Humberside Departures

The Heart of the Mediterranean

Bustling modern resorts, hidden coves, a rugged hinterland, a dramatic citadel capital, and above all the warmest of welcomes for British visitors - Malta has it all! Join us in this wonderful island destination, in the heart of the blue Mediterranean.

What The Price Includes

• Return flights from your chosen airport to Malta
• Return airport-to-hotel transfers
• Seven nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at your chosen hotel
• The services of a Newmarket Tour Manager
• Government taxes and service charges

Single rooms are available for a supplement

Resort Information

Our selected hotels are all to be found in the resorts of Sliema, St Julian's, St George's Bay and Bugibba/Qawra, on the island's eastern coast. Each has its own attractions, drawing locals and visitors alike.

Sliema

With its broad promenade fronting the busy harbour, Sliema has long been a favourite of our guests. Sit and watch the colourful craft come and go, or board a pleasure cruiser for a tour. Sliema's shops, stores and cafes bustle with life - perfect for an afternoon's souvenir-hunting followed by tea.

St George's Bay and St Julians

St George's Bay and neighbouring St Julians offer a lively but pleasant nighlife, with the resort's restaurants and bars, the famous Dragonara Casino and Bay Street Shopping Mall all open 'til late.

Bugibba and Qawra

These adjoining towns, clinging to the coastline, are every inch modern holiday resorts. Wander their pretty squares, seafront promenades and beaches, and enjoy the good selection of shops, bars and restaurants.

Day By Day - Our Wonderful Holiday

During your stay, you can choose to join a selection of great-value excursions to many places of interest.

Day One

Outward travel from your selected airport to Malta, and onward transfer to your hotel.

Day Two

Join our local guide for our optional half-day exploration of Valletta, the island's fascinating capital. See the Lascaris War Rooms, the WW2 Command Centre from which Malta's defence was directed, and the Auberge de Castille, magnificent former home to the Knights of St John and now the Prime Minister's office, and the Upper Barracca Gardens.

Day Three

On this full-day optional tour, you'll travel inland to Mdina, the ancient, fortified former capital with its spectacular rampart views and its narrow stone-built streets in the beautiful 'silent city'. The tour also includes the Grotto at Rabat, where Bellini's 'St Paul' depicts the apostle's shipwreck on the island, and the famous domed church at Mosta, which survived a direct hit during the WW2 bombardment of the island.

Day Four

Today you're free to relax or explore at leisure. This evening, you may like to join us to experience traditional Maltese hospitality at its best. Feast on traditional island fare - rabbit, stuffed olives and Kusksu bil-ful (a delicious stew enriched with broad beans) - and enjoy a display of traditional Maltese folk music and dancing.

Day Five

Today's optional full-day excursion will see you board the ferry for a crossing to the quaint port of Mgarr, gateway to Gozo - Malta's smaller, greener sister isle. Visit Victoria - the island's fortified capital - picturesque Marsalforn, famous Calypso's Cave overlooking sandy Ramla Bay and the fascinating 'Inland Sea' at Dwerja. We'll also stop at Qala for a panoramic view of the Gozo Channel and the Blue Lagoon on the neighbouring 'desert-island' of Comino.

Day Six

Weather-permitting, today's optional half-day tour includes a boat trip to view the extraordinary Blue Grotto sea-caves beneath the island's southern cliffs, as well as a visit to the traditional fishing village of Marsaxlokk, home to a fleet of colourful fishing 'luzzus'.
Day Seven

Today's optional half-day excursion explores the area across from Valletta's Grand Harbour, where three medieval 'cities' reflect the island's rich history. See one of the earliest Maltese Crosses in Vittoriosa; one of the Mediterranean's oldest dockyards at Cospicua; and Senglea with its waterside houses and steps down to the sea. The tour also includes a visit to the Megalythic Temples at Tarxien.
Day Eight

Transfer back to the airport for check-in and your flight home.

Further Information

Wining and dining

As a modern, thoroughly European, country Malta can cater to all tastes, offering typically Mediterranean meals of fish, pasta and chicken and the usual fare. The local beer is popular (though the local wine is more of an 'acquired taste'), and if you choose not to talk the half-board options in the hotels, there are countless places in which to eat locally.

