Malta Travel, Hotels, Culture, History, NightLife Guide

New Malta and Gozo Travel Guide

2010-11-30T07:29:00.000-08:00

If you aim a very good and full trip to Malta and Gozo islands, there is now a brand new Malta travel guidebook on Amazon, Frommer's Malta and Gozo Day by Day.
It includes 23 self-guided tours which you can complete yourself without any help. All these tour information also includes corresponding 23 maps.

Key points from Frommer's Malta and Gozo Day by Day:

    * Thematic excursions for every interest, agenda, and style
    * Countless evocative photographs
    * Bulleted roadmaps that demonstrate you the way to travel from location to location
    * Malta hotels, resorts, dining places, store shopping, and Malta nightlife for all financial constraints
    * A tear-resistant foldout map surrounded in a convenient plastic wallet it's also possible to utilize for tickets and gifts

Malta Sightseeing Tour DVD

2010-02-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

7 Days Malta is an excellent Malta experience video tour DVD which tells the important milestones of the islands's history showing the best attractions, sightseeing places and museums. These include the Knights of Malta, Valletta and important buildings, its beautiful gardens, the national archaelogical museum, stone age structures, impressive Mdina city on a high plateau, Gozo island, Baroque churches, buildings etc. What you get is an endless visual show of Malta's best and some of the not widely known tourist destinations. This Malta DVD is one of the rare achievements you can find about the history of Malta perfectly blended by a visitor's tourist expactations. Watch this before you travel to Malta and explore the same places or watch it after you are back from Maltese islands. You will see that you have missed some of them.

Malta Highlights in Brief

2009-11-04T23:15:00.000-08:00

Recently, I have stumbled upon a nice article about the highlights of Malta. If you want to get the first knowledge about Malta Knights, Valletta and Mdina, read it. Useful.

Excellent Documentary about Knights of Malta

2009-08-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta DVD perfectly enlightens the legendary epic history of Maltese Knights, their monk missions and endless wars. You will see through re-characterizations how they first arrived to Malta from Holly Wars in Middle East, their incredible defense battle against Ottoman Empire in Maltese Siege in 1565, reconstruction period under the command of Jean de Valette, the role of Maltese Cross Grand Masters in Second World War etc.

The Malta documentary film also lots of related interviews made in more than ten countries and a bonus DVD section totally dedicated to Maltese armor and medieval weapons. Overall, it is one of the most successful documentary films about Malta Knights history.

Check reviews of Knights of Malta at Amazon

Paradise Bay Resort Hotel

2009-06-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

Malta Paradise Bay Resort Hotel is attractively situated in a very picturesque position overlooking the open Mediterranean sea. There are 238 guest bed rooms. Most rooms have sea view. The hotel has many bars and restaurants for dining. You can use Wi-Fi as well but it is charged. It is good that there is public cheap bus service operating in front of the hotel. Car hire is not much needed. It is very near to port for Gozo island ferries as another advantage. If you like tennis to play, you are lucky. There are two tennis courts. Three outdoor pools and a large indoor pool which will be heated on winter months. Children games room, all kinds of water sports including diving school. Rooms are large and comfortable. The food is also well appreciated by travelers. You will definitely have much traditional Maltese food.

Highly recommended if you want a calm holiday of pure sea, sun and natural Maltese high quality service and hospitality.

And finally a youtube video of Paradise Bay Malta Resort Hotel

Intercontinental Malta Hotel St Julians

2008-10-16T03:28:00.000-07:00

Best lowest rate Malta hotels at GTAHotels

The InterContinental Malta is a nice luxury hotel situated in St. George's Bay, approximately four miles from Valletta, and six miles from Malta International Airport. There are several local attractions around including Mosta Dome, Gozo Island, impressive Blue Lagoon, and The Hypogeum.

