The next in the series of cultural tours, organised by the Tourism and Culture Ministry, will be taking participants to palaces and historical houses on Sunday 25 February.

The participants of this tour will be visiting the historical Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar. A historical re-enactment will take place at the palace by the actors of Playhouse, which will portray the life and style of this magnificent building and its surrounding gardens.

The cultural tour will then move to Casa Rocca Piccola, which is the lived-in home of an ancient Maltese noble family. The history of this family goes back to over 400 years – to an era when the Knights of Malta decided to build a prestigious city and at the same time a fortification to defend the island from any future attacks. Here, the Marquis and Marchioness de Piro will take the participants around the house and explain the history and décor of each room. The participants will also be served snacks and refreshments while listening to ensembles from the National Orchestra.

While in Valletta, the tour will proceed to the Toy Museum, which boasts of a three-floor collection of toys dating from the 1950s onward, including a collection of Corgy, Dinky and Matchbox cars. The participants will also be visiting the Domus Pauli Museum in St Paul’s Street, which displays antique and precious items from St Paul’s Shipwreck Church. They will then visit the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament and its Oratory, which was established in the Parish Church of Our Lady of Porto Salvo and St Dominic in Valletta on 19 February 1575.

The monthly cultural tours are coordinated by the ministry in collaboration with the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, the Malta Tourism Authority and Heritage Malta. The organisers extend their appreciation to The Malta Union of Tourist Guides for their support.

Transport will leave Floriana (next to the Independence Monument) and Sliema (from opposite the Nazzarene Church) at 8:45am. Tickets are at Lm4.50 for adults and Lm3.50 for senior citizens and children.

Booking together with payments can be made by not later than noon of Wednesday at the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230 Republic Street, Valletta. For further information one may contact Noel D’Amato on tel 2123-2515.