Explore Malta & Gozo like a local

Travel Tips

Car Hire in Malta

Hiring a car whilst visiting the Maltese islands is the easiest and fastest way to discover all the beautiful hidden spots and simply move along in own pace. Choosing the right car hire in terms of service, quality and price becomes essential ensuring a smooth and carefree holiday. However, as in any other destination, the car hire industry in Malta is not without ‘bad apples’ and there are several aspects one should pay attention to whilst taking a decision about car hire. Having gathered feedback from our previous guests during the years, here are the most common issues encountered.

#1 Long waiting time at the airport after arrival.

Car hire desks tend to get very busy with incoming flights and picking up your rental car can become a lengthy process.

#2 Cars very old or in a poor condition

Some car hires in Malta are using rather old and outdated cars.

#3 Booked car not available

It happens occasionally that the car hire claims your booked car is not available and offers you a different car of inferior class or quality (without discount).

#4 Unfair fuel policy

Some car hires in Malta charge for the full tank fuel and ask to return the car empty. What they guests do not know is that it would take weeks driving around on the islands to actually consume the full tank. So the cars are never returned with empty tank and not consumed fuel will not be refunded.

#5 Suspiciously cheap deals

Everyone likes the cheapest deals, what the visitors often find out only on arrival is that in order to get the cheapest rate, they would need to leave an extremely high personal guarantee (excess blocked on credit card – often as high as €1500) or pay an extra high charge per day to waive the liability, making the car hire double the price than initially anticipated.

#6 Charges for already existing damages

Blaming the already existing damages on new clients – the old ‘good’ car hire scam.

After extensive research and testing of different car hires, we have found an excellent local car hire partner for our guests staying in our accommodations and are also delighted to recommend the company to anybody else. It is CB Car Hire which addresses all previously highlighted common issues:

  • The guests are met at the airport immediately on their arrival and signing the contract and receiving the car takes as little as 10 minutes. No queues, no waiting times;
  • All cars are from recent years and in very good condition;
  • You get, what you have booked, unless previously agreed otherwise;
  • Fair fuel policy – you receive the car with full tank and return it full, or with the same fuel level as received;
  • The personal excess is €950 and it can be reduced to €250, when paying €9 extra per day. As simple as that, no other hidden conditions;
  • All previous damages are marked on the contract and new clients are not made liable for that.

Testimonials from previous guests:

For a few days we rented a car. Everything was perfect, including the car-seats for the children. (Hubert from Switzerland)

The rental car we booked with Birgit was great- everything was wonderfully organised! (Katrin from Germany)

The hosts were great and very helpful – including arranging our pickup from the airport and helping us out by recommending a great car rental service. (Robert from Romania)

When contacting CB Car Hire, we recommend to use the keyword ‘MaltaVillageHolidays’ for a good deal.

Have fun and drive safe!

Lemon Tree Bed and Breakfast – a sneak preview

After 9 months of hard work, the almost derelict village home in Zabbar has been transformed into a welcoming Mediterranean Bed & Breakfast surrounding a sun-kissed court yard.

Today we want to share with you a sneak preview as we start setting up the rooms.

Time to Indulge: Malta Chocolate Festival 2016

During the sovereignty of the knights of St. John, the village of Hamrun was used to store cocoa beans in the area known as tas-Samra.

Today Hamrun hosts the island’s Chocolate Festival and this year this indulgent event will take place on Saturday evening on the 22nd October 2016, in the ‘old’ city centre of Hamrun and in Joseph High Street (Strada Rjali). These areas will be the beating heart of the festival where visitors will undergo the ultimate chocolate experience. Chocolate lovers will find a treasure trove of information, but above all will be pampered, surprised and seduced. Themes range from pleasure and creativity, to passion and gourmet tasting, health and wellness.

Taste & Enjoy
The Hamrun Chocolate Festival will be the festival of sweet sins… The taste sensations that chocolate makers offer at dozens of stands seduce the public and submerge them in an atmosphere of indulgence and pure enjoyment.

Fair chocolate
Consumers are finding it increasingly important to know what route an end product exactly follows. Chocolate is no different. They want to know whether the cocoa beans were processed under fair social and ecological conditions. The Hamrun Chocolate Festival is not only about enjoyment and indulgence but also about fair trade.

Fascinate & discover – Imagination & choco-arte
During live demonstrations top chefs, bakers and chocolate makers let visitors discover chocolate creations and recipes that they can try out themselves. Attention will be paid to the wide variety of ’creative applications’ with chocolate. This year’s some innovative ideas with unique attractions:

Main Attraction
Imagine … a 12-foot model of the Titanic made entirely of chocolate! Imagine no more,

Remember the old Maltese Bus? We’ll bring tradition to the chocolate festival featuring a 5-foot model of the traditional Maltese bus, made of chocolate. A truly magical and nostalgic experience!

Chocolate painting on canvas
Choc tattoo
Chocolate Sculptures
Chocolate Body painting
Chocolate History
Cocoa Painting
Chocolate Centre Piece Competition
Various Duo Bands, Bands and Entertainment

Beauty inside and out
Chocolate is used increasingly in beauty products and for a healthy lifestyle. Chocolate massages, chocolate packs or cocoa therapies are just a few of the treatments that could be presented to the public. Chocolate’s role in a healthy and balanced diet is also given an important place at the fair.

