Explore Malta & Gozo like a local

Travel Tips

12 Jan 2014
Sticky Post By Posted in Bays & Beaches, Natural Sites, Off the beaten track With No Comments Permalink

Malta & Gozo – Exploring the islands’ coastline

Sticky Post By On January 12, 2014 With No Comments

There are many ways to explore the islands of Malta and Gozo. You may choose to use public transport, or hire a chauffeur. You may rent a car, or even a mountain bike. You can walk in the streets of old villages and cities. However, one of the most fascinating ways to explore the archipelago is by boat.

With over 200km of coastline, the islands offer spectacular cliffs and secluded bays and beaches. Opt for one of the numerous boat tours in the Grand Harbour (Valletta and Three Cities), or for a day’s tour around the main island. You may also choose to visit the Blue Grotto in Zurrieq on a traditional Maltese boat, or head North to the island of Comino where the crystal blue waters of the Blue Lagoon awaits you. Gozo offers gorgeous rock formations and eroded cliffs and can also be reached with an organised boat tour.

An alternative is to enjoy the Mediterranean sea by hiring a yacht and a skipper for the day to explore the beautiful coast and our clean blue waters.

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12 Jan 2014
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[VIDEO] Malta, l’isola che ti sorprende

Sticky Post By On January 12, 2014 With No Comments

Rai Due ha di recente dedicato una puntata di “Sereno Variabile Estate” alle isole dell’arcipelago maltese.

In compagnia di Osvaldo Bevilacqua si va alla scoperta di Malta e della sua capitale, La Valletta,  dove viene visitata la Cattedrale di San Giovanni, testimonianza del grande talento del celebre pittore italiano Mattia Preti e dove è custodita una delle più importanti opere del Caravaggio: “La decollazione di San Giovanni Battista”.

In barca viene raggiunta la vicina isola di Comino con la sua incantevole “Laguna Blu” e si raggiunge, poi, l’elegante Gozo, isola paradiso meta degli amanti delle immersioni e famosa per le sue saline, conosciute già nell’antichità: una lunga distesa di vasche dove ancor oggi si estrae il sale marino.

Infine, Osvaldo Bevilacqua conduce i telespettatori nei i templi megalitici di Hagar Qim e Imnajdra.

Prenotate il vostro soggiorno in un paese tipico maltese.

11 Jan 2014
Sticky Post By Posted in Cuisine, Off the beaten track With No Comments Permalink

Gozo’s traditional bake at the Maxokk

Sticky Post By On January 11, 2014 With No Comments

Visiting the island of Gozo is a must when on Malta. The sister island may be visited in a day, but spending few days on the island will grant you access to the ways of its people, the villages, the sites and also their food.

Gozo, being more rural, offers a exquisite rural cuisine with some typical dishes that are unique to the island. One of these specialties is the Gozo Ftira – a flat-bread baked with a variety of fresh ingredients that at first glance may resemble to a pizza.

Maxokk Bakery is one of the very last few bakeries that still bake the traditional Ftira.  This is a small family-run wood-burning bakery located in the village of Nadur on your way to Ramla Bay. Most locals visiting Gozo have the Maxokk as their must-stop for their lunch or snack.

You may opt for the typical Goat Cheese Ftira or the one with Maltese Sausage as topping. If you prefer fish, there’s Tuna and Anchovies or else a vegeterian Ftira with mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, onions, basil, tomatoes and potatoes.

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[like-gate]Grab a Ftira and some beers/drinks from around the corner and enjoy a sea-side picnic down in Ramla Bay

Try the traditional Goat Cheese or Maltese Sausage varieties.

Book your accommodation at one of our Villas in Nadur
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09 Jan 2014
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Where do you think is the best place to retire?

Sticky Post By On January 9, 2014 With No Comments

According to an article published on The Telegraph (UK), at the peak of their Top 10 Places to Retire Abroad, sits the island of Malta.

As one of the smallest states in the world, Malta is also one of the most densely populated countries on earth – for good reason, too. With more than 3,100 hours of sunshine a year, an average temperature of 19°C and English as a first language for most people, it’s no surprise that many Britons flock to the Mediterranean archipelago. An interest in history, architecture, Mediterranean cuisine and love for anything related to the sea, would help residents here, but its small size could become a problem over the longer term.

08 Jan 2014
Sticky Post By Posted in Events, Festa Traditions, Religious Traditions, Village Life With No Comments Permalink

Good Friday Pageant in Malta

Sticky Post By On January 8, 2014 With No Comments

Watch the TVM broadcast of the traditional Good Friday Pageant in Zejtun, Malta.

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Malta, being almost entirely Catholic, has strong religious traditions that are mostly evident during Holy Week and Easter. In this period of the year, even those less devout, get immersed in the local traditions that revolve around the Catholic feast of Easter.

The festivities for Easter start with Carnival, a 3-day fun fair before a lengthy 40-day lent period where devout Christians fast and refrain from eating meat. Following Carnival, the Church celebrates Ash Wednesday as the beginning ceremony for Lent. Read Full Article…

07 Jan 2014
Sticky Post By Posted in Cuisine, Events, Festa Traditions, Religious Traditions, Village Life With No Comments Permalink

A Traditional Easter in Malta

Sticky Post By On January 7, 2014 With No Comments

Malta, being almost entirely Catholic, has strong religious traditions that are mostly evident during Holy Week and Easter.

