Il-Bizzilla December 2015 - Issue 36

The Air Malta In-flight magazine

DECEMBER 2015 issue 36 local • LIFESTYLE • food & drink • business • EVENTS

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Issue 36

Contents

DECEMBER 15

LOCAL p. 10 ..... malta & gozo in numbers Facts and figures about the Maltese Islands.

p. 24 ..... Reptile Island Might not seem obvious, but you’re never far from a reptile in Malta!

p. 36 ..... high Flying Dentistry Malta is fast becoming a popular destination for those seeking professional dentistry services and a holiday away.

p. 47 ..... Introducing: The Ranch There’s a new band in town - here’s all you need to know about it.

p. 52 .....Exploring the Islands Fancy discovering the islands? Here’s what to look out for.

FOOD & DRINK

EVENTS

p. 46 ..... Christmas is always wonderful With flashing lights strung across streets as early as November, old habits and several of the more simple things remain.

p.30 ..... Out and About

A more traditional take on Christmas celebrations in Malta

p. 74 ..... A Cathedral Built by a Queen

p. 81 ..... Restaurant & bar Guide

p. 32 ..... What’s Happening in Malta

St Paul’s Cathedral is one of Valletta’s most distinctive buildings

Thinking about eating out? Here are this month's picks of top local bars and restaurants.

A roundup of events happening in Malta and Gozo during the month of November.

p.66 ..... Christmas Cribs in Malta

Here’s what’s been going on, who’s been seen, and where they’ve been spotted.

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LIFESTYLE p. 12 ..... It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

AIR MALTA

Christmas is round the corner and this is how it’s celebrated locally.

p. 16 ..... Riding the Pipe at the Winter Olympics Jenise Spiteri is a professional snowboarder aiming to represent Malta in the women’s Winter Olympics of 2018!

p. 85 ..... air malta news

p. 38 ..... The Vibrant City of Zurich

p. 89 ..... interview

Zurich is not just one of the world’s top financial hubs, it has regularly been voted the city with the best quality of life and is the wealthiest city in Europe

p. 92 ..... inflight information

p. 70 ..... 7 Christmas Markets with a Twist Discover some of the world’s most weird and wonderful Christmas markets!

p. 78 .....All I want for Xmas Have you ever felt as though Christmas has become a death trap you are no longer sure you are able to handle?

Air Malta assists The Malta Community Chest Fund. il-Bizzilla talks to Walter Cherrett, Air Malta Ramp Supervisor.

All you need to know about flying with Air Malta.

BUSINESS

p. 94 ..... destination information Planning a trip? Take a look at all of Air Malta's flight routes and code-sharing routes here.

p. 62 .....Business Roundup

p. 96 ..... electronic device information

What’s been going on in the business scene around the Maltese islands.

All the info you need with regards to phone, laptop and tablet usage onboard.

w w w. h o q . c o m . m t BECAUSE YOUR HOME M AT T E R S

DESIGNER FINISHED, DETACHED VILLA WITH BEAUTIFUL VALLEY VIEWS REF: 507203

l

€1,090,000

l

MELLIEHA

Amazing designer finished DETACHED VILLA (approx. 800sqm) surrounded by great large terraces and gardens with beautiful views of the valley. Property enjoys a spacious reception leading into a combined large living/dining area, large designer kitchen and breakfast room, 3 double bedrooms all with en suite bath and showers, guest toilet, street level garage, pool, BBQ area, 3 storage rooms and solar heaters. This property also boasts a master bedroom penthouse level with its own bathroom. Complementing this villa is a 2 bedroom highly finished fully air-conditioned flatlet having a modern kitchen including appliances, open plan dining/living area, main bathroom and patio. A truly beautiful exciting home.

METICULIOUSLY CONVERTED HOUSE OF CHARACTER BRIMMING WITH ORIGINAL FEATURES REF: 033381

l €1,100,000 l

QORMI

Lovingly converted, very spacious HOUSE OF CHARACTER, located in the heart of Qormi and offering a multitude of traditional features, whilst at the same time having been converted to the highest of standards. Energy efficiency was a key element in the design of this house with most apertures finished in top quality double glazing, insulated ceilings, around 20 PVC cells for electricity generation, solar water heating used for water supply of house and also for heating the floors of the house and the pool. One enters the house through a lovely old arched ‘remissa’ entrance leading onto a bright courtyard. The main accommodation comprises a large fully fitted kitchen and breakfast room with pantry, guest toilet, arched living and dining room, arched cellar followed by an old war shelter, a second cellar and a beautiful old mill room converted into a second living room. Upstairs there are 4/5 bedrooms 3 of which are en suite, dressing room off the main bedroom, separate bathroom, laundry room and spacious study. Also included is a large one 2 car street level garage a few meters away. Freehold.

Through Homes of Quality, we find great satisfaction in providing a uniquely personal property service to clients, both local and overseas. As part of Frank Salt Real Estate Group we have access to perhaps the largest property and client database in the Maltese Islands, while operating independently to facilitate the extremely high level of personal interface with clients. At Homes of Quality we are equally proud of the smallest designer apartment as a grand palazzo… the defining factor which ensures that a property is to be found on our listings is quite simply… quality!

Grahame Salt Director

Недвижимость, проживание и бизнес на Мальте. Сервисная поддержка от А до Я. Мы говорим по-русски! Звоните нам (+356) 2342 1645

Homes of Quality, 201, Tower Road, Sliema Tel: +356 2342 0000 UK Tel: +44 (0) 871 711 8994 Mob: +356 9947 4340 Email: info@hoq.com.mt

MADLIENA Villa

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€1,200,000 Ref 20765

Meet the Team

The Air Malta In-flight magazine

DECEMBER 2015 issue 36 local • LIFESTYLE • food & drink • business • EVENTS

Editorial and Sales Content Factory Executive Editor Dana Bonello

A beautiful semi-detached 550 sqm VILLA, in this very sought-after villa area, set on a square layout, comprising a welcoming entrance hall, combined sitting and dining room, spacious fully-fitted kitchen and living area, and garden with pool / entertaining area, 3 double bedrooms (main with en-suite) leading to a sunny terrace, and a main bathroom.

SALES AND Project Coordinator Renata Vella Design TBWA\ANG Art Director Jeff Fabri Designer Berthrand Pisani Contributors Grahame Salt Helen Raine Henley & Partners Jean Paul Demajo Marie Benoit Melanie Vella

Microsoft Malta Ricky Vella Rufus Dunbar Steve Hili Veronica Stivala ON THE Cover Christmas Wreath

by Dave Esmonde-White

This beautiful property also enjoys an independent 2 bedroomed flatlet, 2-car garage at street level, and a 4-car drive way. A wonderful family home that must be seen.

SENGLEA House of Character

€575,000 Ref 19957

Photography Mark Cassar Greg DeCosta Mike Flaherty

Would you like to be featured on il-Bizzilla?

For advertising opportunities and restaurant listings, get in touch with Renata on (+356) 2142 4924 or renata@contentfactory.com.mt

A very historically located, 350-year-old HOUSE OF CHARACTER enjoying breathtaking harbour views, restored by a well-known Italian Designer and enjoying high ceilings, wooden beams, old Maltese stone walls, living room, designer kitchen with all appliances, massive dining room, 2 enormous bedrooms (one with en-suite facilities), main bathrooms, box room, stocked wine cellar, panoramic roof with BBQ. Property is fully air-conditioned and includes numerous extras.

For anything related to editorial or photography, contact Dana on

Viewing highly recommended.

dana@contentfactory.com.mt

The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights with regards to copyright. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or copied by any means without the written consent of the publisher.

Editorial features and opinions expressed in il-Bizzilla do not necessarily reflect the views of Air Malta, the publisher, or the editorial team. Both Air Malta and the Publisher do not accept responsibility for commercial and advertising content.

Although the authors and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this magazine was

GZIRA | ST JULIAN’S | VALLETTA | NAXXAR

correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

Special thanks to the Malta Tourism Authority and Air Malta for the provision of photographic material. Printed in Malta by VelPrint Ltd. All magazine rights are reserved by Air Malta PLC.

Tel. +356 2011 8000 / 2014 8000

Email. info@belair.com.mt

FOR A FULL LIST OF PROPERTIES, VISIT > WWW.BELAIR.COM.MT < WE ARE CONFIDENT WE HAVE THE RIGHT PROPERTY FOR YOU!

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dedicated to your success At Bank of Valletta we recognise the true value of building quality relationships with our customers. Everything we do, we do for our customers ... ensuring you receive the best service possible, tailor-made financial solutions, together with excellent customer support and assistance.

your success is our goal

SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS FINANCIAL ADVISORY SERVICES FUND SERVICES LIFE INSURANCE

Bank of Valletta p.l.c. is licensed to conduct Investment Services business by the Malta Financial Services Authority.

Bank of Valletta p.l.c. is an enrolled tied insurance intermediary of MSV Life p.l.c. MSV Life is authorised by the Malta Financial Services Authority to carry on long term business of insurance under the Insurance Business Act 1998.

2131 2020 I bov.com

Issued by Bank of Valletta p.l.c., 58, Triq San Ĺťakkarija, il-Belt Valletta VLT 1130

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From the CEO...

Welcome to Malta! Hello and welcome on board. Thank you for choosing Air Malta!

The Maltese Islands have just hosted two very important international meetings. The Valletta Summit that brought together European and African Heads of State and Government in the beautiful surroundings of Fort St Elmo in an effort to strengthen cooperation in the area of migration. And CHOGM; the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Such meetings and events do not only show Malta’s potential to organise high profile events but also continue carrying on the age old tradition of an island nation that strives to build bridges of cooperation between countries.

Since its inception over 40 years ago, through its flight network, Air Malta has strived to support such events that are intended to foster economic, cultural or tourism related opportunities between countries.

In this edition of our inflight magazine you can read about our revamped website, our customer satisfaction survey and other interesting stories. Customer satisfaction is of the utmost importance to us. We love to hear your feedback and learn what we could do better. Visit www.airmalta.com/wearelistening to answer a few short questions and you can get 10% off your next Air Malta flight.

For more information visit www.airmalta.com and www.facebook.com/AirMalta and join our newsletter mailing list to receive offers directly in your inbox.

Wherever you are flying with us, I hope you have a great flight! I'd also like to wish you a very relaxing Christmas and start to the New Year.

Philip Micallef, CEO Air Malta

From the Editor…

December is an emotional month for many reasons. Predominately because it is defined by the Christmas season (and probably way too much tinsel) but also because it marks the end of the year, bringing together a collection of memories and recollections.

I’m not particularly fond of the Christmas period myself, as you will probably gather by skimming through my latest issue. Not because I have anything against the concept per se, but majorly because of all the expectations it brings.

Nevertheless ‘tis the season to be merry and there’s definitely loads of that going on in Malta for the next month. From festivals, to concerts, parties, and back to pantomimes and other celebrations we’ll be toasting, dancing and twirling right into the New Year without giving it a second thought.

Christmas is literally everywhere and can’t be avoided – that being said, I’ll follow the age-old expression ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ and raise my glass to the several people, organisations and institutions that have made my year somewhat more lively, colourful and sparkly.

And in the same seasonal gusto, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the production of this publication; Steve, Brad and the folks at Air Malta, Renata and the rest of the Content Factory team, our contributors, photographers and advertisers, Jeff and Berth at TBWA\ANG, Vince at Velprint – and of course you dear readers for your constant encouragement and support.

Have a fabulous Christmas; I’ll be back after the New Year!

Dana

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MALTA & GOZO IN NUMBERS

The Maltese Isles

in numbers Passengers carried onboard air malta flights:

It has been said that numbers speak louder than words – we’ve put together a few to give you a better idea of what to expect from our small, yet idyllic, Mediterranean archipelago.

50,754,711 since 1st April 1974

4 2 3

300

ar

423,282 The Current population of the maltese islands

4

The hottest temperature ever recorded

36.6°C

flew the equiva len lta a m

f to

air

44°C

2 8 2

National holidays in Malta each year

The temperature milk needs to be heated to make a traditional ġbejna (cheeselet)

etween Malta nce b and a t s G di

o oz

885

10

of whom are permanent Comino residents

The

unshine eac s of s hy Day e

5 km

times to the moon and back

359

15 minutes

churches in Malta and Gozo

316 km2

The average driving time between one destination and another in Malta

Total area of the Maltese archipelago

A LOOK BACK ON 2015 As the year comes to a close, we look back on 2015 and quickly realise that it’s been an extremely busy year.

Throughout 2015, we invested in more training than usual. In April, we brought Virginia Munden – an international leading real estate and business coach – to Malta. Virginia is an internationally renowned real estate speaker with specialisations in various sectors such as networking, client care platforms, marketing and promotions. We organised a full day training seminar which was wellattended by our associates, coupled with a few associates from overseas. Virginia went through the benefits of a real estate career, all the while instilling core values to drive the attendees to a new level of success.

In June, we setup a new training course for associates who specialise in luxury

e info@remax-malta.com

properties. The idea behind this is to empower our associates to expertly deal with clients and properties of a certain calibre. Due to the nature of this, only a small selection of 18 associates were hand-picked to attend the course, so keep an eye out for our RE/MAX Collection-certified associates!

The highlight of the year was the RE/MAX European Convention in October.

A group of no less than 45 associates flew to the event in Berlin – one of the largest contingents to date. The yearly Convention is organised by RE/MAX Europe and included several high profile speakers, each delivering motivating talks and training sessions. For our associates, it is also a great opportunity to learn more via the various training sessions organised, and network with RE/MAX associates from all over Europe. During the awards presentation, two local RE/ MAX offices took home the awards for the most real estate transactions per office, with RE/MAX Professionals and RE/MAX

f facebook.com/maltarealestateremax

w www.remax-malta.com

Regional office: 76a, Gorg Borg Olivier Street, St. Julian’s STJ 1081, Malta.

Estate Consultants placing 1st and 2nd respectively. When it came to Individual Transactions, all 3 awards were presented to three Maltese associates, namely Jeff Debattista, Lorraine Bonnici and Cherton Caruana placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. This cements the fact that RE/MAX are number one not only locally, but also across Europe.

We are extremely thankful to our associates as, without their drive and determination, this would never have been possible. Our clients are also a major contributor to our success, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks. We would like to convey our very best wishes for the festive season to you all, and may you have a great year in 2016.

+356 9966 3322

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FROM A LOCAL

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

WORDS BY Steve Hili

F

rom the flashing lights that leave two year-olds transfixed and dribbling onto your socks, to the confusing (but never disappointing) gift that your slightly mad Aunty Alice gives you every year. Last year - a fork. Yep. One fork. She gave a spoon to my brother and a tea-spoon to my sister. She is not allowed to handle knives and Maltese Christmases. Well, those are the stuff of legend. Of course midnight mass, the 'presepju' (nativity scene), and massive lunches are all an essential part of the season, but over the years new traditions have starting popping up too.

Like the insanely early Christmas-morning breakfast. Yep. Eggs and bacon at 2am. With tea, coffee and orange juice. Till you remember that it is not really morning yet, and that it would be more appropriate to wash your fry-up downwith some more booze. Especially if there is any mulled wine left.

Going to a show is a tradition too. Pantomime, that beast that we imported from the Brits but have now made our own, is at the very heart of the celebrations. Having been involved in a few, I know that for a large part of the local acting community, Christmas week is an annual ordeal of technical rehearsals till 3am, disastrous dress rehearsals

where everything goes wrong and your director has a heart attack (quite literally in one case) and an enforced 'Secret Santa' tradition where you have to give someone a gift and pretend to like them. Even though in your heart of hearts you cannot understand why they just cannot get that damn dance move down. (That was me. I was always the one who could never get that damn dance move down).

But as well as these three (or is it four?) yearly offerings, we are now seeing more adult-orientated Crimbo shows. From stand-up to sketch shows. And some of them are pretty darn good. Especially those that a certain Malteser who lives in London is coming back to be in. Ahem.

And that is not all. Towns and villages outdo themselves too with amazing street lights as they endeavour to create the perfect atmosphere. And to be fair, Republic Street in Valletta comes pretty close to perfection.

And what are lights without music? Specifically the cheesiest 8Os Christmas songs ever. Christmas just would not be Christmas if you did not get, Wham, Shakin' Stevens and Slade as the soundtrack to your shopping. Year after year. After year.

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FROM A LOCAL

When you find yourself humming Elton John's 'Step into Christmas' that is when you know that your Christmas just cannot get more Maltese

To be fair, I do get some guilty pleasure from a couple of the songs, but, when you find yourself humming Elton John's 'Step Into Christmas' that is when you know that your Christmas just cannot get more Maltese. I doubt even Elton himself knows the tune to that one.

The most modern song I have ever heard being blasted from the Christmas-street-speakers is Mariah Carey's 1994 offering 'All I Want for Christmas is You'. It is almost as if a conscious cross-party parliamentary decision was made that nothing from 1995 onwards should be allowed to contaminate our ears over the festivities. Either that or someone bought loads of copies of one yuletide compilation CD 20 years ago, gave one to all the local councils, and now can't be bothered to go shopping for another one.

