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The Maltese Island of Gozo

The Maltese Island of Comino

Valletta the capital of Malta

_The tiny Mediterranean island of Malta has long been a popular destination for English tourist visitors. With a winter climate so much warmer than the UK, elderly holidaymakers often take an extended vacation during the winter months. 3, 4, 5 weeks or longer can be enjoyed for a bargain price. With expensive heating bills back home, many elderly visitors actually find that a winter vacation on Malta is great value for money.

No stay on the Island of Malta would be complete without a visit to the Island's capital.

When we visited Malta, our base resort was Bugibba, but we travelled through to Valletta on more than one occasion.

Valletta

Valletta is home to the Island's main bus station. It is set just outside of Valletta's historic city gates. There is an impressive fountain in the middle. Buses from here travel all over the Island. They are fairly cheap but the journey can be hair raising. No wonder the drivers have a crucifix and worry beads hanging above their heads.  Valletta has a cosmopolitan feel and, in high season, can be very busy. There is some stunning architecture around Valletta and you really will be spoiled for choice. The main walkway, Republic Street, through the city is a long drag through to the sea. You walk down and then up and it can be tiring.

However, there are taxis if you wish. Valletta also has a selection of horse drawn carriages that will give you a tour of Valletta. Make sure that you determine the price first though, before you commit your self. Just about all of the Maltese people speak English. Do not be afraid to haggle the price of your carriage drive. You may get a pleasant surprise.  Valletta has a lot of history and there are churches, galleries, museums, a palace and more to visit. With plenty of Cafes, with shaded seating areas, make sure that you take in lots of liquid refreshment. The square in Republic Street though, will be an expensive place to take refreshment

Be careful if you take a look at the infamous Strait, also known by seaman as The Gut.

Walk along to the water's edge for some welcome air. There are fortresses and gardens high above the water which are well worth a visit. There is a large Sunday market held in Valletta. It is very busy and bustling, in high season. We did not buy anything, but enjoyed the experience. Remember though that, it is a foreign market and, as such, may have different practices, when selling birds and the like.

Overall

Valletta would not be a good place to base yourself. However, it is a great place to visit. If you enjoy visiting museums, and the like you, will need to visit Valletta more than once.

When it is very hot in summer, Valletta can be fun but exhausting.

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Personal experiences visiting Malta

_We had also been informed that Malta was very British and that you would come across old English telephone boxes and the like. Well, although this is true, Malta felt very foreign to us. It was our first encounter with armed army personnel in an airport. They looked very scary. The skyline of Malta was full of aerials and had a strange feel to it. Also, if our first glimpses of Malta were anything to go by it resembled Beirut during its worst bombings.

Our accommodation was in Bugibba, which is in St Paul's Bay. We stayed at the Santa Maria Hotel and it was fine. It was not the best hotel we have ever stayed in but nowhere near the worst. As it was toward the end of the season there were a few minor problems in the room but reception tried to get things fixed. We were on a half board basis which meant we had breakfast and an evening meal in the hotel.....Read More Here>>>>

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Popeye Village, Malta

_Being too hot for the beach at Mellieha one day we opted for a stroll. Not far from the beach we saw a dirt track between fields. It had Popeye Village signposted. The sign stated the distance and as it did not sound far away. Intrigued, of we went. As we strolled in the hot afternoon sun there were huge gourds at the side of the road. It was September and the crops were rolling in. About halfway along this track we could see back to Mellieha and forward to the coast in the south of the island, where Popeye village is located. ...Read More

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