Il-Bizzilla, September 2021

THE AIR MALTA IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE

# 1 0 5 S E P T E M B E R 2 02 1

06 Marsaxlokk: Malta's traditional fishing village.

26 The Travellers: Meet Gozo's iconic band.

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Inflight food menu and boutique shopping guide inside.

CONTACTLESS CARDS JUST TAP & PAY

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EXPANDING BOUNDARIES: IN THE (V)ROOM OF REQUIREMENT

MARSAXLOKK: MALTA’S TRADITIONAL FISHING VILLAGE Lyndsey Grima gives us the lowdown on this charming southern village.

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The forward thinking virtual art exhibition is now open.

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SIX TOP SIGHTS

PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST

This month’s top sights round up takes us around Marsaxlokk.

Our monthly portrait of an artist explores the diverse works of Vince Briffa.

18 AIR MALTA DESTINATION: ZURICH This month’s Air Malta destination ventures to the Swiss city.

22 HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST OLIVE OIL

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ISLAND HIGHLIGHTS Here’s what not to miss when exploring the Maltese islands.

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RIVALRY ON THE WATERS: MALTESE FERRY CULTURE Palazzo Falson, Mdina dig deep into their archives.

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70 AIR MALTA SKY SHOP Peruse our onboard boutique, for fragances, gifts and more.

72 AIR MALTA NEWS

A round-up of this month’s news.

77 DESTINATION INFORMATION Planning a trip? Take a look at all of Air Malta’s flight routes and code-sharing routes here.

Want to learn more about picking out the best olive oils? We have got you covered.

OUR MONTHLY RECIPE

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Chef Stefan Hogan provides his twist on a classic Maltese staple, lampuki.

Lauren John caught up with one of the islands most iconic modern bands.

RESTAURANT GUIDE

All you need to know about flying with Air Malta.

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ELECTRONIC DEVICE INFORMATION

INFLIGHT MENU

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

THE TRAVELLERS

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OFF THE BEATEN TRACK: GARDENS OF FLORIANA Tour guide Matthew Camilleri shares some hidden horticultural gems.

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Feeling hungry? Here’s where to head this month.

Browse our onboard menu here.

78 FLIGHT AND COMPANY INFORMATION

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ON THE COVER

This month's cover showcases the fishing village of Marsaxlokk.

Expect plenty of vibrant nets, colourful fishing boats and a popular Sunday market during the start of this year’s lampuki season.

MEET THE TE AM EDITORIAL AND DESIGN TBWA\ANG EXECUTIVE EDITOR Dayna Camilleri Clarke SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TBWA\ANG CONTRIBUTORS Christine Cassar Dayna Camilleri Clarke Dean Muscat Duncan Barry Finesse Group Heritage Malta Lauren John Lyndsey Grima Matthew Camilleri Meg Hibbert Maypole Natalya Vuković Palazzo Falson Stephen Gauci Valletta Cultural Agency

Visit Gozo PHOTOGRAPHERS Adam Osinski Aron Tanti Christine Cassar Colour My Travel Daniel Cilia Dominic Catania James Cripps Jason Borg (DOI) Joanna Demarco Kevin White Lisa Farrugia Piotr Andruszko Mario Gauci Palazzo Falson Historic House Archives Tonio Lombardi Viewing Malta Visit Gozo Wikimedia Commons Ylenia Attard ILLUSTRATOR Bryan Wolfgang Reiter

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FEATURED ON IL-BIZZILLA?

For advertising opportunities and restaurant listings, get in touch with TBWA\ANG on sales@il-bizzilla.com or (+356) 2131 0608. For anything related to editorial or photography, contact Dayna on editor@il-bizzilla.com 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 correct before going to print, 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, Air Malta, Shutterstock and ViewingMalta.com for the provision of photographic material. Printed in Malta

by VelPrint Ltd. All magazine rights are reserved by Air Malta PLC. Air Malta’s staff interview with Capt Joseph Maniscalco carried in the August 2021 edition contained a wrong reply to the question about his favourite movie. The error is regretted.

We would like to express our gratitude to photographer Kurt Arrigo for our August issue front cover.

A space where creativity meets craft to highlight the local charm

Find Us in Sliema and Valletta!

108, Triq Manwel Dimech, 8, Misraħ San Ġwann, Sliema, Malta Valletta, Malta souvenirsthatdontsuck.mt

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W ELC OM E

FROM THE CHAIRMAN...

FRO M THE ED ITO R...

Dear travellers,

Dear Guests, Merħba,

September is upon us, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief that hopefully, this year's repetitive heatwaves are behind us and usher in a few welcome rainclouds to freshen up the land. This month on the islands is a special one, synonymous with both olive harvest and the lampuki season, the traditional fish of Malta.

Diversity and equality are core values at Air Malta, and we welcome all our guests. In this regard, we will be addressing our customers in a gender-neutral manner.

We also recognise the value and importance of customer experience, and we are working on improving interactions throughout your journey.

And on that note, we head to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, where a taste of local culture awaits. The port is famous for keeping alive the old Maltese tradition of "luzzus," which are gorgeously coloured boats that fishermen use to bring fresh fish to the shores on a daily basis. Amazingly, Marsaxlokk's history begins almost 3,000 years ago in the 9th century BC, when the first human settlements are recorded in the area. Its unusual name originates from two words. One of them ("Marsa") is Arabic for port, while "Xlokk" refers to the Southeast region of the island in Maltese. You can read more about the pretty village on page 6.

We are very excited to announce the launch of our newly designed website www.airmalta.com, and booking platform.

After months of hard work and dedication we are delighted to deliver a customer experience that is faster, more intuitive, easier to navigate, and more user-friendly. The website incorporates a refreshed look and features which will enhance your overall experience; whether you are accessing the site from desktop, mobile or any tablet device. This platform will now enable us to launch our first mobile app and a redesigned Loyalty Programme in the coming months.

I am also very pleased to announce that Air Malta will be extending the operations of the Berlin, Dusseldorf, and Lyon routes during wintertime. To further promote these new services and our network in various markets overseas, we are glad to welcome on board ‘Discover the World’, as our trade, sales and marketing partners in Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands. We are also pleased to extend our travel trade partnerships with ‘Aviareps’ in France and Italy and ‘Flight Directors’ in the UK.

Elsewhere, we caught up with one of our most iconic modern bands, The Travellers, ahead of their new single release. The six-piece band from Gozo offer up plenty of catchy tracks sure to be the soundtrack to your stay on the islands. Here at Bizzilla HQ, you can find us singing our way into the weekend, and we are very sure you will join the choir.

At Air Malta we also value our involvement in the community, and we are pleased to have assisted the Maltese Government to transport 40,000 COVID vaccines and a similar number of rapid testing kits to Libya. We are delighted to be part of this global effort to transport vaccines and help neighbouring countries and other communities that we serve. Read more about this donation and other Air Malta news on page 76.

Not forgetting we have our usual mix of talented local artisans, off the beaten track spots to explore, island highlights, and six top sights you really shouldn't miss out on visiting.

Sit back, relax - you will soon be there.

For more information and the latest news about Air Malta, our flight schedule and the new website, please visit www.airmalta.com and www.facebook.com/AirMalta and join our newsletter mailing list to receive great offers directly to your inbox.

Thank you for flying Air Malta! Enjoy this edition and keep safe.

Dayna

David G Curmi

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, AIR MALTA

EDITOR

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D E S T I NAT I ON

WORDS LYNDSEY GRIMA

M A R S A X L O K K: M A LTA’ S T R A DI T I ONA L F I S H I NG V I L L AG E HISTORY BUFF OR FOODIE? MARSAXLOKK IS THE ULTIMATE PLACE TO EXPERIENCE SCENERY, CULTURE, AND CUISINE. MARSAXLOKK HAS SEEN REGULAR ACTIVITY, MOST SPECIFICALLY SEA-RELATED SINCE ANCIENT TIMES. BOTH THE ROMANS AND THE ARABS USED MARSAXLOKK BAY FOR SAFE ANCHORAGE WHILE MARSAXLOKK ALSO PROVIDED ANCHORAGE FOR THE OTTOMAN FLEET IN 1565 WHEN THEY CAME TO LAY SIEGE TO MALTA.

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In the area known as Tas-Silġ (silġ meaning ice in Maltese) archaeologists have also found remains of a megalithic temple which is said to have been used as a Byzantine monastery in the 4th or 5th century AD before being completely demolished.

However, there’s more to this traditional village, located in the south-eastern part of the Maltese Islands, adjacent to Żejtun, Marsascala, and Birżebbuġa.

