Off the beaten track

27 Jan 2014
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Cycling around Malta and Gozo

Sticky Post By On January 27, 2014 With No Comments

Cycling is by far one of the best modes of transport in environmental, economical, and health terms. It surely provides the freedom to enjoy your rural holiday by giving you access to villages and rural areas that are otherwise difficult to find by car or public transport.

The islands of Malta and Gozo, both relatively small islands, can be easily enjoyed by bicycle. The landscape also offers spectacular views.

What better way to experience the tranquil and serene feeling of the narrow village streets! Cycling through the Maltese narrow countryside lanes between rubble walls makes one really and truly feel in sync with nature. Combine this with stops at historical and cultural places of interest along the route, and you have the best combination of a healthy, sporty and relaxed holiday. Distances between towns and villages are very short, and are reached with little or no effort at all.

The islands of both Malta and Gozo offer unique opportunities to experience a day’s out cycling with a difference. The landscape changes with every twist and turn, cycling through the gentle undulating slopes, often with country views and sea views on both side of the route.

Cycling in the Maltese Islands as a leisurely or sporty activity is on the increase for people of all ages. Shops catering for the needs of the cyclist can be found in main towns, offering rentals and repair service, as well as organised tours for groups.

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Avoid cycling in traffic, especially in main roads as the infrastructure is not cycle-friendly and can be dangerous

Visit http://www.medinbike.com for 1000km of new cycling routes between Malta, Gozo and Sicily. [/like-gate][/alerts]

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

Malta’s Western Beaches

Sticky Post By 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
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Sea Kayaking in the Mediterranean

Sticky Post By 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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12 Jan 2014
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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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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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30 Dec 2013
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The blue waters of Zurrieq

Sticky Post By On December 30, 2013 With 1 Comment

The Blue Grotto  is a number of sea caverns on the southern coast of Malta, west of the Wied iz-Żurrieq harbor near the village of Żurrieq. This natural picturesque grotto and its neighbouring system of caverns mirrors the brilliant phosphorescent colours of the underwater flora.

The Blue Grotto is located near “Wied iz-Zurrieq” south of the town of Zurrieq. A number of caves, including the Blue Grotto, which is the biggest one, can be reached by boat from Wied iz-Zurrieq. From Wied iz-Zurrieq one can also see the small island of Filfa. Filfla is uninhabited except for a unique species of lizards that live there. When Malta was a British colony, the island of Filfla was used for target practice by the British Armed Forces. The island is now protected under Maltese law.

The scenery around this area of the island is breathtaking. The cliffs rise out of the blue Mediterranean and the froth of the waves as they hit the rock face can make for some excellent shots.

29 Dec 2013
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Nature walk in Bahrija

Sticky Post By On December 29, 2013 With No Comments

The small picturesque hamlet of Bahrija, in the limits of Rabat and Mdina hosts a handful of busy farmers who work their land in the traditional approach.

Bahrija offers untouched natural paths with breathtaking views of Gozo and the Western coast of the Maltese island. This 10 km walk allows you to explore closer the rural life of the Maltese and soon you may soon discover the hospitality of the local people.

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27 Nov 2013
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Malta Upside Down at il-Maqluba

Sticky Post By On November 27, 2013 With No Comments
[lead]If you find yourself near Qrendi with a bit of time on your hands, the enormous sinkhole at il-Maqluba is well worth a visit. The hole was formed in 1343 when the roof collapsed on a massive cave. It left a ‘Solution Subsidence Structure’ – a crater hundreds of feet across and between 40 and fifty metres deep.[/lead]

Il-Maqluba is pretty well hidden so you are unlikely to come across it by accident. The easiest way is to follow Triq It-Tempesta – the road that leads to Qrendi from Mqabba and continue with Qrendi on your right side until you come to the chapel of Saint Matthew in a little square (more of a triangle actually). You will find a safe path leading to il-Maqluba on the left side of the chapel.

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There is a simple observation area where you can look out over the crater. The bottom is covered with bamboo, sandarac gum, carob and pomegranate trees. 

As well as the strictly geological explanatation for Maqluba’s existance, there is a much more colourful local legend. The short version goes something like this…

“In and around the current site of Maqluba, there was a small hamlet full of wicked people. Exact details of their transgressions are not recorded but, they received several warnings from God through the offices of a virtuous local woman. She was shrugged off as a nosey neighbor so God took direct action by blowing the little village of the face of the planet. The remains landed upside down in the sea off Malta’s southern coast and is today known as the island of Filfla.”

In many arabic dialects, Maqluba means upside down!

 

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