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Malta Nature Tours Malta Nature Tours Malta Nature Tours








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MALTA NATURE TOURS


MaltaNatureTours.com specializes in organising touristic excursions in Malta related to countryside and nature. The selected tour leaders are graduated in environmental science or agriculture and apart their fluent English, they are selected for their charm and communication skills.

Apart from this touristic service, we have a mission to promote local environment that is much endangered in Malta. Considerable part of the profits from this service will go to sponsor environmental sites needed so much to increase awareness and educate younger generations about the importance to safeguard nature and its habitat. For example, a major part of the sister website - Maltawildplants.com is sustained from these funds. In Malta, policy about environment tends to favour bird hunting, mining of land for building or any commercial resorts. Several species have been lost during the last decade and construction has been growing incredibly fast these last 50 years.

 

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Some wild flowers that accompany our tours in Malta

Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com
Some wild flowers from the countryside  in Malta. --- Click thumbnail image for details about these Maltese wild flowers from sister website - maltawildplants.com

Photos of Wild flowers
taken from our sister website: MaltaWildplants.com



Mistra, Selmun and NE Coast Tour
 

Introduction   Type of Walk   -  
What should you Bring   Languages   What Nature to expect  
Tour Descriptions   Monthly Special events   Methods of transport  
Photo Gallery   Frequently Asked Questions   Tourist Comments  

Wide angle Mistra Bay and Selmun

Experience the countryside of Mistra and Selmun

Malta has a beautiful coastline and countryside that has a unique Maltese flavour. Rubble walls and limestone footpaths provide a distinct contrast from the busy towns. October to April will find the countryside green and abundant with flowers intertwined with a history that covers hundreds of years. We have teamed up with Stephen Mifsud (Dip. Agric. and author of www.maltawildplants.com) to offer guided walks through some of Malta’s beautiful countryside. Stephen brings considerable knowledge of Malta’s fauna and flora to lead you on the walk and help you experience Malta at its best. We have put together a selection of walks, short and long, for the young and old. Your walk will be so much more interesting with our friendly guide explaining about the nature you encounter and taking you through several ‘secret’ paths to see the best panoramic sites of the northeast of the island.

Type of walk:

This is a peaceful walk along grass pathways and rock stepping. Due to the nature of Maltese topography some pathways are steep. Recommended for any ages and people who are in good state of health and can make long walks. However no fears, as there are several stops during the walk when some interesting plant or panoramic view is met. General knowledge about the islands is given during the walk. There will be ample time for short rests, own-exploration and photography. The leader is an expert photographer himself so you can abuse for some great photos!

What you should bring:

  • Comfortable shoes or boots with a non-slip bottom (due to rock stepping).
  • Small binoculars
  • Photo camera (a must!)
  • Light snacks, fruit and water (a must!)
  • Adequate clothing for the weather
  • Passport or ID in case you apply for family offers or have children.


Languages:

  • English
  • Italian
  • Swedish translation + basic German (at extra cost for translator)
  • Russian translation (at extra cost of translator)


What nature to expect:

The Mistra area is blessed with a profusion of flowering plants and trees. Depending on the season, one should expect to see, orchids (e.g. Anacamptis pyramidalis, Ophrys bombyliflora and Ophrys fusca), endemic or sub-endemic plants (e.g. species of Romulea, Cistus, Iris, Periploca and more), red carpets of honeysuckle or poppies, snapdragons, asphodels (e.g. Asphodelus aestivus), borages (e.g. the medicinal Borago officinalis  and the honeywort – Cerinthe majus), mustards, aromatic plants (mints, fennel, etc), the curious squirting cucumber, and much more.  We will also be accompanied by the various fauna that we encounter on our way such as lizards, butterflies and, if lucky, the camouflaged chameleon.

Detailed description of full day tour:

Dates and Time: – Mondays or Tuesdays (or Saturdays)* 9.30 am – 4.30 pm  



  1. We meet at 9:30am at the parking area of the Xemxija Fire Brigade - also known as the Xemxija Civil Protection - very close to Xemxija rebuilt church.
  2. An introduction speech is given, while we start our tour in the wonderful countryside of Mistra/Selmun area adorned by various local and Mediterranean flora. Accompanying our walk are also several spectacular views, secret lanes and sites of historical importance. Our resident expert will fill you in with all details about wild flowers, or sites explored.
  3. Around noon we rest at Selmun Bar & Restaurant (specialising in Maltese food, such as rabbit). We have negotiated a selection of set menus at the very nice price of 12.95 EURO per person (children 6.95 EURO), including a glass of wine or a mineral drink, which you can choose from at the start of the walk. Food will be served on arrival, no wasted time! Please bring your own food if not interested to eat at the restaurant.
  4. We should finish our adventure around 4:30 - 5:00pm. Be sure you have plenty of space in the memory card of your digital camera !!!

Prices and Offers
Please contact us as soon as possible since from this year, the prices vary according group size, transport conditions and season of the year, making it overall cheaper from the previous years !!!

