Private tour in Valletta Mario C
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Mario C.
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I am a dark history expert who will reveal Tales of the Terrible and Stories of the Strange on my thoroughly researched walking tours around the Maltese islands. Having spent years researching rare books, archives and academic papers, I now tell these stories on dark history walking tours that are designed to enlighten, educate and - above all - entertain. My tours take place both on the streets and inside fascinating buildings in Valletta, Mdina, Birgu and Senglea. I'm a native of both Malta and the UK and spent 15 years working as a journalist, ten of which were at the BBC in London. Now I combine my love and knowledge of Maltese history with the journalistic accuracy I employed while working on news stories in the UK, Malta, Israel and the West Bank, France and Sierra Leone. I was honoured to have won the top Maltese tourist guide award in 2024. Let me lead you into the shadows as we take a walk on the dark side of life in Malta...
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Mdina is a gem of the Maltese islands – but every diamond was rough at some point. Learn why people used to spit on an ancient statue as they entered the city and why invading pirates once tried to trick the citizens of Mdina with free bread. See the chapel where St Agatha once granted a miracle to save the city, and hear of the terrible crimes carried out by a rich man who wanted revenge on his lover. You’ll also get to see where a huge pile of gold coins was found buried beneath Mdina, and learn why a ghostly bride photo-bombs happy couples in these narrow streets. Finally, at the end of the tour, you’ll discover why a woman once rode a donkey through the city while being whipped. All this, and more, on the Mysteries and Histories of Mdina tour. If your group is larger, or you are a solo traveller, please message for a personalised tour price.
The tour begins outside Mdina Gate, with stories of sieges, miracles and why pirates once left bread in the Mdina ditch Learn the signs, symbols and secrets of the statues around Mdina Gate - and why people used to spit on one of them Discover how St Agatha spoke to a nun and the unusual way in which she saved Mdina from Ottoman invaders in 1551 Walk dark streets and hear stories of tragic ghost brides, brutal murders by jealous lovers, and see the site of a fabulous buried treasure End the tour next to Mdina bastions with a scandal, by hearing of the Mdina priest who was found keeping a concubine - and learn the couple's very different punishments
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We will walk around Mdina, which has flat surfaces that are easy to navigate.
Mdina, Malta
The tour begins at the Joseph Howard statue, to the left of Mdina Gate bridge. Mario, your guide, will be dressed in black with blood-red trainers...
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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