In this period of the year, even those less devout, get immersed in the local traditions that revolve around the Catholic feast of Easter.

The festivities for Easter start with Carnival, a 3-day fun fair before a lengthy 40-day lent period where devout Christians fast and refrain from eating meat. Following Carnival, the Church celebrates Ash Wednesday as the beginning ceremony for Lent.

On the Friday preceding Good Friday, all the villages around the island are engulfed under the solemn mood to commemorate Our Lady of Sorrows. The village slows down until it comes to an halt in the early evening. With the last rays of sunshine, the statue of Our Lady exits the village Church, followed by a procession around the local streets.

The mood transforms into a joyous one on Palm Sunday as every village celebrates the entrace of Jesus into Jerusalem as He was welcomed by the community. On this day, it is a tradition for the Parish Priest to bless pets and domestic animals on the village square.

The following Thursday, known as Maundy Thursday, the religious community starts preparing for the passing away of Jesus Christ. The whole island is in mourning, lights are out and villagers hang crosses out of their balconies and windows to add to the atmosphere.

On Good Friday the entire island comes to a still, with most of the local people participating in the traditional Good Friday Pageants – a picturesque procession recounting the life of Jesus Christ with actors in costumes and huge statues being carried on shoulders.

On Easter Sunday, the religious community gathers in Churches all over the island to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, usually followed with the traditional running with the statue – a group of men running down the village square with the (heavy) statue of the Risen Lord on their shoulders. The celebration ends at home, with the family around the table savouring a traditional roast lamb.

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The most followed Good Friday Pagants are those in the villages of Zejtun, Mosta and Zebbug.

On Easter Sunday do not miss the running with the statue of the Risen Lord in Isla.

During this period, volunteers from social clubs and religious groups in most villages organise static displays of the Last Supper. Not to be missed

Taste the  Figolli (traditional Easter almond cakes), Prinjolata (traditional Carnival cake) and Kwareżimal (traditional Lent cookie)

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06 Jan 2014
Sticky Post By Posted in Events, Festa Traditions, Religious Traditions With No Comments Permalink

Village Feasts in Malta and Gozo

Sticky Post By On January 6, 2014 With No Comments

The most important event in every village is their individual festas, honouring their parish patron saint. The week-long celebration marries religious rituals usually taking place within the Church, and outdoor celebration including marching bands, processions, fireworks and a colourful grand final.

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06 Jan 2014
Sticky Post By Posted in Heritage, Photos, Village Life With No Comments Permalink

Street Hawkers in Maltese Villages

Sticky Post By On January 6, 2014 With No Comments

Many countries showcase their street vendors and markets, but few are those places that enjoy the level of service that Maltese street villages do.

One of the most traditional retailers on the Maltese islands is the street hawker. Not the type that sits in the same corner all morning waiting for customers to walk by, but driving high and low through the village streets, offering a service almost on your doorstep.

Many years before take-away’s started delivering junk food, the Maltese street hawker would canvas the village announcing his or her arrival usually with a high-pitched offer that rarely changed from one generation to the other. Up to this day you can easily purchase fresh bread, vegetables, fish, and even kerosene (heating oil) by timing your preferred street hawker who daily visits the same streets like clockwork.

A few decades ago you could have even stopped the shepherd down your alley and ask for a pint of fresh goat’s milk, right from the goat; or have your knives and scissors sharpened by the “sinnar”.

Although supermarkets have taken away business from the small village corner shops, making most of them unsustainable, the same phenomenon did not effect – at least as drastically – the street hawkers bringing their fresh produce to our homes.

[alerts title=”Hit LIKE to read our Recommendation…” type=”info”][like-gate]A truck honking down the street does not mean an angry driver, but it is usually the street hawker who has replaced their high-pitched call with the horn of their truck.[/like-gate][/alerts]

05 Jan 2014
Sticky Post By Posted in Events With No Comments Permalink

An Evening of Italian Opera

Sticky Post By On January 5, 2014 With No Comments

Join the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra for a dazzling evening of music from the operas of the great Italian Opera Masters, Donnizetti, Bellini, Puccini, Mascagni and Rossini. Spectacular overtures flank some of the most loved arias for soprano from their operas, featuring acclaimed Maltese Soprano Miriam Cauchi under the direction of Greek conductor Michalis Economou.

PROGRAM

Rossini Overture to Barbiere di Siviglia
Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor “Il dolce suono”
Bellini Overture to Norma
Bellini I Capuleti e I Montecchi “Oh quante volte”
Puccini intermezzo from Manon Lescaut
Puccini La Rondine “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta”

Intermission

Donizetti Overture to Don Pasquale
Donizetti Anna Bolena “Piangete voi”
Rossini Overture to La gazza ladra
Puccini La Boheme “Quando m’en vo”
Mascagni intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
Puccini Turandot “Tu che di gel sei cinta”

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Producer: Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
Recommended Age: 6 yrs & over
Venue: Teatru Manoel
Date: 31 January 2014
Time: 19:30
Price: €30 – €20 – €10

Book online

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