 

* The official dates are every Monday or Tuesday of every week from 15 October to 15 June. In some ocassions, the tours take place also on Saturdays, but this availability has to be confirmed in advanced.

To make reservations, please contact Mr. Stephen Mifsud at res@maltanaturetours.com by phone on (00356) 79546987 or fill the reservation in the [contacts page].


Season Special Events:

Oct - Dec 2007:

  1. After a long hot and dry Summer, nature comes back into play on the Maltese islands, By mid October our Mediterranean islands will take again the green countryside colour, and MaltaNature Tours start to operate again.
  2. During these 2-3 months, one can experience the autumn flowering plants, while enjoying a mildly warm sunny days (22-25C) and fresh cool air from the North West.
  3. For this period, a CD with Maltese folk music is to be drawn as a lottery during the mid-day launch.



Meeting Place and Transport

The meeting place of the tour is near the church of a small village known Xemxija, which mostly is found lining Xemxija Coast. Few metres ahead from this church there is a parking lot, where there is also situated the Xemxija Fire Brigade (Xemxija Civil Protection). This parking area is the meeting spot of the tour.

There are 4 types of transportation:


  1. 1) Public bus (cheapest)
  2. 2) Your hired car
  3. 3) Organised mini van (ideal for groups)
  4. 4) Taxi (fastest!)

Transport by Bus:

Buses are frequent and do not take much time to travel across the small island of Malta. All buses go and leave from Valletta, so what you have to do is pick the bus from the nearest bus stop of your hotel, and once in Valletta follow the extremely easy guide (with true aerial views) prepared for you on this link [Click here]. The prices of buses are very, very cheap in Malta (less than half an Euro) and the time from Valletta to Mistra during the week should be around 45 minutes.


Hired Car:

The main destination is Xemxija Bay. Unless coming from Mellieha or Ghajn Tuffieha, you have to pass from Saint Paul's Bay which is well marked location in any local map. Once you are on the road that outlines most of Xemxija bay, follow Part 5 to Part 7 in the webpage dedicated to bus route guide


Transport by Mini Van or Coach:

If you are a group of tourists from same hotel, or hotels from same area namely:
1) Bugibba/Qawra area or
2) Sliema/Saint Julian area,
This transport option may appeal to you. The minivan gives the comfort of picking you up from your hotel and takes you to the meeting spot in 30mins or so. However this comes at an extra cost including return (depending number of tourists and area of your hotel). Please contact us for details about this option as it changes according time.


Transport by Taxi:

This is by far the fastest and easiest method of transportation, but can come at an extra cost of Lm10-Lm12 for one way transport.


Personally, we think that you should take the bus option!!! The ride itself is an experience while it drives through the urban cities of central Malta and observe the daily working lifestyle of the Maltese. Additionally, the bus passes by the largest dome-church of Mosta, countryside slopes of Burmarrad and the tuoristic town of St.Paul's Bay. It's true that you have to wake up earlier, but on the other hand it adds adventure, and by far the cheapest option. We made the online guide of bus transport too much easy!

Photo Gallery of this tour:

Pic 01 Click thumbnail for a larger image Picturesque view of Mistra Bay and Selmun area in hues of blue and green during Winter and Spring.
Pic 02 Click thumbnail for a larger image This area is beautified by several limestone slopes and cliffs that offers many scenic views.
Pic 03 Click thumbnail for a larger image Cliff edges are part of our guided tour and they give lovely views like this, azure sea and St. Paul's islands further away. /td>
Pic 04 Click thumbnail for a larger image Photo of St.Paul's Island which is the belief of many that it is the location where the Apostle St. Pail shipwrecked in 60 AD
Pic 05 Click thumbnail for a larger image Some part of the walk are easy and plain as this way lined with several trees,
Pic 06 Click thumbnail for a larger image Other parts are slightly more roughly terrained as seen here but compensated by air filled with native herbal aroma or flower fragrance along most of the way in the countryside. The Mediterranean heather, with conspicuous pink flowers, is a delight of many tourists.
Pic 07 Click thumbnail for a larger image In Winter, we would encounter the native French daffodil, one of the most elegant and fragrant flowers in Malta. Mistra at the background.
Pic 08 Click thumbnail for a larger image On the other hand, we also meet strange non native species (alien plants!) like this large Agave.
Pic 09 Click thumbnail for a larger image Some places of historical or archaeological importance are part of our way. This is the coat of arms of the GrandMaster Pinto of the Order of Saint John (17th cent).
Pic 10 Click thumbnail for a larger image Here is another masterpiece from the Order of Saint John - the palace of Selmun.
Pic 11 Click thumbnail for a larger image This is the restaurant that we will take our Maltese-style launch including local wine and beer. This restaurant specializes in Maltese rabbit, much hunted in this area hundreds of years ago.
Pic 12 Click thumbnail for a larger image Traditional wine recipients also from the same restaurant.
Pic 13 Click thumbnail for a larger image The chapel of Selmun situated on one side of Mistra valley.
Pic 14 Click thumbnail for a larger image Another photo of St.Paul's island.
Pic 15 Click thumbnail for a larger image Photo from one of the previous tours
Pic 16 Click thumbnail for a larger image Group photo near Selmun Palace in Spring 2006.



Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Is there a limit of tourists attending the tour?

Yes, not more than 24 persons per tour, so as to keep the walk peaceful and uncrowded. First come first served basis, so book now before it gets full up! Minimum 3 persons, we don't mind it!


Q: How can I book this tour?

You make your reservation from the contacts page [click here] either by writing an email or by filling the online form. We correspond back with you. If you are in Malta and do not have an internet access, you can phone (20c/min) or sms (2c/sms) on our helpdesk mobile phone and tell us your name/hotel room and hotel accommodation, then we phone you back. There is no obligation upon making a reservation, unless you order coach transport from us (in that case there is a deposit fee)


Q: We are a group of 12 tourists and would like to order a minivan. How it is done?

This will involve a transport service so be sure that you can come, as the transport company gets upset with us if you cancel in the last minute. Although there has been no trouble of this sort, we ask a deposit fee which is not refundable if you do not come. Full details and prices on request by email since conditions vary from season to another.


Q: If I take the bus option and I get late or lost?

The bus routes in Malta are far more simple than rest of Europe/US and the [bus guide] provided on the website makes life so easy that it is impossible to get lost (unless you fall asleep in the bus!) In case of delays of few couple of minutes, please phone the excursion leader from the Xemxija Fire Brigade Department (just at the meeting spot) for a feasible solution.


Q: What if it rains in the middle of the excursion?

It's still nice :-) unless you forget a light waterproof jacket and/or boots. Please have a look in the morning at the local weather forecast. (also on TV teletext of your hotel). The forecast of the day is quite accurate. If it gets impossible during the tour, we stop till the restaurant (half way) and you get half the money back.


Q: Can the tour be cancelled?

Yes in very difficult weather conditions (storms, ice hail or extreme wind) the tour is cancelled, or better to say postponed to the next date. In such rare cases, you will be informed at your hotel or own phone number early morning.


Q: I am old and not physically active, shall I come?

Although it is mostly plain walking, there are some elevated slopes that one should consider, and perhaps it is safer not to risk if you know that you have such fatigue trouble. Please bear in mind that we cannot nurse people who get too much tired quickly, as it will ruin the fun and value of the others. Despite this, the walk has several mini breaks and discussions stops about Maltese nature, so it is not a marathon sort of thing.


Q: When we should decide if we want to eat at the restaurant?

For practical purposes, the tour leader have to give the order about 1 hour before dining (that is around 11am), so please co-operate and decide in advance about this option. Please be advised that there are no other food options so if you are not eating at the restaurant, please bring food and water with you. The set-menu will be announced at the beginning of the tour.


Q: Does the restaurant serve food for vegetarians?

Yes, the set-menu includes vegetarian dishes.





Tourists Feedback!

Dean Gugler and Fleur-Ange Lamothe, Canada

Read their letter on Sunday Times of Malta: [click here]

Capricorn, The netherlands

I really enjoyed this tour, observing all these flowers with detailed explanations from the expert tour leader. Despite a bit long, time flied quickly because there is always something new to see, and if not there are some interesting flower to keep our ears listening. The scenery was spectacular most of the way. Pity we got dull clouds at the end.

Olaf and Niklas, Stockholm

Malta is really nice, and this selected area is probably one of the best on the islands. What made the tour superior from others was the tour leader who knows a little of everything and a lot on wild flowers and geography. He also helped me to take some great photos from his keen knowledge on photography and kept us all motivated with his cheerful and explorative manner. There should be more different tours when I come next year!

Patricia Johnson, UK

If I was rich I would buy a farm house in Misstra as I really liked the views and landscape+seascape. I did not know that there are so much different flowers on a small island, including one named for my country (England). The up-slope was quite tough, but rewarded by the views and daffodil fragrance.

Jeremy and Susan, Ireland

This was an enjoyable tour mostly because there was no time pressure. The tour leader gave us enough time to take our photos, have small rests and remove some thistles from our socks. We had to finish at 4:30 but we took till 5:15 due the numerous breaks, mostly because of me and my wife. Despite that, the guide and the rest of the tourists where not angry at us and felt as one big group of friends. The restaurant was great - pity we could not stay more!

Karl & Anna Struber, Austria

I was skeptical about this walk, but my wife carried me with her. It turned out to be the best day of our holiday, thanks also to the fine weather. It made me feel young again and not fond to go back to snowy Austria. The guy organising the walk was very involving to make the best for all the group.


Svetlana, Moscow

While moscow is snow, Malta is full of flowers and warm sun. I got nice red skin from this beautiful walk. Pity I could not understand much English as the guide was full of information to us.


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