The Hidden Palace - Malta December 2026

Overview

Join us for a relaxed and sociable New Year break in Malta, staying at the welcoming Mayflower Hotel in St Paul’s Bay. This is a gentle, book-centred holiday designed for reflection, conversation and fresh beginnings. Expect unhurried breakfasts, shared reading sessions, thoughtful discussion and time to explore one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating islands.

Our featured book is The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies, a richly atmospheric novel whose post-war setting and strong sense of place resonate beautifully with Malta’s history, architecture and coastal landscapes.

Why Malta at New Year?

Malta is an ideal destination for a winter reading retreat. While much of northern Europe is cold and dark, Malta enjoys mild daytime temperatures, bright light and plenty of opportunity to be outdoors. Late December and early January are perfect for walking historic streets, sitting outside with a coffee, or reading with sea views, without the intense heat or crowds of summer.

The island also has a wonderful sense of occasion at this time of year. Christmas decorations linger, local celebrations continue into New Year, and there is a relaxed, festive atmosphere that feels welcoming rather than overwhelming. It is a time for pause, reflection and quiet celebration, which fits beautifully with a shared reading holiday.

The setting

St Paul’s Bay offers a calm coastal base with easy access to the rest of the island. The Mayflower Hotel is modern, comfortable and well located for gentle strolls along the promenade, relaxed lunches and easy transport links.

From here we can explore Valletta and Mdina, enjoy harbour views, or simply settle in with a book and let the rhythm of the island set the pace.

About the book

The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies is a beautifully written historical novel exploring love, loss and resilience in the aftermath of war. Malta’s own wartime history, its grand buildings and its quieter domestic spaces all echo the emotional landscape of the book.

Reading the novel while surrounded by Malta’s limestone streets, harbour views and layered past adds depth and texture to the story, making the setting feel vivid and immediate.

Why Malta for this book?

Jefferies’ writing often explores the contrast between outward elegance and inner lives, between public spaces and private moments. Malta reflects this perfectly, with its grand façades, hidden courtyards, bustling cafés and quiet chapels.

Over the course of the week we will read, walk and talk in places that mirror the novel’s tone and themes, allowing the island itself to become part of the reading experience.

During the week

• Hosted evenings including book discussions and shared dinners
• A special New Year celebration evening
• An “A Book I Love” session where guests share a favourite read
• Free time to explore Valletta, Mdina or the coastline
• Optional excursions and guided walks
• Plenty of space to read, reflect and welcome the New Year

What’s included

• 5 nights at the Mayflower Hotel, St Paul’s Bay
• Room for sole use
• Breakfast each day
• Hosted dinners and book discussions
• 4 dinners with half bottle of wine per person
• Return airport transfers
• ATOL-protected flights where applicable

Reserve your place

Places are kept deliberately small to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. This trip is operated in partnership with Friendship Travel, with full booking details, flights and optional excursions confirmed at the time of reservation.