People love decorating their houses too. From the tree (the bigger the better), to the streamers that have to be set up in just the right way in order for there to be correct colour co-ordination (but no hint of the colour scheme of any rival village festa. Christmas or no Christmas, some things are never acceptable).

My favourite decoration is the Santa figure that you can hang from your balcony. This fad hit the market a few years ago and became really popular. However, some design flaws very quickly became apparent. You see, not only did the figures twist in the wind so it looked like Santa was hanging from his neck, (creating quite a morbid halloweeny-vibe), but without proper lighting, you couldn't tell if someone had a Father Christmas in their balcony or if a burglar was trying to break in. (And was now possibly hanging from his neck.)

And those are just a few of the many things I love about Christmas in Malta - Santas hanging from balconies, 80s Christmas songs blasting through the streets, and English breakfast in the middle of the night.

Some people say it sounds mad. And truth be told, it kind of is.

Magical, wonderful, and slightly nuts.

And we wouldn't have it any other way.

Merry Christmas everybody!

ESTATE AGENTS SINCE 1981 FOR SALE

HEAD OFFICE (+356) 21 31 0800 ST.JULIANS (+356) 21 31 0088 VALLETTA (+356) 21 31 0800

FOR SALE

ZEJTUN ▪ €895,000 ▪ HOUSE OF CHARACTER

SLIEMA ▪ €850,000 ▪ SEAFRONT APARTMENTS

An elegant period HOUSE OF CHARACTER ■ Recent price reduction ■ Located on one of the best roads in Zejtun ■ Close to all local amenities ■ Wonderful large mature garden with numerous trees ■ Ample space for a swimming pool ■ Many original features including wooden shutters & exposed beams ■ 3 bedrooms ■ 2 bathrooms ■ Impressive entrance hallway ■ Formal dining room ■ Fully fitted kitchen ■ Study area ■ Living room ■ Central courtyard ■ Charming BBQ terrace ■ Freehold ■ Internal size: 220m2 ■ External size: 675m2 ■ Ref: HC100035

Exceptional collection of SEAFRONT APARTMENTS ■ Prime seafront position with unobstructed views towards Valletta, Sliema Creek, Manoel Island & beyond ■ Perfectly located next to the promenade ■ Wonderful choice of contemporary finishes ■ Luxury specification throughout ■ Range of options including 2/3/4/ bedrooms ■ 3 bathrooms ■ Back up generator ■ Includes air-conditioning & underlying car space ■ Full lift access ■ Freehold ■ Ref: FA07935

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

IKLIN ▪ €1,470,000 ▪ DETACHED BUNGALOW

MELLIEHA ▪ €1,300,000 ▪ LUXURY VILLA

Fully DETACHED BUNGALOW in an excellent location ■ Fantastic views towards the majestic city of Mdina ■ Built on a plot of 1287m2 ■ Spectacular swimming pool area with surrounding terraces & views ■ Immaculately presented throughout ■ Exclusive residential area ■ Fitted kitchen/dining area ■ Formal dining room ■ Living room ■ 3 double bedrooms ■ 3 bathrooms (1 ensuite) ■ Large mature garden including fruit trees ■ Fresh water reservoir ■ Separate old farmhouse of 4 rooms ■ Solar panels (PV) ■ 6 car garage & 4 car spaces ■ Freehold ■ Ref: BD600001

Santa Maria Estate - contemporary VILLA ▪ Highly regarded residential area ▪ Fantastic views including Mellieha Bay & beyond to the open sea ▪ Bespoke high end finish throughout ▪ Large & spacious accommodation ▪ Hallway ▪ Sitting room ▪ Dining room ▪ Living room ▪ ▪ Fully equipped kitchen/breakfast area ▪ 4 bedrooms ▪ 2 bathrooms ▪ Study ▪ Guest toilet ▪ Basement ▪ Swimming pool & surrounding terraces ▪ Garden ▪ 7 car garage ▪ Ref: SV600005

TO LET

TO LET

SAN PAWL TAT-TARGA▪ €4800 monthly ▪ VILLA New to market - spectacular VILLA ▪ Highly sought after residential area ▪ Easy access to all amenities ▪ Hallway ▪ Fully fitted large kitchen ▪ Open plan sitting/dining room ▪ Large terrace with breathtaking counrty views ▪ Wonderful swimming pool area with spacious surrounding deck area - ideal for entertaining ▪ 4 bedrooms ▪ 3 bathrooms ▪ Games room ▪ Ref: SV600004

VALLETTA ▪ €2500 monthly ▪ CORNER APARTMENT New to market - CORNER APARTMENT in a quiet location yet close to the centre of the city ▪ Stylish contemporary finish throughout ▪ Spacious accommodation throughout with high ceilings ▪ Smart communal entrance ▪ Fantastic roof terrace with sea views ▪ Lots of natural light ▪ Hallway ▪ Fully fitted kitchen ▪ Dining room ▪ Living room ▪ 2 large bedrooms ▪ 3rd bedroom or study at mezzanine level ▪ 2 bathrooms ▪ Laundry room ▪ Ref: FA600064

▪ Collect your free copy of our leading Real Estate publication from the exit of the arrival lounge ▪ ▪ The Perry Letting department offers a wide selection of both prime commercial and residential properties for lease ▪

Malta’s leading property website - www.perry.com.mt Sliema (Head Office) ▪ St. Julian’s ▪ Valletta

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01

Riding the Pipe at the Winter Olympics Melanie Vella catches up with

Jenise Spiteri as she stops over in Malta between snowboarding competitions, to talk snow, training and Olympic ambitions.

"You pick up speed. Cruise through the air for 20 meters, and for those three seconds, you feel like you’re flying. Bliss.”

Jenise Spiteri has trained as a snowboarder in the half pipe and slope style since the age of 18. Snowboarding is about self-expression, bringing your own style and smashing your own best run.

Jenise, the 23 year old Maltese-American, is aiming to represent Malta in the women’s snowboard halfpipe at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics 2018, in South Korea.

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The halfpipe leaves room for creativity of the rider which depends on their fearlessness to ride the pipe on the edge

Snowboarding the half pipe reflects Jenise’s character and personality as it combines both adrenaline pumping speed and stylish jumps and tricks. The halfpipe is a long U-shaped ditch with curved walls. The halfpipe leaves room the rider's creativity which depends on their fearlessness to ride the pipe on the edge.

The halfpipe is a long ditch, 180 meters long with curved walls 6.7 meters high.

The rider speeds down the slope, pulls a trick and rides back several times.

“The first time I the rode the halfpipe I was petrified," Jenise says. "I told my coach I didn’t want to ride it. You fly vertically in the air and have to land precisely back onto the vertical wall. It took a winter to get used to it.”

When Jenise first decided to snowboard professionally, she had an idealistic vision of travelling the world while snowboarding all year. The good life. ““I knew I had ambitious goals set for myself. When I left home and moved to Lake Tahoe, California, not only did I want to compete right away, but I was also attending university.

Along with going to classes, I spent 200 days (usually six hours a day) training for snowboarding in my first year away. It took hard work, dedication and plenty of injuries,” admits Jenise.

01/02. Mammoth mountain California,

Photo by Mike Flaherty

“My father, George, has always been a huge supporter of my riding. He owns an ice skating boot company, and my mother was a professional ice skater before her current job as an ice-skating coach, so my family has always been understanding of all the work, time, and support required to be a professional athlete.”

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SNOWboarding

Competition is fierce. The difference between first and second place lies with who trained best.

Competition is fierce. The difference between first and second place lies with who trained best

01.

02.

Boreal Resort California Photo by Greg DeCosta Mammoth Lakes California Photo by Greg DeCosta

Now Jenise trains and competes with some of the best snowboarders in the world. Chloe Kim, a 15-year-old Korean girl who was born in and competes for the USA, is the youngest gold-medalist at the X Games. “Training with people of this calibre motivates me to work harder and push myself further than I ever thought I was capable of,” says Jenise.

Snowboard competitions are not a timed event, just like figure-skating.

Snowboarders who run the half pipe, like their skateboard cousins, are judged on two runs with six tricks in each run.

Tricks are not calculated by points and don’t have an official degree of difficulty.

The Olympic pipe is scored by seven judges who rate the athlete based on the execution of tricks, variety of tricks, the degree of difficulty, and amplitude.

Jenise has developed her burgeoning snowboarding career by pushing herself one step further every ride and taking risks.

“During the Grand Prix-World Cup competition in December 2014, which is part of the Olympic qualifying tour, I had two tries to land my run. I decided that if I landed my first run, I would put a Frontside 720 in the second run.”

A Frontside 720 involves a double spin, meaning two 360 turns, in the air before dropping back in to the pipe and riding back up the wall.

Jenise didn’t try this trick at home.

Literally.

She decided not to train the trick before the competition. “If I didn’t land the trick during training, I’d lose confidence during the competition. So I spent the week visualising myself nailing the trick and convinced myself I would be able to do it. Standing at the startgate on competition day, having nailed my first run, I decided to go for it. In a competition setting you commit more of yourself. There is no holding back,” she explains.

Board strapped. Headphones in. Music on.

“I landed the Frontside 720.”

Snowboarding is as much about your mental strength, as it is about your physical aptitude. You have to have confidence on the snow to push yourself and your board. “When I watch other snowboarders during competitions, I do not let it influence me. I am competing against myself, striving to beat my own best run. This relieves the pressures and cranks up the fun,” reveals Jenise.

Bernard Bugeja Managing Director

Over two decades of tailored real estate services.

Over two decades of Sales | Letting | Consultancy | Residency Schemes Individual Investor Program(IIP) | Property Management

63, Sir Adrian Dingli Street,Sliema, SLM1901 Malta

|

T: 00356 2134 3053 | M: 00356 9949 4412

|

E: bernards@bre.com.mt | W: www.bre.com.mt

22

Some days the best you can do is enough to get you to the podium, on other days its not. You did all you could do and if someone else is better than you that day, there is nothing you can do to change that.

Jenise faced her ultimate challenge after she blew out her knee during the Billabong Flaunt IT competition in 2012. She was competing in slopestyle , but rode too slow off a 20-metre jump, plunging six meters onto the kneecrunching flat deck of the jump. The 19-year-old underwent knee surgery, but says the recovery was more mental than physical. “Injury comes with the sport.

Now that snowboarding has taken my knee, I need to give it my all and finish what I am trying to accomplish. It made me even more determined.”

Winter competitive sport runs deep in the Spiteri blood-line. Jenise’s grandfather, Joseph Spiteri, was a shoe-maker from Hamrun, Malta, who moved to USA in the 1947. He got a job in a company making ice skating boots.

Eventually, Nannu Spiteri left to open his own company, which now makes ice

SNOWboarding

skating boots for Olympic ice skating competitors.

“In the first year I started snowboarding my grandfather told me ‘Life is like a ladder, you keep moving up higher and higher-but not too fast. Go slow but keep moving. Always forwards, never backwards.’ These words have stayed with me during training and competitions.” He passed away one year after she started competing, so Jenise is proud to honour his memory and the Maltese heritage which runs so deeply within the Spiteri family.

Jenise will work to perfect the craft and get her body up to scratch for all the jumps, spins and grabs needed to qualify at the competitions building up to the 2018 Olympics. She will spend the next two years competing across the United States, Europe, Japan, and China.

As long as Jenise maintains her current international rankings and qualifies, she will be the first halfpipe snowboard athlete to be endorsed by the Maltese Olympic Committee for the Olympic games.

“I finished in 30th place last year in the World Snowboard Tour. As long as I keep my scores, I’ll qualify. But I don’t plan to keep my scores, I plan to progress,” she says with conviction.

It’s important to maintain a healthy balance between training and competing.

Many athletes burn out in the run up to the Olympics. “I want to move up the ladder one rung at a time. I will focus on one competition at a time and continue to beat my personal best each time.”

Between competitions and training, Jenise visits her cousins in Malta. They spend time hanging out in Bugibba, catching up with family and taking her mind off the sportso she can getmentally charged for her next challenge.

“I feel proud when my cousins tell people that I will be competing for Malta in the Olympics. I get excited about representing my family and my country.

My father is very proud of the prospects of bringing our family back to our roots.

Among all the whirlwind of excitement, I try to stay grounded.”

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25

Citizenship

Malta Continues to set New Standards in Attracting Foreign Capital As globalisation continues, alternative residence and citizenships have become an increasingly important aspect of international private client planning, and Malta’s Individual Investor Programme is the most interesting option available to the international client not just from an investment perspective, but also because of the unique attractions of is island nation.

L

Malta ranked consistently in the top three across every indicator, but it emerged as the clear leader for compliance, which analyses the procedures and components of each programme’s due diligence process for assessing the backgrounds and suitability of applicants.

Stuart MacFeeters, managing director of Henley & Partners Malta, says, “The country has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, a splendid climate, and a very welcoming population. It is neutral, stable and safe, and offers its residents a very high quality of life. Malta ranks first on Henley & Partners’ Global Citizenship Programme Index, above Cyprus, Austria and others.”

The island nation boasts an excellent reputation, having developed an effective business infrastructure over the past 15 years and a strong position as an international business hub. Since Malta joined the European Union in 2004, its f inancial industr y has experienced consistent grow th, offering opportunities and advantages for business. From a tax perspective, there is a low tax burdens on residents.

The annual index ranks the world’s most relevant investor immigration and citizenship-by-investment programs across 10 key indicators: reputation, quality of life, visa-free access, processing time, compliance, investment requirements, residence requirements, relocation flexibility, physical visits required, and transparency.

MacFeeters adds, “Malta has it all; a rich history, a vibrant culture, and great business opportunities. Residents have visa-free access to 166 countries, including all 28 EU countries and Switzerland. The Individual Investor Programme is the most advanced and most exclusive citizenship-by-investment programme available in the world today.”

ocated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, the Maltese archipelago has a history that dates as far back as 5,000 BC, when the inhabitants of neighboring Sicily crossed the waters to settle there. They built infrastructure unlike anywhere else, and these buildings still exist today as the oldest megalithic structures known to man.

Malta’s capital Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

26

NATURE

Reptile Island

WORDS BY Helen Raine

You might not know it, but you're never far from a reptile in Malta, whether you are deep in the countryside or sat on your balcony. These critters tend to have a bad rap, perhaps due to their prehistoric-looking scaly skin and cold blood. But reptiles have some super powers which make them worth a second look; here’s the low down on the reptiles you could see on the islands.

01

Gecko Guile Turkish Geckos are common residents and you might spot them in the evening by an outdoor light as they hunt for moths – listen for their high pitched ‘chirrup’. They have a claw on each toe and such pale skin on their bellies that you can sometimes see their internal organs. Geckos possess not one but two superpowers. They can to stick to walls like Spiderman, using special toe pads covered with tiny hairs called setae; they also have the ability to lose their tails when chased by a predator (the tail goes wiggling off in one direction, distracting the hunter and allowing the gecko to escape) the really clever part is that the tail can grow back in just a few months.

01

Their Maltese name means 'house gecko' but they were persecuted in the past because people thought – wrongly of course - that they spread leprosy, so they are seen less often these days inside homes. That’s a pity because they provide humans with a very useful service, cleaning up insects like mosquitos, roaches and ants. Geckos can’t blink but if you watch closely, you’ll see them lick their eyes to keep them lubricated.

You can tell Turkish Geckos apart from the Moorish Geckos in Malta, because the latter only have two claws per foot, and their backs are covered by warty projections that look like armour.

Moorish Geckos are usually very dark coloured in the sunlight and become paler at night.

27

NATURE

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04

01.

02.

03.

04.

Turkish Gecko, photo by John Haslam Moorish Gecko, photo by John Haslam Maltese Chamaeleon The Western Whip Snake

Clever Chamaeleons Mediterranean Chamaeleons look so at home in the Maltese landscape that it’s hard to imagine they haven’t always been here. In fact, they arrived with missionaries from North Africa who released them in a garden at the Jesuit College in St Julian's. The Maltese climate suited them and, in no time at all, they had spread all over the islands. Their superpower is a preternatural ability to change colour so that they blend perfectly into their background. They can also move each eye separately from the other, giving them a wider field of vision to spot predators. When they are scared, they inflate their bodies like the Incredible Hulk and open their mouths to scare off

attackers. When it comes to catching their own dinner, they shoot out their sticky, protrusible tongue at super-speeds of up to 21.5km/h with an acceleration of 6m per second. L-Għadira Nature Reserve is a good place to look for them but you’ll find them all over the place if you take the time to look. They are protected and cannot be kept as pets.

Whip in the Tail The Western Whip Snake is the largest snake in Malta. It’s called the “black snake," in Maltese, but can have a greenish tint to its skin, with a pale underside. Young snakes tend to be lighter in colour. This creature has biblical super powers; when the Apostle

Paul was shipwrecked on Malta in around AD60, legend has it that he was bitten by a snake. He survived by divine intervention and, subsequently, all the snakes in Malta are said to have lost their venom.

