what about Malta?

[Swissie]

Not happy about bird hunting in Malta - they are almost worse than the French. But ... got a week there in November. Chose out of season to avoid too many tourists - as we want to visit all the archeological and historical sights. Any advice re great places to see, and restaurants, etc - and ... what to avoid- would be most welcome.

[Patf]

We had a holiday there once, ages ago though. It was in August and it was VERY hot.

I can't remember names of restaurants, but I do remember the seafood was excellent - very fresh and tasty.

Highlights were sea swimming, and we hired a boat one day and sailed over to the next island, Gozo. You might not be able to do that in November though.

There are several ancient historical sights, but again, my memory doesn't go back that far ; Enjoy [:)]

[Judith]

Like PatF we went in August and it was very very hot.  We stayed on Gozo itself, before it became "poshed" up.  It was too long ago to be able to recommend places, but the Xhagra (?spelliing) temples are on Gozo, and well worth a look.... if you get the chance.

[brianagain]

Having visited a few times while in the RN, we went back recently to see how Malta had changed, if at all. Certainly the buses don't seem any different but, having witnessed the chaotic driving of the local car drivers, the bus services remain the best and inexpensive way for visiting the islands sights. They have to be experienced to be believed (one driver was negotiating traffic, taking fares and talking on his mobile at the same time), but I guess you are safe as many still have their little shrine to the Virgin Mary.

Valletta and Mdina (catacombs & the silent city) have to be visited, but we also enjoyed Vittoriosa (some nice cafes etc on the waterfront but not sure for Nov tho') and the bus/ferry trip to Gozo. The Sliema & St Juliens area is full of places to eat but very commercialised (does have an M&S), but the walk along the seafront there is excellent in fine weather.

Brian (again)

[suej]

 

 

 We lived in Malta for nearly three years in the sixties when my husband

 was in the the RN and loved it. We've not been back since but have the excuse of a big birthday to celebrate soon so we are off there in May- can't wait!

 

Knowing that package holidays to Malta can be pretty cheap from UK I  did look up some but when I added on the cost of us getting to the Uk and fitting in an overnight hotel etc I came to the conclusion that TGV from Angers direct to Paris CDG and then Air Malta flights was the better deal.  Booking in advance made a noticeable difference to price of plane and TGV tickets.. and there was  enough choice of TGV and flight times to make it seem a very civilised trip, none of those leave the house in the middle of the night routines. That's the theory anyway, proof of the pudding in the middle of May.

 

I've found lots of sites with information , hotels, pictures etc and so far had no probs making bookings or dealing direct with the hotel - I'd better not be too smug in case it all blows up in my face ! Seriously  I'm surprised how easy it's been - we are ,by choice , breed and  nature,  motor caravanners and holidays don't come much simpler then that so I was a bit anxious about dealing with all this sophisticated stuff- hopefully it'll go well..

 

Apart from info I've picked up on the net I've got

Malta and Gozo Spiral Guide,   pub: AA World Travel Guides

Top 10 Malta and Gozo ,  pub: DK

both handbag-sized and practical and informative and seem to be good "basics" and ordered on line.

 

Feel free to pm or email me Swissie if you'd like me to pick up any specific info for you when I'm furtling around in the Tourist office when we are there.

 Of course I've now got an excuse to try numerous restaurants, I'll tell my husband it's an exercise in market research... 

 

[Swissie]

Thanks sue - ours will be a timeshare exchange (for our week in Rutland). We are particularly interested in any historical/archeological sites and architecture. We will have a car and will travel to surrounding Islands too I expect. So hope you have a fabulous time, and I'd love to 'pick' your brains and get any tips when you get back. Will send you our address for any leaflets, etc, and pay postage of course. Thanks  odile

[cooperlola]

I too used to live in Malta and went back four years ago for a school reunion.  I was amazed how crowded the place has got - the village we lived in (Naxxar) used to be in the country and is now virtually joined up to Sliema.  But it is a lovely place especially just for a week or two and I reckon you'll  find it hard trying to decide what to see and what to miss. 

Given what you're into, then you should see Mdina and Valetta for sure, plus Hagar Qim, Tarxien, Mnajdra (prehistoric temples http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/malta/malta.html).  Take a trip round the harbour too as it's the best way, imo, to see the fortifications built by the Knights Templar.  There are also more churches per head of population than any other christian country and some of them are quite beautiful - Mosta being my personal favourite (it boats the largest unsupported dome in Europe and was hit by a bomb during the war which did not go off - naturally the believers put this down to divine intervention!) Do go to Gozo but give Comino a miss unless you just like swimming - it's pretty nondescript and not worth the trip if you're short of time.

I have driven in Malta myself and must agree with the comments above - it is not for the faint hearted thus buses are best - but if you do have a car you have to be pretty agressive or you won't get anywhere very fast and may well get pranged by impatient locals!. Sadly since my day the buses  are now all the same colour - in the past they were painted according to their destination so you knew where they were all going without having to read their signs. 

 

[Swissie]

Thanks for that Coops, and lovely to hear from you BTW. I've just had the most frustrating day - booked our flights last night. Wanted to go on 20th and return on 27th - but no flight on 27th- so booked for return on 28th and will look for a hotel for 1 night. Checked everything with a toothcomb, paid, went to bed.  This am got confirmation in my e-mail box - go 20th return  21st!!! Phoned them immediately- they insist it was my mistake and won't budge on this. In the box next to confirmation, it clearly says Flight can be changed for E60 = approx CHF 90 per person up to 1 day before flight. We paid CHf 72.50 per flight each, including taxes. Checked flight for 28th today, price 122.95 CHf per person, including taxes. Now the girl says we have to pay E60 + price difference = E120 or CFf180 each- so more than twice the price paid yesterday. I refused and e-mailed their customer service - but no reply (Good Friday indeed). So it would be cheaper to ditch the return flights altogether and buy again - and they will of course re-sell the tickets as we  are 8 months from travel. I clear my history box every night before going to bed- so impossible to prove they made the mistake, not me.GRRRRRRRRRR.

[suej]

[quote user="cooperlola"]

I too used to live in Malta and went back four years ago for a school reunion. 

 

[/quote]

 

            

Hi,

 

Which school did you go to ? Wasn't Verdala by any chance was it?

I taught there in the early sixties and have recently got in touch with another member of staff via the school site and realise there are sometimes reunions..

 Small world, or small island!

Sue

[Swissie]

Air Malta refusing to budge. The special offer is still available but they say it is not applicable as our return flight is considered has a single and not a return - so full price +E60 and not special offer. It makes no sense at all. I am battling on with them - but if they ask us to pay that price - I will not cancel the tickets and give them the opportunity to re sell them! I'd rather use EasyJet to Milan on return and take the train home!! Quelle arnaque!

[Swissie]

They are still wanting me to pay 3 times the original price + E60 to change the date. I'd rather cancel the holiday!

[cooperlola]

[quote user="suej"][quote user="cooperlola"]

I too used to live in Malta and went back four years ago for a school reunion. 

 

[/quote]

 

            

Hi,

 

Which school did you go to ? Wasn't Verdala by any chance was it?

I taught there in the early sixties and have recently got in touch with another member of staff via the school site and realise there are sometimes reunions..

 Small world, or small island!

Sue

[/quote]Tal Handaq.  Now all gone (well the buildings we were in anyway!)  I was there in the early seventies.  It seems to me that most naval types (my mother was a physio at Mtarfa) were in Malta at one time or another.[:)]

 

Poor Swissie, what a bore.