The small and picturesque Marsaxlokk is a well-loved tourist destination that is frequented both by foreigners and locals alike.

THE LARGEST FISHING VILLAGE IN MALTA Marsaxlokk is the largest fishing harbour of Malta, and it has been considered so for a very long time. The greater part of fish, sold in restaurants and all over

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the island that are caught by fishermen, are coming from this village.

However, do not just take our word for it! As soon as you step into Marsaxlokk you will see countless traditional luzzus and larger fishing vessels at bay on the harbour, almost giving you a colourful welcome to the village. You will immediately spot the luzzus as they brightly display primary colours with the eye of Horus painted at the front of each vessel to protect fishermen when they are out at sea.

SUNDAYS ARE FOR FISH MARKETS Marsaxlokk is home to the best fresh fish on the island. The local fish market takes place every Sunday and it is immensely popular with both locals and tourists. The market offers other souvenirs and local produce stalls, but the fish stalls are, by far, the most sought-after. It is also a great opportunity to mix with locals and experience typical Maltese culture.

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D E S T I NAT I ON

YOU WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY

visiting due to its beautiful white, gold, and red interiors. You will even

When in Marsaxlokk, you cannot miss dining at one of the many

witness paintings by the famous Maltese artist Giuseppe Cal ì.

seafood restaurants on the harbour. Most restaurants offer outdoor seating overlooking the harbour which is perfect to enjoy fresh

You might have also recognised Fort Delimara from the Assassin’s

seafood and a glass of wine as you watch the boats and feel the

Creed movie in 2016. Previously acting as one of Malta’s many

summer breeze.

coastal defences built by the Knights of Malta, it is now an incredible sight to behold. The fort is not open to the public due

BEACHES AND BAYS

to coastal erosion endangerment, however, you can clearly see it

There are four stunning beaches and bays in Marsaxlokk but, we will

during walking or boat tours.

warn you, none of them are easy to reach, which makes them worth the trouble! Although recently, they have become more

Finally, one cannot miss out on a visit to St Lucian Tower, now home

known with people visiting the island, they are still quite remote in

to the Malta Aquaculture Research Centre. It is one of the largest

terms of location.

watchtowers on the island and, it is said that the building was built because of a woman’s dream, claiming that during her sleep St

Il-Ħofra ż-Żgħira and il-Ħofra l-Kbira (the small cove and the

John informed her that Marsaxlokk should be fortified. There was an

large cove respectively) are two beaches that are located on

attack shortly after this alleged dream, which is why the fort was

the south-west of the village while Kalanka and St Peter’s Pool

said to have been built. If you are a history buff, you can book a tour

are two bays that are reachable via the road that leads to the

(on Saturdays) to visit this magnificent tower.

Delimara Power Station.

HOW TO GET THERE… As with most beaches and bays on the island, these four

Marsaxlokk is merely 6.5 kilometres away from the Malta

in Marsaxlokk offer crystal clear deep waters with excellent

International Airport. If you are driving around the island, you can

snorkelling opportunities.

be in the village in just 10 minutes.

A CULTURALLY RICH VILLAGE

If you are taking the bus, the quickest route would be from Valletta

There is something for everyone when exploring Marsaxlokk. The

bus station by taking bus number 81 or 85. There are also plenty of

village’s parish church is dedicated to Our Lady of Pompeii and is worth

taxi companies via applications available on smartphones.

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A RT

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I NSERT A TR ET XT HERE

WORDS DEAN MUSCAT

PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST V I N C E B R I F FA

MALTESE ARTIST VINCE BRIFFA CHATS WITH DEAN MUSCAT ON A LIFE OF PUSHING BOUNDARIES AND BLURRING BORDERS IN THE ARTS. Painter, sculptor, filmmaker, digital artist. There are many labels

Other formative experiences were soon to follow. He chanced upon

that fit Vince Briffa, yet none of them seem to truly get to the

the Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta a couple of years later, just

heart of the man and his prolific creative output, which has been

as they happened to be hosting an exhibition by Italian painter

exhibited everywhere from Austria to Argentina, and spans many

and leading figure of the Futurist movement, Carlo Carrà. Equally

disparate mediums. Perhaps this elusive catch-all designation is

influential was his tutelage under Maltese artist Ray Pitrè.

unsurprising for an artist who has made it his life’s work to play with the “co-existence of dualities” and “the blurred borders and

“Ray used to live near us, and I would go to his studio when I was

uncertain divides” of life, art, and technology in their many guises.

around 14 or 15. Ray was a good portrait artist, one of the leading local artists at that time. I had this Bottega relationship with him,

So in an attempt to figure Vince out, it’s perhaps wise to return,

in a kind of way, and it formed me intensely,” he recalls. From the

rather predictably, to the beginning.

modernists and futurists to the fundamentals of portraiture, the seeds were already being sown for Vince’s proclivity to blend the old

“It sounds like a cliché, but really and truly, I’ve always drawn since

with the new to create something entirely his own. He continued

I was a kid. The activity of image making becomes a language

to hone his talent throughout his teenage years, amassing a

through you. When I was younger, I could express myself better

promising portfolio of artistic experiments, some of which he had

through drawing than language,” Vince explains.

the opportunity to exhibit at the Bibliotheca in Valletta thanks to the contacts of an encouraging Salesian priest.

Many artists can point to a defining moment in their life, one which unequivocally shaped their artistic identity at a young age.

It was clear, even from this juvenilia, that Vince’s talent for painting

For Vince that moment arrived on a seemingly ordinary afternoon

was above and beyond a mere hobbyist’s capable skill. His flair

when he was about 10 years old. Wandering into his father’s little

for the craft coupled with an emerging but already idiosyncratic

library room at home, he stumbled across a series of art books

artistic outlook began to convince the young painter that there was

tucked away in a corner of a shelf, behind his father’s beloved

potential to pursue his passion as a career.

murder mysteries and gialli. Among the artists in the collection were visionary giants such as Monet, Manet, and Picasso. The

The final piece of the formative puzzle arrived through a

young Vince was completely and utterly enthralled. He devoted

correspondence course in graphic design, which offered Vince an

the rest of the afternoon to leafing through each book, uncovering

introduction to commercial and digital arts. This side of the artistic

masterpiece after masterpiece.

coin was more solidly minted throughout his higher education. Reading a master’s degrees at the University of Leeds, Vince started shifting

“I discovered the impressionists and modernists in an afternoon,” he

from painting to installation, experimenting with video as a tool. His

chuckles. “It was a huge revelation for me.”

doctorate degree was directed at new media and interactivity.

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ART

“I discovered the impressionists and modernists in an afternoon,” he chuckles.

“It was a huge revelation for me.”

There’s a tendency for fine art to forever be at loggerheads with the

This blurring of the borders, where art seeps into and interacts with

digital and electronic, where never the twain shall meet. However,

all corners of life, is something Vince firmly believes in. But for this

reinforcing his predilection to blur borders, Vince has little time for

to succeed, he admits we need to place greater value on visual

such rigid and simplistic dichotomies. In fact, he has made it his

literacy, a skill which is yet to be given its due importance in Malta.

mission to always look beyond the superficiality of the medium towards the inner heart and intent of any piece of art.

“Visual literacy, like written literacy, has structures based in many different areas -composition, historical relevance, colour theory,

“I believe it’s the concept that defines the work, not the medium,”

abstraction. Once we start to understand the nuts and bolts

he explains. “If the concept merits photography, I use the camera,

of how we see, what we see, then we can start to understand

if it’s painting, I paint. The medium changes because the concept

how we can apply this in our architecture, our spatial town

defines it. If you look closely at my work, whether it’s in painting,

planning, in the way we paint our walls at home, in the ambiance

video, sculpture, or whatever, there is a thread that runs through

we’re trying to create in a children’s ward. That’s why abroad

all of it, which is very humanistic and looks at the human condition

they have artists in residence at hospitals and workplaces. An

more than anything else.”

artist can engage with the community and create works with the community, not just for the community. If we all share

This concept-driven artistic process is also something Vince is keen

a language of the visual arts, then we will not only be able

to instil in his students enrolled in the Digital Arts programme at the

understand but also participate.”

University of Malta, a department he helped set up from scratch in 2011. The versatile course bridges the gap between contemporary

In between his teaching duties, Vince remains prolific in his

artistic practice and digital technology, and students have gone

creative output. His paintings remain a stable element in his

on to build careers as everything from leading tattoo artists and book

life. Presently, there is also a video art project in collaboration

illustrators to designers of special effects for films. Throughout their

with a French curator in Paris and a research project focussing on

studies, Vince continues to challenge students to collaborate with

merging contemporary and traditional print making techniques.

other university departments, encouraging them to work alongside

“As you can see, three totally different directions. I like to keep

their peers in engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and marine research

myself artistically fluid,” he says with a chuckle.

in order to create a richer research environment that champions the potential for art to interact with, seek inspiration from, and have

So as we start to wrap up, another stab at the original question.

something to say about all facets of the world we live in.

