We're back! And, boy, do I ever have a lot to share....!
But as a starter, for those of you who didn't see it on Facebook, I posted images of something we did each day while out-n-about. Our Internet was terrible at our hotel...so much so that I couldn't even pull up my Pic-Monkey collage program. So I ended up posting an album most days, which I have now made into collages, once back home.
As a refresher, here's a map of the Maltese Islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino.
We spent all but one day on Malta and did NOT visit Comino (more on why later).
The numbers on this Wiki map relate to what days we were there, as listed below.
The numbers on this Wiki map relate to what days we were there, as listed below.
Day 1, Friday: Arrival
There is one 3-hour flight per day to and from Amsterdam to Malta on Malta Air.
And because we arrived at our hotel in Bugibba late afternoon, we had time to get settled,
eat real Maltese food (rabbit stew and stuffed beef olives bragioli) at a nearby restaurant,
AND have gelato (the difference between gelato and ice cream?) while walking the promenade.
Day 2, Saturday: Valletta Grand Harbour Cruise
They always say it's good to get an overview of something first
before you hone in on the specifics, right?
So we took the 1-hour bus ride from Bugibba to Valletta, got off in Sliema
and walked around the harbor to our tour boat for a 75-minute ride.
Valletta is the capital city of Malta and has been selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2018.
Valletta is the capital city of Malta and has been selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2018.
It was totally worth the overview! (wiki map)
Day 3, Sunday: Marsaxlokk Fishing Village
Every Sunday there is a market in this eastern coastal village on the island,
so it was a no-brainer to make a day of it.
The 'x' in Maltese is pronounced 'sh' so Marsaxlokk = MARsa-shlock.
It's known for its colorful boats.
Day 4, Monday: Blue Grotto
We did another overview of the island via a hop-on-hop-off bus
and stopped at the Blue Grotto on the south coast of Malta.
Malta survives from its tourism business, of which this is one of its highlights.
Day 5, Tuesday: Dingli Cliffs
We took a regular bus to get to this out-of-the-way part of the southern coast.
Some of the cliffs rise 253 meters from the Mediterranean Sea, the highest point on the island.
Day 6, Wednesday: Gozo Island
We signed up for this full-day excursion because it's the only way to do it properly/easily in one day.
A coach took us to all the highlights, including the megalithic temples from 3600 BC (top).
Seeing the Azure Window was one of the best highlights for us both (right-center).
Day 7, Thursday: Addoloratta Cemetery
We passed Malta's largest cemetery the first day from the airport to our hotel in Bugibba
and knew immediately that one day we would visit it.
You learn so much about a people and their culture from their cemeteries.
One thing we learned: it's all about F A M I L Y.
But then, this is a Roman Catholic culture, so it made sense.
Day 8, Friday: Rabat
Mdina used to be the capital city of Malta, a walled, citadel city.
Rabat is a suburb just outside Mdina's city walls, within walking distance.
It so happens Rabat was preparing for the St. Joseph festival on Sunday,
so we got the best of all worlds that day, seeing the red velvet and banners everywhere.
Day 9, Saturday: The Three Cities
Remember the harbor cruise we took our second day around the Valletta capital city?
There are 3 "fingers" that jut into the same Grand Harbor on the right.
Those are the 3 cities of Senglea, Vittoriosa (Birgu) and Cospicua, all in walking distance.
We walked up and down only the first two, which are the ones most populated,
but not nearly as touristy as Valletta.
Day 10, Sunday: St. Paul's Bay Promenade
We made the wise choice to stay put our last full day on the island,
and walked the promenade along the bay for 5 km, 2 hours, enjoying the gorgeous day.
Later in the afternoon, Astrid even lay out in the sun and took a swim in the Mediterranean.
Malta does NOT have herons, so the weathervane is probably from an English/Dutch owner.
Day 11, Monday: Departure
We had to get up at 3:45 a.m. to make our 7:40 a.m. flight back to Amsterdam. UGH.
But whenever I see Amsterdam's flight tower, I always tell Astrid, "We're home!"
Even after doing a week's grocery shopping on the way back, we still arrived home by 1:30 p.m.
Isn't it strange how we are always excited to leave but equally excited to come back home!
There's no place like home, of course.
And now I'll start the long process of honing in the the specifics of the trip.
I've decided Malta is one of the Europe's best-kept secrets!
so it was a no-brainer to make a day of it.
The 'x' in Maltese is pronounced 'sh' so Marsaxlokk = MARsa-shlock.
It's known for its colorful boats.
Day 4, Monday: Blue Grotto
and stopped at the Blue Grotto on the south coast of Malta.
Malta survives from its tourism business, of which this is one of its highlights.
Day 5, Tuesday: Dingli Cliffs
Some of the cliffs rise 253 meters from the Mediterranean Sea, the highest point on the island.
Day 6, Wednesday: Gozo Island
A coach took us to all the highlights, including the megalithic temples from 3600 BC (top).
Seeing the Azure Window was one of the best highlights for us both (right-center).
Day 7, Thursday: Addoloratta Cemetery
and knew immediately that one day we would visit it.
You learn so much about a people and their culture from their cemeteries.
One thing we learned: it's all about F A M I L Y.
But then, this is a Roman Catholic culture, so it made sense.
Day 8, Friday: Rabat
Rabat is a suburb just outside Mdina's city walls, within walking distance.
It so happens Rabat was preparing for the St. Joseph festival on Sunday,
so we got the best of all worlds that day, seeing the red velvet and banners everywhere.
Day 9, Saturday: The Three Cities
There are 3 "fingers" that jut into the same Grand Harbor on the right.
Those are the 3 cities of Senglea, Vittoriosa (Birgu) and Cospicua, all in walking distance.
We walked up and down only the first two, which are the ones most populated,
but not nearly as touristy as Valletta.
Day 10, Sunday: St. Paul's Bay Promenade
and walked the promenade along the bay for 5 km, 2 hours, enjoying the gorgeous day.
Later in the afternoon, Astrid even lay out in the sun and took a swim in the Mediterranean.
Malta does NOT have herons, so the weathervane is probably from an English/Dutch owner.
Day 11, Monday: Departure
But whenever I see Amsterdam's flight tower, I always tell Astrid, "We're home!"
Even after doing a week's grocery shopping on the way back, we still arrived home by 1:30 p.m.
Isn't it strange how we are always excited to leave but equally excited to come back home!
There's no place like home, of course.
And now I'll start the long process of honing in the the specifics of the trip.
I've decided Malta is one of the Europe's best-kept secrets!