Whip snakes like to sun themselves in dry areas or even up trees, and this is when they are easiest to locate. They eat lizards, frogs, mice, smaller snakes and birds. Females lay eggs in the summer which take around six weeks to hatch.

Malta has three other snakes, the boldly patterned Leopard Snake, the Algerian Whip Snake and the rare Cat Snake, which has a very weak poison to take down small prey.

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INSERT TEXT HERE

29

NATURE

Evolutionary Lizard

Research is ongoing to establish whether Cominotto may be home to a fifth subspecies

You can see the power of 'micro evolution in progressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, as UNESCO described it, in the Maltese Wall Lizard.

They are most easily spotted while sunning themselves. This brightly coloured lizard (the females are a more camouflaged dull brown) has four subspecies, all unique to Malta, all slightly different due to their isolation on different islands or islets. The green and speckled Podarcis Filfolensis Maltensis, is the most common look for it on Malta, Gozo and Comino; the larger Podarcis Filfolensis filfolensis lives only on Filfla it has black colouring with blue spots. Podarcis Filfolensis Generalensis is endemic to Fungus Rock and can be identified by its red belly with blue sides. The last subspecies, Podarcis Filfolensis Kieselbachi is unfortunately thought to be extinct; it lived on St Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island where it was vulnerable to the rats that came with the tourist boats and lived on picnic leftovers. Research is ongoing to establish whether Cominotto may be home to a fifth subspecies.

30

Ancient Mariner Loggerhead turtles are aquatic reptiles.

These excellent swimmers are the most common in Maltese waters, and have a lovely heart-shaped shell marked with neat russet markings. They have the impressive ability to eat prey such as stinging jellyfish but theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also seek out crabs, sea urchins and shellfish for their food.

These turtles face many threats in the Mediterranean. Golden Bay used to be a favoured nesting spot for them, but light pollution and development forced them to abandon this beach.

Young turtles are sensitive to artificial light; it causes them to move away from the sea after they hatch, so that they are predated or overheat and die.

Adults are often caught as by-catch on long-line fishing boats and they also swallow plastic in the sea or collide with boats. There is hope, though, that Loggerheads may once again hatch in Malta. A female nested at Ä nejna Bay in June 2012, the first confirmed turtle nest in a century. The eggs didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hatch, probably because of waterlogging, but experts hope the turtle will return to lay again.

NATURE

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32

OUT & ABOUT

out and about Here's what's been going on, who's been seen, and where they've been spotted around Malta last month.

SiGMA '15

Intercontinental Hotel, St Julians

33

OUT & ABOUT 01

02

Get It Sundays Opening The Villa, St Julian's

01. Hailey Walstow, Mark Galea, and Stefania Buhagiar.

02. Claire Sultana and Gabriella Rizzo.

03. Emmanuel Farrugia Trieste, Patricia Briffa,Mariella Micallef, Gabriella Azzopardi, Remy Azzopardi, Steve Scicluna and Mark Muscat.

03

SPEAK MALTESE Maltese word:

Prosit Costa Coffeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Night Before Christmas Event Costa Coffee, Balzan

01. Stephanie Ganado & Wayne Falzon 02. Stephanie Ganado, Rachelle Tabone & Miriam Calleja

Phonetic sound:

pro-sit

01

Translation:

Well done Supported by: www.ghaqdatalmalti.org

02

want to learn maltese?

Get your hands on this Englishto-Maltese dictionary 'Kelmet il-Malti' Available from all leading bookshops.

Would you like to be featured on our social pages? Drop Dana an email on dana@contentfactory.com.mt

34

EVENTS

EVENTS THIS MONTH 4 – 5 December

The Magical Christmas Concert City Theatre, Valletta Join all the young artists of the Malta National Children’s Choir, as they all come together to turn the City Theatre into a winter wonderland, bringing Christmas cheer to theatre-goers of all ages.

The Magical Christmas Concert will feature an array of Disney’s best scores of all time, along with the world’s most amazing Christmas songs.

Surely an alternative, yet fun activity for all children, with spectacular visuals, synchronised lights and continuous animation.

The concert will be creatively produced and choreographed in order to turn the theatre into an amazing one-hour-and-30 minute party for all youngsters attending. www.facebook.com/ events/673760879432470/

4 – 7 December

UNTIL 6 December

Indoor Skatepark, Pembroke

Grandmaster’s Palace

We are back again with the Second Edition of BMX Fest – Xmas Edition International Event, the event will take place between the 4th and 7th of December at the Indoor Skatepark here in Pembroke, Malta. BMX Competitions will take place through out the weekend, where we will also have live music acts during the weekend. Plan for the Weekend: Friday 4th: Game of Bike, Bunny Hop Competition, Followed by Live Acts Saturday 5th: Beginner and Amateur BMX Competition Followed by Live Bands Sunday 6th: Open BMX Competition with Prize Money and Big Air followed

by BLANK Closing party For further information drop us a line on info@maltabmx.com

Boasting around 170 artefacts which are both locally and internationally based, this exhibition unravels the narrative of the establishment of the Order of St John, the religious and the political aspects of Europe and the Mediterranean which developed in the 16th century, as well as the arrival of the Order in Malta and the consequences which eventually led to the uplifting of the Great Siege, the proceedings of the siege itself, and how the outcome of this epic battle acted as a catalytic event in shaping and making a modern day Malta. www.facebook.com/ events/888550824557021/

BMX Fest – Xmas Edition

1565 – The Great Siege of Malta

until 7 December

The Mdina Cathedral Contemporary Art Biennale Mdina Cathedral If you’re after an alternative scene, this event is definitely for you. Join in the musical vibe every Thursday at Fra Ben, sip on an iced mojito and listen to an eclectic mix of professional and up-and-coming musicians jam their way into the night.

What’s more, musicians are all encouraged to pick up an instrument and join in while patrons dance the night away. www.mdinabiennale.org

31 DECEMBER

LIU JO Uomo LA SOIRÉE CHIC NYE MFCC, Ta' Qali BAM! Events proudly presents the 4th edition of LA SOIRÉE CHIC NYE, an eagerly awaited event that has become synonymous with glamour, quality and exclusivity. This year's party will be set in Malta's leading party venue MFCC, Ta' Qali, which will be dressed up as you have never seen it before, with a state-of-the-art stage and lighting set up. A line-up of the finest local talent will once again be offering you a night of tantalizing entertainment, with an unforgettable atmosphere for this special night. Featuring the band of the moment RED ELECTRICK, which has had a marvellous year highlighted by their performance at the Joseph Calleja Concert; NATE's accompanied by Clive on live saxophone; ALVIN GEE and MASÜ.

La Soirée Chic’s set up is that of a grand ball, offering an ALL INCLUSIVE package including: fully equipped bars stocked with all the top international brands, unlimited drinks, a varied selection of finger foods by Catermax, cloak room, an airconditioned venue, ample parking spaces and, most importantly, a fully carpeted floor. A limited amount of tickets will be issued and no tickets can be purchased at the door, making it an exclusive event. Tickets are available from all LIU JO Outlets and Caffe Pascucci in Sta. Venera. Find us on Facebook and Instagram for more info. www.facebook.com/bamevents

35

EVENTS

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood

The Sleeping Beauty Saturday 5 December and Sunday 6 December

Tuesday 22 December until Monday 4 January

FM Theatre Productions proudly present this year’s Manoel Theatre Panto, Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, with celebrated local actor, Edward Mercieca, starring as the Dame. This magical tale – told like never before! – sees Robin Hood and his Merry Men head off on the adventure of a lifetime as they try to defeat the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, fight the Evil Witch, battle the ghouls of the Enchanted Forest, and save the Babes from certain death… All while having enough time to fall in love with Maid Marian, of course!

This traditional Christmas Panto is packed with adventure and comedy that will leave you absolutely breathless.

Runs from 22 December till 4 January at 3pm and 8pm, daily (excluding 24, 25 and 31 December, and 1 January, as well as 3pm on 4 January).

The magic of The Sleeping Beauty comes to Malta this festive season, as the Brigitte Gauci Borda School of Ballet celebrates its 25th anniversary with a truly spectacular show at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on 5 and 6 December. Starring top ballerinas from The Royal Ballet, Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty promises to be a captivating fantasy story filled with beauty, enchantment and poetry in motion. The show has been choreographed by The Royal Ballet’s First Artist Erico Montes, who will also be performing the main part of the Prince, and will feature a cast of 200 talented dancers from the Brigitte Gauci Borda School of Ballet. Tickets for The Sleeping Beauty, the ballet, start from €20. The show will take place at the historical Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta on Saturday 5 December at 7.30pm and on Sunday 6 December at 4pm. Tickets are available from the Booking Office at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, online from www.mcc.com.mt or call 2259 5750.

Pictured here is Royal Ballet Soloist Claire Calvert, who will be dancing the principal role of Aurora (photo by Johan Persson).

Tickets can be purchased from: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt

Tickets for The Sleeping Beauty, the ballet, start from €20.

For info and booking: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt

For info and booking: T: 2259 5750 www.mcc.com.mt

36

until 10 December

Watches

Palazzo Falson, Mdina

This exhibition considers the variations and functions of over 50 watches, specially loaned from private and museum collections.

It highlights the technological and artistic qualities of antique watches, and takes an in-depth look at particularly important watches belonging to notable personalities. This show not only delves deep into these marvellous little machines to see how they work, but also demonstrates their aesthetic qualities and how they were once indispensable items of costume, merging beauty and function in a wearable object d’art. The exhibition is guestcurated by David Thompson, who occupied the role of senior curator of Horology at the British Museum until his recent retirement. www.facebook.com/ events/533369196813615/

EVENTS

11 – 13 December

Alice in Absentia

St. James Cavalier, Valletta Alice in Absentia is a story about discovery and growth, a story about time and the changes it brings to all of us and our lives.

Exploring the relationship between its creator, Lewis Carroll and the little girl who inspired its creation, Alice Liddell, this adaptation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland works its way through complex emotions including wonder, shame, passion and regret. Told as a performative storytelling piece, the original text is curated by Giuliana Fenech and interwoven with an original musical score by Renzo Spiteri to create an experience that draws upon practices of traditional and digital-age storytelling. www.facebook.com/ events/1485117998464853/

25 December

27 December

‘Twas The Night Thomas Smith Before Christmas Christmas Charity Swim St. George’s Square, Victoria, Gozo The Gozo Youth Wind Band & Orchestra presents a spectacular concert including guest pop singers with everygreen Christmas songs, carols, arrangements and medleys, amongst others. During the concert, patrons will be asked to contribute TO l-Istrina organised

by The Malta Community Chest Fund. www.victoria.org.mt

Sliema The Thomas Smith Christmas Charity Swim is held annually on the Sunday which falls between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Registration starts at 09:30AM, with Marie Lousie Coleiro Preca, the President of Malta, expected to launch the Christmas Charity swim at 10:30AM. Through this notable event, THE Thomas Smith Group aims to raise as much money as possible for of the Malta Community Chest Fund. A cheque is traditionally presented in early January to the President at San Anton Palace.

31 DECEMBER

Samsara 2015 National Aquarium Dome A celebration of life and the cycle of time through music, dance and colour. SAMSARA will be set over three beautiful areas. The Dome Floor will be featuring Duncan F, Alex Thomson, Julian Drury, Pantos, Twain and other guest artists. The Moksha lounge will host an elevated sofa area offering comfort & waiter service, while the terrace is a space where one can just chill & enjoy the sea views. €30 - Includes Entrance + One drink €70 - Includes Entrance + One 75cl bottle & mixers! (Absolut Vodka, Jack Daniel's, Havana Club, Prosecco or any other within the same range) €120 - Includes Entrance + One premium bottle & mixers.

(Bollinger Cuvee Champagne, Laphroaig 10yrs, Ablsolut Elyx, Premium Gin, Chivas Regal 12 yrs, Havana Club 7yrs, Glenlivet Whisky 12yrs and more) Limited tickets Available from: -The Malta National Aquarium, Cafe Del Mar, New York Best, Papier Plus, Why Not?, Royal Lady Bar (Gozo). or online from www.showshappening.com/DuncanF/samsara Tickets & Info on 79417034 or info@duncanf.com

37

MADE IN MALTA

MADE IN MALTA Looking for local products? Then you've come to the right place. By purchasing authentic Maltese products, manufactured by skilled craftsmen using the finest materials, you are contributing towards keeping these skills alive on our Islands, and taking home something truly Maltese.

Mdina Glass Christmas Head over to Mdina Glass at Ta’ Qali Crafts Village to see the glassmakers, free of charge, and while you’re there, check out the fantastic collecton of unique handmade glass Christmas decorations including trees, tableware, angels, cribs and these new shapes , which were just added to the vast hanging bauble range.

For more info tel: +356 2141 5786. You can shop at any of the 8 outlets throughout Malta and Gozo, or online with worldwide delivery at www.mdinaglass.com.mt

Handcrafted Just For You When in Malta don’t miss true craftsmen at work. The artisans at Mediterranean Ceramics will amaze you with their artistry and passion. In the Ta’ Qali studio you can admire the detailed and artistic execution of volcanic stone table-tops and many other useful and decorative pieces.

The designs on these unique pieces are alluring – and anything, from table-tops to kitchen counters, lamps, plates and dishes, can be produced to your own dimensions and design. Mediterranean Ceramics have crafted this bespoke tradition into a true art.

Visit the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village studio/shop, or the shop at the Valletta Waterfront. Have part of Malta in yourhome – worldwide delivery is easily available to add a dash of affordable art to your surroundings.

Feel free to contact us: T: +356 2010 5552 M: (David Grima) +356 9920 1055 M: (Brian Grima) + 356 9944 0922 www.MediterraneanCeramics.com

38

MEDICAL TOURISIM

high-flying dentistry

Dentist meets Dental Technician Whenever a dentist is given the go ahead to produce some prosthesis or dental appliance for a patient, he or she takes a number of silicone impressions.

These, along with a list of instructions, would be given to a dental technician within a laboratory set-up and converted into hinged stone models to replicate your mouth for laboratory use.

Records and instructions would include: 1. Colour: current tooth colour or projected colour following tooth whitening. At times, immediately after the impressions are taken, the patient's teeth are laser whitened to achieve the new tooth colour and have the new teeth in production to match the new colour of the whitened teeth.

2. Photographs: Frontal and sidephotography show: • Area of tooth exposure on smiling and at rest • Area of gum exposure on smiling and at rest • Support of facial tissues including lips and cheeks • Side profile exposing tooth angulation.

3. Material of choice: there are many materials available on the market mostly falling under conventional metal-ceramic restorations or allceramic restorations which can be lithium silicate or di-silicate and zirconium oxide better know as zirconia. Patients, together with the dentist’s advice, must make the

decision and choose their preferred specialised material.

4. Facial records: facial profile dimensions often change with time.

Loss of vertical height due to severe tooth wear reduces the height of the lower face from the nose to the chin, disproportioning the upper and lower face. This record is also recorded and transferred to the models.

5. Description of case: Depending on the complexity of the case, a brief or detailed description of the requirements and patient wishes is noted. For example it may be planned to: • Straighten the teeth • Elongate or shorten the teeth showing more or less tooth area • Bring the teeth further out towards the lips/cheeks, increasing the width of a narrow arch into a more defined rounder arch • Retrude or procline teeth to give different angles • Close spaces such as midline diastemas (spaces in between the front teeth) • Achieve a more symmetrical look.

• Remove sharp pointed teeth and have them more squarish, if so requested!

6. Ready dates: This may vary considerably from one laboratory to the other. Whether the teeth are

Dr Jean Paul Demajo Dental & Implant Surgeon Trained in London and is now working in private practice in Malta.

to be fixed or removable, different technicians use different techniques for production. The conventional method of production is using the lost-wax technique requiring a minimum of one day. This method of production is well known and used worldwide. It is a very labourious method requiring time and effort. It is, however, not very environmentally friendly as it consumes a lot of energy and leaves much waste. The vast majority of laboratories worldwide are fast moving away from this and shifting to In LAB CAD CAM systems capable of milling teeth out of pre-fabricated blocks. This reduces timeframes tremendously whilst still allowing for fine customised detail.

This method caters for procedures such as 'teeth in one hour'.

The above detail is of outmost importance to the technician. The dentist must forward this information, have a discussion with the technician and make sure all is understood. The patient should also have the option to have a look at their work being constructed or designed in the laboratory, allowing for modifications, especially if the technician is using In LAB CAD CAM software. Patients must know all about their future teeth, after all they are paying for it.

Ask your dentist!

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Those are the minds we need. We come from 40 different countries and have diverse backgrounds.

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40

TRAVEL

01

The Vibrant city of Zurich

WORDS BY Air Malta

Zurich is not just one of the world’s top financial hubs, it has regularly been voted the city with the best quality of life and is the wealthiest city in Europe. It also hosts Europe’s largest outdoor party.