Painter, sculptor, filmmaker, digital artist, artistic researcher, teacher. How does Vince prefer to define himself?

“This hazy line between art and science is being stretched today. We have a migration of scientists working with artists, and artists working

He gives it a long moment’s thought. “I’m a maker,” he says finally,

with scientists. Art cannot be absorbed or created in a vacuum. There’s

“and my work is my vocabulary. It is the vehicle that best embodies

an experience of art, which also includes society,” he explains.

my thoughts and connects all my creative output”.

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GOZO

WORDS VISITGOZO / MINISTRY FOR GOZO

GOZO’S MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOTS MANY SAY THAT EVERYWHERE YOU TURN IN GOZO YOU’VE GOT A GREAT BACKDROP FOR AN AWESOME PHOTO AND WE TEND TO AGREE!

Whether you’re an ardent photographer who’s willing to wait for the

The Cittadella is rich in buildings of architectural, military,

perfect moment to capture a shot or if you’re looking for a lucky

and historical value, while its open areas afford a habitat to

snap to beautify your Instagram feed, the island truly offers some

numerous rare species of flora and fauna. In visiting Cittadella,

very photogenic places to post on your social media and wow your

visitors step back in time, experiencing the past in a way they are

followers and friends back home.

unlikely to forget. #CittadellaGozo

Here are some of the island’s most Instagrammable spots: TA’ PINU CHURCH WIED IL-GĦASRI

As one of Gozo’s most famous landmarks, Ta’ Pinu is an

This very narrow and secluded bay is a haven for those who seek

architectural masterpiece, especially inside with its superb

a quiet bathing area. It is also very popular with divers who like to

sculptures and craftsmanship in Maltese stone. The parvis in front

explore the surrounding underwater caves.

of the church is full of stunning mosaic and this area is especially

#WiedLGhasri

beautiful during sunset hours. #TaPinu

XLENDI BAY Xlendi is a popular swimming, snorkelling and diving spot. There

THE XWEJNI SALTPANS

is a small sandy beach leading into shallow waters perfect for

The Saltpans in Gozo’s northerly coast just up from Marsalforn are a

young and old, while for the more adventurous it is delightful to

transfixing landmark and of vital importance, upholding an ancient

swim and snorkel in deeper water off the long stretch of rocks

trade and skill, whilst harvesting one of Gozo’s important natural

bordering the beach.

raw materials – salt.

#Xlendi Please respect the signs and avoid walking directly onto the saltTHE INLAND SEA

pans when taking photographs.

Dwejra boasts a number of beautiful natural spots and the Inland

#XwejniSaltpans

Sea must top the lot. The Inland Sea is a lagoon of seawater linked to the Mediterranean Sea through an opening formed by a narrow natural arch. On calm days, you can board a small fishing boat and go for a short boat ride through the archway into the open sea. #DwejraBay THE GOZO CITADEL

We love sharing our followers’ photos of Gozo on our Social Media!

With its distinctive skyline and imposing military architecture, Cittadella, the ancient fortified city, stands out as Gozo’s major

Share your Gozo pictures on Instagram and use #VisitGozo or tag

landmark, a beacon visible from all over the island.

our account @insta_visitgozo for a chance to be featured.

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OEZ X OT H E R E I N S E R TG T

#WiedLGhasri

#Xlendi

#DwejraBay

#CittadellaGozo

#TaPinu

#XwejniSaltpans

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GOZO

WORDS VISITGOZO / MINISTRY FOR GOZO

GOZO: YOUR IDEAL PLAYGROUND FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IS GOZO WORTH VISITING? YOU BET IT IS. DESPITE BEING A TINY ISLAND, GOZO OFFERS A VARIETY OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND THINGS TO DO SO YOU'LL NEVER GET BORED, MAKING IT MORE THAN JUST A DAYTRIP DESTINATION. For lovers of water activities, Gozo is an

the months from October to May, when

we’re lucky that a good walk is never far,

absolute paradise. For starters, it is probably

temperatures are mild and the island is

and the views are often spectacular.

the best place in Europe for scuba diving with

a lush green carpet of wildflowers and

jaw-dropping sites suitable for everyone,

scented herbs.

The 50km Gozo Coastal Walk takes you

from novice to expert.

around the entire island by a route that Rock climbing and abseiling are also popular

is interesting, safe, varied and enjoyable.

The best snorkeling sites include San Dimitri

sports in Gozo. From stunning sea cliffs to

The walk can be done by any reasonably

Point in western Gozo, Wied il-Għasri in

shady inland crags, you’ll find a climb that

fit person and a pair of walking shoes is

northern Gozo and the famous Blue Hole at

best suits your experience.

adequate in all but the worst of weather.

with the sea eight metres down through

A full-day jeep safari is one of the best-rated

For something different, horse riding is

a submerged arch. For colourful sea life

tours in Gozo which allows you to explore the

an exhilarating, fun and different way to

try Reqqa Point in northern Gozo or Xatt

hidden gems of the island stress-free. On

experience the unspoilt Gozo countryside.

L'Aħmar in southern Gozo.

these all-day tours, you get picked up and led

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced

by a guide, and lunch is usually included in

rider, the main horse riding stables in Qala

Kayaking, boat rides, and stand-up

the price. There are many other tour options;

and Xagħra can provide you with a suitable

paddleboarding are also superb ways to see

whether it’s with a segway or a quadbike,

horse and a beautiful day out.

and appreciate the beautiful Gozo coast.

you’re guaranteed a fun time.

The island also has a lot to offer the cyclist.

However, if you don’t enjoy such tours, you

Gozo will provide the perfect stage to enjoy

Mountain biking is at its best in Gozo in

might want to get walking instead. In Gozo,

an adventure you’ll never forget.

Dwejra, a 25-metre deep hole that connects

Whatever activity you choose to experience,

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I NSERT T EX T H ER E

Explore Malta Safely by Bus Travel Cards from only €6

www.publictransport.com.mt

T R AV E L

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T R AV E L

WORDS AIR MALTA

Z U R I C H: T H E R E’ S M O R E TO THIS CIT Y THAN MEETS THE E YE THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF ZURICH STANDS ITS GROUND IN THE CENTRE OF SWITZERLAND AND AT THE VERY HEART OF EUROPE. WITHOUT A DOUBT, AT THE FIRST MENTION OF THIS PLACE, ONE'S THOUGHTS ARE IMMEDIATELY DIVERTED TOWARDS THE INDULGENT SWISS CHOCOLATE, TANTALIZING CHEESE FONDUE, JAW DROPPING LANDSCAPE, REPUTABLE BANKS, DISTINCTIVE SOUND OF YODELING – AND PERHAPS EVEN THE DISHY SWISS-BORN TENNIS PLAYER ROGER FEDERER. BUT THIS COMMON CONNOTATION SIMPLY DOESN’T DO IT JUSTICE. YOU NEED TO DIG A LITTLE DEEPER TO TRULY DISCOVER ALL THAT THIS CITY HAS TO OFFER. Zurich is in actual fact the largest Swiss city, however, with this being

of which have received rave reviews from those with a passion for art

said it is also the world’s smallest metropolis – an impressive contrast

and history, and are thus highly recommended; the Kunsthaus Zurich

upon which the city swells with pride. Hence, due to its small size and

(Museum of Fine Arts), Swiss National Museum and the Rietberg

consequently easy exploration opportunities; either on foot or by use of

Museum. Zurich is also home to some truly stunning churches,

the commendable transport network, there are no excuses as to why

including the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches that are now

you can’t see and experience everything whilst there!

considered as two very important landmarks of the city. Whilst on the topic, it cannot go unmentioned that the oldest church in Zurich is St

Not long ago, Zurich was thought of as a city more for the business-

Peterskirche and it boasts the largest clock face in Europe.

minded - what with it being one of Europe’s leading financial and industrial cities. It was pictured as a place of utmost stringency with

Additionally, your visit wouldn’t be complete without a tour of the

little excitement and intrigue. Even just the fact that the name Zu

Old Town, also known as Altstadt. It is the epitome of history as it

Reich actually means ‘too rich’ was a turnoff for most. But times

depicts Zurich’s multifaceted past with its striking medieval and

have changed and this Swiss city has successfully metamorphosed

Renaissance buildings, and winding cobblestoned streets - it is

itself into one of the most vibrant and hip destinations to visit.

undoubtedly an area of tremendous atmosphere. This is also the region in which the Cabaret Voltaire, a former nightclub, was set

Here are some of the different sides and captivating wonders of

up by the Dada art movement after World War 1 in order to express

Zurich which will tug at your heartstrings and enthral even the most

what was considered as new artistic and political views at that

experienced travellers. Though be warned, after reading this you will

time. It has since been reopened as an entertainment space where

want to book a plane ticket there - speaking from past experience!

an extensive programme of events and exhibitions take place.