Facilities: Pool, Desk with Lamp, Parking, Breakfast Buffet, Cribs Available, Email Service, Iron, Currency Exchange, DVD Player, Sauna, Outdoor Pool, Indoor Pool, Free Newspaper, Secretarial Service, 24 Hour Front Desk, Kitchen, Business Center, News Stand, Florist, Fire Alarm with Light, Gift Shop, Mini Bar, Radio, 24 Hour Room Service, Multilingual, Rollaway Beds, Hairdryer in Room, Safe, Golf, Lounge, Babysitting/Child Services, FAX, Porters, Bathroom Telephone, Casino, Modem Lines in Room, Exercise Gym, CD Player, Public Address System, Satellite TV, Room Service, Turndown Service, In Room Movies, AM/FM Alarm Clock, Phone with speaker, High Speed Internet, Refrigerator, Laundry/Valet Services, Wake-up Service, Coffee Maker in Room, Bar/Lounge, Barber/Beauty Shop, Bath Tub, Safe Deposit Box, Executive Level, Security, Air Conditioned, Restaurant, Connecting Rooms, TV Remote Control, Cellular Telephone Rental, Copy Service, Internet Access, Concierge Desk, Valet Parking

There are more than 5 restaurants which include the Eastern Breeze restaurant, Harruba buffet-style restaurant, the seasonal Al Fresco restaurant, Soprano Restaurant, Carissa 6, Carissa Bar, The Lobby Bar, and the Narcis Pool Bar & Grill.

Overall, St. Julians Intercontinental Malta Hotel is one of the most recommended hotels in this area.

Best lowest rate Malta hotels at GTAHotels

Best Hotels in Malta

2008-10-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Best lowest rate Malta hotels at GTAHotels

Although Malta is a small country consisting of just three islands, it is a very popular tourist destination and naturally has many hotels ranging from economy to super luxury. Actually we have either visited or stayed at almost ten different hotels during our stays both for business and holiday reasons. I tried to choose my top 2 favorites according to such criteria like food, facilities, cleanness, price etc.

Golden Sands Spa & Resort Mellieha : It is where we have stayed in our first visit to Malta and overall impressed especially with our room looking to an astonishing open sea view, excellent food quality and range especially if you enjoy Mediterranean style cuisine with lots of different sea products, large pools, nice SPA and having one of the rare sand beaches of all Malta. The staff is really professional, friendly to help you. We had live music as well on nights.

p.s : By the way, the beach was used in the famous Hollywood film Troy. Landing sequences of Troy invasion are filmed here and nice to look at it from your room balcony.

Corinthia Marina Hotel St Julians : This is a great hotel as well. We have been there in 2006. A panaromic view to St.George's bay with private room balconies and the hotel is situated very near to the sea, actually the edge. The watersports you can try is endless. We tried scuba diving there and really enjoyed. Paceville is the center of entertainment in Malta with lots of bars, clubs, restaurants, casinos and it has a very hot tourist life there. If you enjoy night life, the hotel is very close to Paceville. Food were nice, the room was clean and modern. Especially, Da Marina restaurant for a delicious choice of authentic Italian and Mediterranean dishes.

You can read more about Malta hotels and check the reviews, rates and see the photos at GTAHotels.com They provide also a great hotel rate comparison tool to get the best deal prices.

Malta in Daily Photos

2008-07-23T01:30:00.001-07:00

I would like to introduce you a great blog about Malta. Dina does an excellent job presenting us different photos taken from Malta, Gozo and Comino daily at Malta Daily Photo blog. Photos include mostly beautiful scenery of the islands but sometimes city life as well. Here are some photos ..

To see more of them please visit her blog at Malta Daily Photo.

Malta During World War II : Excellent Read

2008-07-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

Maybe, you have learned and knew much about World War II history but battle for Malta from 1940 through 1943 is a little known part of the second world war. Here is the brief description of Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege one of the greatest military history books about the subject.

Lying in a strategic position between Sicily and Africa, Malta oversaw the shipping routes that supplied the Axis campaign in North Africa, routes that the British were determined to control. Thus, they insisted on holding the island as a base, despite a prolonged aerial bombardment that nearly destroyed the garrison and subjected the island's population to famine. Dismissing the controversy over whether Malta and the Eastern Mediterranean were really worth holding on to during the war, this book focuses on the people who lived and fought on the island.

Drawing on dairies, letters and interviews, he reconstructs the stories of RAF pilot Alex Mackie, who was killed in his Hurricane over Malta, and the legendary photo-recon pilot Adrian Warburton, among many others. The sea and air battles around the island are also vividly depicted, but the real value of this book lies in its rare, intimate description of the Maltese perspective on the siege. Turning the last page, one understands why the island of Malta was collectively awarded the George Cross, the highest British civilian award for heroism.

