Travel Tips

23 Jan 2014

Sticky Post By Editor Posted in Bays & Beaches, Natural Sites With No Comments Permalink

Going South – Discovering Delimara and Marsaxlokk

Sticky Post By Editor On January 23, 2014 With No Comments

One of Malta’s best kept secrets is the Delimara Peninsula, just off the picturesque fishermen’s village of Marsaxlokk.

The area is off any large tourist resort and away from the hustle and bustle of the busy Sliema and St. Julian’s area. It is best to reach by car or by bicycle, however, if you prefer hiking, a bus stops just in the center of Marsaxlokk, the ideal spot to start and end your hike.

On the Delimara peninsula there are a number of good swimming spots along the coast; hard-to find, but worth seeking out is a natural lido called Peter’s Pool. This is the perfect spot to lazy around and enjoy the sun or take a refreshing dive in the clear blue waters.

Back to Marsaxlokk, it is a must to take some photos of the lovely traditional Maltese boats (Dghajsa) and stop for a snack or lunch at one of the many Mediterranean and fish restaurants on the promenade.

Book your accommodation with MaltaVillageHolidays. We recommend staying at Encanto or Bellavista Holiday Apartments.

22 Jan 2014

Sticky Post By Editor Posted in Cuisine, Village Life With No Comments Permalink

The Singular Taste of the ‘Gbejna’

Sticky Post By Editor On January 22, 2014 With No Comments

One of the staple ingredients in the Maltese cuisine is the traditional ‘Gbejna’ – a small round cheese made from sheep’s milk. The small cheeses – known as Gbejniet – are usually bought right off the shepherd or local village convenience stores, and are seasonal.

The preparation of the cheese requires the milk to take the shape of the cheese hurdle which traditionally was made of dried reeds. These are then dried in a well ventilated area, protected by a special mosquito net.

Ġbejniet are prepared and served in a variety of forms: fresh (friski or tal-ilma), sundried (moxxa, bajda or t’Għawdex), salt cured (maħsula) or peppered (tal-bżar). The fresh variety have a smooth texture and a milky flavour and are kept in their own whey in a similar manner to mozzarella. The sundried variety have a more definite, nutty almost musky taste, and are fairly hard. The peppered variety are covered in crushed black pepper and cured, after which they may be stored in oil or pickled in vinegar. Their sharp taste becomes more piquant the more they age and they also develop a crumbly texture.

Ġbejna is an important element in a number of dishes such as soppa tal-armla. It is often added to pasta dishes or soup to enhance flavour as a pizza topping or the filling for ħobż biż-żejt.

21 Jan 2014

Sticky Post By Editor Posted in Bays & Beaches, Natural Sites, Photos With No Comments Permalink

A Winter stroll to the Red Sands of Gozo

Sticky Post By Editor On January 21, 2014 With No Comments

Beaches are a not only a must in the sizzling Maltese Summer, but locations like Ramla l-Hamra (The Red Beach) are equally gorgeous in Winter.

The valley between the villages of Xaghra and Nadur fills with life as rain water makes its way down to the sea. The farming land in the valley takes a new life as crops fill the valley with a contrasting green to the red sands down the beach.

These waters lead to the sea level where an array of protected sand dunes hosting rare species of flora and fauna endemic to the Maltese Islands.

Most of the red sand is usually taken up in Summer by swimmers and sun-bathers but Winter offers the rare opportunity to enjoy the full beauty of this beach. Overseeing the beach is a small statue of the Virgin Mary built in 1881.

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20 Jan 2014

Sticky Post By Editor Posted in Events With No Comments Permalink

Valletta to host World Summit on Arts and Culture

Sticky Post By Editor On January 20, 2014 With No Comments

The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts has been announced as the host of the 7th World Summit on Arts and Culture, to be held in Valletta in October 2016.