COMPELLING CULTURE

OUTSTANDING NATURE

As the birthplace of Dadaism, culture vultures would be well in

Wherever you turn in this city you will always be a stone’s throw

their element in Zurich as the city is dotted with a vast number of

away from nature. In summer, make the most of the clean inviting

museums and art galleries - so much so that the dilemma is which

waters of Lake Zurich and River Limmat and take a dip in one of the

one to visit. With this being said, however, the following are just a few

several swimming spots. Or if you prefer to remain dry, why not take

19

T R AV E L

a boat trip and bike ride around the lake instead so as to enjoy the

needs however, as it is also the perfect place to unwind and engage

beautiful surroundings Zurich has to offer.

in other recreational activities.

For those who like to be slightly more active and adventurous on

HEAVENLY GASTRONOMICAL OFFERINGS

the other hand, a hike on Üetliberg mountain is a must, and once

Listen up food lovers, your taste buds are begging you to come

at the top you will be rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view

here. For the most part typical Swiss dishes are cheese or potato

of the entire city and its natural gems down below. If you want to

based, some popular ones being fondue, raclette and rosti - which

raise the bar a notch, it is recommended that you explore a little

for a lot of people may be considered grave food sins, but do keep

further afield and take a wonderful day trip to the magnificent Alps

in mind that whilst on holiday exceptions are allowed so no need to

or sensational Rhine Falls - you will not regret it!

feel guilty. In terms of dessert, who doesn’t love chocolate? A visit to Confiserie Sprüngli is mandatory as it offers a wide selection of divine

TEMPTING SHOPPING FRONT

Swiss chocolate of the highest quality, together with their signature

Zurich is home to what can be regarded as the most famous

macaroons known as ‘Luxemburgerli’ and a variety of cakes. Apart

station street in the world - the ‘Bahnhofstrasse’. It is a must-see

from these national treats though, for those with a more refined

area for visitors, especially those diehard shopping fans. This

palette, Zurich also offers a wealth of Michelin-starred restaurants.

street is attractively decorated with numerous local as well as international retail chains, but do feel free to venture down the

So now the question is, with all of these new insights, have you been

side streets too for more shopping choices, I mean after all one

tempted to finally add this city to your travel list? We assure you

can never have enough options right! It must also be said, that

that you will not be disappointed... you see that's part of its charm,

this location isn’t only for those seeking to fulfill their shopping

once you get there it's instantaneous love.

Air Malta operates regular flights to Zurich. More information on www.airmalta.com Please follow the latest Covid-19 guidelines with regards to travel.

20

LOCAL

WORDS NATALYA VUKOVIĆ

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST OLIVE OIL IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING TO MALTA ANYTIME BETWEEN SEPTEMBER AND NOVEMBER, TRYING LOCALLY PRODUCED OLIVE OIL SHOULD BE PART OF YOUR TO-DO LIST. LONG RECOGNISED AS THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET’S DEFINING INGREDIENT, OLIVE OIL IS NOT ONLY A FL AVOURFUL ADDITION TO EACH MEAL BUT IT IS ALSO CHOSEN FOR ITS HEALTH BENEFITS. The production of olive oil in Malta dates

waters of the surrounding Mediterranean

Olive oil is a key component of one’s

back to the Roman times, when large

blows its saltiness into all produce grown

diet, so choosing one of good quality

residential properties would have areas

here. This gives everything a satisfying

is incredibly important. Why not try

allocated to the pressing of olives. Today,

tang in its raw state – including the

out some local variations and learn to

you cannot travel to Malta without

olives and the grapes and therefore the

distinguish olive oil of good quality from

stumbling upon the olive trees that have

oil and the wine. But the small island

the bad? You will find olive oils boasting

since lived on - they are everywhere!

also means transportation times are kept

a variety of tastes and aromas, and it is

You will even come across towns that

to an absolute minimum; ‘tree to press’ is

therefore ideal that you compare at least

are specifically named after the vast

a matter of hours or even minutes.”

three to find your preference.

number of olive trees, being Żebbug - which literally translates to Olives

This certainly plays a big role in influencing

HOW TO TASTE OLIVE OIL

- and Żejtun, derived from the Maltese

Maltese olive oil’s flavour and freshness.

If you are carrying out a tasting session

word for oil: Żejt.

Additionally, there are two main varieties

at home without professional assistance,

of olive that are indigenous to the Maltese

pour a tablespoon of each olive oil into

As British chef and restaurateur Jamie

islands - being the white olive and the

a stemless wineglass and swirl it gently.

Oliver once explained in his blog: “You are

Bidni olive. Both are not only selected for

Sip on a mouthful as you inhale, which

never really far from the coast in Malta,

their flavour but also their health benefits

will heighten the flavour, and then exhale

this means the briny air from the deep

and resistance to fruit flies.

through your nose. Proceed to swallow the

22

I N S E R TL O TC EA XL T HERE

23

LOCAL

oil as you concentrate on its flavour, taking

• Good olive oil will also taste peppery

notes as you go along.

and slightly burn the back of your throat

• One poor trait is a stale smell that comes

as you swallow. Pungent olive oil

about when olives are gathered in large

indicates its freshness.

piles and ferment.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD OLIVE OIL • A good olive oil will have a bit of a

fruity taste.

coarse and heavy to swallow.

• Another telling sign that the olive oil CHARACTERISTICS OF BAD OLIVE OIL

is not of good quality is if it smells or

• Olive oil of high quality will feel fresh and

• A mouldy flavour is one of the traits

tastes like wine. This is also a result of

you can quickly attribute to bad olive oil.

olive fermentation.

• Fresh olive oil will taste bitter, the extent

This happens when the olives are stored

of which would depend on how ripe the

in a humid environment for a long

Now that you can recognise the basics of

olive is. Remember, the best olive oil has

duration. Every step of production has

good and bad olive oil, why not fit an olive

a low acidity level. If harvest is delayed

to be perfectly planned - from harvest to

oil tasting session in your travel itinerary?

or if olives are pressed too late, the

bottling and storage - in order to avoid

It is bound to be a unique experience!

acidity level is higher and the flavour will

olive oil of poor quality.

TripAdvisor and Airbnb tend to offer some

not be as pleasant.

• Olive oil should never feel greasy or

light to swallow.

24

great events for tasting sessions.

I NSERT T EX T H ER E

ORDER KINNIE FROM AMAZON.CO.UK AND ENJOY MALTA’S OWN FAVOURITE BITTERSWEET SOFT DRINK WITH ORANGE FLAVOURING & AROMATIC HERBS FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME .

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M USIC

WORDS LAUREN JOHN

THE TRAVELLERS WHEN SIX FRIENDS GOT TOGETHER IN 2013 TO FORM A BAND, YOU’D BE FORGIVEN FOR THINKING THAT THEIR BAND NAME REFLECTED SOME EXCITING ADVENTURES, BUT ‘THE TRAVELLERS’ HAD MUCH MORE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS. SIMPLY NAMED AFTER A REGULAR FERRY TRIP THE BAND MEMBERS MADE FROM GOZO ACROSS TO MALTA, IT WAS ALSO PERHAPS A GOOD OMEN, AS THEIR MUSIC HAS NOW BEEN HEARD FAR AND WIDE ACROSS EUROPE. Like every band in their infancy, Clayton (bass), Joseph (trumpet),

rely on just on tempo. Gwerra, stands out as a more chilled out,

Chris (vocals), Andrew (guitar and backing vocals), Sylvano (sax),

soulful track, while Umani has a darker, atmospheric electronic vibe.

and Michael (drums) set out with the desire to create something different, but how would they do that in a music scene that back

Before writing this I was curious about how sing-able Maltese was as

then they already saw as ‘diverse’?

a language, but opting for their mother tongue instead of English has worked really well. The band believes that “our audience

“We started experimenting with using Maltese lyrics in a pop

relates to our music in a different way, in a more intimate way

setting. Fast forward to 2016 and we released our E.P Xemx u

when they listen to music in their mother tongue though, which

Xita. This was extremely well received by our listeners, with three

was an experience missing from popular culture for the past

back-to-back hit singles: Sempliċità, Dak Li Int, and the title

three or four decades, as for quite a long time no one was doing

track Xemx u Xita.

pop music in Maltese.” These guys make ‘doing pop music in Maltese’ effortless, but there have been challenges during the

Following this success, and the ever-growing support from their fan

song-writing process. They add: “Perhaps one such issue is that

base, a debut album was born, IIjuni fis-Silġ. With music being a

whereas in English one can find a huge number of references to

universal language this is a debut anyone can enjoy, no matter how

listen to, and be inspired from, in Maltese, the number of references

well you understand Maltese.

you could learn from is a bit more limited.”