Best Clubs of Malta Nightlife

2008-06-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

There are many clubs, bars and pubs in Malta. Malta although being so small, has become one of the leading partying places in the mediterranean! There's always some huge pumpin party happening, and top international dj's attend these parties.

Malta there is a small town called Paceville that we can easily tell that it is a real heaven of any type of entertainment and nightlife. Everything is located next to each other so it is easily accessible! Most tourists and local people spend their nights in this place.

Empire Club - Paceville

Club Fuego - St. Julians

Sky Club

Club Koyote - Paceville

Liquid Club

Malta Photos Collection #1

2008-05-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

Here are different photos from Malta.

A nice aerial view of Valletta

Maltese Cuisine : An Excellent Blend of Mediterranean Cooking - Part 1

2008-05-03T03:39:00.000-07:00

Malta historically always under invasion attempts of western and eastern empires. As a result, this rich and delicious cuisine developed under influences of mainly Italian (Sicilian), North African and Eastern Mediterranean (Arabian).

I tried to select the best Malta dishes and food considering many cultural influences. To start with, I will introduce you Maltese meat dishes in this article.

Fenek (Rabbit cooked in wine):

Rabbit (Fenek in Maltese language) is maybe the most well known Maltese dishes amongst the tourists.

You can find this delicious traditional dish in almost every restaurant in Malta. The fried rabbit cooked with wine usually is served in tomato sauce with several spices.

Goes excellent with potato chips and salad. I prefer Maltese beer nearby. Fenek Recipe

Bragjoli (Beed Olives) :

It is a tasty dish also popular in England. A thin slice of beef surrounding breadcrumbs, bacon, eggs and herbs. Braising in red wine makes it more tasty.

The bragioli are garnished with onions, carrot and bay leaves.

Here is a bragjoli recipe I have found.

Laham Taz Ziemel (Horse Meat) :
I can understand you if you think Malta is the only country eating horse meat, a popular taboo meat in many countries. We were also amazed seeing it on menus on our visit to Malta. We didn't try it but why not for the next time?!

It is usually fried or baked in a white wine sauce and served with various dishes according to what the waitress told us.

And finally..

Maltese Sausage (Zalzett Tal-Malti) :

Maltese sausage is typically made of pork, sea salt, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, garlic and parsley. It can be eaten grilled, fried and even raw.

The Failed Siege of Malta by Ottomans

2008-04-28T03:04:00.000-07:00

This invasion campaign is known as one of the bloodiest and most fiercely defended siege wars in European history. Until that war, Ottoman Empire had the image of invincibility over Europe. Malta Knights were kicked by Ottoman from their homeland Rhodes in 1922 before and Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor offered them to stay in Malta in 1530. The Knights accepted the offer reluctantly because compared to Rhodes, Malta was a small, desolate island. They had always dreams of recapturing Rhodes again. The Order of Knights soon turned into a naval army, preying on Ottoman ships.

Ottomans' attention soon turned back to Malta both for knights' activities and for the crucial strategic position of the Malta Island for further Mediterranean invasion. Almost 6,000 soldiers from Malta including knights, Spanish, Italian, Greek soldiers fought against 30,000 warriors of Ottoman army.

After several trials for months, Ottomans had to end the invasion campaign with almost 25,000 casualties. Over one third of Malta population and knights also was wiped out.

The victory of a such tiny island alone (later with the support from Europe) against a formidable empire was a heroic event. It is considered as a down turning point for the Ottoman power on Mediterranean Sea by many historians. Maltese people also considers the event as a recognition of their national entity over Europe and celebrate the victory.

Valletta, the fortified harbor and capital city of Malta is the result of the efforts to protect the city for coming ages after the great siege. You can see everywhere in Malta, the feel of that knights times.

Zeppi Prickly Pear Liqueurs of Malta

2008-04-07T05:08:00.000-07:00

I am a fan of alcoholic spirits like Baileys, Curacao, Campari etc. Tried also many other different drinks but I can clearly say that Zeppi's Bajtra Liqueur is one of the most delicious and exotic ones.