Z

urich is Switzerland’s largest city. It also qualifies for many other superlatives including ranking first in lifestyle magazine Monocle’s 2012 ‘Quality of Life Survey’ on a list of the top 25 cities in the world. Zurich also won top place in several surveys conducted between 2006 and 2008 as the city with the best quality of life, as well as the wealthiest city in Europe.

and restaurants around, and party revellers will have the time of their lives at the city’s largest outdoor techno party.

Of course, one cannot ignore the fact that this former Roman town is home to the world’s biggest stock exchange and is Switzerland’s financial hub. But, despite the city’s name (Zu Reich means ‘too rich’) and now outdated views that it is a boring capital, business-minded and uptight, this city has proven itself to be vibrant, bursting with life and with attractive events the whole year round.

Zurich’s star cultural attractions lie conveniently within the compact area on either side of the city’s ‘home’ River Limmat, between the main station and Lake Zurich. Stroll along, or take a cruise on, the beautiful river and enjoy some of city’s impressive churches, including the Grossmünster and Fraumünster – as well as the city's oldest, St Peterskirche, which still boasts the largest clock face in Europe.

The city boasts a plethora of attractions for all kinds of tourists. For the culture vulture, there are many museums and art galleries, including the Swiss National Museum and the art gallery, the Kunsthaus and one of the most important theatres in the German speaking world – the Schauspielhaus.

Food and drink lovers will be spoilt for choice with all the bars

You can also take in the gorgeous sites that are the burgher houses of the Old Town, and perhaps do a bit more than sightseeing when it comes to the elegant shops of Bahnhofstrasse. You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to museums, art galleries, design forums, archaeology collections and ethnographic museums.

In sum, there’s something for everyone. Here are a few highlights, depending on your interests:

If culture is your thing…

41

TRAVEL

If you like to party…

For one Saturday in August, the path along Lake Zurich is transformed into a parade of fluorescent hot pants, bodysuits that don’t leave much to the imagination, pole dancers on tow trucks, outfits that would not be out of place in an S&M nightclub, or Disneyland, or both, and, of course, the distinguishable beat of techno. Zurich’s Street Parade is Europe’s largest and most attended outdoor techno party. If you like Berlin’s Love Parade, then join the one million revellers at Zurich’s ‘Demonstration for Love, Peace, Liberty, Generosity and Tolerance’.

02

For the gourmand…

Zurich is synonymous with fondue, and although this melted delicacy does appear on a lot of menus, the city boasts a wealth of Michelinstarred restaurants. Autumn is prime time for restaurants as they attract visitors with wild game specialties and mushrooms, while small stalls on every street corner offer ‘roasted chestnuts’.

If you like the outdoors…

Climb Üetliberg – Zurich's very own ‘mountain’ in the Swiss plateau.

The Üetliberg offers a panoramic view of the entire city of Zurich and the Lake of Zurich. Views are especially rewarding in autumn when the surrounding beech forests turn to golden shades. And if you want to aim higher, consider a wonderful day trip on the Alps, which are not far from the city, and numerous hiking areas can be reached in less than one hour from Zurich.

03

And now for something completely different…

01. Fraumunster Church and Church of St. Peter at night 02. Old street in Zurich decorated with flags for the Swiss National Day 03. Innercity of Zurich, Switzerland. Old Town

Zurich was the birthplace of the wacky Dada art movement and is home to the Cabaret Voltaire, a former nightclub. The building has now been converted into an arts space with an extensive programme of events and exhibitions. And, if you like bathing, Zurich also has as many public baths as Istanbul. And if you like bathing in your birthday suit… Lake Zurich is one of the top spots in Europe for skinny-dipping!

AIR MALTA FLIGHTS Air Malta operates seven weekly flights to Zurich. Please visit www.airmalta.com for more information.

42

SENGLEA

One Manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Treasure Many people have stood on the bastions in Valletta to dreamily daze at the view of the Three Cities across the Grand Harbour. But how many have actually ventured into the sleepy town of Senglea for a closer look? Melanie Vella speaks to Mark Strijbosch, who is rolling up his sleeves to renovate a house in Senglea.

SENGLEA

s

englea, or L-Isla in Maltese, is one of the Three Cities whose grandeur is pedastalled by the walls that surround it.

Senglea was heavily bombed during World War II and the fortified city was flattened and had to be rebuilt. Senglea was targeted because the wharves underneath the bastions of Senglea were used as a Naval Dockyard by the British. The Shipyard is renowned within the Mediterranean region and was started by the Knights of the Order of St John.

Forgotten for a while, the city is now being restored to its former glory.

Mark was not hunting for his perfect dream home. He had the picture laid out in his head – an old traditional Maltese house character) in a peaceful area by the sea with plenty of outdoor space. Some might think you would require very deep pockets to tick all those boxes. When Mark serendipitously stumbled upon ‘Number 18’ overlooking the Senglea harbour, he knew he had landed a treasure.

To the naked eye, it was a run down, four-storey town house with wilting windows and bruised walls built in 1949. But Mark could see past the peeled paint to the bachelor pad potential.

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He traded his Saturday beers for a hammer and embarked on a year long project, with the help of Valentino Architects. “I trust Peter and Sandro’s professional advice completely and having two trusted architects made all the difference in bringing the vision to life. They are as passionate about the project as I am,” he explains.

Mark rounded up the troops and together with friends Simone, Danjela and John he began pulling down walls, gutting out bathrooms and painting ceilings.

The house resembles a stacked Dutch house, tall and slim with a separate room and bathroom on each floor. This gives the liberty of designing each space with a different style.

The iconic Maltese balcony was widen by removing the pillars so that it now forms part of the living room, bringing in even more light so the view of the harbour can be enjoyed from inside the room. “From that concept I went a step further to build a collapsible bench. It can be used a desk, a dinner table for extra guests or a bar. This concept was inspired by the ergonomics of a caravan where everything is designed with a multi-functional purpose,” he explains.

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“I love the concept of working with what you have – looking at something and rethinking its use – rather than destroying it and build something new.

That is what I tried to achieve with all the features of the house.”

Another feature that Mark designed is the Moroccan-style Hammam that turns a small shower into a stylish steam room. The Spanish and Moroccan tiles are also used to embellish the crumbling garden wall. “The tiles were salvaged from a friend who was about to throw them away,” says Mark. The bricks that were excavated from a wall on the roof to make a rooftop bar were reused in the spare bedroom to build the platform for a Japanese inspired floor-bed.

What was the biggest challenge during the whole renovation? “Managing the budget definitely tops the list. I

SENGLEA

had a very small budget to work with, especially after all the structural changes we implemented. But doing up a home on a shoe-string budget, further fuelled my creativity,” he says.

Mark found a full set of 1960s sofas from the Maltese exchange social media site, ‘Recycle Malta’ for free. The sinks and toilets that were taken out of the house were given away on the same page.

Senglea’s scenic sites seep into the windows with the harbour, clock tower and Gardjola, the decorated watchtower, which is another Maltese icon, frame the view from the balcony window.

The essence of traditional Mediterranean lifestyle is one of the main attractions to buying a home in Senglea. The Maltese village atmosphere is accentuated by the

presence of locals, like Mark’s friendly neighbour, Doris, who spends her days watering the street plants, feeding the cats and building them little shelters.

As with any of Malta’s walled cities, it is best appreciated on foot to discover the intricate niccas with religious statues and crannies. “I can walk down the steps to the newly embellished waterfront for an al fresco dinner or ‘te fit-tazza’ at €1, while sitting on the dock by the Mediterranean Sea in the sun and watching sail boats and cruiseliners meander through the Grand Harbour,” says Mark.

“I still get the same feeling of pride when I walk in the house as the first day I bought it,” says Mark. “It will always be an ongoing project. There is no end date and this keeps me stimulated. If I think it is finished, I would start to neglect it.

It will continue to grow with me.”

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TECHNOLOGY

Empowering employees to be productive on any device Today’s workforce is highly mobile and business is conducted from almost anywhere, at any time. For businesses to be competitive, they need their employees to be productive on-the-go while keeping company data secure.

Nobody manages Microsoft Office better

accommodate new devices, new apps, and new hires without worrying about scale, maintenance, or updates.

Protecting email and other corporate collaboration data on mobile devices without slowing down workers is one of today’s biggest challenges. Other vendors address the problem with apps that compromise user experience and slow down productivity.

Enterprise-grade security

Microsoft enterprise mobility solutions integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Office, the gold standard of productivity on both mobile devices and PCs. Microsoft provides the only solution that can natively manage the Microsoft Office mobile apps to ensure that company data stays in company apps, and not in personal apps, to help give users rich productivity without compromising security.

Microsoft is more flexible Microsoft’s cloud-first approach to managing a mobile enterprise is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to meet new business challenges and

Only Microsoft offers enterprise-grade cloud identity and access management solutions designed to help secure the IT environment. Microsoft Azure Active Directory has hundreds of millions of users, is available in 35 data centres worldwide, and has processed more than one trillion authentications. Microsoft translates this scale into security insights by giving users advanced security reports showing the anomalous logon activity to the cloud directory.

In addition, the on-premises capabilities in Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics (ATA) help protect an organisation from advanced targeted attacks by user and entity behavioral analytics (UEBA). ATA also helps to identify known malware (malicious software) attacks, security issues, and risks using world-class security researchers’ work regionally and globally. Using behavioral analytics, ATA can help enterprises quickly focus on

what is important and identify security breaches before they cause damage.

Great value Microsoft has the only enterprise mobility solution designed to help manage and protect users, devices, apps (PC or mobile), and data.

Microsoft not only provides the most comprehensive solution, it also offers a great value: The Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite is 58 percent less than stand-alone products from other vendors.

Broad Gartner Magic Quadrant Coverage Microsoft is currently one of the only vendors featured in Gartner’s Magic Quadrants for Enterprise Mobility Suites, Identity and Access Management as a Service, and Client Management Tools validation. Microsoft’s strategy to provide a combined solution that empowers companies to manage computers, devices, and applications with identity at the centre.

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DINING

Christmas is always wonderful WORDS BY Rufus Dunbar

Christmas is such a special time of the year, more so in Christian, God-fearing countries where age old traditions are still followed and enjoyed by many. Malta can certainly be counted amongst these, and whilst the commercial side of Christmas – or should that be Xmas – is very much present here with flashing lights strung across streets as early as November, old habits and several of the more simple things remain.

Timpana, qagħaq ta’ l-għasel and oranges at Gululu restaurant St. Julian’s

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he Presepju – the crib – has retained a prominent place in Maltese family homes and several churches and village halls. The more simple ones are made from karta pesta, papier mache’, which is formed into a cave–like shape with hills around, then painted in typical Mediterranean colours like moss green and sand and soil browns. Strong smelling sprigs of wild thyme. Which look like miniature tree trunks, were stuck in here and there – wild thyme found growing freely in Malta’s rocky garigue landscape, mostly to the north and west of the island, is now a protected plant. This fragrant herb plays an important part in adding gusto to the turkey stuffing. It is now replaced by the cultivated version and can be savoured in the exquisite honey made by bees that feed on the thyme flowers. From little family sized versions these cribs can grow into gargantuan affairs measuring several feet in width, depth and height, and taking up an entire room. These cribs include several features of village life apart from the nativity cave, running streams and tiny electric lights subtly illuminating the surroundings. A number are even mechanised. Several of these are on display around the village squares and in Valletta, and are certainly worth a visit.

Maltese gardens are abundant with oranges and tangerines at this time of the year; they hang in their dozens like baubels from Christmas trees. Traditionally these along with nuts and some sweetmeats, took the place of Barbie Dolls and LEGO bricks in children’s stockings. Today they continue to play an important role as a 'must have' ingredient in most Christmas sweets. The grated zest and sweet juice help flavour Inbuljuta a chocolate and chestnut drink typically served on Christmas eve, and are mixed into the black treacle which makes Qaghaq ta’ l–Għasel, honey rings.

The candied peel – more so that of the tangerine – is diced and mixed with sweet ricotta for the Kannoli and in the scrumptious mixture that goes into the Torta tal–Marmurat. These sweets and others are found at leading confectioners in and outside Valletta.

Malta’s food remains influenced by foreign cultures now more so than by the Italians, predominantly, and the British, less so. Until the last war, Timpana and goose took centre stage on the tables of the well to do. As the British replaced their geese with the American thanksgiving turkey, lasagne has also taken the place of the Timpana.

Of course there are variations and local touches. For instance Maltese cooks favour a savoury meat stuffing for their turkey, versus the British chestnut version. Timpana, a not so distant cousin of the Sicilian Timballo, is a 'kapolavur', a work of art, when made properly.

Macaroni is mixed with a rich meat and tomato sauce which, apart from the more regular ragu’ of minced meats, also includes ham, chicken livers and giblets, pork brain and hard boiled eggs. This is then layered in a deep puff pastry case and baked. Like many pies and bakes it is even tastier when baked one day and served the next.

Gululu, the Maltese restaurant in St Julian’s, adds Timpana and other Christmas specialities to its generous selection of traditional and contemporary Maltese dishes during the Christmas season. Down by the water’s edge in pretty St Julian’s Bay, Gululu, which is a casual diner, is definitely worth a visit for those wishing to savour the real tastes of Malta.

As at any other time of the year, at Christmas time there much to do in Malta with various activities for all the family around the island.

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MUSIC

Introducing: The Ranch

In 2014 Banjo Rancho, Dean Montanaro & Kyle Drakard embarked on a full-powered musical journey that has become known as The Ranch.

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The album will include seven tracks that will lead listeners on a full-powered journey of contemporary sounds brimming with experimentation, improvisation and attitude. 'Cuckoo Island' will be released on Friday 11th December at Marsa sports Club.

heir dedication has led them to spend their days experimenting, improvising and finding new grooves that not only challenge us as an audience, but that also challenges themselves. Their sound is distinct, intelligently weaving powerful grooves with playful improvisation that creates sounds that flirt with imagination.

The band is made up of Banjo Rancho (Drums) Dean Montanaro (Bass), & Kyle Drakard (Guitar) , with some special guests joining in further colouring their tunes with saxophone, trumpet, vocals and the like.

Their first year has seen them throw two exclusive events The Ranch Vol I and II, as well as performances in events such as Earth Garden '15, Sliema Arts Festival '15, Sunscape Festival '15, The Bubble Festival '15 and a performance in Devon (UK) in May '15. The culmination of this crazy year has led the band to Temple Studios, where they will be recording a full-length debut album entitled 'Cuckoo Island'.

Follow The Ranch on

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WE INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE. WWW.TIPICO-CAREERS.COM

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TIPICO AT THE MALTA iGAMING SUMMIT 2015 Tipico was proud to take its place among many other sports betting and iGaming companies based in Malta with its stand at the four-day Summit of iGaming in Malta (SIGMA) in November.

Over 120 solution providers, operators and affiliates and 2,750 delegates came together at the Eden Arena in St Julian’s to showcase their products and network with their peers as well as newcomers to the industry.

Tipico, which prides itself on being a dynamic organization always looking to recruit top talent, was represented by its Tipico Careers brand, with HR Director Kevin Norville leading a team that also included Talent Acquisition Manager Manuela Abela and HR Projects Manager Thomas Mahoney.

“The summit was a very useful and informative experience, where much networking was carried out and many contacts established,” Thomas Mahoney says. “I’m very happy to have seen our stand attracting much attention from delegates, and for us to have brought our ever-expanding career opportunities to the attention of so many people.”

Gamification was the name of the first conference held during the summit. It featured a discussion on the benefits of new engagement models that tap into the psyche of the Millennial Generation, motivating them to achieve great new goals. This was followed by an investigation of in-play (as opposed to pre-play) sports betting,

which has helped the sports betting industry, Tipico at its forefront, grow to unprecedented levels.

E-gaming trends were also analyzed and delegates explored how new revenue streams can be created. Later, delegates looked into the merits of inbuilt and outsourced gamification engine software.

Senior Data Analyst Established in 2004 Tipico offers a wide range of sports betting products delivered through cutting-edge mobile, online channels and nearly 1,000 retail outlets. Additionally a wide range of casino and table games

In the second conference, dedicated to Affiliates and Search Engine Optimization, operators were invited to have their website audited live, with improvements provided by experts.

is presented online.

Later, delegates were treated to a presentation on emerging trends for big affiliates, a seminar on how companies can monetize their social community and tips were given on boosting SEO visibility and e-mail marketing.

Salesforce Developer

The third conference dealt with Payments, Security, Anti-Fraud strategies and the use of Bitcoins, while the final conference was an update on international regulation changes in the industry.