With a strong identity from the start, The Travellers have created a

Limitations are not impossibilities though, and 4 years down the

blend of modern pop that is hard to resist. Album highlights include

line, and in a haze of neon pink photography (see their social

Ħafi Paċi Kuluri, a high energy up-tempo track full of personality.

media for more) they are dropping hints, and gearing up for the

The guitar parts are timed to perfection, with the brass section

release of their second album Inżul u Tlajja. The first single Il-Biża,

keeps the energy going throughout, but this is a band that doesn’t

an ode to mental health and internal struggles, will be out in the

26

I NS E RM T U TS EIXCT H E R E

Outfits: Charles & Ron Photo: Carlton Agius Hair Styling: Hair & Co Studios

27

M USIC

Photo: Tonio Lombardi

world by the time this piece has wings and raising awareness of

This is a band that “have always strived to come up with a new fresh

such an important issue is something that will resonate with a lot

sound. We also try as much as possible to create different techniques/

of people.

add different effects to our instruments.”

Sensitive subjects aside, The Travellers are clearly excited to

There is lots to look forward to in the coming months from this

showcase their new material and continue to feel the benefits of

group of musicians and singers, as they take on real-life struggles,

creatively interacting with fans and showcasing their music on

happiness, challenges and achievements in musical and lyrical form.

social media.

While some may feel every note and enjoy the meaning behind “Our most creative social media post has to be when we asked

every lyric, not all of you will know Maltese, so we asked the band to

our fans to record clips of them singing and playing our song

translate a favourite lyric for us. We end with this:

Xemx u Xita, and we grouped them together to create a very cool collaboration. This was done during difficult times, where a

“L-imħabba kelma kbira wisq, definizzjoni ma ssibilhiex iżda

semi-lockdown was in effect due to Covid-19 measures.” Anyone

għalija hija int.”

that’s watched socially distanced videos, live stream concerts and other lockdown activities knows what joy they brought at

Which translates as: “Love is too big a word, and you won’t find an

a time when we needed them most, but the social media plans

exact definition for it, having said that, you are the definition to me.“

don’t stop there. “We would like to get personal with our fans, and maybe include some individual interviews with each one of us. As most of our followers know us as simply ‘The Travellers’, we

Find out more about The Travellers at:

think it would be something interesting to do as, after all, we are

www.thetravellersmalta.com

just regular people, all with full-time jobs, and different tastes

https://www.instagram.com/thetravellersmalta/

and interests.”

https://www.facebook.com/thetravellersmalta

28

I NSERT T EX T H ER E

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All pictures shown are for illustration purpose only. Actual products may vary.

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Contactless payment on all buses.

Just tap & discover

LOCAL

Argotti Botanic Gardens

32

I NSERT L OTCEA XLT H E R E

WORDS MATTHEW CAMILLERI

O F F T H E B E A T E N T R A C K GARDENS OF FLORIANA

THE TOWN OF FLORIANA - A STONE’S THROW AWAY FROM THE CAPITAL CITY OF VALLETTA - TRACES ITS ORIGINS TO 1636, WHEN THE ITALIAN ARCHITECT PIETRO PAOLO FLORIANI DESIGNED A NEW OUTER LINE OF DEFENCES FOR VALLETTA, KNOWN AS THE FLORIANA LINES. WHEN THE AREA WAS LATER TURNED INTO A NEW SUBURB BY GRAND MASTER ANTONIO MANOEL DE VILHENA, IT WAS GIVEN THE TITLE OF BORGO VILHENA, BUT THE LOCAL RESIDENTS KEPT CALLING IT FLORIANA. Today, Floriana offers an incredibly rich cultural heritage, and

Although it was once home to an impressive greenhouse, clearly visible

although nearby Valletta tends to steal the limelight, Floriana has

in old photographs, the structure had to be taken down in 1931, and in

lots to offer to its visitors, including no less than fifteen gardens.

the following decade, Argotti was not spared from the extensive bomb

Indeed, a quick look at a map of the town reveals that nearly half

damage that Floriana endured during World War II.

its area is made up of green and open spaces, making it one of the greenest localities in Malta.

Argotti was nonetheless extensively restored in recent times and today consists of two separate areas. The public area contains

ARGOTTI BOTANIC GARDENS

rare trees, plants and flower beds, as well as numerous shaded

Arguably the most beautiful of Floriana’s public gardens are the

benches ideal for relaxation. The private section still contains

Argotti Botanic Gardens, named after the Bailiff Ignatius de Argote

a dedicated botanical collection used by the University for

et Guzman, a Spanish knight who privately owned the garden in the

educational purposes. The garden also contains a nymphaeum

early 18th century. Over a hundred years later, the British developed

embellished with coloured stones, corals and sea shells, which

the idea of a botanical garden, which was eventually set up here to

once formed part of Bailiff Argote’s residence, now turned into an

be administered by the University of Malta.

exhibition hall related to gardening and plant science.

33

LOCAL

Argotti Botanic Gardens

Argotti Botanic Gardens

Sa Maison Garden

ST PHILIP’S GARDEN

entrance to Sa Maison Garden, named after an early owner who

Named after the bastion on which it stands, St Philip’s Garden is

had a hunting lodge there. The garden, set over five levels, was

located right below the Argotti Gardens and was once a private

given to the War Department by Lady Julia Lockwood in 1856 to

garden for Grand Master Jean Paul Lascaris. Once through the

offer the soldiers and their families living at Floriana Barracks a

somewhat hidden entrance, a ramp leads down to the lower part

place where they could enjoy some fresh air.

of the garden, through an arch that still houses the mechanism for the once mechanically-operated door.

To this day, the garden contains a number of graffiti and regimental badges left behind by the soldiers. Some of them

The best part of the garden is however the upper area, reached

were carved directly into the rock face, others out of a block of

via a steep flight of steps. Here one can see an ornate fountain

stone which was then inserted. Many of these badges have since

that was one of the first to be inaugurated in Valletta in 1615

been eroded by the elements or been removed by souvenir hunters,

to celebrate the completion of a system of aqueducts. Though

but it is still possible to identify a few.

originally located in Valletta’s main square, it was eventually relocated to this much quieter part of Floriana.

An outsanding memorial is the miniature Castle of Gibraltar, erected by the 2nd Battalion, The Essex Regiment in 1889 in the lowest level

The rest of the garden consists of wide paved passages lined with

of the garden. The garden’s highest terrace features a restored

countless citrus and cypress trees as well as numerous decorative

‘Gardjola’ - a Knights’ lookout post - which provides stunning views

plants, while from its far end, one can easily admire the view of

over Marsamxett Harbour with its creeks and yacht marinas.

the old Portes des Bombes, the magnificent Baroque entrance which once allowed access into the fortifications of Floriana.

Matthew Camilleri is Tours Manager at Colour my Travel.

SA MAISON GARDEN

Learn more about the walking tours offered by Colour My Travel

At a bend in the road that leads from Floriana to Pieta’ is the

at www.colourmytravel.com

34

I NSERT T EX T H ER E

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Spirit of the Riviera

PHILIPPE MARTINET FINE WINES 239/BB Tower Road Sliema

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LOCAL

WORDS MAYPOLE

TASTE MALTA

OH THE FOOD! THE FOOD! YOU SIMPLY CAN’T LEAVE MALTA WITHOUT VISITING THE RESTAURANT OFFERING THE BEST OF LOCAL CUISINE. THERE’S ONE RESTAURANT IN WHICH YOU CAN LITERALLY TASTE MALTA – NENU’S RESTAURANT, NENU THE ARTISAN BAKER, IN THE CAPITAL, VALLETTA, OR AT THE VILLAGE CORE OF MĠARR. NENU

Over a thousand reviews declared the restaurant an unmissable and

Carmel Debono, affectionately known as Nenu, wanted to create a

the best as regards local cuisine.

complete Maltese dining experience. A baker by profession, Nenu’s lifestyle revolved around the passion for Maltese bread, which is

BOOKING RECOMMENDED.

central to any local dish.

Booking is highly recommended. You can book your table by email.