This soft drink is made of a type of cactus fruit known as prickly pear. These cactus like to grow wildly on the islands of Malta and you will surely notice them while you go on the terrain roads.

I prefer to taste prickly pear liqueur as chilled with ice but possible to mix with other drinks like wine and champagne.

One of the reasons to visit Malta again for the pleasure of good taste :) Does anyone know about an online store to buy Zeppi Liqueurs?

Lonely Planet Malta & Gozo

2008-04-02T23:51:00.000-07:00

We had gone to Malta for our honeymoon for 2 weeks in 2007. From that time, we have fallen in love with Malta and one of the reasons of this blog start. I will try to introduce you this "gem" as much as possible. I learn many new things also while I look for information about Malta. For those who wants to visit Malta and take the best pleasure of it, I definitely suggest Lonely Planet Malta & Gozo book. The Malta guide is full of necessary and useful information, as well as good photos, maps and suggestions.

Malta Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa

2008-04-01T01:44:00.000-07:00

Best lowest rate Malta hotels at GTAHotels

The Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort & Spa is located on the edge of a cliff overlooking one of the most beautiful sandy Malta beaches at Golden Bay. The hotel is considered by many as the best new hotel in Malta. There are lots of facilities to enjoy including a 1,000 sqm spa and leisure center. The rooms have open glass windows directly look to the bay. There are two large outdoor swimming pools, children's pool and an indoor pool. These pools are connected to each other very aesthetically. Sandy beach is easily reachable from the hotel.

The food is so delicious featuring both traditional Maltese cuisine and a mixture of Oriental, Italian tastes. The personnel is so friendly and professionally work to make clients happy.

Hotel Amenities
Continental Breakfast, Sauna, Whirlpool / Jacuzzi, 24 Hour Reception, Parking, Fitness Facility, Tennis Court, Restaurants, Bar, Meeting Rooms, Business Center, Dry Cleaning, Indoor Pool, Outdoor Pool, Non Smoking Rooms, Wi-Fi, Spa

Room Facilities
Television, Direct-dial phone number, Room service, Voice Mail, Electronic Room Keys, Coffee/Tea Maker, Safe, Air Conditioning, Wake Up Service, Mini Bar, Hair Dryer

Free Broadband including high-speed and wireless Internet access is available throughout the hotel.

Hotel website : Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort & Spa

Beautiful Beaches of Malta, Gozo, Comino Islands

2008-04-01T00:47:00.000-07:00

Malta, this very small but unique archipelago of seven islands country in the very center of Mediterranean has everything to give you an unforgettable holiday feeling. 3 of them are inhabited: Malta Island, Gozo and Comino. Maltese Islands have so beautiful beaches both sandy and rocky. They are mostly not populated and you will have serenity and peace in these clear waters. Spring and summer are great here even though rarely can softly rain in spring. Even winters are suitable for swimming. Here are the best Malta beaches I have selected for you :

Malta Island Mellieha (Ghadira) Bay Sandy Beach: Malta’s largest sandy beach, facilities for bathers and watersports options. It can be very busy at especially weekends. I suggest the weekdays. Good for children too.

Malta Island Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha Bay Sandy Beaches : Actually there are two very attractive, adjacent beaches set within the cliff face. Golden Bay has more facilities but both beaches are very popular. Great for snorkeling, exploring the little inlets and coves at the sides.
Can be crowded in weekends. It is also good for children.

Malta Island St Peter’s Pool, Delimara Rocky Beach: Another area of natural beauty offering crystal clear perfect waters. Popular, but never crowded like the other beaches and you can have as much space for yourself as you need. Also very good for snorkeling, but know that no facilities at all.

Gozo Island - Ramla Bay Sandy Beach : Ramla Bay is Gozo’s largest sandy beach. Very attractively set within a valley, and fortunately still unspoilt by crowds. Called Ramla il-Hamra in Maltese language, which means Red Beach, referring to the hue of the sand. There are some facilities available, good for snorkeling and children.

Comino Island – Blue Lagoon, Half Sandy Beach : This lagoon is certainly a must to see for snorkeling and magnificent view. Blue Lagoon is uniquely beautiful bay.

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2006-04-26T05:27:00.000-07:00

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