-
Hi, If you cannot get into the site, be sure to Contact Us. Please be advised that the app is no longer in use!
Malta
- Thread starter Kazzer75
- Start date
Stellap
At goal at last.....
I've been to Malta 6 times and love it. There are lots of places that sell british food as there are loads of ex-pats there but I prefer to eat local fish, salads, seafood. There are a lot of italian influenced meals and you can get great salads and very fresh fish which is caught every day. Malta is such a small country that it is really easy to get around with really lovely walks. It is really safe to walk about in the evenings but their roads can be a bit rubbly so be careful if you have mobility issues. The bus service is excellent (no train service in the country) and you can cover the whol island by bus and see a lot of the landscape at the same time. Mdina is a beautiful place to visit and it used to be the capital before Valletta and was built by the Moors (arabs) and is very old. A beautiful place (we are planning to go back next year).
penguina
New Member
Oh I am a Malta addict, it is a place people love or hate never anything inbetween!
Where are you staying? How long for? and what are you into doing on your holls?
Malta is basically the size of the isle of Wight but with 5 or 6 times the population who mainly live on one side of the island.
We go every year but out of season as I don't even like the English heat in the summer! There is a wealth of history, we love the prehistoric temples, or there is the Knights Templar and Great Seige, or more modern WWII history. Malta had more bombs fall on them in one year than London did during the whole of the war.
The only thing is since Joining the EU they are having to loose their identity. They have / had the most wonderful old yellow buses but EU have said these have to go as they are smoky smelly old things. Arriva take over the buses on 3rd July and it will take some of the character away. No more angry bus drivers, throwing their coke bottle out of the window while haring round a junction and on the mobile phone LOL. We always hire a care too and go to Gozo where the buses aren't quite so frequent and radiate from the capital Rabat.
I could go on for pages and pages - Did I mention I LOVE MALTA? !!!
Where are you staying? How long for? and what are you into doing on your holls?
Malta is basically the size of the isle of Wight but with 5 or 6 times the population who mainly live on one side of the island.
We go every year but out of season as I don't even like the English heat in the summer! There is a wealth of history, we love the prehistoric temples, or there is the Knights Templar and Great Seige, or more modern WWII history. Malta had more bombs fall on them in one year than London did during the whole of the war.
The only thing is since Joining the EU they are having to loose their identity. They have / had the most wonderful old yellow buses but EU have said these have to go as they are smoky smelly old things. Arriva take over the buses on 3rd July and it will take some of the character away. No more angry bus drivers, throwing their coke bottle out of the window while haring round a junction and on the mobile phone LOL. We always hire a care too and go to Gozo where the buses aren't quite so frequent and radiate from the capital Rabat.
I could go on for pages and pages - Did I mention I LOVE MALTA? !!!
Kazzer75
New Member
We are flying out on June 2nd. We have rented a villa with a pool in the Santa Maria Estate in Mellieha.
My best friend from Canada and her husband are joining us. Her grandparents are Maltese, but now live in Canada.
We like most things, with the exception of long queues. We are hoping to enjoy the Maltese food as well.
We are fairly active as well, so advice on good walks would be good.
We are torn between hiring a car. Can you park in place like Mdina or Valletta if you drive the car there? Or is it easier on the buses? What about taking the buses later at night?
Feel free to ramble on about Malta, we want to fit in as much as possible in the 7 days that we are there.
My best friend from Canada and her husband are joining us. Her grandparents are Maltese, but now live in Canada.
We like most things, with the exception of long queues. We are hoping to enjoy the Maltese food as well.
We are fairly active as well, so advice on good walks would be good.
We are torn between hiring a car. Can you park in place like Mdina or Valletta if you drive the car there? Or is it easier on the buses? What about taking the buses later at night?
Feel free to ramble on about Malta, we want to fit in as much as possible in the 7 days that we are there.
penguina
New Member
OK Although Malta is small, the Santa Maria Estate is outside of Melieha so yes you would be better advised hiring a car. It is quite a steep hill to Melieha itself and to the bay and beach from where you are staying. The estate itself is full of luxury villa's so you should be great with your accommodation. It is the place that many wealthy Maltese built second homes as it is slightly cooler in the North of the island and they escape the crowds and heat of Valletta in the height of summer. Our friends Mum lives in Melieha and her sister emigrated to Canada.
Also with the North of the island, a lot of the busses go to Valletta, so you may have to get a bus into Valletta and then another bus out to villages, and I don't think they are that regular late at night in the north. It is also easier to get to some of the more out of the way places, if you do like exploring.
You cannot park in Valletta, but they do have a park and ride on the outskirts, or that may be the day to walk to the nearest bus stop and take the bus. It is worth doing that anyway as the buses won't have changed over till July and you have to experience it at least once! There are no cars (except residents) in Mdina but plenty of parking in Rabat its sister town (where the peasants lived) on the outskirts of the walled city.