No... it’s not one of those generic emails which end up wherever.

Back in the days, Maltese families used to take their homemade

This is the restaurant manager, who’ll make sure to provide you with

dishes to the local baker, to have them baked in a traditional oven.

a personalized service.

The resulting mouth-watering taste is legendary, so much so that the few remaining traditional bakers still offer this service.

You can email Mr Ian Gatt on ian.gatt@maypole.com.mt

Nenu’s restaurant offers the same style of cooking, thus guaranteeing that unique delicious taste you will enjoy.

LOCAL DINING The restaurant, both in Valletta and Mġarr offers diners a vast range of local cuisine, along with local beer, soft drinks and liquors.

Some of the most popular local dishes include the Ftira, Horse Meat Stew, Octopus Stew, Rabbit Ravioli, Stuffed Squid, Fried Rabbit, Pork

Mġarr: 4, Triq il-Kbira, L-Imġarr. Tel: +356 2258 1570

Shank, Seabass with lemon, and fresh herbs and many others.

Valletta: 143, St Dominic Street, Valletta. Tel: +356 2258 1535 www.nenuthebaker.com

“You simply have to visit Nenu before leaving Malta. It’s a must!”

Take a photo of this page and get a FREE glass of wine when That’s what Tara said in her review on Tripadvisor. We urge you to

dining at Nenu the Artisan Baker in Valletta or Mġarr.

consider paying a visit and, quite literally, enjoy the taste of Malta.

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36

I NSERT T EX T H ER E

C U LT U R E

WORDS CHRISTINE CASSAR

EXPANDING BOUNDARIES IN THE [V]ROOM OF REQUIREMENT ARE YOU THE KIND OF PERSON WHO ENJOYS VISITING MUSEUMS, ART GALLERIES AND OTHER EXHIBITIONS? THEN WE’VE GOT JUST THE TREAT FOR YOU — ONLY THIS TIME, EXPECT AN INTERESTING TWIST! THE EXHIBITION ‘VIRTUAL MIXING’ IS OPEN! VISITORS ARE ABLE TO ENTER AN ARTWORK IN VIRTUAL REALITY AND VIEW PROCESS WORK FROM THE [V]ROOM OF REQUIREMENT PROJECT IN A LABYRINTHIAN BASEMENT ON SAPPERS STREET, VALLETTA. Elaine Bonavia, the artist driving the project creates a

situation and travel restrictions imposed from all directions, things

contemplative space wherein art and technology converge to

started to get a little bit claustrophobic, even in Berlin. A desire to

facilitate connection with the self. Through this medium, people

escape started burning.

can move around from place and ‘do stuff’ in the virtual world while physically being in a different place altogether.

Elaine explains that although all this felt like an existential crisis, it was also ironically a moment of clarity. It felt good and grounding

To my knowledge, this is the first time that such an interesting

to do something rooted in Malta, and in retrospect, it was the right

project is being hosted in Malta. I’m excited to see how Elaine

decision because this process has sort of re-defined our relationship.

integrates the two worlds as we begin our chat.

The first phase of the project was designed as a fun social experiment.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Participants were invited to do a virtual room swap and architectural

Elaine is an artist, academic and architectural design researcher

intervention in 3D. They entered a reconstructed version of a remote,

specialised in computational design. She started off with an education

personal space, listened to what it sounds like and explored someone

in Architecture and Engineering, typical of an older Maltese-British

else’s universe for a while … think of it as an Airbnb exchange in VR.

model that has since been revised. Venturing on to other places, she eventually found herself pursuing a MSc. in Integrative Technologies

The exercise exposed some interesting revelations — everyone

and Architectural Design Research, deep in the southwest German

sort of got lost in time and space and treated the intervention

city of Stuttgart. Even more recently in Berlin, she was working for

differently. It was interesting to see how it feels to be in rooms

a renowned artist for a year, until the pandemic scenario unfolded,

that have an actual link to reality. And that’s exactly where

when she was left free to finally pursue her own work more seriously.

the, [v]room of requirement, comes in. It’s a space meant to

“The past year has been liberating, but also very unpredictable and

activate new perspectives — in this case about Malta, but essentially

because of that, somewhat thrilling,” Elaine says.

anywhere. And it’s sitting between two dimensions we all interface with.

WHAT IS THE [V]ROOM OF REQUIREMENT? The idea of the [v]room of requirement, started at the beginning

That said, this also raises another question. Given that each private

of the Covid-19 lockdowns in Europe. With the work from home

space has become public through the virtual swap, Elaine tells me

38

INSER CT U LT T EUXRTE H E R E

that she was interested to see the reactions and find out more

two worlds herself. This exhibition has been a fantastic way to bring

how people felt modifying virtual objects that still, essentially,

in her experiences from abroad and test out ideas in the present local

belonged to someone and also how people would react to the

landscape. Starting a conversation, and generating some stirr to bring

interventions in their personal space.

art and technology closer together have been some of the intentions of this project.

Needless to say, there are many layers to this project. Although this intervention does feel a bit like an invasion seeing as all

The work can be seen at the exhibition 'Virtual Mixing' which will open

collaborators can completely redo each other’s rooms at the

in Valletta on 27th of August. Virtual Mixing is a term used to imply an

same time, we are bearing witness to something that didn’t

interaction between effects which exist in different dimensions and on

exist a couple of years ago. So, the question is how do we treat

separate levels. The exhibition will open the, [v]room of requirement,

personal space and the boundaries woven within it in the digital world?

to the public as a place for self-dialogue, musing and reflection. It

Only time will tell, but the future certainly sounds mischievous!

also exposes moments during the collaboration between the invited participants of the virtual room swap.

We move on to talk about her impressions of how VR is viewed locally in the art and architecture industries. Although it’s still

Some of the participants eventually developed a work out of the

early days, when the project started, it was kind of weird to

experience and collaboration.

find that almost nobody in the art and architecture scenes were working with thismedium. Technology takes a while to infiltrate in

This project is funded by Arts Council Malta and supported by

Malta and tends to take off only if theres a direct link with profit.

Architecture Project, Air Malta and Temporary Show.

The exhibition will be held at 20, Sappers Street, Valletta from

The, [v]room of requirement, provides a unique experience, not just

27.08.2021 – 10.09.2021

because of the tech itself but also because it features 3D elements from Maltese nature. Elaine thinks we need to embrace technology

temporary.show/open-studio/virtual-mixing/ is the online channel for

differently and start considering certain issues with different eyes. For

further information.

example, she feels that the institutional and public definition of art and culture is still superficial, and there is still a long way to go in our active

Air Malta assisted this project as part of its Corporate Social

appreciation of nature as a society.

Responsibility initiatives that aim to support and encourage local organisations and activities in various sectors – be they cultural, social,

Her perspective is rather particular due to the fact that she’s been able

philanthropic, humanitarian, environmental, sport or heritage - that

to watch Malta from a distance and is essentially now living between

help the Maltese community in one way or another.

39

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LLO OCCAALL

WITH SO MANY CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES ON OUR LITTLE ISLANDS, IT’S HARD TO DECIDE WHAT TO SEE AND WHERE TO GO. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE’LL BE HIGHLIGHTING OUR TOP LOCATIONS FOR THE SEASON. THIS MONTH IT'S MARSAXLOKK, MALTA.

44

LLO OCCAALL

SIX TOP SIGHTS

ST PETER’S POOL

GHAR DALAM CAVES

TAS-SILG

This is one of the most stunning natural swimming pools in Malta. Many people come here to snorkel and dive into the turquoise waters surrounded by flat rocks that transform the area into a natural pool. You might have to walk 3 kilometres to get here from the nearest road however if you are going by bus, make sure you bring everything you need!

Close to Birżebbuġa is the key historical site of Għar Dalam, meaning a dark cave. Għar Dalam provides the earliest evidence of human presence in Malta, with artefacts dating back 7,400 years to the Neolithic Period. The lowest layers of the caves contain the fossil bones of dwarf elephants, hippopotami, micro-mammals and birds.

Tas-Silġ is a vast megalithic complex covering 4,000 years of history located in the south-eastern part of Malta overlooking the magnificent harbour of Marsaxlokk bay, a well-sheltered port. It occupies the most prominent highest point of the Delimara peninsula. Although the site is closed as excavation works are ongoing, it makes a spectacular vantage point.

FISH MARKET

FORT DELIMARA

ST LUCIAN TOWER

One cannot visit Marsaxlokk without paying a trip to the renowned fish market. Get there early on a Sunday morning for a slice of traditional Maltese life, as fishermen bring the fish from the boats to the stalls (look out for lampuki!). You can also find souvenirs, textiles and plenty of traditional sweets.