Hotel Information -  

The following hotels are offered with this holiday (subject to availability and supplementary pricing)
Howard Johnson Diplomat Hotel	Sliema  Ideally located, this popular three-star superior hotel, which has had the pleasure of accepting many British guests over the years, enjoys an enviable seafront position on the prestigious Sliema promenade, very close to all of the excellent shops, bars and restaurants.
The Sliema Chalet Hotel	Sliema  Recently refurbished, the Sliema Chalet hotel enjoys wonderful views of the beautiful coastline. It is situated on the Sliema seafront, and the resort’s shops, bars and restaurants are all located within the immediate area.
Radisson SAS Baypoint Resort	St George’s Bay  Ideally situated on a peninsular overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean, with views stretching from the Grand Harbour to Gozo, this excellent hotel offers first-class accommodation, a wide choice of facilities and exactly the level of service you would expect from one of Malta’s finest hotels. Although located in a quiet area, the busier resort of St Julians is just a short walk away from the hotel.
The Sunflower Hotel	Qawra  Located in a residential area of Qawra, approximately 200 metres away from its four-star sister hotel the Santana, the Sunflower Hotel is ideally positioned to enjoy all of the amenities of this very popular resort.
The Santana Hotel	Qawra  This excellent hotel is centrally located a short stroll from the resort’s promenade and beach. There is a vast array of shops, bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity, and the casino and the bus station that connects Qawra to the rest of the island are very close by. The hotel has been awarded a Hospitality Assured status.

Exotic island paradise

Off the coast of Africa, in the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, lies one of the world's most beautiful islands. Sun-blessed and sub-tropical, it's home to a vibrant and varied array of exotic and colourful flora, and is a perfectly relaxing, captivating holiday haven.

What The Price Includes

• Return flights from the UK to Madeira
• Return airport-to-hotel transfers
• Seven nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at your chosen hotel
• The services of a Newmarket Tour Manager
• Government taxes and service charges

Single rooms are available for a supplement

Resort Information

Renowned as the 'Floating Garden', Portuguese Madeira combines outstanding natural wonders with a welcome as warm as its climate.

Funchal

Funchal is the island's principal port, seat of government and main trade centre. Bars and cafes spill out onto flower-strewn streets, and shops and stores vie for your attention. Wander the open-air market, enjoy a flutter in the famous casino and don't miss the world-renowned Botanical Gardens.

Machico, Canico, Garajau & Atalaia

These smaller villages provide a perfect base for relaxing holidays, with small selections of shops, bars and restaurants, stunning views of the Atlantic and pleasant countryside surroundings. Regular bus services - and in some cases hotel shuttle buses - connect the outlying hotels with the main town.

Day By Day - Our Wonderful Holiday

During your stay, you can choose to join a selection of great-value excursions to many places of interest.

Day One

Outward travel from your selected airport to Madeira, and onward transfer to your hotel.

Day Two

Spend the day relaxing at the hotel or exploring the surrounding area. Our Tour Manager will be happy to suggest places to visit and things to do.
Day Three

On today's optional excursion, we tour Funchal's famous Mercado dos Lavodores produce market, and sample Madeira wine in Adegas de Sao Francisco, the town's oldest wine-tasting establishment. Afterwards, we drive to the Botanical Gardens to see their outstanding collection of sub-tropical and tropical plants and flowers.

Day Four

Passing Camara de Lobos, a favourite painting location of Churchill, today's optional excursion climbs the world's second highest cliff to Cabo Girao. We'll take lunch (payable locally) in Porto Moniz, overlooking the celebrated rock swimming pools, before continuing to Sao Vicente and then over Encumeda Pass to see the spectacular panoramas of the island.

Day Five

A fascinating network of irrigation channels (levadas) criss-crosses Madeira, carrying water to the vineyards and farms of the south. The channel maintenance paths provide the ready-made walking trails we'll use for the 'easy'-rated, seven-kilometre walk from Caminho do Pico do Infante to Rochao (duration approximately two and a half hours) that is today's optional excursion.

Day Six

Enjoy a popular and fun optional excursion to Pico dos Barcelos, for the finest view of Funchal, and then on to Eira do Serrado with its spectacular view of Curral das Freiras (Nuns' Valley). In Monte we'll visit the beautiful church and take the famous wickerwork toboggan ride down to Livramento.

