A delightful spring break in 2012; a much desired respite from the grey April skies in Ireland. Malta is only 316 km2 (122 sq mi), and one can easily traverse the whole island in a day. But you’ll want more time. It blends the best of Mediterranean recreation–cafes and good food, boating and beaches with significant history and architecture.
Given its key location, Malta has been a strategic port for lots of powers in the past. It was occupied by the Phoenicians, Moors, Romans, Normans, French and British and the Knights of St. John–to name a few. There are many museums and historical attractions filled to the brim with information and artefacts ranging from antiquity to WW2. I don’t think I’ve ever seen as many mannequins dressed up as knights and soldiers from history, and some were in desperate need of a wash. And there are dozens of cannons on display everywhere. At first, my nine year old was in awe of them, ecstatic that he could touch them and even sit on them. By the end of the week, he was declaring: “Oh look, it’s another cannon.”
What never got old for me was looking at the water. Its colour changed constantly but always remaining in the hue of remarkable blues, greens or azure. Very seductive!
Highlights for us included Valletta and its three harbours filled with what I thought were large building but in fact were cruise ships. The Blue Lagoon, PopEye Theme Park (based around the set from the 1980 Robin Williams movie), and the Megalithic Temples in addition to visiting the many historical museums and attractions.
Also, the food. The food was great. Lots of Sicilian and Northern African influences. Nice people too.
Two take aways, as in what I’d do differently:
- The Mediterranean was not the bathtub I was hoping for. The water was really too cold for proper play, and the pool at the villa was not heated and therefore too cold for swimming. April was too early in the year for one of the recreations we were most looking forward too. Next time, September or October when the crowds dwindle and the water remains warm for a spell.
- We stayed in Mellieha. I would stay in one of the more built up cities or tourist spots like St. Paul’s Bay or Valletta. It’s a surprise because I always steer away from the crowds and the tourists camps and nothing is very far away in Malta. But…home was a rural community in Ireland and I didn’t realise, at the time of booking, how much I was missing the buzz of a city scape. If the water had been warmer, I might not have noticed as Mellieha has a wonderful beach and I would have spent more time swimming.
Architecture
Waterfronts and Countryside
Valletta
Whimspherical 