Media Specialist – Germany Data Architect Marketing Analyst

The summit concluded with a welldeserved farewell party for all the delegates, a substantial amount of whom had flown in to Malta for the event.

tipico-careers.com

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xaghra

victoria kercem munxar sannat

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Portomaso Business Tower, St Julian's Visit tipico–careers.com for career opportunities

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st paul’s bay

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naxxar mosta

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Valletta

msida attard

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Palazzo Homedes, 80 Strait Street, Valletta

birkirkara

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rabat

tarxien marsascala

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luqa

zejtun

qrendi

marsaxlokk

zurrieq

birzebbuga filfla

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Discovering malta & gozo

Exploring the islands Despite its diminutive size, the Maltese archipelago is bursting with historic sites, idyllic spots, culture and tradition. The Maltese Islands are like nowhere else. Here you’ll find fossil-studded geo formations, prehistoric temples, intriguing diving opportunities, and a richly woven history of remarkable intensity.

Here’s a handy guide on what to look out for during your stay.

The Red tower, mellieha MALTA Fort St Agatha has taken on its more common alias due to its brightly coloured walls.

Built towards the middle of the 17th century, the bastioned watchtower formed the sixth addition to the Lascaris towers.

Sliema Promenade MALTA Ġgantija Temples GOZO Did you know that the Ġgantija Temples are older than the pyramids of Egypt?

Explore the Neolithic temple complex found in the village of Xagħra [Sha-rah] in Gozo. The Ġgantija Temples are the earliest example of megalithic temples in Malta.

Chill at one of the many cafés, or take a leisurely stroll along this broad seafront promenade that links the bustling shopping centre of Sliema, to the cosmopolitan nightlife of St Julian's.

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Discovering malta & gozo

Valletta MALTA Colloquially known as ‘Il-Belt’, Valletta is the capital city of Malta that was built during the rule of the Knights of St John. This baroque city is speckled with neoclassical and modern architecture and has been declared Europe’s Capital of Culture 2018.

The Azure Window, Dwejra GOZO This enormous natural limestone arch is found by the shores of the quaint village of Dwejra [Dewy-rah] in Gozo.

Known also for its charming Inland Sea, Dwejra bay is home to one of the most spectacular scuba diving spots in Gozo. We recommend visiting at sunset.

LOWER Barrakka Gardens, valletta MALTA Golden bay MALTA Large clay hills slope gently around the waters of this secluded bay, found along the north west coast of the island. Taking its name from its golden coloured sand, Golden Bay is one of Malta’s most sought-after and popular sandy beaches during the summer months.

Created in 1775, this public garden is one of the most beautiful parks in Valletta and was originally created as a recreational area for the Knights of St John. The garden includes several statues and breathtaking views of the Grand Harbour.

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Discovering malta & gozo

mosta dome malta

Photo credit: viewingmalta.com

Dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady, the colloquiallyknown 'Rotunda' is a Roman Catholic church in the centre of Mosta. It is currently the fourth largest unsupported dome in the world, and the third largest in Europe.

mdina malta Formerly known as Città Notabile, this beautiful medieval walled town served as the island’s capital until 1530. This majorly pedestrian city displays an interesting mix of Baroque and Norman architecture, including several palaces that, today, serve as private homes.

Paceville, St Julian's malta The St Julian's nightlife district is heavily populated with nightclubs, bars, pubs and restaurants. It is considered one of Malta’s largest party areas and is popular with locals and tourists alike.

Ċittadella GOZO Also known as the Citadel, this small fortified city is found at the heart of Victoria in Gozo. All its fortifications, including the medieval epicentre, are intact. A number of historic buildings are located within its walls making it a definite must-see in Gozo.

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Discovering malta & gozo

The Malta

Experience

blue lagoon comino Take a short boat ride to Malta’s tiniest island, Comino, and enjoy the glittering aquamarine waters of the aptly-called Blue Lagoon, or the secluded Santa Maria bay. Popular with snorkellers and divers, this tiny paradise welcomes a large number of visitors each year.

Blue Grotto, Qrendi Malta Located along the south coast of the island, the Blue Grotto comprises a number of sea caverns that are known for the mesmerising natural display of sunlight and reflections in the water. Daily boat visits to the caves are available during the summer.

Located in Malta’s capital city, Valletta, and housed within what was once the Sacra Infermeria of the Knights of Malta, is The Malta Experience. This audio-visual spectacular is one of the largest attractions in Europe in terms of duration, system and language commentaries. It is also the only show that retraces 7,000 years of Maltese history. The 45-minute presentation can be listened to in one of 17 languages.

In a purposely-built auditorium, with a panoramic screen, sensational vision and a gripping commentary, The Malta Experience brings 7,000 years of history to life. The show is undoubtedly worth a visit for anyone interested in Malta’s unique story. Moreover it is an ideal reference guide to the island’s places of interest. So why not make it your first stop and let Malta’s treasures unfold before your eyes?

Shows are every hour on the hour as follows: Monday to Friday: 11am till 4pm Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays: 11am till 2pm (Closed on Good Friday & Easter Sunday).

PRESENT YOUR AIR MALTA BOARDING PASS FOR A 15% DISCOUNT ON THE ENTRANCE FEE (not valid with any other offer)

www.themaltaexperience.com

Marsaxlokk Fish Market malta The popular Sunday market in the fishing village of Marsaxlokk [Mar-Sa-Shlock] is a main attraction for both tourists and locals interested in buying fresh fish and seafood caught earlier on that same morning. A number of seafood restaurants are also found here.

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WELLBEING

Destress and look your best at Carisma Spa & Wellness It is that time of the year when we need to dress the look; yet the outfit on its own is not enough. We need to feel glowing on the inside and outside, with both body and soul radiant to attract people and be ready to party.

December is the festive season, that time of year when a spa, like Carisma Spa & Wellness International, would come in handy to prepare us for the active month, both from the inside and outside.

Looking good works hand-in-hand with feeling good; that age-old known link between inner and outer beauty. World Luxury Spa nominee Carisma Spa and Wellness, found in three locations around the Maltese islands, has that reputation of linking the wellbeing of both body and soul, enforced by relaxation techniques.

Radiant, glowing skin through personalised facials for that flawless complexion, groomed or glamorous nails, eyebrow shaping through threading, a hairless body, shaping-up massages and detox baths, can all be found within Carisma’s treatment programmes. Carisma therapists are trained not only to give a professional treatment but to consult the client on their needs to ensure they are looked after the way their body and soul need to, all within a pampering environment of luxury and facilities for enriching experiences.

Of course, Carisma Spa & Wellness is famous for being the only quality and authentic traditional Turkish hammam on the Maltese islands – which provides an instant uplift for both women and men, particularly when they need to let go of their working stress. A mere hour-long session in the hammam may

INTERCONTINENTAL MALTA St. George’s Bay. St. Julian’s STJ 3310, Malta Tel: +356 2376 5524 Mobile : +356 9990 0995 info@carismaspa.com

just be the perfect, rejuvenating activity one needs to face the festive season with the right mood and energy.

Hammams symbolise the art of bathing and play a significant role in any individual's holistic wellness. Their health benefits have been recognised and practised since the days of ancient Rome. The hammam at Carisma Spa and Wellness takes bathing to a whole new class, providing the individual with an uplifting, intimate and relaxing environment.

The word ‘warmth’, the feeling we crave throughout the cold winter season, is embodied in the word hammam, which means spreader of warmth. Warm water is used as the main component throughout the cleansing ritual, to provide both a physical and emotional detox. This heat causes your body to relax as you begin to seat out toxins such as alcohol, salt, nicotine, cholesterol and other invasive organisms. You then get pampered further with face masks, an optional argan oil hair wash, and finally, the traditional Turkish peeling and foam massage.

A few hours of relaxation and mental and physical cleansing may even come as the perfect present for a loved one, be it a friend, a treatment for your partner as a couple, or family.

Christmas presents vouchers for all kinds of treatments are available at various prices, for men and women of all ages. For more information, visit the Carisma Spa and Wellness website at http://www.carismaspa.com, or the Facebook Page Carisma Spa.

QAWRA PALACE HOTEL Qawra Sea Front, Qawra, Malta Tel: +356 2157 0525 Mobile: 356 9933 7868 qawrapalace@carismaspa.com

SEASHELLS RESORT AT SUNCREST Qawra Cost Road, Qawra, SPB 1902 Tel: +356 2157 0715 Mobile: +356 9957 4529 seashell@carismaspa.com

59

PROPERTY

Why Malta should Definitely be your next move Malta SIR General Manager Miguel Bonello

With its pleasant Mediterranean climate voted the best in the world, friendly local population and an exceptional richness in culture and history, Malta is increasingly attracting foreign residents towards it shores and rapidly emerging as a niche location of choice for those in search of luxury in the heart of the bright Mediterranean.

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ecent years have seen a steady increase in demand for luxury property in Malta. The island’s real estate market has always enjoyed a relatively stable position making it ideal for investment. As the country’s social and economic profiles rapidly improved, its property market also started being shaped to accommodate the lifestyle needs and requirements of the higher-end buyer, particularly the overseas investor looking to move or relocate their business to Malta.

The below is a selection of fine properties exclusively represented by Malta SIR.

As a buyer or an investor, if you have an eye for such properties you will immediately recognise their selling points and the value that is present there. If you are buying through a real estate broker, your associate can also point out these unique qualities that you would be acquiring.

The SIR network currently has more than 17,000 independent sales associates located in approximately 800 offices in 61 countries and territories worldwide.

Seafront Penthouse, Gżira €640,000 MLS 105855

Converted House of Character, Naxxar €1,125,000 MLS 105738

Malta SIR appoints Miguel Bonello as General Manager Mr Bonello is responsible for overseeing the operation of Maltabased real estate agency Malta Sotheby’s International Realty (SIR) and shall be responsible for driving the agency forward, developing avenues for new business, widening the client network and supporting Sotheby’s affiliates worldwide. He is also spearheading a recruitment drive.

With his solid experience in luxury, particularly in the field of luxury jewellery and watches, he aims to add more exceptional properties to an exclusive database as more and more property owners entrust the brand with the representation of their property. He possesses over 20 years of experience in luxury product business development and sales. Nine years ago, Miguel decided to pursue a passion he had developed through his wife's family-run firm that of high-end luxury watches and jewellery – which experience he gladly brings to Malta SIR. Prior to that, he worked in the insurance field for numerous years, gaining sales and customer service expertise.

Luxurious Seafront Apartment, Mġarr, Gozo €1,570,000 MLS 106002

Enchanting FullyDetached Coastal Villa, Xagħra, Gozo €5,000,000 MLS 105992

info@maltasir.com | +356 2010 8070 | +356 9910 807o | www.maltasir.com RESIDENTIAL SALES & LETTING | COMMERCIAL SALES & LETTING | INTERNATIONAL SALES | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT | RELOCATION & RESIDENCY

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PROPERTY

Should Moving Home Be A Stressful Experience?

Finding the right property to match your lifestyle and your particular requirements can be a stressful exercise, so there is no better feeling than that moment when you come across the right property and know there and then that this is the one for you.

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the case at all. The keyword is quality not price. The main focus of the HOQ team is to give an excellent service to their clients. In fact, most of the clients of Homes of Quality are referrals.

HOQ has been established since 2004, offering a carefully-selected portfolio of properties. The market is ever changing and, therefore, the HOQ database must constantly be kept up-to-date with the latest offerings at the latest prices. One can browse through the user friendly website which makes it easy to find any exceptional property which is on the market, including relative information and photos. A misconception about Homes of Quality is that it only deals with expensive properties. This is not

Managing Director, Grahame Salt leads a small team of experienced and highly trained property consultants, who are experts in their field. Meeting the needs of both local and foreign clients alike, they will not only find you the right property but also guide you through the full purchasing and/ or selling process with ease and discretion. HOQ’s services do not stop at selling or buying a property but go way beyond and include managing paperwork, liaising with buyers and vendors, notaries, architects, turnkey contractors, insurance companies, service providers and banks. It is truly a one-stop shop for those discerning clients who want the sale or purchase

ouple this with a tailor-made service experience from start to finish and, suddenly, the whole experience becomes an enjoyable one. If you are after a top quality property, whether it is a one-bedroom penthouse, a designer finished Villa or a unique Palazzo, the right people to talk to are the team behind Homes of Quality, situated on Tower Road, Sliema.

Visit www.hoq.com.mt for more info.

of their property to be enjoyable and effective. The HOQ team is small enough to be able to give their clients a more personalised service.

In a couple of months, HOQ will be moving to a new office situated on Tower Road, slightly further up from its current location. “We are very excited about this new project. We are designing the office around our clients’ requirements and the office experience should reflect everything else we stand for.' explains Mr Salt. “The new office shall be state-of-the-art, discreet and modern, allowing clients to feel comfortable and at ease when dealing with our consultants.”

Homes of Quality is moving in the right direction. Once in the new office, the team is set to grow. Coupling this with their selection of top quality properties, the client is definitely in the right hands.

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BUSINESS ROUND-UP

FLY SANTA’S SLEIGH OVER MALTA THE POINT PRESENTS 4D CHRISTMAS

This Christmas you won’t only get to meet Santa Claus, but also ride his sleigh across Malta. The Point Shopping Mall in Tigné Point Sliema is inviting Christmas shoppers to virtually fly through the clear night skies using an advanced Oculus Rift virtual-reality headset, and discover the beauty of the Maltese landscapes from Santa’s sleigh.

"This year The Point will be taking the traditional ‘photo on Santa’s lap’ to a whole new level. Children will not only meet Santa at the mall, but also fly his sleigh over an artistic impression of Malta. The Oculus technology provides panoramic views and a chance to guide the reins for an entire three-minute ride in the sky! This exclusive The Point Christmas experience, will immerse you in a virtual world of 4d adven-ture,” said Ilona Debattista, Marketing Manager.

Besides the 4D experience, Christmas carols and shimmering decorations, The Point will be setting the mood for Christmas by giving away €200 worth of The Point shopping vouchers each Monday in December, as part of its winter Shop & Win lot-tery.

Christmas at The Point will be celebrated between December 5th to 26th.

For more information visit www.thepointmalta.com

Belair Property goes to the City

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elair Property has continued to strengthen its position as a leading player in the real estate industry, and its new office in the heart of Malta’s capital city is a declaration of intent on the way the company considers the crucial importance of Valletta in the local property market.

The office–situated on St Lucia Street (metres down from the Embassy Shopping Complex) is strategically located in the heart of the legal quarter next to the Law Courts, and still metres away from the main thoroughfare in Valletta.

Commenting about this decision, Belair Property managing director, Ian Casolani

described this as a fundamental step in the company’s positioning. “Everybody is aware of the crucial role Valletta is playing in the local estate market. We soft launched this office earlier this year, through which we enhanced our presence and, more importantly, got closer to both the properties and clients in the city. Our presence in Valletta is about how Valletta’s transformation over recent years can be a catalyst for change of what is Malta’s jewel in the crown.”

"So if you haven’t been there yet, do pop in to Valletta for a touch of Christmas spirit and if you do so, do call on us while there!" info@belair.com.mt | www.belair.com.mt

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BUSINESS ROUND-UP

Welcome to the Malta’s largest WIFI network

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Malta SIR launches property ‘Portfolio’ Edition II The Art of Distinctive Living ' The Art of Distinct Living.’ This is the theme around which the 2015 edition of the luxury real estate Portfolio was created. Showcasing a hand-picked selection of extraordinary properties from the brand’s ever-increasing property database, this high-end, 100-page publication is a unique, extraordinary edition aimed at highnet-worth buyers who seek to invest in extraordinary properties.

As in art, antiques, wine and collectibles, the appeal of an extraordinary home is its distinctive character. Malta Sotheby’s International Realty (Malta SIR) real estate professionals represent homes that embody the rich tapestry of unique settings and diverse locales. This year’s edition highlights the concept of the home being a prominent lifestyle feature and more than just a location. It also includes a section catered towards sellers highlighting how Malta SIR can assist throughout the selling process via a worldwide brand media strategy.

Properties are categorised into: Waterfront Living; Modern & Contemporary Living as well as Historic & Traditional Living – all very representative of the Maltese lifestyle.

Malta SIR’s distinct offering extends itself to both local and international clients seeking real estate investment opportunities, those

seeking to relocate to Malta and property owners looking to list and promote their property to qualified buyers.

The demand for luxury property within the European region is indeed on the rise as high-net-worth buyers are on the search for a distinct lifestyle offering in alternative locations. Malta has much to offer in this respect. The listing of international properties with Malta SIR is encouraged as, through a solid network, the office has access to 800 offices in 61 countries and may thus list and promote international properties on clients’ behalf in the majority of countries worldwide.

The Portfolio may be accessed by subscribing online at http://subscribe. maltasir.com where you may also request a printed copy. To receive an electronic or printed copy of the publication, or for further information about listing your property and getting international exposure through Malta SIR’s network, visit www. maltasir.com or email info@maltasir.com.

Malta Sotheby’s International Realty is operated by CSB Real Estate Ltd – forming part of CSB Group (est. 1987) – who offer a spectrum of specialised business and commercial services to its clients wishing to set-up or relocate their businesses to Malta.