Fort Delimara is a 19th century military structure which formed part of a chain of fortifications designed to protect Marsaxlokk Harbour. The fort is mostly underground with ventilation apertures and access passageways spread out across the face of the cliff and out onto the seaward face of Delimara Point.

Fort San Lucian, also known as Saint Lucian Tower or Fort Rohan, is a large fortified watchtower and impressive polygonal fort in Marsaxlokk, Malta. The original tower was built by the Order of Saint John between 1610 and 1611, being the second of six Wignacourt towers.

45

T O P L O C AT I ON S

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.

ISL A N D H IG H LIG H T S

DRAGONARA CAVA (CORAL LAGOON), L-AHRAX POINT, MALTA One of Malta’s best kept secrets. Venture off the beaten track to discover one of Malta’s natural wonders, located in the limits of Aħrax and Little Armier Bay.

UPPER BARRAKKA AREA, VALLETTA, MALTA If you’re into architecture, this is the perfect spot to snap some pictures of some of the traditional Maltese balconies, and capture spectacular views of the Grand Harbour.

46

I NTSOEPR T L OTCEAT X TI ON H ES RE

MDINA, MALTA Interested in taking a journey through time? Mdina has it all - a long history, medieval and baroque architecture, and prestigious treasures that are part of our cultural heritage.

NADUR BELVEDERE, NADUR, GOZO One of the best spots in Nadur to experience the sun rising from the east.

XWEJNI SALT PANS, MARSALFORN, GOZO The distinct Xwejni Salt Pans are truly a must-see. Sea-salt production is one of the oldest Gozitan traditions that has been passed down from one generation to another.

TA’ PINU SANCTUARY, GHARB, GOZO An architectural masterpiece that must be seen to believe. Dedicated to Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu, the sanctuary is visited by both locals and visitors, who wish to pray or simply admire the art, architecture and magnificent designs.

47

LOCAL

WORDS HERITAGE MALTA

FAITH, FORTS AND TEMPLES ACROSS THE TONGUE OF SEA THAT SEPARATES THE CAPITAL VALLETTA FROM THE THREE CITIES, FORT ST ANGELO'S RESILIENT, SAND-COLOURED RAMPARTS AND BASTIONS SWEEP UP FROM AZURE FOUNDATIONS. Hop on a traditional dgħajsa or ferry and armed with a Heritage

A short walk away from Fort St Angelo, The Inquisitor's Palace is

Malta Harbour Combo ticket which allows access to Fort St Angelo,

the only inquisitorial palace in the world still presented as such

Tarxien Temples, and the Inquisitor's Palace, rock up at your first

and made accessible to the public. Between 1574 and 1798, it

point of call.

served as residence and tribunal to the Inquisitor in his dual role of supreme judge of the Holy Office and a cultured and powerful

Strategically located on a hillock at the end of the Birgu peninsula,

Apostolic Delegate representing the Vatican's interests in Malta.

Fort St Angelo dominates the Grand Harbour. Throughout history,

Together with the National Museum of Ethnography, visitors

control of this fort meant effective mastery of the Maltese Islands.

can explore the spine-chilling setting of the Holy Office Tribunal,

Indeed, no other fortress has been engaged with the same intensity

the prison complex, and torture chamber. Less steely nerves are

in the shaping of Malta's destiny.

required to saunter through the more sophisticated ambience of the piano nobile and private quarters inhabited by a roll call of austere

Originally the site of a Phoenician temple dedicated to the Goddess

spiritual judges that included two future Popes amongst them.

Astarte, by 1274, a stronghold known as Castrum Maris (castle-bythe-sea ) was established by Sicilian overlords as a guarantee of

A short bus ride away in a neighbouring village, travel back in

their interests in the Maltese Islands. In 1530, it was taken over by

time to the Neolithic mystery of Tarxien Temples. Discovered

the Knights of St John, who christened this military structure as Fort

in 1913 by local farmers and Inscribed in the UNESCO World

St Angelo and turned it into their headquarters. During the Great

Heritage List, this site consists of a complex of four megalithic

Siege of 1565, against all odds, the fort valiantly repudiated the

structures built between 3800 and 2200 BC. Re-used as a Bronze

onslaught of the Ottoman invasion. Its walls were piled high

Age cremation cemetery, the South Temple is the most highly

with the bodies of the dead, and its moat was stained crimson

decorated with its relief sculpture and the lower part of a colossal

with the blood of both besiegers and defenders. In 1689, military

statue of a skirted figure.

engineer Carlos Grunenbergh spearheaded the fort's overhaul, including four intimidating gun platforms with a capacity of some fifty artillery pieces. Under British Colonial rule Fort St Angelo was classified as a stone frigate and referred to as HMS Egmont or later HMS St Angelo. At the onset of World War II, the

Harbour Combo tickets (valid for thirty days) may be

fort was once more called into action to offer protection against

purchased at all Heritage Malta museum and site shops or

the Axis air raids. It sustained 69 direct hits during bombings.

online www.heritagemalta.org

48

I NSERT T EX T H ER E

S E R V I N G E X C E L L E N C E I N E V E R Y D E TA I L

Gozitano Agricultural Village, Mgarr Road, Xewkija, Gozo | T: (+356) 2156 3231 | E: viniecapricci@abrahams.com.mt

www.viniecapricci.com

BUSI N ESS

WHATEVER YOUR REASON IN VISITING THE MALTESE ISLANDS, WE HAVE A WEALTH OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES FOR YOU.

BUSINE SS OR PLE A SURE?

GO & FUN Looking for a refreshing way to cool down in the heat? Malta’s top-selling Go&Fun Green Energy drink is the answer! If you’re seeking a boost, this popular energy drink is sure to do the trick like no other, and it tastes great to boot.

This beverage offers a unique taste packed with natural flavours and free from taurine, what's more it's a local Maltese offering and one of Malta’s top-selling brands. Keep your eyes peeled for its distinctive packaging whilst you are travelling around the islands, and grab a Go&Fun!

ESCAPE ROOMS BY CAN YOU ESCAPE? - MALTA Escape the heat, play an Escape Room! Grab your team and immerse yourselves in one of our adventures to experience the most exciting 60-minutes of your day! Trapped inside a pub with a ticking bomb, lost in Emily's Motel Room late at night, or discovering the mysteries of The Forbidden Castle. Our games are sure to transport you to a parallel world of adventure, fun and adrenaline. Rated #1 Fun Activity in Malta from 2017 till 2021, our Escape Rooms are fun activities for friends, couples and families that cannot be missed during your stay in Malta! Look for clues, discover patterns, solve mysteries, unlock secret places... Time is ticking, Can you escape?

Show us your flight ticket with Air Malta and get a 20% OFF your bill (September 2021)! Booking in advance. www.canyouescapemalta.com info@canyouescapemalta.com + 356 9926 2473 | + 356 9981 1995 facebook.com/canyouescapemalta instagram.com/canyouescapemalta

50

IN MSAEDRET ITNE M XT A LTA HERE

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A KEEP-SAKE, A TOKEN FROM YOUR LAST MALTA HOLIDAY OR WANT TO TREAT SOMEONE LIVING OUTSIDE OUR ISLANDS, THEN WHY NOT TAKE SOME GENUINE MALTESE PRODUCTS HOME WITH YOU?

MADE IN

MALTA

CISK

KINNIE

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc is synonymous with a beer brewing tradition rooted in quality. At the base of this tradition are long-established skills of selecting nature’s best ingredients coupled with the expertise of skilled and dedicated brewers that ensure that a high standard of quality is maintained at every step in the brewing process. Over the years, this dedication has contributed to creating award-winning brews that so many have grown to appreciate. Cisk Lager, launched in 1929, is a golden-coloured, bottom fermented lager with a distinctive and well-balanced character with an alcohol content of 4.2%. The range also includes Cisk Export – a smooth, well-balanced and exceptional beer with a 5% alcohol content, Cisk Excel – a low carbohydrate beer, Cisk Chill – flavoured beer available in three flavours, Cisk Pilsner – a premium pilsner with an alcohol content of 5.5% and Cisk Strong – an outstanding extra-strong premium lager with a 9% alcohol content.

Kinnie, Malta’s own favourite soft drink, is a unique tasting bitter-sweet soft drink with orange flavouring and aromatic herbs. Kinnie is best enjoyed ‘neat’, with a slice of orange and lots of ice.

Highly refreshing, it is also an excellent mixer.

These distinctive characteristics have made Kinnie a Mediterranean classic since 1952, loved by the local population and tourists.

