Goin' to Malta, cha cha cha!
 

Okay, I don't know where the cha cha cha came from, but it's a pleasant thing to contemplate before I bury myself again in paperwork and computer work.

I'm going for a week in October, and plan on Gozo for a day (organized) trip, a visit to the Hypogeum (with early reservations), the Lascaris War Rooms, and Mdina; I'm staying at the Castille in Valletta, so of course I'll be touring all of that city. What would you add to this list of "musts"? Any other advice on Malta? I know it's not a lushy plushy green island, but I'm going for the history.

Of course a week is never long enough, but that's all the fall break I've got!

You have mentioned Mdina, but don't forget nearby Rabat. In particular, I would suggest St Paul's or St Agatha's Catacombs is definitely worth a look.

The Tarxien Temples are near the Hypogeum so you may want to combine seeing these in one trip from Valletta.

If you're in the area, I would also say that it's worth stopping off at Mosta to have a look at the Mosta Rontunda with Europe's fourth largest dome which was bombed during WW2.

That's it off the top of my head. If I think of anything else I'll let you know.

Have a great time!

Thanks, Dave! (I likes a good catacomb, I do.) I'm guessing Mdina/Rabat can be comfortably done in one day?

It's less than a month away now...yay!

Yes Mdina and Rabat are an easy day trip from Valletta - I hope your planning a few trips on Malta's legendary buses?

You can walk between Mdina and Rabat very easily, they are relatively small places and just merge into one another. Surprisingly they do have a different feel and atmosphere from each other.

Amy -
My friend is an avid world traveler and history buff and he spoke highly of his visit to Malta. I'm sure you will enjoy it. If I see him soon, I will see if there is any information I could pass on that you might not pick up otherwise. Didn't Matt Damon just film a movie there? I would be looking for him in case he is still around! Ha! Have a great trip!

Don't forget to buy some Mdina glass. You'll find a nice collection. I bought a "perfume bottle" that reminds me of the color of the Mediterranean and the sandy color of all the buildings on Malta. The color of the Med in that area is unlike any color I've seen anywhere else. Thus, the Mdina glass done in that color is a great souvenir!
I think the beaches are pebbles, not sand??? I was in Malta on a Med cruise and did not opt to go to the beach but those who did commented on the fact that it wasn't sand. (?) Did I hear them right, anyone else?
Carol

I hope your tour to Gozo includes the Ggantija temples -- the oldest free-standing structures built by man. We were very impressed by them and awed by the engineering feat that building them entailed!
Have a good time -- Annette

I saty at Hotel Castille about one week this spring, it is really excellent located. Nearby Tourist Centre offers bus timestable,most useful.

After visiting Hypogeum, you could follow the sign,walk (less than 10 minutes)to Tarxien Temples-very intersting. Afterwards,there is bus stop nearby, take you to Marsaxlokk(about 15 minutes bus ride). It is a lovely fishing village with colourful wooden fishing boats, cheap and very good seafood.

In spring, Malta is lushly green covered with wild floweres. it shall be quite nice in October too. If you enjoy walking,there are some nice walks along the east coast near Mgarr-very drastic seashore sceneries. Nearby is a nice cafe/restaurant overseeing the sea. you could combine the walk with a visit stop at Mosta,it is on the same busline.

Mdina and Rabat are next to each other. The silent city is quite impressive. In Rabat, if you could walk out of the town a little,the Dominican Monastery is serenely beautiful.

Thanks, everyone! This is sounding more wowzer by the post: cool buses, Matt Damon, glass to buy, temples, and walks.

JudyC, I was told that the Castille's rooms are really small--what are your thoughts? It doesn't really matter to me; I've stayed in rooms too small to swing a cat in (not that I tried) and big ol' suites, and all that really matters to me is a good clean place to sleep after being out all day!

Our room at The Castile was quite large and the bath was downright enormous. I can't say a whole lot for the decor -- the chairs in the bedroom were the Walmart $5.99 plastic variety. But the views from the room (which was on a corner and had three windows) were wonderful. And the staff couldn't have been nicer. The place was clean and the bed was comfortable -- but the place won't win any decorating awards.

Amy,I stayed at Castille twice,both single rooms were nice and clean,not small at all. If I rememeber correctly, the one on the fourth floor,at the corner, facing the bay was nicer and more spacious.

But, I am afraid my requirements about hotel rooms are not too much, as long as ensuite,bright and clean,it is fine for me.

BTW,Mgarr shall be on west coast, not east.

The Castille sounds like it will be fine for me! Clean and in a good location....what else do you need? :)

I will definitely try the Mgarr area walks; one of my favorite memories of Portugal was the cliffside walks. I think I need more than one week!

The Castille's rooms won't be featured in any Architectural mag soon but they are quite suitable & the staff most accomodating. One
caveat tho: The rooftop restaurant
for breakfast is just ok but abysmal for dinner. Try the Cellar for pizza
if you need a fast dinner

ha ha ha! I knew this was your post! ar ar Go to Marsaxlokk (sp) and hire a fisherman to take you out in his boat (if you're really brave! ar ar). Have fun!! We were there last Oct and loved it! :)

Malta, is a very enchanting island, steeped in history, and heavily bombed during The War. The Island is, however, on the up - a new marina, complete with Sunseekers, and a fantastic mixed used development, with commercial (restaurants and shops in this case) and residential dwellings (studios, apartments and penthouses) at Porto Maso is the first stage in the regenerative process.

It is still relatively uncommercialised in many parts though, and as a results retains an almost shabby chic charm which creates such a warm welcoming atmosphere about the place.

Nightclubs are not of a high quality sort one would find in London, and as a result are best avoided. A rather grandiose casino, even by UK standards sits in the grounds of the excellent Westin St. Julians. If you want a good bar, the casino has a good one, and the Westin and other deluxe properties will mix you a great drink.

I would reccomend hiring a car to get around - the roads are of a poor standard, but this is just part of the character of the place. Places are usually well signposted, so if you briefly consult a map before your journey, you will end up in the right place eventually. The buses are 50s/60s vintage, again part of the character, and will take you all over the island. However, a car still remains the best form of transport - always is anywhere in the world!

Have a good trip, and hope you leave with a favourable impression of the old place!

Hey Amy! I may have mentioned this (or my trip report did), but we really liked Mnajdra (sp) and the other temple on the coast opposite of Valletta. I really liked Tarxien, too. I can't wait to hear about the Hypogeum! We wanted to go but couldn't get reservations.

One more thing...the catacombs in Rabat are way cool. You can just wander around and get lost. When we were there, no one else was, and it was sorta creepy and cool, and we thought we were getting lost. Sorry, I don't remember the names! One place lets you wander and another we went to (which was really really cool) took us on a tour.

Hmmm, Peepster, what gave me away? (hee hee)
Thanks again to all; it looks as if I've got quite enough to keep me busy; the nightclub stuff was never on my agenda, anyway, but thanks for the warning, m kingdom; usually by the time I've rambled about all day and had a late dinner, I'm ready to turn in and do exciting things like catching up on my journal.

Now, back to the never-ending papers!

Cha...cha...cha ... hoping you're going to post a trip report upon your return. And wasn't it Brad Pitt who was filming the movie TROY in Malta recently? ENJOY!!