Co-hosted with the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA), the World Summit will welcome around 500 delegates from 80 countries to discuss the major issues impacting the arts. Watch the video commissioned by the MCCA on the occasion of the IFACCA world summit announcement hereunder.

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Video Credits:
Produced by: Kukumajsa Productions
Concept & Direction: Rebecca Cremona
Cinematography: Jean Pierre Gatt
Editing: Daniel Lapira
Drawing: Nina Gerada
Animation: Lemonade 3d
Music: Ruben Zahra
Recording and mastering: Mario Sammut
Special thanks: John Preca Trapani, Robert Azzopardi
Archive footage courtesy of: PBS, MCCA, Martin Bonnici and Pastizzi Gourmet[/alerts]

This video was commissioned by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts (MCCA) for the 7th World Summit on Arts and Culture, which will be co-hosted with the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) in Valletta in 2016

19 Jan 2014

Sticky Post By Editor Posted in Heritage, News With No Comments Permalink

TripAdvisor awards Heritage Malta sites

Sticky Post By Editor On January 19, 2014 With No Comments

Four Heritage Malta sites have received a Certificate of Excellence for 2013 by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site.

The National War Museum, the National Museum of Archaeology, the Inquisitor’s Palace and the Grandmaster’s Palace (which includes both the State Rooms and the Palace Armoury) have received the award which is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor.

As stated in the official website www.tripadvisor.com, “Winners of the Certificate of Excellence are located all over the world and represent the upper echelon of businesses listed on the website, with only the top 10 percent receiving the prestigious award. This means that these four Heritage Malta sites have constantly featured as top attractions by those who visited them.

To qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, organisations must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travellers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months of the year in question.

18 Jan 2014

Sticky Post By Editor Posted in Heritage, Religious Traditions With No Comments Permalink

Of Knights and Inquisitors

Sticky Post By Editor On January 18, 2014 With No Comments

In the heart of Vittoriosa, Malta, the Inquisitor’s Palace is one of the very few surviving palaces of its kind which, in the early modern period could be found all over Europe and South America. Many of these palaces simply succumbed to the ravages of time or were victims of the anti-reactionary power unleashed by the French Revolution. Fortunately, the Maltese Inquisitor’s Palace, throughout its 5 centuries of history, always hosted high-ranking officials representing the main powers on the islands, who therefore ensured its survival.

Monsignor Pietro Dusina arrived in Malta in 1574 as the first general inquisitor and apostolic delegate of the Maltese Islands. The Grand Master offered him the unused palace as an official residence. Almost all successive inquisitors sought to transform the palace into a decent mansion. They all shared the same cultural values of clerical baroque Roman society, and by the mid-18th century they had managed successfully to transform the building into a typical Roman palace. The palace also managed to survive through the bombings of the Second World War and the threat of modern development.

It is today the only Inquisitor’s Place open to the public in the world and an architectural gem, representative of the chequered history and European heritage of the Maltese islands.

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The Inquisitor’s Place in Villoriosa is one of the very few surviving palaces of it’s kind, and the only one accessible to the general public.

The Heritage Multisite Pass is a convenient way to visit this and other heritage sites around the Islands.
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17 Jan 2014

Sticky Post By Editor Posted in Bays & Beaches, Natural Sites, Off the beaten track With No Comments Permalink

Malta’s Western Beaches

Sticky Post By Editor On January 17, 2014 With No Comments

The Mediterranean island of Malta is well known for it’s warm and sunny weather with crystal blue waters that invite both locals and visitors to swim (almost) all year round.

One of the most popular sandy beaches on the island is Golden Bay (Ghajn Tuffieha) situated on the Western coast of the main island. The clay formations combined with the limestone cliffs, make this part of the island a gorgeous spot to spend a day under the sun.

