Events for ‘Mediterranean Cooking’ - sprachenmarkt.de products such as capers, sundried...

Events for ‘Mediterranean Cooking’ Wine Tasting Experience We visit a leading vineyard and winery where we learn about the process and history of wine-making in Malta. The Meridiana Vineyard is located in Central Malta, 100m above sea level. Following a guided tour of the estate we taste four different types of wine, whilst a selection of wine will be available for purchase. Shopping experience at the Farmers' Market in Ta’Qali Join us as we visit the Ta Qali farmers' market and meet the farmers who grow and provide many of the fruit and vegetables we eat as we learn more about nutritional values and fitness. We also shop for the best vegetables which we shall then use during the cooking event. Olive Growing We visit a privately owned farm where olive trees grow. This event starts with an introduction of the history of this precious fruit which dates back to Roman times. We get to taste olives, as well as other locally produced food products such as capers, sundried tomatoes, pickled onions, bigilla and of course the olive oil, accompanied with a glass of wine and water. A small bottle of olive oil is given to us as a souvenir.

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Food preparation and dining After experiencing different food products we enjoy a late afternoon or early evening session, where we visit a leading restaurant. We meet the head chef and get together to prepare a Maltese meal. As the food cooks we enjoy a glass of wine, as we share our thoughts and experiences.


Events for ‘Arts and Crafts’ Valletta and a guided tour at Manoel Theatre This trip to the Capital City takes us to the Manoel Theatre where we get a guided tour of the National Theatre. Following centuries of unrest the Military Order of St. John brought about a period of unprecedented stability and development to the Maltese Islands. The newly constructed fortified capital, Valletta, witnessed a further development as the islands’ cultural and entertainment hub as the demand for operas, pageants, theatrical and dramatic productions boomed as the Maltese embraced what had previously been entertainment reserved solely for the Nobility. In 1731, António Manoel de Vilhena, Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, commissioned and personally funded the construction of this central building to serve as a Public Theatre. It was constructed in just ten months. Carving Session at The Limestone Heritage Museum As we drive towards the south-western coast of Malta, we stop at The Limestone Heritage Park & Museum, where we experience an audio and guided walk through to learn about the characteristics of the Globigerina Limestone; the honey–coloured type of stone used to decorate the facades of a number of Maltese houses. The focus of this activity is a hands-on experience where we shall carve the soft stone as each individual creates their own work of art, under the guidance of a skilled craftsman. We later enjoy a walk in the surrounding countryside of Zurrieq Valley.


Mdina Medieval City & Palazzo Falson Mdina, Malta’s medieval capital, is also known as Citta’ Notabile, the noble city. It was home then, as now, to Malta’s noble families; some are descendants of the Norman, Sicilian and Spanish overlords who made Mdina their home from the 12th century onwards. Their impressive palaces line its narrow, shady streets. Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city, and unusual in its mix of medieval and baroque architecture. During this visit to Mdina we visit the former house of Capt. Olaf Frederick Gollcher, the son of a prosperous shipping merchant of Swedish descent. Gollcher was an artist, scholar and philanthropist but also a collector of objects d’art and historical relics. After the tour we walk around the bastions of Mdina and stop over at one of the local tea – rooms/cafeteria for a slice of cake and coffee/tea.


Pottery at the Crafts Village We will visit Ta’Qali Crafts Village where we will first receive an introduction and explanation about the skilful methods of pottery making. We will afterwards enjoy a hands-on session where we kneed clay and shape it under the guidance of a skilled craftsman.


Events for ‘Country Walks’ Learn more about your greener surroundings with fun, environmental projects and activities. You will join the NSTS animateurs to explore the natural world, as we trek through garigue land, walking routes and passage-ways in the Maltese countryside on one of the following walks. This walk near the south-west coast of Malta offers great diversity in terms of views, habitats and archaeological interest. It starts at the beautiful Buskett Gardens and ends with the panoramic views from the extensive Dingli Cliffs. This exceptional walk takes you from the ferry port of Cirkewwa to the long sandy beach of Mellieha. Its varied features include high ridges with arguably the best views in Malta, dramatic cliffs, bleak garigue, verdant wooded areas, small farms, the impressive Red Tower, a nature reserve and the wonderfully named 'Paradise Bay'. This coastal walk from the town of Marsascala to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk provides wonderfully varied views of cliffs, bays, towns and tranquil countryside. The coastal cliffs have been eroded by rain, wind and waves to create a myriad of impressive shapes and structures.


This circular walk begins and ends at the historic village of Qrendi in the south east of Malta. The walk passes initially through the pleasant countryside to reach spectacular coast formations, the most famous of which is known as the Blue Grotto.


Events for ‘Christianity and the Knights Crusaders’

Rabat and the Catacombs We visit Mdina and its suburb Rabat. Rabat can claim the origins of Maltese Christianity. We visit St. Paul’s Grotto where tradition holds that the Apostle Paul was held prisoner by the Romans for three months following his shipwreck as he was sailing to Rome. Both Mdina and Rabat are fascinating to tour for their timeless atmosphere and their cultural and religious treasures. We then proceed to St Paul’s Catacombs in Rabat where many had hidden during persecution of the Christians by the Romans.

Vittoriosa and the Inquisition We visit Vittoriosa (also known as Birgu) which was the first city to give shelter to the Knights of St. John when they arrived in Malta in 1530. We enjoy a pleasant walk along the main streets of Vittoriosa to admire the charm and character of this city. We visit the Collachio area which was an area formerly reserved to house the Knights. This walk takes us to The Inquisitor’s Palace sited in the heart of this city. The Palace itself is one of the very few surviving examples of a style of palace that would have been found all over Europe and South America in the early modern period. In 1574 this palace was used as the official residence of the Inquisitor, who was also the apostolic delegate of the Maltese Islands.


Valletta and the Crusaders After defeating the Ottomans in 1565 the Knights Crusaders embarked upon the construction of Valletta as “a City for Gentlemen built by Gentlemen”. This trip to the Capital City takes us to St. John’s Co-Cathedral, which stands as a unique monument of international importance. The church is dedicated to St John the Baptist, the patron saint of the Order of St. John. The Knights donated gifts of high artistic value and made enormous contributions to enrich it with only the best works of art by leading artists available to them. The Calabrian artist Mattia Preti, who commissioned the work, transformed the interior into a


celebration of Baroque art. It is the contrast between the simple and sober façade of the building and the festive mood of the interior that makes St John’s such a unique monument. We later stop at one of the City’s main cafeteria’s for a coffee and snack.

Fortifications surrounding Valletta, Harbour Cruise A pleasant way to get to know Valletta and the fortifications built by the Order of St. John is by taking a guided Harbour Cruise. This cruise takes us around Marsamxetto Creek and the Grand Harbour, skirting the Fortifications and The Three Cities of Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa (also known as Isla, Bormla and Birgu). A commentary on the historical sites and events connected to the Grand Harbour and the Knights of St John unfolds as we cruise along.


Events for ‘Mediterranean Cooking’ - sprachenmarkt.de products such as capers, sundried...

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