who has been to Malta recently?
Discussion
1989? You didn't hand a packed suitcase to a shifty looking Libyan gentleman in dodgy shades by any chance? 
I was there for a week in 2001, and it was good fun but the driving is a bit homicidal for my tastes. Lots of history there, and plenty of english spoken. I'd steer cleer of anywhere advertising all-day breakfasts though, I didn't and it was a bit rubbish(and reminiscent of 'english' cafes and pubs in Spain).
I was there for a week in 2001, and it was good fun but the driving is a bit homicidal for my tastes. Lots of history there, and plenty of english spoken. I'd steer cleer of anywhere advertising all-day breakfasts though, I didn't and it was a bit rubbish(and reminiscent of 'english' cafes and pubs in Spain).
I had a Villa in Mellieha until recently, been going there for the last twenty five years and know the Island pretty well.
Plenty of info on Google,... pm me if you need to.
The main changes since '89 are they have adopted the Euro and the infastructure is much better, the roads, at least some the main roads are up to UK standards and many of the old 50's buses are being replaced by modern ones...(unfortunately)
Food is roughly the same price as the UK, bus travel is still cheap, overall a nice place to go for a holiday.
The best beaches are in the North at Golden Bay and Mellieha.
Always allow time for at least a day trip over to Gozo...(30 minute trip by Ferry.)
Plenty of info on Google,... pm me if you need to.
The main changes since '89 are they have adopted the Euro and the infastructure is much better, the roads, at least some the main roads are up to UK standards and many of the old 50's buses are being replaced by modern ones...(unfortunately)
Food is roughly the same price as the UK, bus travel is still cheap, overall a nice place to go for a holiday.
The best beaches are in the North at Golden Bay and Mellieha.
Always allow time for at least a day trip over to Gozo...(30 minute trip by Ferry.)
.Mark said:
hidetheelephants said:
...and it was good fun but the driving is a bit homicidal for my tastes...
It's easy, you just remember the local rules. Always drive in the shade 
hidetheelephants said:
.Mark said:
hidetheelephants said:
...and it was good fun but the driving is a bit homicidal for my tastes...
It's easy, you just remember the local rules. Always drive in the shade 
We went about a year ago (when the volcanic ash crisis developed!). It is alright, but not that much to see and do. Valetta is pretty, if crumbling, and the old town Mdina is worth a visit, but otherwise it doesn't have anything unique to offer - so a week absolute max is all you need.
All the UK shops, red post/phone boxes, and RHD cars make it just like a mediterranean version of the UK!
We used the buses. They really belch out the smog, and on one the whole floor was flexing and moving separately to the sides!
All the UK shops, red post/phone boxes, and RHD cars make it just like a mediterranean version of the UK!
We used the buses. They really belch out the smog, and on one the whole floor was flexing and moving separately to the sides!
Edited by Hub on Friday 1st April 18:48
Hub said:
...but otherwise it doesn't have anything unique to offer - so a week absolute max is all you need.
You've got to be kidding? Depends on what you like I suppose but there are some pretty old tombs and temples, that make the pyramids look positively modern. The place is full of history, I'd say if it was your bag you'd easily fill 2 weeks.GarryA said:
Save money by going to an old peoples home and ask them to turn the heating up to max.
My gf has recently started a year-long conservation internship over there, which is brilliant for me since I can fly fairly cheaply with Ryanair direct from Bristol, literally just popped over for a couple of days off and got back today.
There does seem to be somewhat of a preponderance of leathery UK geriatric expats of the DM-reading type.
The buses are awesome, rolling history, very frequent and cheap. The roads are all quite slippy with melted rubber coating too so you'll hear cars squealing over the place, next time I'll hire a go-kart!
I can't see a great amount to do really, went to Mdina which is well worth a visit but hopefully will explore more in coming months.
GarryA said:
Save money by going to an old peoples home and ask them to turn the heating up to max.
That's quite wrong. I visit Malta 8-9 times a year. Over 80,000 language students (typically aged between 17-25) visit the island each year to learn English (since it's the largest English language centre in Europe for all nationalities).There is so much history in Malta it's amazing. Price for eating are typically €6-8 for very good pizza/pasta, €9-€15 for a bottle of nice wine in a restaurant, €3 for 0.5l of good beer. Lots of fabulous bars & restaurants of all types and cuisines.
Diving is fatastic, the best in the Med. Loads of wrecks and caves to explore and the largest wreck in the Med on the south of the island (an ex-Tunisian tanker). 60,000 come to Malta each year for the diving alone.
What it isn't is a Greek or Spanish island which typcally have no history or anything of real interest since most of that is on their mainlands. Malta is its own mainland, everything is there
The languages are Maltese, Italian & English.
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