I've been wanting to write a travel blog about our trip to Malta for some time now. However, my laziness has been holding me back until today when I finally stopped procrastinating and started jotting it down.
Malta was our first trip to Europe with the twin boys. After their great success in the 11-plus exams, we decided to take a well-deserved break and utilize the holiday period of December. We booked Malta as one of our friends had also planned the same location which made our holiday search easier.
Here are some facts about Malta and why it's a popular holiday destination:
Malta is a small island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily, Italy, covering an area of 316 square km.
Malta has a population of 515,000 people (in 2020). The island nation is in the top 10 of the most densely populated countries in the world.
Malta has a rich and diverse history, with influences from the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, and British. As a result, the country has a unique cultural blend of European and North African flavors.
Malta is famous for its warm and sunny weather, with mild winters and hot summers. The country receives over 300 days of sunshine each year, making it an ideal holiday destination for those seeking a relaxing beach vacation.
Malta has some of the most stunning beaches in Europe, including Golden Bay, Mellieha Bay, and Paradise Bay. These beaches offer crystal-clear waters, golden sand, and breathtaking scenery.
Malta is also known for its ancient architecture, with a rich legacy of megalithic temples, medieval castles, and Baroque churches. Some of the top attractions include the historic city of Valletta, the fortified city of Mdina, and the Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni, an underground necropolis that dates back over 5,000 years.
Malta is a great destination for foodies, with a vibrant culinary scene that blends Mediterranean and North African flavors. Some of the must-try dishes include pastizzi (a type of savory pastry), lampuki (fish pie), and rabbit stew.
Finally, Malta is an affordable holiday destination, with a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses. The country also has excellent public transportation, making it easy to explore all the island has to offer.
Day 1 - 17th Dec 2022:
Our flight was scheduled just after midday, so we left our house at around 10 am. Unfortunately, Satty and our boys were recovering from the flu and I still had a fever. But with the power of painkillers, we managed to make it to the airport. We had our lunch at the airport and waited for our scheduled flight. As expected, our budget-friendly EasyJet flight was fully booked.
Arrived at Malta airport in the evening around 6 pm. We had already booked a taxi to our accommodation at Raddison Blu Golden Sands. Surprisingly, our taxi driver was from Kerala and was working in Malta through a Kerala man-managed agency. He drove us to our hotel in a 16-seat minivan. It was an interesting experience chatting with him about Malta and places to visit.
Finally, we reached our hotel around 8 pm, where we were greeted warmly by the hotel staff, yet another Indian guy. The hotel was located on the northwest coast of the island, with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. We were given a spacious room with all the amenities, including a balcony with an amazing sea view. As it was night, we couldn’t explore the hotel or its surroundings. However, we enjoyed the cool sea breeze from our balcony and the sound of waves crashing on the shore.
Later that evening, we had our dinner at the hotel's restaurant, which served delicious Indian cuisine. The food was fresh, flavorful, and reasonably priced. After dinner, we retired to our room, exhausted but content with the first day of our Malta trip.
Overall, it was a great start to our Malta trip.
Day 2 - 18th Dec 2022
After a good night's sleep, we woke up early to enjoy the beautiful morning view from our balcony. We then headed down to the hotel's restaurant for a buffet breakfast, which had a wide range of options to choose from.
After breakfast, we decided to explore the hotel's amenities and the private beach. The kids were thrilled to play in the sand and build sandcastles while we soaked up the sun and took some much-needed vitamin D. Later, we enjoyed the hotel's slightly cold lagoon pool but then moved into the indoor swimming pool, which was perfect when we wanted a relaxing break.
For lunch, we headed to the hotel's supermarket and picked up some light snacks. We then spent some time in our room watching tv and playing table tennis at the hotel. I also enjoyed the relaxing spa after a very long time. It was also the day of the World Cup final in 2022. It was an exciting match, and we were rooting for Argentina, while most others in the restaurant were cheering for France.
In the evening, we decided to have dinner at the hotel's restaurant and watch the match there. We were pleased to find out that they were telecasting the final match. The restaurant had a great atmosphere, and the food was delicious as always. It was a great way to spend the evening, enjoying good food and cheering for our team.
Overall, it was a relaxed and enjoyable day spent at the hotel. We were looking forward to exploring more of the island in the coming days.
Day 3 - 19th Dec 2022
On day 3 of our Malta adventure, we decided to explore both Valletta and the ancient fortified city of Mdina. We hopped onto the hop-on-hop-off bus service to reach Valletta, which allowed us to take in the beautiful views of the island.
Once we arrived in Valletta, we roamed around busy streets and also spotted Mc Donalds where boys wanted to have some food but we stayed away from it. We also took a quick look at Malta's small parliament and observed the hustle and bustle of the busy streets.
We then decided to explore the Christmas fair that was taking place in Valletta at that time. The fair had a variety of stalls selling handmade gifts, delicious food and drinks, and festive decorations. The atmosphere was truly magical, and we felt the holiday spirit all around us.
For lunch, we stopped at an Indian food stall and indulged in some delicious Indian food in Malta. We then continued to explore Valletta's charming streets, admiring the stunning architecture and picturesque alleyways while waiting for the hop-on-hop-off bus service to visit Mdina.