Also with parking don't be alarmed when you park somewhere and a little man comes up to your car and starts chatting. He will usually have a badge around his neck and is the car attendant. Just give him a little money 50c or a euro and he will be very nice to you!
I will continue in a minute but had better give you time to breath and recharge your eyes LOL
Also with the North of the island, a lot of the busses go to Valletta, so you may have to get a bus into Valletta and then another bus out to villages, and I don't think they are that regular late at night in the north. It is also easier to get to some of the more out of the way places, if you do like exploring.
You cannot park in Valletta, but they do have a park and ride on the outskirts, or that may be the day to walk to the nearest bus stop and take the bus. It is worth doing that anyway as the buses won't have changed over till July and you have to experience it at least once! There are no cars (except residents) in Mdina but plenty of parking in Rabat its sister town (where the peasants lived) on the outskirts of the walled city.
Also with parking don't be alarmed when you park somewhere and a little man comes up to your car and starts chatting. He will usually have a badge around his neck and is the car attendant. Just give him a little money 50c or a euro and he will be very nice to you!
I will continue in a minute but had better give you time to breath and recharge your eyes LOL
penguina
New Member
Round 2 !
Before I get carried away and list enough must see's for a month! How long are you there for?
A fantastic place to visit, and one of the top attractions is the Hypogeum. It is a prehistoric underground temple, that is truly amazing and is a UNESCO site. Only 10 people are allowed down every hour, so you have to prebook if you want to go, as the waiting list is usually no less than one week, and longer in the summer. It can be precooked here: Heritage Malta - shop.
A lovely short walk is also in the north is the Xemxija (shem she a) Heritage trail you will get to see prehistoric and Roman remains, 1000 year old carob tree, Fantastic views over the north of the island. Take a pic nic with you and Enjoy. We found this walk in Cicerone Press Walking in Malta Walking in Malta | Paddy Dillon I think we actually found the heritage trail online and printed it off, but have since bought the book and done some other walks.
Apart from that a Day in Valletta, or maybe two if you like history and a bit of shopping. The sunday Market either on the outskirts of Valletta, or down south in Marsaxlokk (the x is pron. sh to make reading easier!) Day Rabat/ Mdina. Also Blue grotto - small boat ride, best viewed earlier in the morning when the sun is lower into the caves . Just up the coast from Blue grotto, is Dingli inland cliffs and cart ruts where you can do some walking too.
If you are there for two weeks I would say have a day on Gozo too, just a 20 minute car ferry ride away. Mosta Rotunda (3rd largest unsupported dome in Europe) And while in Mosta you can pop into heritage Antiques and say hello to Charles our friend!
I had better stop before I bore everyone even more than I have. But if you have any more queries before you go just shout I am sooooooo jealous!
Before I get carried away and list enough must see's for a month! How long are you there for?
A fantastic place to visit, and one of the top attractions is the Hypogeum. It is a prehistoric underground temple, that is truly amazing and is a UNESCO site. Only 10 people are allowed down every hour, so you have to prebook if you want to go, as the waiting list is usually no less than one week, and longer in the summer. It can be precooked here: Heritage Malta - shop.
A lovely short walk is also in the north is the Xemxija (shem she a) Heritage trail you will get to see prehistoric and Roman remains, 1000 year old carob tree, Fantastic views over the north of the island. Take a pic nic with you and Enjoy. We found this walk in Cicerone Press Walking in Malta Walking in Malta | Paddy Dillon I think we actually found the heritage trail online and printed it off, but have since bought the book and done some other walks.
Apart from that a Day in Valletta, or maybe two if you like history and a bit of shopping. The sunday Market either on the outskirts of Valletta, or down south in Marsaxlokk (the x is pron. sh to make reading easier!) Day Rabat/ Mdina. Also Blue grotto - small boat ride, best viewed earlier in the morning when the sun is lower into the caves . Just up the coast from Blue grotto, is Dingli inland cliffs and cart ruts where you can do some walking too.
If you are there for two weeks I would say have a day on Gozo too, just a 20 minute car ferry ride away. Mosta Rotunda (3rd largest unsupported dome in Europe) And while in Mosta you can pop into heritage Antiques and say hello to Charles our friend!
I had better stop before I bore everyone even more than I have. But if you have any more queries before you go just shout I am sooooooo jealous!
penguina
New Member
I guess I should say on the downside, a lot of people say it is dirty - they have a different attitude to us, but are trying to clean area's up. Some people have said there is nothing to do but I have found they tend to be AI holidaymakers who book into Bugibba and not move from their hotel. People who like it lively should book into Selima Bugibba or St. Julians as people who like a quieter life should go to the north of the island. Also there are not a great deal of beaches in Malta and these are also mainly located in the North.