Day Seven

Spend today relaxing, then join us for an optional dinner at a typical Madeirense restaurant. A glass of 'Madeira', the traditional espetada - tender, marinated beef grilled and served with mixed salad, potatoes and hot country bread - and entertainment from traditional folk-dancers all add up to a wonderful atmosphere.
Day Eight
Transfer back to the airport for check-in and your flight home.
Further Information

Wining and dining

Fish and seafood are central to Madeirense cuisine. Try the atum (tuna), espadarte (swordfish) or espada (black scabbard fish). Espetada is the most popular meat dish, while other specialities include milho frito (fried cornmeal) and honey cake. Madeira wine, from sweet Malmsey to dry Verdelho, can accompany most meals, but there is also a local, dry vinho seco.

Hotel Information -  

 

The following hotels are offered with this holiday (subject to availability and supplementary pricing)
Monumental Lido	Funchal  Located just two kilometres from the centre of Funchal, and 100 metres from the Lido swimming pools and the Promenade, the Monumental Lido has shopping, cafes and restaurants on its doorstep. It’s the ideal choice if you like to keep busy - there’s even a shopping mall that can be reached directly from the third floor.
Hotel Baia Azul	Funchal  The friendly Baia Azul hotel is well situated opposite the promenade which leads into Funchal, and is approximately 2.5 kilometres from Funchal’s centre. The hotel’s courtesy bus is available to take passengers into the centre.
Pestana Grand	Funchal  The wonderfully positioned Pestana Grand sits on a rocky peninsular just 10 minutes drive from the centre of Funchal, and offers wonderful views over Funchal Bay. Just outside the hotel is a well-maintained promenade that leads into Funchal, and there is also very easy access to the town centre on the hotel’s complimentary shuttle bus. The shops, restaurants and bars of the Madeira Forum shopping centre are just a short walk from the hotel.
Santa Catarina	Santa Cruz  The Santa Catarina Hotel is located in the heart of the friendly town of Santa Cruz a 20-minute drive from Funchal, which is easily reached by local bus. The hotel is situated close to the shopping area, restaurants, bars and coffee shops, as well as the sea-front promenade and the town’s beautiful gardens.
Quinta do Sol	Funchal  The Quinta do Sol is a charming and welcoming hotel surrounded by the beautiful Quinta Magnolia Park, which will appeal to those seeking a little of traditional Madeira.
Madeira Panoramico	Funchal  Situated on the west hillside of Funchal, with superb and extensive views of the sea, the bay and magnificent mountains, the Madeira Panoramico has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and is the ideal place for an unforgettable holiday.
Hotel Orca Praia	Funchal  The Orca Praia enjoys an excellent location overlooking the ocean and a small beach, and is six kilometres from the centre of Funchal. The hotel as its own courtesy bus for guests into the centre of Funchal, though one can also walk along the seaside promenade to the shopping area (approximately 15 minutes on foot). The beach below the hotel is easy to reach, but there are a number of fairly steep steps due to the hotel’s cliff-side location.

Flying direct from Humberside Airport

Departing the 16th May & 19th September 2008
Tuscan Treasures
Sorrento & The Amalfi Coast
Capri, Pompeii & Amalfi Coast
Sorrento & the Bay of Naples

Departing 11th May, 22nd June & 19th October 2008
Austrian Tyrol & Lake Garda 2 Centre Holiday
Seven Cities of Italy
Venice, Verona & Lake Garda
Lake Garda

Departing 2nd April 2008
Madeira Pearl of the Atlantic
Great for walkers, golfers & Garden lovers
Good choice of hotels

New Departure for 2008
Malta – 7 nights 11 November 2008
Or Malta & Gozo twin centre

COSMOS TOURAMA
Romantic Rhine Cruise – Germany
Highlights of Germany – Germany
Alpine Adventure & Glacier Express - Eastern Europe
Scenic Switzerland by Rail – Switzerland
Lakes & Mountains of Switzerland – Switzerland
Bohemian Rhapsody – Eastern Europe
Classic Central & Eastern Europe – Eastern Europe
Cities of Easter Europe – Eastern Europe
Treasures of the Balkans & Transylvania – Eastern Europe
Spanish Panorama – Spain
Discover the heart of Spain – Spain
Lisbon, Seville & Madrid – Portugal & Spain
Best of Spain and Portugal – Spain & Portugal
Spain, Portugal & Morocco – Portugal
Treasures of the Rhine – Europe
Magnificent Europe – Europe
Legendary Danube – Europe
Legendary Danube and Grand Black Sea – Europe
Scenic Scandinavia – Scandinavia
The Baltic States, Russia & Scandinavia – Scandinavia & Russia
Beautiful Bavaria - Germany