Malta

[Spinney]

If you're on soft drinks, there's a rather good kind of 'bitter orange' drink called Kinnie. Give it a try if you go!

 

[vickster]

If you're on soft drinks, there's a rather good kind of 'bitter orange' drink called Kinnie. Give it a try if you go!

I might be, the others won't!

 

[Andy_R]

[QUOTE 4134047, member: 9609"]there is no comparison whatsoever to be made between those two at all. And it is not only far more than a small percentage, but it is widely supported by the maltesse government and police who refuse to enact the eurpoean laws designed to protect the birdlife.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxfbVBfZ-NQ

It is a horrible little island that delights in destroying migrating birds[/QUOTE]
The other side of your story

The police do not refuse to act, and the government doesnt turn a blind eye. There is a dedicated task force against illegal hunting, and strict quotas are in place.

 

[CaadX]

M-I-L used to live their so had to go more than I would of liked. Hated the place, apparently its the densest populated area in Europe ,it felt like it too.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I might be, the others won't!

Just tell them it is a great hangover cure!!

 

[Drago]

It just felt dirty and unkempt to me, like no one could be bothered. If I fancied that for a holiday I could get a bus into Northampton for £1.

 

[Roadhump]

I had always wanted to go but never got round to it. Then in 2012, me and my wife went in September. When we were travelling from the airport to our hotel in Sliema we wondered what we had done as much of the island looked like a building site. But we got to love the place. Valletta is an amazing place, although the locals trying to get you to take a trip in their pony and trap are a bit annoying. There is so much history and if you want a bit of typical holiday sun and drunkenness you can have that as well, although as people have said, there aren't any decent beaches, not in the south where we were anyway. I can understand the marmite issue though.

The weather is usually very hot, but occasionally they get battered by a crazy storm and that happened when we were there, it was quite frightening and a few of the locals thought it was the apocalypse. The Youtube link below was filmed during and after the storm when we were there, there are quite a few more as well.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuW1KZLgSUU

 

[gbb]

I always have this mental image that it will be a bit like Gibraltar - Full of slightly offensive and nauseating wannabe Brits with Union flags everywhere.

Not at all when i was there. I suspect it appeals to a slightly older generation, (like me) who just want a quiet week somewhere different.
TBF, we stayed in Sliema. Yes the roads are poor, it is not a quality resort but for a weeks relaxing, walking etc...it did just enough for me.

Sounds subjective as suggested, just struggling to think of somewhere else that ticks the sunshine and sightseeing boxes, that none of us have been to before. Quite widely travelled as a group!

Theres a museum in Valetta, possibly the best one ive ever visited, lots of crusader relics, armour and weaponry, amazing to see the quality of relics made possiby in the 1500s.
Mosta church, amazing.

 

[Dave7]

My advice is............do it. Possibly the best holiday we ever had was there. Admittedly the hotel was a major factor but we loved the island. Before we went we realised it was going to be a Marmite holiday but we really enjoyed it.
History...............both modern & old are there. Visit the catacombs if possible. Take a 1/2 day or full day boat trip around the island........the commentary is very enlightening. Take a bus trip..........quite scary as the busses are so old and the drivers are crazy. Do Mdina (the silent city). Do some snorkelling or scuba diving if possible...........the water is so clear (or do one of those submarine trips which are good).
As others have said........when you arrive it looks like a tip and everything is botched up but go with the attitude of getting the best out of it and you will have lots of good memories.

 

[Levo-Lon]

My mate goes for the scuba diving..loves it..my sister loved it..
ive not been but the people i know who rate it would like what i like..
i like English freindly places..

 

[Spinney]

I had always wanted to go but never got round to it. Then in 2012, me and my wife went in September. When we were travelling from the airport to our hotel in Sliema we wondered what we had done as much of the island looked like a building site. But we got to love the place. Valletta is an amazing place, although the locals trying to get you to take a trip in their pony and trap are a bit annoying. There is so much history and if you want a bit of typical holiday sun and drunkenness you can have that as well, although as people have said, there aren't any decent beaches, not in the south where we were anyway. I can understand the marmite issue though.

The weather is usually very hot, but occasionally they get battered by a crazy storm and that happened when we were there, it was quite frightening and a few of the locals thought it was the apocalypse. The Youtube link below was filmed during and after the storm when we were there, there are quite a few more as well.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuW1KZLgSUU

Yup - happened every autumn when we were there. We used to reckon all the drains etc got blocked with rubbish etc during the summer, so the first good rain storm of the autumn flooded and then washed them clear.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Nobody has mentioned Anchor Bay yet, where the Popeye film was shot

 

[fossyant]

So are most holiday destinations in Europe

Nope, Malta tops the lot. Stuff not finished, been there years. There is a lot of history, but far too many places like a building site and walking round is a challenge. I went twice as a kid and as an adult with my wife, never again.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Went about 15 years ago, very nice place. Some magnificent churches, quite incredible really, and Caravaggio's, always a bonus. Some decent restaurants too. We also went to Gozo and a hired a guy with a big merc for the day who took us everywhere, he wasn't expensive, knew the area and gave us the time at each place to explore.

 

[Shadow]

Go. It will be warmer than Sutton.
Don't ride a bike unless you are extremely confident or Superwoman. I would even suggest not driving.
I was underwhelmed by Mdina, unlike others here - but seeing original Albrecht Durers was fascinating.
Totally, totally overwhelmed by seeing original Caravaggios - worth going just for that, IMO.
Old buses have disappeared, sadly, but probably for the better. Very cheap buses - have right change ready, bus drivers do not give change.
We stayed in an hotel very near San Anton gardens - Imperial Palace, I think. OK but some rooms are much better than others apparently.
Overall, outstanding value and worth a visit. Read a little background history first.
And bizarrely, they make good wine on Malta, highly recommended. Bizarre because I did not see one vine and there does seem to be a shortage of agricultural land, it is a small island.