Hi, my name is Ben. I previously used to work in IT, but now I'm a full-time Tourist Guide! I'm a licensed professional tourist guide and I have guided thousands of people all around Malta. I'm also 100% Maltese, born & raised here. I love meeting new people and showing them around my country of Malta. I usually adapt to the audience, but I usually intersperse history, current Maltese culture, and what the Maltese people think & feel, together with recommendations for places to eat & drink (usually my favourite spots ;) ).
The 3 cities consists of Birgu (aka Vittoriosa), Isla (aka Senglea), and Bormla (aka Cospicua). All 3 cities tours that I know of (including this one) focus heavily on Birgu (Vittoriosa). Why? Birgu is by far the oldest and most important of the 3. Besides that, walking through all the 3 cities will take much longer, around 4 hours. Plus, I assure you, Birgu has a lot to offer and show!
While Mdina was the old capital of Malta, Birgu was the old "port city" of Malta. It was here that the knights of St John settled in 1530 (as there was no Valletta at that time).
When the knights built Valletta, they abandoned Birgu, and made place for a new inhabitant: the Inquisitor! So yes, we will talk about the inquisitor and his lovely tales.
Birgu produces an extraordinary amount of famous people and we will discuss them too.
Birgu is very worth visiting in my opinion. I usually tell guests to visit: Valletta, Mdina, Birgu (3 cities), and the temples.
Please note, there are quite a few stairs in this tour.
Practical information:
- I accept cash, Revolut, or PayPal as forms of payment.
- If you're travelling to Mdina before the tour starts please take into account that traffic and delays are common, so please consider leaving around an hour before the starting time. I've had many guests who were confident they could make it on time miss a bus, or get stuck in traffic.
- Please do not book children/teens < 18 years old. They can join, but please do not book them, as they take up slots that can be used by adults.
- Children are welcome provided they do not disturb the other guests or the tour. Either by running around or by being noisy. This would be very distracting and disrespectful to the other guests and to the guide.
- It's true, it's marketed as a "Free Tour" but please consider the amount of effort the guide puts in, together with the quality of information, and the quality of the tour itself. A recommended donation amount is €10 per person. There are those who give more, which is VERY much appreciated and helps with the sustainability of the tour. Of course the amount is totally up to you to decide.
- Provided there are no sudden obstacles implemented by the local community, the tour is fully wheelchair accessible.
- Unfortunately the ground, road, walkways that we use in the tour can be slippery, uneven, have holes and/or obstacles. Please watch your step during the tour.
- Also unfortunately, cars in Malta might use the same road as we do, and as you might have noticed they drive quite fast in areas where people walk. So please take note of this and be aware.
Liability exclusion: By booking and/or participating in the tour, the participants agree, understand and acknowledge that the tour leader/operator (Ben) will not be held liable for any damages (whether direct, indirect, incidental or consequential), injuries (including personal injury), loss, accident, delay or inconvenience incurred to or by the persons participating in the tour and/or their property. The persons participating in the tour further agree to release the tour guide (and tour operator) from any liability, claims or actions arising from or related to the participation in the tour.
Our meeting spot is next to the BIRGU WATER TAXI STATION. Closeby there are benches under the trees. I will in this area.
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).
