Cathedral inside the Citadel.
• There will be a brief orientation talk by Simon Hedges on the Cathedral steps, and we will stop on the steps (at Cannon level and above) for the Siege photo. EVERYONE will be included in the photo. The Guides will take the pictures, and an official photo will be made available online. If you MUST have a photo taken with your own camera, then you can ask the guides to take those photos if it's possible to do so without you have to explain how your camera works. We do not have time for any other method of doing the group photo.
• After this, the guided tours will start. You will split into the 4 langues, and can see the following sights (all included in the price, or free):
• The Cathedral, including its rather unusual dome (donation of LM0.25)
• The exterior of the Governor's House, and the Bishop's Palace (DK: Governor's House)
• The house of Berndardo D'Opuo (DK: Bernardo da Fonte)
• The Cathedral Museum (same donation as for the Cathedral)
• The Folklore Museum (shared ticket)
• The Archaeological Museum, including Maimuna's tombstone (shared ticket)
• The Natural Science Museum (shared ticket)
• The old Prison and the adjacent craft shops (shared ticket)
• The walls - you can walk all the way around (you don't need a guide)
• The cafe - in a very nice position on the walls, with a good view over Victoria (also known as Rabat - the town that fronts onto the Citadel
  
• Limited mobility: There is a ramp from the bottom of the cathedral steps (formerly used for dragging cannon) for those who prefer not to use steps. The remainder of the citadel can be navigated without many steps, unless you wish to walk around the walls - this has steps in some place.

1300-1400 (1pm-2pm) - Lunch at Rikardo's

• Lunch will be in Rikardo's Restaurant - and will consist of simple Gozitan food: Vegetable Soup, Tomatoes, Onions, Olives, Goat Cheese, and drinks.
• Mobility: Rikardo's has some seats downstairs. The majority of seats are upstairs
• Diets: Alternatives will be provided as necessary.
• Toilets: The restaurant has toilets
  

1500 (3:00pm):    Depart Gozo Citadel

• Depart from the front of the Citadel by minibus shuttle to the coach station, and then by coach to Ggantija (English and French Langue) and Ta' Kola Windmill (Italian and Castilian Langues).
  

1530 (3:45pm):  Arrive Ggantija / Ta' Kola

• English and French Langues:
  • Arrive at the prehistoric site of Ggantija, for a tour around the site - (it has toilets)
  • Continue on to the traditional Maltese Windmill of Ta Kola
    
• Italian and Castilian Langues:
• Arrive at the traditional Maltese Windmill of Ta Kola
• Continue on to the prehistoric site of Ggantija, for a tour around the site - (it has toilets)

1730 (5pm):   Depart Gozo

• Board the coach at Ggantija/Ta' Kola, and go to Mgarr Harbour
• Disembark the coach at Mgarr - take all you belongings - you will not be getting back on the same coach.
• Get on the 1815 Ferry for the crossing the Malta. There are toilets on the ferry
• Get off the Ferry, and board the coach back to Valletta
  

1930 (7pm):  Back to Valletta

• Return to the Hotel Meridien Phoenicia
  

0730-0900 (7:30am-9am): Breakfast in the Phoenix Restaurant

• Enjoy the Buffet Breakfast in the main Restaurant (the Phoenix Restaurant) of the Meridien Phoenicia. For residents, the price is included with your room. - T
• For non-residents, you may choose to breakfast with us, but the cost will be approximately LM7.00.
  

0900-1000 (9am-10am):   Morning Meeting (Malta and WW2)

• Talk by Kelly DePonte on Malta during World War 2: this is a fascinating period in Malta's history: more bombs were dropped on the population of Malta during WWII than on London. - T
  

TRIP TO MDINA (LM7.00)

1000-1015 (10am-1015am):   Gather for the Bus

• Gather at the entrance of the Meridien Phoenicia, and board the tour bus (or buses) when they arrive
  

1100 (11am):   Arrive at Mdina

• We will be disembarking near the Main Gate of Mdina, and will be split into two guided groups to pass through.
• Within Malta, the guided groups will walk around Mdina, pointing out the places of interest within this ancient town, and talking about the history and culture of the city.  
• At about 1230, this part of the tour will end and you will be free to find your own place to eat lunch from within the several restaurants within Mdina.
• At 1400 the groups will re-assemble just inside the main gate, by the Natural History Museum.
  • One group will head for the sights of Rabat - the town just outside the walls of Mdina. Most notably the Catacombs and St Pauls Grotto and related areas. The group will then head back to Mdina via the Roman Museum.
  • The second group will remain within Mdina, and do more of the sights within the walls.
  • Some of you may wish to wander on your own - and that's fine! Some of the sights you may wish to see are:
    • The Catacombs
    • The Roman Museum
    • The Mdina Dungeon
    • The Mdina Experience
    • The Knights of Malta
    • Tales of the Silent City
    • Mediaeval Times (Palazzo Notabile)
    • The Cathedral Museum (The Durer Exhibition (if still running)
    • The Cathedral
    • The Fontanella Tea Rooms (they do nice cake!)
    • Palazzo Falzon (the Siculo-Norman House
  • When done, it's back to the coach

1530 (3:30pm):   Depart Mdina

• Assemble outside the Main Gate, and then board the coach
  

1730 (5:30pm):   Arrive back at the Phoenicia

• Disembark at the Phoenicia
  

1830 - 1930 (6:30pm - 7:15pm):  Final Meeting, Green Lounge C, Meridien Phoenicia, by Ray Gannon, Dunnett Widower

• 1830-1915 -Ray, a Dunnett Non-Readers, has been a long time Dunnett Widower married to longtime Dunnett Reader and Whispering Gallery Editor, Denise Gannon. He will providing insight and possibly advice on coping with life married to a Dunnett Addict.
• 1915-1930 - Final words from Simon and Cindy
  

1930 (7:30pm):  Depart for Gala Dinner (LM35.00)

• Depart by Coach for the Gala Dinner at the Inquisitor's Palace in Birgu. Smoked Salmon and Prawn Terrine with a Lemon & Lime Balsamic Reduction; Penne in Red Pesto Cream finished with a Parmesan shaving and Rucola Salad*; Pine Nut and Herb Crusted Beef Medallion;Rosemary Roasted Vegetables*; Gratin Potatoes and red wine jus*; Passion Fruit Mousse and Caramelized Basket with Fresh Fruit, with Sauce Anglaise drizzled with Red Current*; tea/coffee/decaff & petit fours / ½ bottle classical local wine: Chardonnay Donato from Delicata, Cabarnet Sauvignon from Marsovin.