99% of people speak English and they drive on the same side of the road as us.
99% of people speak English and they drive on the same side of the road as us.
Stellap
At goal at last.....
This thread has made me want to go back - I absolutely love it there. I was engaged to a maltese man years ago (who sadly passed away through a brain haemorrhage) and he introduced me to the island. The Citadel in Gozo is so worth a visit too if you have time. Melliha Bay has a lovely beach where they fish in the early evening and you can get a lovely fresh fish for dinner for a small price. Try the Rabbit (Fenech) which is their national dish (the romans brought it over there like they did to Britain). The Maltese people are the most friendly people in the world and they have a lot of time for the British. They have some beautiful churches and if you go in Festa time you must visit one of the Festa's - different villages have them at different times. The language is 70% arabic and they also use a fairl amount of Italian but everyone speaks English anyway. I love the old yellow leyland buses - its will be such a shame if they get rid of them.
penguina
New Member
I am glad to have found a fellow Malta lover! I can see you would have a strong link with your past love. I think they will keep some of the old yellow busses as private hire and tours but no it will be a sad day when they are not on the roads. We have only been going for the last 8 years but the changes we have seen to the cars on the road is phenomenal. It was spot the modern car when we went but now it is spot the old one.
Another great little book we have is 101 wayside chapels, it is our mission to visit them all in the book. The ones in the middle of nowhere are easy to find, but ones in towns that were not so built up get lost in modern development, and are hard to find!
I think the fiesta's will change as well, they have had some terrible fatal accidents in the fireworks factories in the last few years, and I think tough regulations to the making of them will be bought in, Mosta had a fatal accident in August last year the second in 12 months so their celebrations were curtailed. I have never seen a fiesta as we go in November or December. We may go for Easter next year which will be the nearest I get to the summer LOL
Our Maltese friends once asked what we thought of their language, I said it sounded 'Alien' She laughed and knew what I meant. Being Arabic based it sounds nothing like the European languages we are so used to. I would love to learn but just cannot get my head around it. Our friends read the times of Malta which is in English although they speak Maltese at home, and even they cannot say their alphabet (as we would chant abcdefg etc, and get lost in the letters. The kids go to church schools which teach all the lessons in English (except the Maltese lesson of course).
The Citadel in Gozo last Dec was the place I suffered my first bout of trapped wind, although I didn't know it at the time. I had such pain in my shoulders I didn't know what to do with myself until the pain killers kicked in. A trial run for after my op LOL.
Another great little book we have is 101 wayside chapels, it is our mission to visit them all in the book. The ones in the middle of nowhere are easy to find, but ones in towns that were not so built up get lost in modern development, and are hard to find!
I think the fiesta's will change as well, they have had some terrible fatal accidents in the fireworks factories in the last few years, and I think tough regulations to the making of them will be bought in, Mosta had a fatal accident in August last year the second in 12 months so their celebrations were curtailed. I have never seen a fiesta as we go in November or December. We may go for Easter next year which will be the nearest I get to the summer LOL
Our Maltese friends once asked what we thought of their language, I said it sounded 'Alien' She laughed and knew what I meant. Being Arabic based it sounds nothing like the European languages we are so used to. I would love to learn but just cannot get my head around it. Our friends read the times of Malta which is in English although they speak Maltese at home, and even they cannot say their alphabet (as we would chant abcdefg etc, and get lost in the letters. The kids go to church schools which teach all the lessons in English (except the Maltese lesson of course).
The Citadel in Gozo last Dec was the place I suffered my first bout of trapped wind, although I didn't know it at the time. I had such pain in my shoulders I didn't know what to do with myself until the pain killers kicked in. A trial run for after my op LOL.
Stellap
At goal at last.....
eww Kinnie - never took to it! Do miss having the coke in a glass bottle though! I tried a tiny bit of Anisetta with no problems but I don't dump easy.
Kazzer75
New Member
We are thinking about hiring a Jeep instead of a regular car. Any advice?? What about the weather at the beginning of June? Or security when we park and leave the vehicle?
We're trying not to stress too much about this dang ash cloud...really not happy...won't care so much after we get to Malta though.
We're trying not to stress too much about this dang ash cloud...really not happy...won't care so much after we get to Malta though.
penguina
New Member
Our Maltese friend was over hear last April and was delayed going back by a week - not a happy wife back in Malta LOL. Still as long as you get out there you don't mind not getting back eh!
The first year we went we hired a car from the a 'major' company and had a rough car and a £30 charge on the credit card when we got back. Since then when we have needed a car we hire one from Malta Car Hire - Aquarius Rent A Car - for all your Car Hire Malta needs in the Maltese Islands Had brilliant service in the 6 years we have hired. They are very helpful and situated in St. Pauls Bay so north of the island. They can deliver to the airport for a small charge or deliver to your villa.