Unfortunately, the journey took longer than we had anticipated, and we ended up wasting around 2 hours sitting on the bus and taking longer routes to Mdina which would have been lesser than 30mins on a direct journey. When we arrived in the city, it was already late in the evening.
Despite the long journey, we were not disappointed with our visit to Mdina. The city's architecture and history were genuinely captivating. We spent some time walking through the narrow streets, admiring the stunning limestone buildings and the impressive gates.
We then headed to one of the local cafes and indulged in some delicious crepes while enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The atmosphere in Mdina was very calm and serene, which was a welcome change from the busy streets of Valletta.
As the evening drew to a close, we made our way back to the hop-on-hop-off bus stop and headed back to our accommodation at the Radisson Blu Golden Sands.
Overall, the bus journey was longer than we had anticipated, and felt cheated by the hop-on-hop-off service and felt not so worth the money. However, we enjoyed the must-see places of Malta.
Day 4 - 20th Dec
On this day, we had plans to meet up with some friends in the afternoon who were also on vacation in Malta. We decided to explore the Golden Sands' picturesque hike path in the morning, which was located near our hotel, Radisson Blu Golden Sands.
The hike started at the Golden Bay beach and took us along the rugged coastline of Malta, with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. The trail was a bit steep in some areas, but we were able to cover the 7km distance, with some stops for pictures of the breathtaking scenery.
As we hiked further, we encountered interesting flora and fauna unique to Malta, including wildflowers, carob trees, and lizards. The highlight of the hike was reaching the top of the hill, where we were rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the island, including the neighboring islands of Comino and Gozo.
Along the way, we even met a mother and daughter who happened to be from our hometown of Windsor. It was great to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences.
After the hike, we took a cab to Popeye Village, a small theme park and film set from the 1980s movie Popeye. Our boys were thrilled to meet up with their friends in the village and spent a great time together.
We also enjoyed the Christmas trail which was nice and participated in a few activities that were happening in the village. After sunset, we booked an Uber to take us back to our hotel. It was a wonderful day spent with friends and hiking in Malta nature.
Day 5 - 21st Dec
It was our last day in Malta, and decided to visit the beautiful island of Gozo. We booked a jeep safari tour through an agency located at our hotel. We reached the harbor via a taxi service and waited for our ship to arrive. Unfortunately, our tour operator was not present, which caused some confusion. However, after asking around, we boarded the ship and found our agents waiting for us when we disembarked.
We were joined on the tour by a German father and daughter duo, with whom we enjoyed spending the day. We visited several places on Gozo Island, including the church that was visited by the Pope, the stunning Ramla Bay, and the salt granaries. The scenery was breathtaking, and we took many photos to remember our trip.
After a full day of exploring, we returned to the ship. After a sea journey, a taxi took us back to our accommodation. It was a great way to end our trip to Malta, and we were grateful for the opportunity to visit such a beautiful and historic place.
I must include something more about Ramla Bay:
Ramla Bay is a picturesque beach located in the northern part of the island of Gozo, Malta. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in Malta, with its red-golden sand, clear turquoise waters, and stunning natural surroundings. The beach is named after the Roman goddess of love, Venus, and the sand is said to be colored by her hair as she was believed to have washed it on this beach.
Apart from the beach, Ramla Bay is also home to a number of historical and cultural sites. One such site is Calypso Cave, a natural cave that is believed to be the one mentioned in Homer's Odyssey. According to legend, this is the place where the nymph Calypso kept Odysseus captive for seven years.
Another interesting site is the nearby Xaghra Stone Circle, a prehistoric temple complex that dates back to the Bronze Age. The site consists of a series of standing stones arranged in a circular formation.
Overall, Ramla Bay is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Malta. With its stunning natural beauty, clear waters, and rich history, it is sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors.
One of the most famous churches in Gozo is the Our Lady of Ta' Pinu Basilica. This church is known for its stunning architecture and beautiful location, as it sits on a hill overlooking the countryside and sea. The Basilica is a popular pilgrimage site and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Legend has it that in 1883, a peasant woman heard the voice of the Virgin Mary at the site of the church, which was just a small chapel at the time. The chapel was later expanded into the current basilica, which was completed in 1931. The interior of the church is adorned with beautiful mosaics and stained glass windows, and visitors can also see the small chapel where the Virgin Mary was said to have appeared. Many visitors to Gozo make a point to visit this iconic church, which is not only a place of worship but also a testament to the rich history and culture of the island.
We also visited Another notable site on Gozo island the Ggantija temples, a prehistoric site that is believed to be one of the oldest free-standing structures in the world, predating the Egyptian pyramids.
Day 6 - 22nd Dec
Departure day, left the hotel after breakfast to the airport and flew from Malta to Gatwick Airport, struggled to find the bus route to the long-stay car park, but finally reached the car park and drove back home.
As we drove back, we reminisced about our wonderful time in Malta, exploring its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. We talked about the amazing views from the Golden Sands hike and the fun time our kids had playing with their friends. We also made plans to come back again and explore more of Malta, especially the places we had missed this time around.
Despite the long journey back, we felt relaxed and rejuvenated, thanks to the wonderful time we had spent in Malta. As we reached home, we unpacked our bags and settled back into our routine, feeling grateful for the memories we had made on this wonderful trip.
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