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TRADITION

Christmas Cribs in Malta Christmas has arrived once again, and a feeling of hustle and bustle and excitement starts reverberating everywhere, especially on the busy high streets, where everyone is rushing around trying to organise their Christmas gifts early. Suddenly, without realising, decorations adorn the streets, making for a cheerful atmosphere, but looking at the sparkling decorations precariously hanging from one side of the road to the other, sometimes it is hard to believe Christmas is so near, especially with the sun’s sparkling rays bouncing off the silver tinsel and coloured baubles…

WORDS BY Ricky Vella

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love walking through the narrower streets towards our car, laden with gifts and goodies and on the way, one cannot help notice that many houses lovingly decorate their windows with little Christmas displays, which include small statues of baby Jesus, elaborate cribs and impressive light decorations twinkling at passersby…I just love this time of year!

Christmas customs in Malta are plentiful, but my favourite is also the oldest custom – the Christmas crib or in Maltese ‘presepju’ – and as they vary across the globe it is no different in Malta.

There are two variations of the crib, one of them is the ‘grotta’ (cave) and is usually a small children’s crib with tiny figurines, and the other one ‘Il presepju’ which is the more popular local term for a crib, is larger and more detailed. This is

found in local churches, homes and large shopping centres.

Christmas cribs in Malta date back to the 17th century, when they started being erected in local churches, but the introduction into Maltese homes came later, due to the fact that the relevant statues were too expensive for the locals.

During the 19th century some enthusiasts started to make their own figurines and these were modelled out of clay and called ‘pasturi tas-sold’. Pasturi derives from the Italian word ‘pastore’ which means shepherd, and sold translated, is penny, hence them being sold for a penny.

Initially these were rough in appearance but they nonetheless increased the popularity of Christmas cribs amongst the Maltese people.

Just after World War II, new Christmas traditions were introduced, mainly by the

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TRADITION

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Christmas customs in Malta are plentiful but my favourite is also the oldest custom â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Christmas crib

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01. Daniel Spiteri. www.viewingmalta.com 02. Mario Galea. www.viewingmalta.com 03. Mario Galea. www.viewingmalta.com

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MALTESE CRIBS

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British servicemen who were stationed in Malta together with their families. These included the Christmas tree and everyone’s favourite, young and old, Father Christmas.

Now Christmas, not only in Malta but across the globe, just wouldn’t be the same without Santa Clause, so consequently, as something of a ‘new’ tradition to the island, this tended to push aside the traditional Maltese Christmas crib for a while. But the enthusiasm for the crib never really faded among those who loved this particular local tradition. Then, in 1986, a society named ‘Friends of the Crib (Malta)’ was formed. Its main aim was to re-introduce the crib into the homes of the Maltese people, as well as to organise crib exhibitions in Valletta in December. This society has come far and, today they provide lectures on how to build these lovely cribs, held during the summer months.

Cribs have evolved – especially when the first crib known to have been built, dates

way back to 1617. This was exhibited in the Domenican Friars Church in Rabat.

Interestingly, one can still find a crib dating back to 1670, which is lovingly treasured by the Benedictine Sisters who reside in St Peter’s Monastery, Mdina.

Now, every year prior to the Christmas period, a large number of cribs differing in structure, with most of them made from different media, such as papier mache etc… are collectively put together for all to see and admire. This age old tradition is kept alive by clever and talented craftsmen giving us a gentle reminder of what Christmas is all about.

Various small crib exhibitions are held right across the islands during the month of December (please find dates below) and these are hugely popular with both locals and visitors alike especially with children. So make sure that, once you are in Malta during the Christmas season,

to take advantage and witness one of the oldest Christmas customs and enjoy at least one of these crib exhibitions. It’s good to note that some churches actually put up a mechanised crib, which is literally a work of art, and during the 19th century a certain local from Qormi named Antonio Muscat Fenech actually built a mechanical crib – very impressive to say the least this was shown to the public from his garage and, due to its popularity, it remained open until February.

The Annual Crib Exhibition, which is regularly held at St Francis Hall (the crypt of the Franciscan Church in Republic Street – entrance on Melita Street) Valletta, will be open to the public between Sat 5th and Sun 20th December, 2015 from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 4.30pm to 7.00pm daily including Sundays & Public Holidays. Entrance to the exhibition will be free, although donations are greatly appreciated.

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T'is the season

7 Christmas Markets with a Twist Discover some of the world’s most weird and wonderful Christmas markets and stop to smell the gingerbread men. Melanie Vella traces through the tinsel to find this year’s twist on the traditional Christmas fairs.

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Prague | Czech Republic The Gothic and Baroque architecture and medieval heritage conjure up an enchanting backdrop for the Christmas decorations that line the cobblestone streets of Wenceslas Square. Grog is a warm wine sweetened with almonds and raisins and spiced with a dash of hard liquor is served on every corner leading up to the world’s oldest Astronomical Clock. The Czech feast is held on the 24th December, with Christmas gastronomic specialities including carp and potatoe salad, viener schnitzel and klobasy (pork and veal sausages).

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Santa Pauli | Hamburg Spielbudenplatz in St Pauli is known as the cheekiest Christmas market in all Germany. This is an X rated red light – as in red light district. This is the ultimate twist on the traditional Christmas. Think Victoria’s Secrets meets Mrs Claus. You can watch erotic shows, drink from topless ‘angel’s and select from sensual gifts that will spice up your stocking.

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Prague Christmas market on Old Town Square Hamburg, Germany, town hall with illuminated christmas tree Typical Christmas decorations in Dubai Festival of Turkeys, Licques, Photo by J Marsh Christmas lights in Gothenburg, Sweden

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T'is the season

Christmas Festival | Dubai

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Looking for a Christmas extravaganza that will melt even the Grinch’s cold heart? How about Christmas in 26 Degrees C? The Winter Festival in Dubai brings the wintery festive cheer to the desert with traditional Christmas workshops and stalls. Skate in the outdoor skating rink in the sunshine or under the stars, decorate a gingerbread house or beat the heat by starting up your own snow fight in the artificial snow fight zone. Fancy building a snowman in the desert?

Licques Christmas Market Licques If you’re accustomed to chasing down the finest Christmas Turkey, then visiting the ‘Fete de la Dinde’ in this charming French town should be on your Christmas list. The main attraction of the festival is the Sunday morning turkey parade. Hundreds of turkeys are let loose on the street and spectators pick the turkey for their Christmas table, while sipping on typical Licquoise liquer.

The Christmas market offers a mix of local produce, pastries and chocolates as well as decorations and local handicrafts. Christmas dinner sorted!

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Gothenburg | Sweden Nothing says Christmas like a 700 Christmas tree strong market, complemented by the millions of fairy lights that twinkle Christmas into reality.

Explore Sweden’s West Coast to indulge in an authentic Scandanavian Christmas in Gothenburg. The intoxicating smell of mulled wine and gingerbread wafts through the streets lulled by the hum of jolly Christmas choirs. Wander through the streets and soak up the Christmas atmosphere with rows of handcrafted gifts or escape the cold and cosy up in one of the many intimate cafes.

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T'is the season

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Tobacco Dock| London If you can’t make it all the way to Japan, celebrate Japanese culture in London’s Olympia at the Hyper Japan Festival with an ecelectic blend of Japanese culture and entertainment. From riveting martial art shows, harajuku style street food, iconic Japanese fashion displays and Sake cocktail competitions, it’s a true taste of Japan. So whether you’re looking to expand your cultural knowledge or you’re on the hunt for the quirkiest Christmas gifts and decorations, we recommend heading over to Tobacco Dock.

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Budapest | Hungary If you’re looking for a Christmas extravaganza worth of the little drummer boy himself, Christmas shopping in Budapest can be completed at the award winning Christmas market in Vörösmarty Square for handmade traditional gifts, mulled wine and local festive treats.

Schwabing | Munich For an artsy alternative to your Christmas cheer, head to the hip Munich suburb of Schwabing to shop at Schwabinger Weihnachtsmarkt (stop trying to pronounce it). The market began in the 70s with a group of indie designers displaying their version of festive flair. Now 120 designers, painters, sculptors and artists come together to sell their work from stalls. No Christmas market is complete without an appetising abundance of food stalls – here you can find global cuisine, from Eritrean mead to mulled Jamaican claret.

Visiting Festive Christmas markets add a holiday glow to any vacation. So don your Santa suit and have a merry meander and a Happy Christmas!

01. Martial art show 02. Fireworks and Hungarian parliament, Budapest 03. White frost on the trees on Christmas day in Munich

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CUlture

A Cathedral built by a Queen

Queen Adelaide, born a German Princess, the daughter of the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, was widowed in 1837 by the death of her husband, the ‘sailor king’, William IV. As none of her children had survived infancy, a slip of a girl, the old king’s niece, Victoria, ascended the throne.

WORDS BY Marie Benoit

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oon after her husband’s death, the Queen had a spell of illness and came to Malta for convalescence in the winter of 1838-39. Malta had been ceded to Britain in 1814, so, by this time, there were many expatriates on the island whose religious needs could not be catered for by the Latin (Roman Catholic ) Church. Queen Adelaide found members of the Anglican Church attending divine service at the chapel, a former kitchen of the Knights, in the Palace, Valletta.

There had been a proposal of turning the Conventual Church of St John into an English church. Failing that, the Jesuit Church was proposed. However, the idea was dropped as the British did not want to offend local sensibilities for one of the assurances made by them had been to protect the Catholic religion in Malta.

The building of a church was proposed however, although once building started the estimated expenses got out of hand and work was suspended.

Dowager Queen Adelaide, first sought help from her niece, Queen Victoria, but, without much success, resolved to put matters right herself. The English community, at the time of her visit, numbered about 1,200. She donated the (then enormous) sum of £10,000 for the building of a ‘collegiate church’ on the site of the former headquarters of the Auberge d’Allemagne. The name of the future church was chosen by the Queen herself to honour Malta’s first Christian missionary, St Paul the Apostle. The Government provided and cleared the site, plans were invited and submitted

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CULTURE

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01. View of Valletta with the with the St. Pauls

Cathedral and Charmelite Church at the twilight 02. Interior St. Paul's Anglican Cathredal

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and Richard Lankesheer, the English Director of Public Works, was appointed architect. The laying of the foundation stone, by Queen Adelaide herself, took place on 20th March, 1839, amid much pomp and circumstance.

Richard Lankesheer planned the church in a classical style resembling St Martinin-the-Fields in London, but it was to be executed in Maltese stone, an untried medium for the style. In the spring of 1841 Richard Lankasheer died. William Scamp, the Admiralty architect/engineer, in Malta between 1841 and 1844, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;a first-rate clever fellowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, was then appointed to take care of the project.

It seems that Lankasheer was something of a dilettante and while his plans

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looked fine on paper, his building and contracting skills were not equal to the task. The Church Committee, which had commissioned the building, halted construction in the summer of 1841 after part of a cornice collapsed with the loss of three lives. Furthermore, the discovery was made that ‘the pillars supporting the portico had cracked so much that the part of the church is obliged to be rebuilt, and it is feared that the rest of the pillars of the church, when the roof is placed upon them, will prove equally defective.’ In fact the whole building was condemned and construction was only resumed in November 1841. William Scamp was asked to survey the work already completed. He rectified the errors with only slight modifications to Lankasheer’s plans and supervised the construction to completion. The Cathedral was consecrated by the Bishop of Gibraltar on 1st November, 1844.

There are several memorials in the Pro-Cathedral. A memorial consisting

CUlture

of fine carved wooden panels around the high altar was erected in memory of those who fought to defend Malta during the Second World War. On 2 February, 1949 (the centenary of the death of Queen Adelaide), the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Geoffrey Fisher, came to Malta to rehallow the Cathedral and dedicate the War Memorial. Present at the ceremony was H.R.H. the Princess Elizabeth.

On the left-hand side, at the nave, is a memorial to Bishop George Tomlinson, the first Bishop of Gibraltar, who died in Malta in 1863, aged 68. Next to it is a memorial to the Venerable John Cleugh, who was Chaplain to Government from 1824 to 1877 and Archdeacon of Malta from 1864 to 1881. Facing is the Chapel of Our Lady and St George. In the wall is set a cast of a memorial stone to one of the Knights of the German Auberge dated 1571, which was found during the building of the church.

On the right of the chapel is a mosaic depicting the Virgin and Child used by the British forces in Italy in 1943-45.

Among the important dates in the history of the Pro-Cathedral is the 7th May, 1989 when HRH Prince Edward, in Malta for the Youth Training Scheme, visited the ProCathedral and read the first Lesson at the Holy Eucharist. Later on that year, on 21st September, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh paid a private visit to the Pro Cathedral while in Malta for the 25th anniversary celebrations of Malta’s Independence Day. On 29th May 1992 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the Cathedral.

It is thanks to the generosity of Queen Adelaide that St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral was built and continues to be the most important place of worship for Anglicans in Malta. It celebrated its 150th anniversary on 1st November 1994. To commemorate this auspicious occasion the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, gave an address at a special Festal Eucharist that evening.

You cannot miss the spire, which rises over 60 meters, and is a landmark on the Valletta skyline.

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All I Want for Christmas...

Have you ever felt as though Christmas has become a death trap you are no longer sure you are able to handle? Dana Bonello drafts a plan for surviving through this supposed winter wonderland, virtually unscathed.

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henever I think of Christmas I always tend to picture my fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homemade trifle. Now, just to put you in the picture, it is relatively common knowledge that my father is an excellent cook but an atrocious pâtissier. This trifle is generally made up of layer upon layer of sickly sweet ooziness, displaying enough colours to make a rainbow blush. As though that were not enough, he generally likes to adorn this diabetic nightmare with a variety of mismatching toppings ranging from chocolate shavings to jelly babies, resulting in a confectionary catastrophe to say the least. Nevertheless it is edible, and, nutritional value aside, always reminds me of happier times.

So what has this trifle got to do with Christmas you might be wondering?

Well, to start off with, it displays itself as a seemingly happy package, both colourful and alluring, however, three or four tablespoons down the line you find yourself clutching your chest in the middle

of the night, overwhelmed by enough acid reflux to disintegrate a small rodent.

Many tend to associate Christmas with a time for joy and laughter, a time to gather around in living rooms scoffing mince pies with your loved ones while singing timeless carols and watching heart-warming movies before slipping into one of the most magical dreams of the year. Then again, who am I kidding?

Gone are the days when this traditional period solely represents homeliness and closeness. I instead, most of us are busy organising our schedules to fit in one party after the other and anxiously checking our bank accounts online, hoping that our latest splurge is not going to deplete our credit cards in their entirety.

The build up to Christmas Day is generally one alcohol-laden marathon from beginning to end. It is also a time for postponed resolutions and I often think that the general feeling is that we have one last shot â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at practically anything

OPINION

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– before reforming and starting off the New Year with a clean slate. If I can speak for myself, the next three weeks are jam packed with so many activities that getting to that Christmas Day table intact somehow seems like an impossible quest right now. With enough food and drink lined up to give a healthy ox a heart attack, if I do actually make it I will probably be wearing a dressing gown, as the thought of fitting into my jeans by then is almost as realistic as winning the Super 5 next week.

Speaking of which, money is also another pesky issue during this supposed joyous time. A couple of years ago, as our clique grew larger, my friends and I had reached the unanimous conclusion that buying each other gifts on an individual basis was both impractical and costly. For this reason we chose to introduce the ‘Secret Santa’ element, which automatically downsizes one’s shopping list to a single gift. This sounded perfect in theory, however there are always some friends you are closer with than others, so logic dictates that those deserve a gift too. Then of course, we often form part of more than one group of friends which means that one is often included in a series of Secret Santa events ranging from colleagues, to ex-school friends and members of previously attended weight watchers clubs.

Additionally, the beauty of this Secret

OPINION

Santa charade is that it does not allow you to select your recipient, alternatively you are assigned a random name of someone you are probably not even that close to, inevitably resulting in the famous ‘what on earth would s/he like?’ quandary.

Bottom line is that had everyone minded their own business, and we had specifically chosen who we would like to buy a present for, life would have probably been easier.

Following aforementioned inconveniences the Christmas shopping spree inevitably follows. Oh the joy. For some reason, many believe that neon ponsiettas and muffled carols blaring out of badly tuned speakers are synonymous to holding hands and smooching at every given occasion, corner or shop entrance. It is exactly for this reason that I have shifted a large part of my shopping online this year. As though having to gracefully navigate through a heightened influx of “omg baby you’re the best! Xxx” messages splattered all over Facebook, I now have to deal with these obnoxiously recurring public displays of affection whilst sprinting from one shop to another, desperately trying to get my shopping done in a single day. Sour grapes you say? Well, possibly. Fact still remains that I find myself biting my lip till it bleeds on recurrently, desperately trying to restrain myself from clubbing one of these

sloppy couples to death with a giant candy stick–sue me.

Material aspects aside, of course Christmas is a time for family, or so I have been forced to believe. One inconvenient last-minute invitation after the other seem to creep up on me when I least expect them during this time of year.