I would say the weather at the beginning of June would be lovely if you like it hot! (I don't) I think July and August are too hot for most people unless they just want to lay by the pool and go clubbing in the evening. Average figures show 11.5 hours of sunshine in June and 5.2mm rain, so should be good.
To be fair we have never fancied a jeep as they are soft top and hubby worried about security. Where the parking guys are, you would be safe, as that is what you give them their bit of money for BUT if you want to stop off the beaten track, I am not so sure opportunists wouldn't easily break in. Also all hire cars have K (Kiri = hire) on the numberplate so they are easily recognisable.
The first year we went we hired a car from the a 'major' company and had a rough car and a £30 charge on the credit card when we got back. Since then when we have needed a car we hire one from Malta Car Hire - Aquarius Rent A Car - for all your Car Hire Malta needs in the Maltese Islands Had brilliant service in the 6 years we have hired. They are very helpful and situated in St. Pauls Bay so north of the island. They can deliver to the airport for a small charge or deliver to your villa.
I would say the weather at the beginning of June would be lovely if you like it hot! (I don't) I think July and August are too hot for most people unless they just want to lay by the pool and go clubbing in the evening. Average figures show 11.5 hours of sunshine in June and 5.2mm rain, so should be good.
To be fair we have never fancied a jeep as they are soft top and hubby worried about security. Where the parking guys are, you would be safe, as that is what you give them their bit of money for BUT if you want to stop off the beaten track, I am not so sure opportunists wouldn't easily break in. Also all hire cars have K (Kiri = hire) on the numberplate so they are easily recognisable.
penguina
New Member
Ohh my hhpt address link for aquarius came out as an underline sales pitch LOL but the link does work.
Stella how could you not like Kinnie? We call it liquid gold in our house and have a shrine to Kinnie. I have heard it is like marmite you love it or hate it, but then I like marmite! As you are post op Kazza you won't be able to have a Kinnie as it is a fizzy drink but your family must try it at least once. Just ask in a cafe or restaurant...
And if you like it you can pick up bottles in the mini markets as I expect you will buy some supplies.
Stella how could you not like Kinnie? We call it liquid gold in our house and have a shrine to Kinnie. I have heard it is like marmite you love it or hate it, but then I like marmite! As you are post op Kazza you won't be able to have a Kinnie as it is a fizzy drink but your family must try it at least once. Just ask in a cafe or restaurant...
And if you like it you can pick up bottles in the mini markets as I expect you will buy some supplies.
Karen19745
New Member
Hi Kazzer75,
I've never been to Malta but just wanted to say have a wonderful time and I hope you really enjoy your holiday, Karen xxx
I've never been to Malta but just wanted to say have a wonderful time and I hope you really enjoy your holiday, Karen xxx
You must visit the markets in Malta, cheap and good things, the water biscuits are like crisps and great with little calories, I went in Feb the weather was good with some wind, but it should be very warm know. You must have the right change for the bus they dont give you any change. You will have a great time i stayed in Qawra
penguina
New Member
So you can still eat Galletti after the op Wendy? I thought they would be too much like a cross between bread and crisps so a no go area. I guess they are OK with some cheese or Ham to get your protein in.
Tal Furnar are my favourites (and I have tried a lot LOL) available at all the mini markets and the purple packet ones GBEJNIET (I think it is a Gozo goat cheese and they are very wiffy.
The markets are great, there is a big ones Sunday morning, on the edge of Valletta and also a large one down at the fishing village of Marsascala (south of the island). The fish stalls are amazing - unless your a vegan of course! But I am not so keen on the fresh ones kept just alive... Loads of people comment on my €5 'designer' handbag, again from the market. Also the craft village at Ta' Qali (ta ali q is silent) is worth a visit, near Mdina and Rabat. Mdina glass is made there which is collectable. We send boxes of it home and have VERY heavy suitcases- good job we don't fly with easyjet or ryan air, Airmalta are more generous with their overweight allowance!!
Tal Furnar are my favourites (and I have tried a lot LOL) available at all the mini markets and the purple packet ones GBEJNIET (I think it is a Gozo goat cheese and they are very wiffy.
The markets are great, there is a big ones Sunday morning, on the edge of Valletta and also a large one down at the fishing village of Marsascala (south of the island). The fish stalls are amazing - unless your a vegan of course! But I am not so keen on the fresh ones kept just alive... Loads of people comment on my €5 'designer' handbag, again from the market. Also the craft village at Ta' Qali (ta ali q is silent) is worth a visit, near Mdina and Rabat. Mdina glass is made there which is collectable. We send boxes of it home and have VERY heavy suitcases- good job we don't fly with easyjet or ryan air, Airmalta are more generous with their overweight allowance!!
