Dana
100+ Posts
Just returned from four days in Malta- I hadn't been back since 1980, when we took the ferry from Catania and it had only recently declared its independence from Britain, and had sent the Royal Navy packing. Its reputation then was as a low cost sun and sea package resort for Brits, competing neck and neck with the likes of Torremolinos and Lloret del Mar in sea.
Not surprisingly, it's changed dramatically, and although much more built up and crisscrossed with new roads thanks to the EU, mostly for the better. Valletta the capital, built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century is a golden limestone gem and getting a huge facelift for its upcoming role as European Capital of Culture; the food and wine are much better as Maltese cuisine is rediscovering its roots; there are over a dozen extraordinary Neolithic temples— the oldest free standing buildings in Europe (used to be the oldest in the world, until the discovery of Gobekli Tepe in Turkey), you can swim with the tuna, and the Maltese are a delight and speak English. And on the new fast ferries from Pozzallo, on the south tip of Sicily, it's less than two hours away.
Here are some pics- views of Valletta Grand Harbour from the Upper Barraka gardens; Gigantia, the oldest Maltese temple, on the island of Gozo; a typical street scene in Valletta; the Blue Grotto on the north coast; and lastly 'Sweet Haven' where they shot Popeye with Robin Williams, back in 1979. They've shot countless films on Malta, but this is the only set that has survived.
Not surprisingly, it's changed dramatically, and although much more built up and crisscrossed with new roads thanks to the EU, mostly for the better. Valletta the capital, built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century is a golden limestone gem and getting a huge facelift for its upcoming role as European Capital of Culture; the food and wine are much better as Maltese cuisine is rediscovering its roots; there are over a dozen extraordinary Neolithic temples— the oldest free standing buildings in Europe (used to be the oldest in the world, until the discovery of Gobekli Tepe in Turkey), you can swim with the tuna, and the Maltese are a delight and speak English. And on the new fast ferries from Pozzallo, on the south tip of Sicily, it's less than two hours away.
Here are some pics- views of Valletta Grand Harbour from the Upper Barraka gardens; Gigantia, the oldest Maltese temple, on the island of Gozo; a typical street scene in Valletta; the Blue Grotto on the north coast; and lastly 'Sweet Haven' where they shot Popeye with Robin Williams, back in 1979. They've shot countless films on Malta, but this is the only set that has survived.