The perfect match
Chocolate with a nice glass of wine, a big chocolate fondue with fruit. The Hamrun Chocolate Festival will show you how chocolate can be deliciously combined with other delicacies.

Chocolate for kids
All the while children can have creative chocolate fun in a special children’s corner where they can paint, have fun and experience chocolate in a different way…

Air Malta bans use of Samsung Note 7

Following an earlier ban on the in flight use or charging of the Samsung Note 7, Air Malta and other airlines are now banning the model from their aircraft all together.

The current list of airlines includes Singapore Airlines, Qantas Airlines, Virgin Australia, Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, Air Berlin, Lufthansa, all airlines in Japan and all US airlines. It is expected more airlines will quickly follow.

Airlines have taken the decision to introduce this additional safety measure due to the fire risks posed by the device’s lithium-ion battery.

Sources are warning passengers to ensure they check the airline rules related to this particular smartphone prior to travel as in some instances fines may be imposed.

A Frenchman in Gozo

In this 2-minute video, Frenchman Remi Jennequin works with short-film director Federico Chini to give a you tongue-in-cheek perspective of the small Mediterranean island of Gozo.

Jennequin takes it to complaining, perhaps in ways stereotypical to his co-nationals, but ultimately manages to portray a quaint and rather realistic picture of Gozo.

Play the short film and let us know what you think.

Book your Holiday Villa with Swimming Pool in Gozo

Valletta hosts the Rolex MiddleSea Race 2016

Malta is proud to host once again the Rolex Middle Sea yachting race which takes place in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea and covers one of the most beautiful yachting courses in the world. The offshore exciting race kicks off on the 22nd October 2016 in the beautiful clear waters in the Grand Harbour of Valletta. Unique for a race of this length in that it starts and finishes in the same place, the 606-mile route starts in Malta’s magnificent Grand Harbour and also ends there.

This race runs by incomparable scenery and is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often unpredictable and tough conditions.

Book a Self-catering Apartment close to Valletta

 

The 2016 Mdina Classic & Vintage Cars Galore

Malta Classic is a four-day classic car event celebrating vintage style against an historic backdrop.

6-9 October, 2016

On Day One, the Malta Classic opens with the Thomas Smith Hillclimb—a pure adrenaline rush of cars racing to climb a magnificent limestone hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

On Day Two, the Malta Classic Concours d’Elegance by Mdina Glass celebrates the power and beauty of classic cars in the heart of Mdina. Select car collectors are invited to unveil true automotive gems for the delight of visitors. Entertainment, period dress and refreshments make the Concours d’Elegance a main feature

On Day Three the challenging circuit outside Mdina’s fortified walls awaits. Cars are put to the test on a track of tight bends, sweeping curves and inclines that wind their way through a valley of vineyards and terraced hills outside Mdina. Fast, accelerating and beautiful—The Malta Classic Grand Prix is loved by drivers and spectators alike. Day Three comes to a close with timed drives to determine the starting order of Sunday’s grid.

On Day Four the real racing begins. Packs of 8 to 10 cars take to the circuit in a thrilling race to the finish line, as the unforgiving nature of the Malta Classic circuit brings out the very best of performance by both drivers and their classic racing automobiles.

Holiday Accommodation near Mdina

More info at www.maltaclassic.com

Malta tops Lonely Planet “Secret Destinations”

Lonely Planet magazine has recently announced its top 25 secret destinations – and it’s Malta is at the very top of this list!

Yes – boasting crystal clear waters and oozing with history, Malta has been revealed as the top ‘secret’ destination to visit by the adventure experts at Lonely Planet.

Discover the authentic side of Malta. Stay at one of our Holiday Homes in Malta. We offer options in Naxxar, Zurrieq, Marsaxlokk, Marsaskala, Birkirkara, Mgarr and Sliema.

The island of Gozo also earned special praise in the US print edition, with writer Writer Abigail Blasi describing it as home to some of Europe’s best scuba diving sites, being “an island of steep cliffs and quiet inlets over the water”.

Stay in one of our Holiday Villas in Gozo this Winter.

Blasi highlighted how on the island there is an emergence of new architecture, restaurant launches and hotel openings over recent years.

 

Gozo Ferry launches promotion for Winter 2016

Local news sources reported that the Gozo ferry service connecting the two islands will be launching a special promotion throughout Winter 2016.

According to the newspaper ILLUM, the fare for passengers travelling during the weekend and public holidays will be reduced to Eur1.15 and Eur8.15 for a passenger crossing with their vehicle.

Gozo offer s an idyllic and tranquil environment that is ideal for a private day tour of Gozo or even better, a short stay in a Gozo holiday villa.

Discover our holiday accommodation in Gozo for Winter 2016.

Notte Bianca Valletta 2016

Notte Bianca is the annual event that lights up the cityscape of Valletta with a spectacular nocturnal celebration of people, culture and arts. The streets and cultural venues in the Maltese capital play host to a motley assortment of entertainment.

State palaces and museums open their doors to delight patrons with visual art exhibitions and theatre performances, while the open-air streets and piazzas showcase some of the finest local and international musicians and dancers.

Cafes and restaurants remain open until late with further food stalls and tables occupying the streets.

All of Valletta, from City Gate to Fort St. Elmo, comes alive on Notte Bianca, guaranteeing a memorable night that truly holds something for everyone.

Read more about Notte Bianca 2016

Read about Notte Bianca 2016 Events

Public Transport Notte Bianca 2016