How many times have we been dreaming about spending a quiet night at home, following a three or four day binge, only to receive a last minute call from your parent or partner informing you to be at Aunty Jessie’s at 6pm sharp? At which point it is perfectly acceptable to howl a string of obscenities before picking up the phone once again to enquire about Aunty Jessie’s identity, relationship degree and necessity of attendance. Needless to say, these factors are mostly irrelevant as no matter how much one chooses to protest or question, these appointments are always set in stone and refusal heavily laced with guilt.

In conclusion, we are about to face one of the deadliest periods of the year on so many levels, as to whether we will emerge unharmed is of course another story. In the mean time my advice is to stock up on charcoal tablets and aspirin and enjoy the ride. Cynicism aside, just like my father’s trifle, this season is all about good intentions.

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RESTAURANT GUIDE

Restaurant GUIDE Marsaxlokk La Nostra Padrona Restaurant 5, St Agatha’s Esplanade, Mdina R: 27667720 E: lanostrapadrona@melita.com Set right in the heart of Malta’s main fishing village, Marsaxlokk , La Nostra Padrona Restaurant enjoys a full view of the picturesque harbour. Although specialising mainly in seafood, the ‘a la Carte’ menu includes Mediterranean dishes and various specialties from their chef. With fish delivered daily right from the boats, a selection of fresh fish and shellfish is always guaranteed. Designed with the intention to blend classic with modern, the exterior blue and white colour scheme reflects the blue water of Marsaxlokk's spectacular fishing harbour and boats. . Truly the perfect place for anyone seeking a dining experience to remember, whether it's business, lunch or dinner. They look forward to welcoming you at La Nostra Padrona Restaurant.

MDINA Ciappetti Restaurant 5, St Agatha’s Esplanade, Mdina T: 2145 9987 Grapevine covered courtyards, home-grown herbs, multi-coloured lights and myriad chimes give a flirtatious wink of what’s to come. Your hosts, Peter and Mary Louise, have created a 'classic with a twist' menu of intense flavours and textures which hint at their sublime ingredients, yet are still based on traditional local dishes. Dining beneath the orange trees to the sound of running water transports clients to a peaceful place – something that we easily forget still exists in Malta. As for costs, they are very reasonable. Ciappetti’s motto is 'quality, character, consistency'. Definitely worth a visit! They also cater for a glutenfree diet. Booking recommended.

de Mondion Restaurant The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux, Misrah il-Kunsill, Mdina T: 2145 0560 E: info@xarapalace.com.mt W: w ww.xarapalace.com.mt / www.demondion.com Set atop Mdina's centuries-old bastions, within the Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux and awarded the runner-up for the best boutique dining hotel in the world, the de Mondion offers a unique fine dining experience, enhanced by truly spectacular panoramic views of the island from the terraces and charming features served in elegant surroundings. Consistently rated amongst the top restaurants in Malta for its cuisine, refinement and excellence, the de Mondion promises discreet yet impeccably-attentive service allowing patrons the time and privacy to savour the cuisine, the company and the view. With exquisite cuisine combining the finest seasonal produce with innovation and expertise to create tantalising dishes, the ‘award winning’ kitchen brigade have and continue to delight the palate of a multinational clientele. Group lunches are available on request. They also welcome enquires for private functions and special celebrations. Booking recommended.

Palazzo De Piro – Xpresso Café & Bistro Palazzo de Piro, 3 Triq is-Sur, Mdina, MDN 1131 T: 2010 0560 E: events@palazzodepiro.com W: www.palazzodepiro.com Set within the magnificent 18th century Palazzo de Piro Cultural Centre, located in Malta’s Silent City, Mdina, Xpresso Café and Bistro is an elegant spot for casual dining, snacks, coffee, afternoon tea or simply a get-together with friends. The talented Brigade of Chefs makes use of the fresh produce from nearby valleys and slopes when producing their seasonal menus. Through close co-operation with local growers and producers, Xpresso Café and Bistro seeks to showcase the freshest and best the region has to offer through a menu of healthy dishes. With magnificent views of the Malteseislands, fine architectural heritage and a passion for culture and art, Xpresso Café is the perfect place to enjoy the history of Malta, its rich culture and its culinary delights.

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RESTAURANT GUIDE

Trattoria AD 1530 Misrah il-Kunsill, Mdina, MDN 10150 T: 2145 0560 E: info@xarapalace.com.mt W: www.xarapalace.com.mt The Trattoria AD 1530 at The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux in Mdina is a charming eatery that prides itself on serving traditional and tasty food typical of the word 'trattoria'. Strategically situated in one of the old squares of the Silent City, with the beautiful and imposing Vilhena Palace directly opposite and the magnificent 17th century Palazzo of The Xara Palace on the other side, the Trattoria's idyllic location is simply perfect for indoor or al fresco dining. Trattoria AD 1530 is the ideal restaurant for every occasion and is open for coffee, lunch, dinner, snacks and afternoon tea.

MOSTA Ta’ Marija Restaurant Constitution Street, Mosta T: 2143 4444 F: 2141 8181 E: info@tamarija.com W: www.tamarija.com Enjoy the folklore evenings and feast yourselves on a sumptuous dinner with a colourful touch of history. A night of Maltese song and dance... for an evening of culinary delights sprinkled with a lot of liveliness, come for their special folklore evenings, which start with strolling musicians playing mandolins and guitars, who belt out the sweetest of Maltese songs with assured merriment in the making. After your delicious dinner, the charming Maria Muscat will present the folklore show in a variety of languages, featuring six dancers who lure you into a jovial story of Maltese history told through dance. At some point, you or your special guest could be hand-picked to make their moves on the dance floor so that, you too, can make history on your own unforgettable night! Well, and it is not quite over till it’s over… after the show Ta’ Marija’s dance floor remains lit up so that you and your party can dance the night away to all-time favourite songs. Locals enjoy it every time too, so this night is aimed for our esteemed foreign guests as well as our ever-loyal local friends. Who says you can’t dine, dance and sparkle all in one place? Every Wednesday and Friday at Ta' Marija Restaurant.

SLIEMA Ta’ Kolina 151, Tower Road, Sliema T: 2133 5106 M: 9942 4877 E: takolina@gmail.com Ta’ Kolina is a quaint, family run restaurant on Tower Road (one of Sliema’s most popular spots) and has been opened since 1974. Ta’ Kolina is a typical Maltese restaurant with its traditional Maltese limestone interior and décor. A set menu comprising of traditional Maltese food offers a choice of five local starters; five main courses; dessert & coffee for €20. There's a unique à la carte menu with some 20 starters from €4.50 to €7.50, and 20 main courses from €11 to €24 to choose from. Ta’ Kolina offer a variety of fresh fish, rabbit, steak and many more traditional dishes. A wide selection of the best Maltese wines are available ranging from €6.50 to €25 per bottle. All in all this restaurant provides its guests with the true taste of Maltese cuisine at a reasonable price.

Ta’ Kris Restaurant & Maltese Bistro 80, Fawwara Lane, Sliema T: 2133 7367 M: 9984 7713 Tucked away on a quiet, narrow street of Sliema, Ta’ Kris is the perfect location for a tranquil evening in a warm atmosphere.

Specialising in Maltese dishes, Ta’ Kris offers genuine food at very reasonable prices. The menu boasts a variety of meat dishes including rabbit, pork, chicken, veal and beef, as well as authentic Maltese dishes, such as 'bragioli’ (thin slices of beef rolled and stuffed with minced pork, ham and seasoning, seared in a tomato and wine sauce). Sea bass stuffed with a tuna risotto, covered in Maltese caper sauce, is yet another delicious item which Chef Kris graces his patrons with. With excellent service, dish selection and atmosphere, Ta’ Kris Restaurant & Maltese Bistro offers a unique culinary experience.

TemptAsian High Street, Sliema T: 22623604 E: temptasian@axhotelsmalta.com W: www.thepalacemalta.com TemptAsian is situated on the 9th floor of The Palace offering a new age of dining. Complemented with magnificent panoramic views of Sliema and Valletta’s Harbour, it delivers a fusion of Asian cuisines in relaxing settings.

The selection of food takes you to different places; being China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam and India. All dishes have been given an original twist and, with the restaurant’s very own distinctive touch, they have become signature dishes among the most discerning of diners. This hip restaurant offers the perfect atmosphere and the idyllic location for anyone seeking a special place to dine.

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RESTAURANT GUIDE

ST Julian's Dubliner Bar & Restaurant Gorg Borg Olivier Street, St Julian's T: 2136 7106 This cosy, traditional Irish pub in St Julian’s invites all to a casual and friendly atmosphere to kick back and enjoy a jovial treat straight from the green lands of Ireland. The weekday menu, served on the second floor restaurant and boasting exceptional views of the bay, covers everything from traditional Irish and British pub food to international cuisines. Alternatively, visit The Dubliner simply to enjoy the atmosphere of the surrounding bar whilst indulging in a hearty pint of Guinness with friends. The Dubliner provides patrons with a haven from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding area, where one can sit back and have a great meal or simply relax with friends.

WATERBISCUIT St. George’s Bay, St Julian's T: 2376 2225 E: info@waterbiscuit.com.mt Waterbiscuit, located in the heart of St. George’s Bay, is at the forefront of the Maltese culinary experience with delicious and innovative dishes for all to enjoy. Waterbiscuit, stylishly set on two floors, offers a gastronomic experience that will delight all with healthy, delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners. It is a truly contemporary location ideal for a business rendezvous, social gathering, casual dining or a night out.Breakfast promises to provide a wakeup call with a creative à la carte menu boasting six different types of Eggs Benedict, the signature dish of Waterbiscuit, ideal for those who wish to indulge in a truly unique breakfast experience. Waterbiscuit also allows patrons to lounge at the bar throughout the day and night with a variety of coffees, cocktails and wines that will tease the senses; the atmosphere is relaxed and offers a delightfully glamourous feel.

The Avenue The Avenue, Gort Street, Paceville, St Julian's T: 2135 1753 / 2137 8731 W: www.theavenuemalta.com This award-winning restaurant has been a household name for over a decade and remains a regular favourite. Its versatile menu, friendly service and well-pitched prices all contribute to The Avenue’s strong appeal. Best known for pizza, freshlyprepared pasta or grills, or you could opt for succulent poultry and fresh fish – the menu is not only versatile but portions are generous. The Avenue started off 20 years ago as a snack bar and today encompasses three different sections, all with different character and décors: the arustic-styled room, the elegant ‘Valentino’ section and the more informal and colourful segment. This venue is popular with locals as it’s good value for money. In fact, looking through the large, glass windows, one can see the place is always bustling with people and life. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Includes two hours free parking at the Portomaso car park all week. Delivery service to the surrounding areas is available.

Zest Hotel Juliani, 25, St George’s Road, St Julian's T: 2138 7600 E: info@zestflavours.com W: www.zestflavours.com Zest... where east meets west in both dining and décor. The chic restaurant is a point of encounter between Continental and Asian cuisine in a contemporary ambiance, oozing relaxed elegance. The menu boasts a selection of dishes from Thai curries, Indonesian noodles, Singaporean seafood laksas and continental pan-fried lamb to Japanese teppanyaki. Attractive features include an open wine cellar and a sushi bar on the restaurant floor, where patrons can sit around the chef and enjoy the art of Japanese sushi preparation. Located on the first floor of the Hotel Juliani, using this transformed town house’s original entrance and external staircase, the restaurant enjoys the added bonus of an open-air, terrace bar, overlooking romantic Spinola Bay, which is ideal for pre-dinner drinks.

L’Altro Orso Dragonara Road, St Julian's T: 2713 9982 E: laltroorsomalta@gmail.com Following the success achieved in Messina, Antonella Bonsignore and Salvo Pavone announced the opening of L’Altro Orso in Paceville, St Julian's. The chef, Salvatore Pavone, is delighting Maltese and international food lovers with his wide variety of refined Italian dishes. L’Altro Orso is literally located in the heart of Paceville, close to the Dragonara Casino. L’Altro Orso clients also enjoy free parking at the Vivaldi Hotel Car Park, which is two minutes away from the restaurant. Clients will be treated to world famous cuisine while being warmly welcome by the owners themselves.

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RESTAURANT GUIDE

GOZO Arzella Il-Menqa, Marsalforn T: 2155 4662 M: 7940 9924 E: bookings@ristorantearzella.com TASTE - A culinary fusion of Malta’s history.

FEEL - The warmth of an island and its people.

BREATHE - A pure sea breeze from the blue depths of the Mediterranean.

Maldonado Bistro Victoria, Gozo M: 9901 9270 E: info@maldonado.com.mt W: www.maldonado.com.mt You’ll need to explore the backstreets of Victoria to find food worth hunting for, but once here you’ll be glad you did. Off the tourist track and with none of the traps, Maldonado Bistro is the sort of place only locals know about but with the food and ambiance to charm all. Maldonado's menu is a satisfying mix of Mediterranean cuisine using the freshest ingredients sourced directly from local growers and suppliers.​So go exploring and discover a spot to treasure. We promise that your visit to Maldonado will be a special experience.

BARS & NIGHTLIFE ST JULIAN's Saddles Pub & Wine Bar Main Street, St Julian's W: www.saddlesmalta.com Situated in the heart of St Julian's, Saddles has been established for over 38 years. Considered a central meeting place, start your evening on a perfect note in a friendly atmosphere. A big screen is available for sports and you can enjoy an ice-cold pint of Guiness on the terrace. The first floor is a cosy wine bar popular for organised parties and you can have a tasty cocktail or a genuine glass of wine on the balcony with views. Open all day long. Wi-Fi available all day.

PORTOMASO Club Twenty-Two Level 22, Portomaso Business Tower, Portomaso T: 2310 2222 E: info@22.com.mt W: www.22.com.mt Already the mecca for Malta’s most discerning and hedonistic crowd, Twenty-Two has also managed to attract a big number of international VIPs and celebrities from the world of music, film, television, fashion, sports and business. Twenty-Two established itself from day one as Malta’s only really exclusive venue with its stunning surroundings and breathtaking views, and with impeccable VIP table service found nowhere else on the island – Twenty-Two is luxury and comfort usually located only in the major fashion capitals around the world! Twenty-Two combines the comfort and exclusivity of a stylish wine lounge and is situated on the 22nd floor of the Portomaso Business Tower – Malta’s tallest building. Open from Wednesday to Sunday; caters for private events.

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AIR MALTA NEWS

EVENTS & NEWS about malta's national airline

Air Malta assists The Malta Community Chest Fund Air Malta, will be assisting The Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF) during the months of November and December. During these months, Air Malta Cabin Crew will be collecting funds onboard the airline’s flights towards this cause.

T

he MCCF is an organisation aimed at promoting solidarity among people living in Malta. The Fund, which is chaired by the President of Malta, supports institutions and organisations that provide financial, material and professional support to people experiencing difficulties because of severe chronic or terminal illness, including cancer, disability, poverty, unemployment or lack of resources, without any form of discrimination.

Joe Galea, Deputy Chief Commercial Officer said, “Each year the fund supports thousands of people who rely on the generosity of the fund to organise such initiatives to help them with their basic daily needs. Their work is commendable and the national airline is proud to support MCCF once again. Together with the support of our customers' we aim to continue helping the MCCF in their hard work among those in need.”

The MCCF organises several annual events to raise funds. All these activities involve thousands of people who willingly donate their time, money and energy to contribute to a commendable cause, and bear witness to the value of love and solidarity.

This campaign also forms part of Air Malta’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives whereby the airline supports organisations that work hard in the Maltese community. The airline fully supports the local community in all possible ways and, every year, it carries an increasing number of medical cases, including stretcher cases, for treatment abroad.

No other airline operating to Malta provides continued support to voluntary and non-governmental organisations like Air Malta. This activity is being organised with the support of Sky Gourmet.

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AIR MALTA NEWS

Air Malta’s Sky Spa makes it to Vogue’s top 11

A

ir Malta’s Sky Spa, the free in-flight spa experience the airline launched for economy passengers this summer on selected flights, has earned the airline a place among Vogue’s 11 airlines with the best onboard amenities.

The Sky Spa includes hand, neck, and foot massages along with beauty product samples and the option to listen to soothing music while receiving the treatments.

"Let’s hope this almost unbelievable offering spreads to more airlines in the coming years," Vogue's travel section comments.

The other airlines mentioned included Virgin America for its partnership with Netflix allowing travellers the luxury of binge-watching at 35,000 feet, Emirate Airlines for its shower spa, Lufthansa for its in-flight humidifiers and Southwest for its singing flight attendants.

Other airline amenities include Air New Zealand’s Skycouch, Singapore Airlines’ Wedgwood china, personal mini bars on Etihad Airways, high-end beauty products on Jet Blue premium, Delta’s Porsche for gate transfer and Frette linens on Qatar Airways.

Visit www.vogue.com for more information.

