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Discover Malta's rich culture and fascinating past on a comprehensive full-day tour that showcases each period of its history, from the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Byzantines to the present day.

Begin the day when you board a comfortable motorcoach and set off on a drive to Valletta, the capital city, considered a masterpiece of baroque town planning. Your first stop of the day is Upper Barrakka Gardens, an oasis of calm in this bustling city.

Perched high above the Grand Harbor and overlooking the towns of Senglea and Vittoriosa, Valletta's most beautiful park, resplendent with manicured gardens, monuments and statues, was created in the late 16th century as a tranquil haven for the knights from the nearby Auberge d'Italie. On a terrace below, you'll find the cannon that once fired salutes to visiting vessels. Today, it has been restored and is still fired during a daily ceremony.

Valletta offers a dizzying number of stately palaces and noble homes, and the Auberge de Castille is one of the finest. Originally designed as an inn by Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar, the building was started in 1570 but never completed. Under financing from Grand Master Pinto of the Knights of St. John, it was finished in 1745. It changed hands several times over the course of wars and was badly damaged during World War II, but it has been lovingly restored to its original glory and today is the official quarters of the prime minister.

Another iconic landmark is the Cathedral of St. John, also designed by architect Girolamo Cassar. Its baroque façade is rather austere, but inside the church is a magnificent treasury of art and color. Ornate vaulted ceilings, masterful frescos and an iridescent marble floor are just some of its splendors.

After a little free time to explore Valletta on your own, return to the motorcoach for a ride to Rabat. Stroll through this modern city that maintains its rich history in its churches, museums and colorful gardens and stop at a charming restaurant for an authentic, three-course Maltese lunch.

Satiated, you can walk to Mdina, (pronounced um-DEE-na) the former capital of Malta. This medieval walled city, perched on a hilltop like a wedding cake and surrounded by bastions and ramparts, has amazing views of the surrounding villages and the Mediterranean Sea. Often called the "Silent City," Mdina is sleepy and serene, and a walk through the town is like stepping back in time.

Next up is Mosta, where you can photograph the storied church in the center of town. This rotunda church, crowned by a huge unsupported dome, one of the largest in the world, experienced a legendary event. During World War II it received a direct hit by two bombs, both of which went right through the building but inexplicably did not explode, sparing the worshippers and this spectacular piece of architecture.

Then it's back to port with a camera and memory filled with majestic images of this jewel of the Mediterranean.