Places worth a visit in Malta

[ElTenEleven]

Dear all,

In May 2011, Mrs ElTenEleven and I celebrate 25 years of married bliss together, and have decided to get away for a week without any children around, so have booked a week outside the school holidays to Malta.

Have any e-goaters got any recommendations for places to visit or restaurants/bars that must be frequented?

Thanks ETE

 

[Billy Whizz]

Dear all,

In May 2011, Mrs ElTenEleven and I celebrate 25 years of married bliss together, and have decided to get away for a week without any children around, so have booked a week outside the school holidays to Malta.

Have any e-goaters got any recommendations for places to visit or restaurants/bars that must be frequented?

Thanks ETE

Went to St Andrew's last year - where abouts are you going?

Lived there for 3 years as a child - changed beyond recognition in the 30+ years since I lived there.

 

[Rocket_Ronster]

War rooms in Valetta, well worth a look. That`ll also take in the walls overlooking the harbour, awesome, especially when you think how old they are. Theres a nice garden at the top with a few statues and stuff.

The churches in the back streets are particularly well preserved. (Remember to cover your Mrs`s shoulders,etc).

Any trip on one of the multitude of old-time buses (they`re owner operated but work to a common timetable).



And make sure you don`t give the impression of being anything to do with the Germans. (And people say we can`t leave it alone).DT_Xtremez_42:

 

[ElTenEleven]

BW,

We are going to a Spa Resort in Sliema.

ETE

 

[Billy Whizz]

BW,

We are going to a Spa Resort in Sliema.

ETE

Well, you are at the busiest part of the Island - Valetta one way St Julians the other (all a very short and cheap bus ride away).

They do a couple of Bus trips round the Island and one to Gozo.

The Bus trips take in all the sights and from those you can see if there's anything else you fancy going to see. Mdina (the old capital), Mosta Dome, Ta Qali Craft Village all worth a look.

Valetta is a day out - lots of history there and museums etc (RR mentions them).

Found Malta a bit expensive (and less friendly compared with 30 years ago) - but they had only just gone over to the Euro. They have the scurge of the time-share sellers now! Not a real party Island but a few bars and restaurants close to you in St Julians (that you can walk too) by the new Marina.

BW

 

[shettie]

BW,

We are going to a Spa Resort in Sliema.

ETE

If it's the Fortina - it was superb a few years back when I took the missus there for our 25th. I don't know what the buses are like now (they were quite scary then!) but the service was brilliant around the island - we hired an old banger for 3 days and just went off the beaten track (literally! - some of the back donkey tracks are just that! ) Theres popeye village - on the eastern coast side of Mehelia bay - pretty crappy really - but worth a look. Marsaxlokk harbour on market day is quite colourful, loads of weird fish still alive in boxes! The Luqa INdustrial estate has some reasonable places - silverware - and maltese glass - which is stunning to say the least.

A trip round the harbour in a boat is good too - we did the eastern arm where the hydrofoil to Sicily leaves from. (which is something else to do!)

Have a look at google maps on the satellite view - you'll see loads of other stuff. I thought it was a brilliant place - with great people! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

 

[Tubby]

Top part of the world there. My cousins hate the Euro though, everything is still compared to the maltese £. Bus' are cheap but they are getting rid of most of them to comply with EU regs, they are getting modern bus' instead. Shame really, the old ones had character. Valletta is a lovely old fort city, lots of history. Get to the ?? Gardens that over look the Grand Harbour (the name slips my mind at the moment) for the midday canon that is fired every day.

Dhingli cliffs is a really nice spot with steep cliffs and sea views. Nice for a picnic. Not many beaches and the few the tourist see are generally busy, especially golden sands near popeyes villiage. Mgarr has a sectret tunnel network built underneath one of the cafe's, this was dug during WW2. Sliema is nice, plenty of resteraunts and evening life. Not too close to Paceville but close enough should you want a lively night out.

Gozo is like going back 100 years, women can still be found washing clothes in stream, aahhh the good old days My mate plays in a band in Gozo and Billy Connely often joins in when he is there, he has a pub over there. Mdina the silent city and its twin Rabat are also worth a day. Just down the hill is the national sports park where the football stadium is and the hippy villiage. Formally RAF Ta 'qali (spelling ?) They blow the Mdina glass there aswell as a craft centre and not to far away an aircraft museum. Mosta has a lovely cathedral too.

Marsaxlox (again spelling) is a fishing port but apparently has a good market. Didn't get to it this time. Your in quite a compacted area so have a good walk around, plenty of little bays with thier own attributes. Across from the intercontinental hotel near St Georges bay is a decent modern shopping centre. Try to find the resteraunt Papparazi, funny titled dishes but good food.

The Islands can be a little dear but it doesn't have to be, lts of free things to see and do. Have look to see what festivas are on when you go, the carnivals and parties they have are great.
Oh, always lots of boat trip and the like on offer, have a look round before you buy the tickets. I could happily go on for hours about the place, my family is based in San Pawl, Buggiba. My cousin maried a local man has been there 20 years now. Once the mortgage is done I will be there too.

Hope you have a good trip.

 

[grumpyoldb]

It used to be a trip down "The Gut" in my day, but I don't suppose your other half would be impressed............................ DT_Xtremez_42:

 

[shettie]

It used to be a trip down "The Gut" in my day, but I don't suppose your other half would be impressed............................ DT_Xtremez_42:

I believe it's being "tidied up" (it was nothing when I was there - another couple we got chatting to - he was ex-merchant navy... He'd taken his missus down to have a look - and he was quite disappointed )

Forgot - the Naafi Nissen hut near the wartime bunkers makes a great srtong cuppa char and a wad!

 

[MontyPlumbs]

The war museum in Valetta is very interesting - it has a Gloster Gladiator inside!

Also, the Popeye village and Azure Window on Gozo are well worth a look.

I've stayed in Bugibba and Sliema, and I can say that Sliema has much more going on, but Bugibba seems more relaxed and family friendly.

Nice bit of diving if you can as well - there are some good dives around Malta!

 

[252]

During a week of eating and drinking in Valletta in 91 the place i visited most was the bog!!:S

 

[Realist78]

The war museum in Valetta is very interesting - it has a Gloster Gladiator inside!

Also, the Popeye village and Azure Window on Gozo are well worth a look.

I've stayed in Bugibba and Sliema, and I can say that Sliema has much more going on, but Bugibba seems more relaxed and family friendly.

Nice bit of diving if you can as well - there are some good dives around Malta!

Any recommendations?DT_Xtremez_19:

 

[Tubby]

The blue lagoon is over rated for diving. To busy. My cousin just goes to any quiet inlet/cove etc and gets in. Lots of coves he visit on the popeye's village side of the island, gets his Octopus from near there. Tons of diving schools/guides around, get a good local who will take you to some of the better spots.