This aerial video gives a close view of the beautiful coast and it’s bays and beaches. Some of these are more difficult to access, but asking the locals will uncover paths down to secluded coves such as Riviera Beach and Fomm ir-Rih

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16 Jan 2014

Sticky Post By Editor Posted in Bays & Beaches, Natural Sites, Off the beaten track With No Comments Permalink

Sea Kayaking in the Mediterranean

Sticky Post By Editor On January 16, 2014 With No Comments

Sea kayaking in Malta and Gozo is one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of the Maltese Island’s coastline. Gemmed with gorgeous caves, breathtaking cliffs and crystal blue waters, the Islands offer hours of paddling fun along its shores.

The Grand Harbour also grants access to kayaks to explore the majestic beauties of the capital city Valletta and the Three Cities with its harbours full of old building and busy life.

Exploring the islands on kayak is an activity that can be done almost all year round, especially in the harbours. Many kayaking clubs offer the equipment for rent or a guided excursion of your choice.

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Experience a paddle in the Grand Harbour either early in the morning or at sunset.

Find some time to paddle off Mistra Bay towards Mellieha.

Tackle the Southern part of the island by paddling between Ghar Lapsi and Wied iz-Zurrieq.

Avoid sandy beaches as these are typically crowded and may be noisy.

For the real enthusiasts, do not miss the National Regattas on 31st March and on 8th September – both held in the Grand Harbour
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15 Jan 2014

Sticky Post By Editor Posted in Religious Traditions With No Comments Permalink

Getting Married in Malta

Sticky Post By Editor On January 15, 2014 With No Comments

Offering a diverse range of wedding formats, from intimate sit down dinners and beachside ceremonies to church weddings and traditional receptions, Malta has a vast range of products and services available which make planning the ceremony relatively stress free and great value for money.

Flexible and able to tailor-make a package that suits all kinds of tastes and viewpoints; Malta offers both civil and religious ceremonies. In either case the legal formalities are relatively simple and can even be done in advance from your home country.

Being predominantly Roman Catholic, the Islands boast around 365 beautiful churches, making Malta & Gozo the ideal destination for those desiring a religious wedding. The elegance and splendour of one of Malta’s baroque parish church will provide a beautiful setting to a special day, or if intimacy and seclusion is desired, the many charming countryside chapels are ideal. However, couples of other denominations will also find their perfect place of worship for their dream wedding.

For those opting for a civil wedding, there is no end to the lovely indoor or outdoor venues to decide on. Since Malta has such a varied and colourful historical past, there are a number of interesting venues to choose from and are in no way limited to hotels and churches. The grandiose will love one of the grand baroque palaces with stunning gardens and those preferring something more rustic can choose a beautiful farmhouse set in the quaint countryside of Gozo. For nature lovers, Malta’s many beautiful sandy beaches, backdrops and countryside provide a location like no other.

[alerts title=”Hit LIKE to read our Recommendations…” type=”info”][like-gate]Non-residents who wish to marry in the Roman Catholic Church will have some formalities to complete in advance. The process is very straightforward and will involve providing documentation such as a birth certificates and a letters from the couples’ diocese in the country of origin. These would need to be submitted to the Maltese Diocese for those planning their wedding in Malta and Gozo Diocese for those intending to tie the knot on the sister Island of Gozo.

Once married, the ‘going away’ ritual is a memorable moment. So whether you choose a horse-drawn Karrozzin, a sleek limousine or even a traditional Dgħajsa boat in Valletta’s Grand Harbour you’ll be sure to enter your married life in unforgettable style.[/like-gate][/alerts]

13 Jan 2014

Sticky Post By Editor Posted in Events With 1 Comment Permalink

Malta to celebrate 50 years of Independence

Sticky Post By Editor On January 13, 2014 With 1 Comment

A former British colony and naval base for the British army, Malta sought independence from the Queen following a democratic vote in the Maltese Parliament in 1962.

This process led to the British Empire releasing it’s Mediterranean stronghold and granting the Maltese islands their state of independence on the 21st September, 1964.

This year (2014) the islands will celebrate 50 years of Independence with a string of events organised by the National Festivities Committee.

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