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AIR MALTA NEWS

Air Malta Renovates Its Popular Website

Air Malta has refreshed the front-page of its popular website www.airmalta.com to present a new modernised state-of-the-art shopping window. The site is now easier to navigate and offers additional functionality and services to customers presenting the best personalised real-time deals depending on the customer's location.

W

ith its new minimalistic design, the homepage is now focused on completing bookings in an easier manner and presents customers with the best fares on offer.

The redesigned site is intended to enhance the userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience making it faster and easier to access information by offering users a more structured approach to browse content and access the core functions within the website.

The site aims to increase personalisation for all users through the use of cookies which remember critical user choices.

Commenting on this launch, Ursula Silling, Air Malta's Chief Commercial Officer said, "We are very excited to re-launch our website. The aim of this project was to offer a simplified yet more

efficient platform to enhance customer experience and make travel with Air Malta easier and more convenient."

"Our website is like our flagship store where clients can browse to find our best offers and the widest selection of travel opportunities. The new site follows an extensive review of the online purchase process with a view to make it simpler and faster. We aimed to have a clearer navigation menu and personalisation of the user experience by featuring content targeted at specific users", added Ms Silling.

"These are only the first steps. We are now working on further web improvements. Our new re-design also makes mobile and web check-in easier, and further enhancements

in this regard will be made in the coming weeks," said Ms Silling. www.airmalta.com attracts over six million visits every year and the airline is confident that, with the new changes, that number of visitors will continue to increase.

The site is available in seven languages (Maltese, English, German, Italian, French, Russian and Dutch) while the settings change based on the user's browser language preferences.

The airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s site offers a one-stop-shop to customers through a range of online booking and payment facilities that include Air Malta flights, a wide selection of hotel accommodation in Malta, and car hire. www.airmalta.com offers secure and encrypted connections.

Visit www.airmalta.com, www.facebook.com/AirMalta for more information.

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AIR MALTA NEWS

Air Malta Adds Capacity on London Gatwick

A

ir Malta announced this month that it has added 15 flights to London’s Gatwick Airport this winter. The additional capacity will cover the peak periods in December and January and, commencing on 4th March 2016, the airline had added an extra twice weekly flight every Tuesday and Friday to a total of nine weekly flights.

Commenting on this development Ursula Silling, Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer said, “We are delighted to launch more flights to

London. This is more good news for our customers in we have now more opportunities to travel to the English capital. Our latest offers have attracted significant interest with thousands of new bookings especially on our London routes. These additional flights will supplement the airline’s twice daily flights to London Heathrow. The UK is our main market and we intend to continue working hard to support and develop further this market both for the local travelling public and the local tourism industry.”

Visit www.airmalta.com, www.facebook.com/AirMalta for more information.

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AIR MALTA NEWS

Scan and Win with Malta Airport Shopping

F

ancy taking off with more than luggage and your last-minute gift buys for loved ones? At Malta International Airport, you could be our next lucky passenger! All it takes is a little airport shopping and you can join in the game.

The way it works is simple – when spending at least €20 in any one outlet in the Departures Area, customers are given a scannable card. With this card, passengers can take their turn at playing at our larger-than-life luggage

stand. Once the card is scanned at this Scan and Win stand, you can instantly win a prize.

There are hundreds of prizes to be won, from a Dior perfume bottle to an ICE watch or even a cash voucher, which you can collect or redeem there and then, right before you board the plane. So if you’re holidaying this season or going back home for Christmas, leave the shopping for last. You could earn yourself a gift, and have a merry little Christmas time!

Symbiosis in the ocean

S

ymbiosis describes a relationship between organisms of different species, which may occur in a variety of ways. The simplest form of symbiosis that many people can relate to, is that of people and their pets.

People provide food, shelter and love to their pets, whilst pets provide love and loyalty to their owners. A number of symbiotic relationships exist worldwide, including many that occur in the ocean, these relationships are required for the survival of many species.

Cleaning station A coral reef is known to be the 'stopover' spot for fish, marine turtles and

even marine mammals which require a cleaning service. Small fish and/or shrimp feed off the small parasites or invertebrates that cling onto the bodies of larger species.

Protection Some species are defenceless and thus require the help of other species for their survival. This relationship is also commonly seen on coral reefs where tiny reef fish shoal around corals and quickly seek hiding if they hear a loud noise or feel threatened. Another more common example is seen in the clownfish and anemone relationship.

The bright colours of the clownfish attract small fish for the anemone to eat, where as the anemone protects the clownfish with its stinging tentacles.

Hitch hikers Several species of marine crustaceans such as small shrimp and crabs are known to hitch hike on other animals to get around quicker and to be protected if threatened.

All the examples described can be seen at the Malta National Aquarium, where the species live symbiotically just as they do in the wild.

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AIR MALTA NEWS

Air Malta Surveys over 10,000 Customers In New Customer Satisfaction Survey

A

i r Malta has surveyed over 10,000 customers to gauge their satisfaction levels in a new, simple, yet effective method, to understand real-time customer satisfaction levels. In these surveys the national airline is achieving one of the highest scores across various industries.

Air Malta is one of the first organisations in Malta to have introduced the Net Promoter Score (NPS). In contrast to traditional survey measures, NPS makes it possible to rectify issues fast rather than get to know about them months later. By then customers might have switched to a competitor.

This score also helps to understand where priorities for development and investment should be and how to achieve loyalty and positive recommendations.

Customers are viewed as key ambassadors for the organisation.

Customers are surveyed online on one single question. They are asked to rate on a standard 0-10 scale the likelihood of recommending the company to a friend or colleague. Rating customers are classified in three categories: detractors, passives or promoters. The calculated NPS is an index deducting detractors from promoters (two highest scores) and can therefore range from +100 (all promoters) to -100 (all detractors).

Air Malta started measuring NPS this spring and now achieves an average score of +44, considered to be in the top range across any industry including airlines.

More than 10,000 customers have given their feedback and during the last week of October the airline achieved a score of 54, which is an exceptionally good NPS. The airline intends to continue measuring this score to benchmark its performance. This score is also shared with employees and is part of the efforts

to make customer focus an integral part of the company culture.

NPS is easy to understand and has become very popular within organisations. If a company has more detractors than promoters the score will be negative and vice-versa. NPS provides companies with a simple and straightforward metric that can be used as motivation for employees to improve and to provide the best customer experience possible. Its ultimate objective is to convert customers who were less than happy or unimpressed into promoters who will put the word out and allow for increased revenues and profits.

This initiative is the foundation of a series of projects that Air Malta launches in order to enhance the customer experience and to show that the airline Cares More.

Visit www.airmalta.com, www.facebook.com/AirMalta for more information.

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AIR MALTA NEWS

il-bizzilla talks to Walter Cherrett Ramp supervisor

How long have you been working with Air Malta?

Do you have any hobbies?

I have been working Air Malta for 41 years.

Yes. I love to watch the English Premier League football matches especially when Manchester United play.

What three words describe your job best?

Challenging, hectic but interesting.

What is the biggest challenge when working with Air Malta?

Aircraft punctuality is of vital importance to an airline. Our customers want to arrive at their destination on time. They may have other connecting flights or connecting means of transport. Our On Time Punctuality statistic is monitored for each and every flight and I lead a team that works tirelessly to maintain aircraft punctuality.

Which is your favourite destination and why?

I love London. It almost a second home town for me. I love to travel to various parts of the city and even watch live football matches there.

What are your favourite spots or tips for anyone visiting Malta?

My favourite spots are the islands include Mdina, Ghar Lapsi and strolling around the island of Gozo. I love to explore historical places, enjoy local cuisine and relax at some quiet picturesque place enjoying our beautiful weather.

Aircraft punctuality is of vital importance to an airline

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inflight information

FLIGHT & COMPANY information Survey: Customer satisfaction is of the utmost importance at Air Malta and we are always looking for ways to improve your experience. Visit our website to answer a few short questions. www.airmalta.com/wearelistening

Newsletter: Subscribe to our newsletter or like our Facebook page to learn about our promotions, with fares starting from as low as €44 including taxes. Visit www.airmalta.com for more information.

Alcohol consumption

Smoking

Alcohol consumed at high altitude can have a stronger effect than usual. Cabin crew are legally empowered to refuse serving any alcohol to an intoxicated passenger and to anyone under the age of 18. In extreme cases, crew may also temporarily confiscate the passenger‘s own drinks so that the passenger would not become a nuisance to the other passengers and crew. Furthermore, Air Malta is bound by international regulations which prohibit embarkation or the carriage of drunken passengers. But once you are reading this article, Air Malta‘s Flight Safety Committee is confident that you are a law-abiding and exemplary passenger. Indeed, the cabin crew may need your assistance to restrain another passenger in the unlikely event that he or she may act irresponsibly during the flight. The consumption of one’s own alcoholic beverages inflight goes against Air Malta policy.

Smoking is prohibited from when you leave the terminal building until you arrive to the terminal building. Smoking is allowed in designated areas only. Smoking is not allowed during any phase of the flight and in any area of the aircraft. Should you be aware of a passenger who has smoked in the toilet during the flight, please inform the cabin crew immediately so that they can check for any undetected fires. The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is also not allowed on board Air Malta flights.

Similarly, the use of naked flames on and around the aircraft is also prohibited.

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inflight information

Air Malta Fleet

Enhance your travel experience At Air Malta, we want our passengers to have everything they need to make their travel experience comfortable in one place. Here are a number of services that we offer that you may not have known about: Join our business cl a ss Upgrade to Air Maltaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club Class for priority service. Members can make use of the special check-in counters for more leisurely and efficient boarding, enjoy access to the La Valette Lounge at Malta International Airport, and get more privacy with a separate inflight cabin area.

AIRBUS 319 Qty: 2 in fleet Number of seats: 141 Engines: 2 CFM56-5B6/P Maximum take-off weight: 73.5 metric tons

C a rry mor e w ith you Are you worried about not being able to fit everything you need into your suitcase? Stop stressing out and check out our extra baggage service. Simply book your extra baggage online and get the most out of your trip! Visit www.airmalta.com/excess-baggage-en-gb for more details.

Overall length: 33.84m Wingspan: 34.1m Cruising speed: 834 kph Range: 4,815 km

Fly in comfort Enhance your comfort with extra legroom during your flight. This option gives you more space to relax in preparation for your trip!

Visit www.airmalta.com/information/services-by-air-malta/seatselection or more information.

Get sport Y Are you passionate about a sport? We make it easy to travel and take your specialised equipment with you at very minimal cost. Visit www.airmalta.com/excess-baggage-en-gb for more details.

Qty: 6 in fleet

Groups We also cater for large groups who want to travel together. If your group is larger than 10 adults, contact our Group Bookings team for special rates that you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get anywhere else!

Number of seats: 168/180

Email groups@airmalta.com for more information.

AIRBUS 320

Engines: 2 CFM56-5B4/P Maximum take-off weight: 77.0 metric tons Overall length: 37.57m Wingspan: 34.1m Cruising speed: 834 kph Range: 4,055 km

W eb check in Skip the line and check-in before you get to the airport. You may check-in online before you get to the airport, up to 24 hours prior to departure up until one hour before your flight. Visit www.airmalta.com/information/check-in for more information.

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destination information

finland SWEDEN

RUSSIA

NORWAY • OSLO

ARLANDA STOCKHOLM

ESTONIA

LATVIA DENMARK REP. OF IRELAND

• COPENHAGEN

UNITED KINGDOM

LITHUANIA

• Moscow Domodedovo

• Manchester

BELARUS • BREMEN • Hamburg

• Berlin • Amsterdam London Heathrow • • HANNOVER HOLLAND • London Gatwick GERMANY • Brussels BELGIUM • Düsseldorf • DRESDEN

Luxembourg

• Paris Charles de Gaulle Paris Orly •

• Frankfurt

UKRAINE

• Prague

CZECH REPUBLIC

• Munich

FRANCE

• WARSAW

POLAND

SLOVAKIA

• Vienna

• Zurich

MOLDOVA

• Budapest

AUSTRIA

HUNGARY

SWITZERLAND

ROMANIA

SLOVENIA CROATIA

Linate Milan •

• OTOPANI

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

• SOFIA

MONTENEGRO

ITALY SPAIN

SERBIA

BULGARIA • ISTANBUL

F.Y.O.M.

• Rome • OLBIA

TURKEY

ALBANIA GREECE • Athens

SICILY • Catania

• Algiers

TUNISIA

LARNACA •

CYPRUS

Malta • Djerba

ALGERIA

LIBYA

EGYPT

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destination information

IRAN

Air Malta direct flights airport Algiers Amsterdam Athens Berlin Brussels Catania Djerba Düsseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg London Gatwick

• ABU DHABI

OMAN

SAUDI ARABIA

Weekly Flights

• BRISBANE

2 4 2 3 7 9 2 5 6 2 7

airport

Weekly Flights

London Heathrow Manchester Milan Linate Moscow Domodedovo Munich Paris Charles de Gaulle Paris Orly Rome Vienna Zurich

14 4 5 2 7 6 4 7 4 7

Code-shared RouteS australia Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Brisbane Melbourne Perth Sydney

• SYDNEY

via Athens, Rome, Heathrow, Manchester and Brussels via Abu Dhabi via Abu Dhabi via Abu Dhabi via Abu Dhabi

Lufthansa

• MELBOURNE

Arlanda via Munich Berlin via Munich Bremen via Munich and Frankfurt Catania via Munich Dresden via Munich and Frankfurt Düsseldorf via Munich Frankfurt Hannover via Munich and Frankfurt Munich New York (Newark) via Munich Oslo via Munich Stockholm via Munich

• PERTH

australia

Emirates Larnaca

Meridiana Olbia

via Rome

Austrian Airlines

Jersey City

Newark

NEWARK •

New York

Budapest Otopani Prague Sofia Warsaw

via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna via Vienna

brussels AIRLINES Brussels Brussels Copenhagen

Turkish AIRLINES Staten Island

Istanbul

via Catania via Brussels

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Electronic device information

Use of Portable Electronic Devices on board Tr a nsmit t ing Porta ble Electronic Dev ices (PEDs)

Non-T r a nsmit ting Porta ble Electronic Dev ices (PEDs)

L a ptops a nd notebooks

Any devices that can send or receive data by wireless means, such as mobile-phones and tablets, may be used during all phases of the flight provided their transmit/receive capabilities (e.g.

Bluetooth and Wi-fi) are switched off.

Alternatively, if the device has ‘Flight Mode’ capability, this must be enabled.

Such devices shall be safely secured in the customers’ hand (handheld) or a pocket during taxi, take-off and landing. Larger devices (e.g. laptops) shall be switched off and stowed away safely during taxi, take-off and landing.

Accessories, such as headphones, must not obstruct access to the aisle. If the data transmission capability cannot be switched off (whilst the device is operating), the device itself must be switched off for the duration of the flight.

These could include, but are not limited to, items such as DVD players, electronic games, music players and personal cameras. Such devices shall be safely secured in the customers’ hand (handheld) or a pocket during taxi, take-off and landing. Larger devices shall be stowed away safely during taxi, take-off and landing.

Such devices may be used during boarding and during flight but not during taxi, take-off and landing. Any built-in data connectivity such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi must be disabled. These devices must be stowed away safely during taxi, take-off and landing since they could hinder an emergency evacuation.

Ar e ther e t imes w hen I c a nnot use m y electronic dev ices?

C a n I use he a dphones?

Personal headphones can be used during all phases of the flight. However, we ask you to remove your headphones during the safety briefing. For safety reasons, customers sitting in an emergency exit row must refrain from using headphones during taxi, take-off and landing.

Under certain circumstances, your Flight Crew or Cabin Crew may ask you to switch off all Personal Electronic Devices. This may happen during automatic landings, low visibility takeoff or landing, or during emergency situations.

I should inform the c a bin cr ew w hen …

… a passenger notices that his/her device is overheating. In such a case, the Personal Electronic Device must be switched off immediately and a member of the crew informed.

If you require more information, please refer to the table below which includes a list of Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) which can be used onboard Air Malta flights by phase of flight. Please do not hesitate to contact any member of our cabin crew if you have any further questions.

PHASE

Boarding

H a nd Held PEDs

(e.g. smart phones and tablets)

L a rger PEDS

(e.g. laptops and notebooks)

HEADPHONES

W i-fi, t ex t & phone c a ll f unct ions

YES

YES

YES

YES

(when instructed by Flight Crew or Cabin Crew)

YES

YES

YES

YES

Taxi-out for Take-Off

YES

no

YES

no

During Safety Briefing Demonstration

YES

no

no

no

Take-Off

YES

no

YES

no

Cruise

YES

YES

YES

no

(Cabin Crew PA)

YES

no

YES

no

Landing

YES

no

YES

no

Taxi to Stand

YES

no

YES

YES

Extended Ground Delay

Circa 10 minutes to landing

More information is available at www.airmalta.com/information/check-in

CHRISTMAS IN GOZO

5th Dec 2015 till 3rd Jan 2016

MINISTRY FOR GOZO

Further information please visit: www.christmasingozo.com or our facebook page Christmas in Gozo

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