Over the years, in keeping with evolving trends in lifestyles and health awareness, a zero-calorie version, Diet Kinnie, was introduced, as well as Kinnie Zest – a sugar-free variant with an intense orange flavour.

The Kinnie range is available online at: amazon.co.uk kinnie.com

Buy Cisk on amazon.co.uk

51

C U LT U R E

WORDS MEG HIBBERT

RIVALRY ON THE WATERS MALTESE FERRY CULTURE

The 25th anniversary of the Sliema ferry service, 1907 reproduced with the kind permission of Michael Cassar from the book 'Connecting the Harbour Towns, O.F. Gollcher & Sons 1897-1959'.

THE MALTESE ISL ANDS BOAST A RICH AND DIVERSE MARITIME HISTORY, DATING BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS. THIS IS IN NO SMALL PART DUE TO ITS STRATEGIC POSITION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA; LEAVING THE ISL AND HIGHLY REGARDED AS A L AUNCH PAD FOR POWERFUL COLONISERS IN EUROPE AND AFRICA. Changes in maritime activity throughout the centuries help us to

together with his partners Eduardo Montebello Pulis and Raffaele

explore shifts in Maltese culture, and provide an insight into the daily

Polidano, began operating The National Steam Ferry Boat Company

lives of people during various epochs. ‘Connecting the Harbour Towns, OF.

(NSFBC). This was the second steam ferry service to be introduced

Gollcher & Sons 1897-1959’ by Michael Cassar provides a fascinating insight

to the island, following Julius Goldseller’s Sliema Valletta Service

into a particularly interesting period of maritime history; the competitive

Company in June 1882. This company was bought out in 1885

steam-ferry era that existed from the late 19th century. This period

by Alessandro and Edward Mattei and renamed Marsamucetto

contributed significantly to the development of harbour towns such as

Steam Ferry Service (MSFS).

Sliema, Valletta, and Msida. In 1871, the population of Sliema was just 1,600; by 1908, at the height of this ferry commercialisation, the

The NSFBC intended to rival the monopoly MSFS held on the

population had grown to 13,171.

waters by providing a higher quality service to the public. A single fare was just one penny; a return was one and a half pence; with

One of the longest established companies in shipping, was

a year’s subscription set at one pound- five shillings. The new

founded by Olof Frederick Gollcher (1804-1878), a Swede

ferry service between Marsamxett (Valletta) and Sliema ignited

businessman who married a Maltese lady and settled in Malta in

a rivalry between the two ferry companies. Moreover, the barklori

1854. His son, Gustaf (1854-1922) was at the forefront of a cultural

(boatmen) who operated the dgħajjes (traditional Maltese boats) in

shift in steam ferry services connecting Malta with the island

the area, were also unhappy with the competition both companies

of Gozo and later connection harbour towns. In 1897, Gustaf,

brought to the waters.

52

I NSERT T EX T H ER E

On just the second day of operation, NSFBC’s Aurora accidentally hit MSFS’s Melita while attempting to approach the Sliema harbour.

Melita beached on the shores of Tigne, Sliema and people had to jump in the water or be rescued by passing boats.

Interestingly, rivalries were not the only challenge the ferry companies had to compete with during this era. After being salvaged, MSFS’s Melita was struck again on the 5th of October 1897, this time by an accidentally fired dummy torpedo without explosives. Another unfortunate incident happened on 8th December 1899, when yet another dummy torpedo jettisoned during a training exercise in the harbour, hitting the steam pinnace HMS Hazard, this time causing the ship to sink.

The competition between the MSFS and the NSFBC grew fierce over the following years with both companies dropping their prices to attract customers. As coal prices started to rise, the profit margins narrowed. Due to the cut throat competitiveness in prices between the two ferry services, other modes of transportation such as the motor bus service, introduced in February 1905 could not compete with the low prices offered by the ferry companies. The motor bus

Experience Exceptional

service was thus suspended by the end of the year. On the 25th of August 1906, a new service was launched by Gollcher, Pulis, and Polidano, The Grand Harbour Ferry Company (TGHFC). This gave them a competitive advantage over MSFS, providing ferry services that The Malta Herald newspaper stated: ‘offer a convenience to passengers of which the community has so far been deprived’. Much to the dismay of the barklori, who held a lot of control over the Grand Harbour, also felt the pinch since TGHFC started operating daily ferry services between Valletta and the Three Cities: Senglea, Vittoriosa and Cospicua. By 1908, the decade-long rivalry came to an end, when MSFS and NSFBC enterprises merged, and Raffaele Polidano became the manager of the entire network.

Gustaf’s only son Olof (1889-1962) was not involved in the shipping business, however he carved his own niche, as an painter, a researcher and an avid collector. He owned and resided in one of the most outstanding palazzos in Mdina, Palazzo Falson. The origins of this magnificent palazzo dates back to the 13th century and it is now a historic house museum open to the public. The museum bears an interesting connection with this period of maritime history with an impressive collection of over thirty maritime works of art alongside other exceptional collections.

The author is a volunteer at Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum.

Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (last entrance at 3:00 pm). Audio guided tours are available for not more than 6 people at a time, in the following languages: Maltese, English, Italian, French, German and

And a fine exquisite seasonal ‘A la Carte Menu’ available for dinner from Thursday to Sunday.

Classics revisited with a twist of French & Nouvelle Cuisine.

Spanish. For inquiries please contact us on +356 21454512 or email bookings@palazzofalson.com.

We recommend that you visit our website and read our health and safety guidelines before visiting the museum: http://www.palazzofalson.com/

Reserve a table: +356 9956 1409 | +356 2124 3677 lecinq@hotelcastillemalta.com @lecinqrooftop

\lecinqrooftop

BUSI N ESS

WORDS SIMONDS FARSONS CISK PLC

THE STORY OF CISK

The story of Cisk, Malta’s iconic beer, is a story of courage, vision

Cisk Lager is a golden-coloured, bottom-fermented lager with a

and entrepreneurship.

distinctive and well-balanced character. It is brewed to the highest standards using only the choicest raw materials with its recipe

Cisk was officially launched in 1929 after Scicluna’s Bank took over

unchanged since 1929. Winner of several awards including World’s

the operations of one of its clients who was granted a temporary

Best Standard Lager in the World Beer Awards 2007, Silver Award in

exclusive licence to manufacture Pilsner and Munchener type

the International Beer Challenge in 2013 and the Silver Medal in the

beers. The company became known as The Malta Export Brewery.

Brussels Beer Challenge 2014.

The story however, started much earlier than that, when Malta’s

The Cisk range of beers has since expanded to include a wide variety

first privately-owned bank was established by Giuseppe Scicluna

of variants of the original beer, including Cisk Export Premium

in 1840.

Lager, a premium smooth-tasting version of the beer launched in 1997; Cisk Excel Low Carbohydrate Lager, Malta’s first low-

In those days the average businessman, as well as the ordinary

carbohydrate beer, launched in 2007, retaining both the original Cisk

man in the street, hoarded their hard-earned cash either in a

Lager taste and the same alcohol level but with 50% less carbs; Cisk

brass-bound box under the bed or concealed in various leather

Strong Premium Lager, an outstanding strong premium lager with

pouches hidden in their clothes. At most, it would be handed over

an alcoholic content of 9% launched in 2009; the Cisk Chill Lager

to the bank to be placed in a vault and to be withdrawn as the need

Beer range in Lemon, Berry and Ginger & Lime flavours, launched in

arose. Mistrusting bank notes and demanding bags of coins, the

2011; Cisk Pilsner, a premium Pilsner brewed with the finest quality

bank’s customers started to realise that they too could pay creditors

Pilsen malt and Noble hops of the Saaz variety with an alcohol

with notes, and they agreed to operate current accounts with

content of 5.5% launched in 2016; and the newly launched Cisk 0.0,

Scicluna’s Bank against which they could draw cheques.

an alcohol-free lager brewed using the same traditional and natural ingredients as Cisk, ideal for those consumers who wish to limit their

Very soon, semi-literate depositors coming in from various country

alcohol consumption but still want to enjoy a great-tasting beer.

districts, who found difficulty in pronouncing the word ‘cheques’, corrupted the word into ‘cisk’. Giuseppe Scicluna himself soon

The portfolio of Cisk beers is available nationwide in retail stores as

became known as Iċ-Ċisk (The Cisk).

well as bars and restaurants.

The Malta Export Brewery merged with Simonds Farsons Limited twenty years later to become Simonds Farsons Cisk. Cisk Lager has

For more information visit www.cisk.com or follow Cisk on Facebook:

since become a key brand in the portfolio of the company.

www.facebook.com/cisk and Instagram: www.instagram.com/cisk.

56

NEDXDTRHI N KE IFNOSO ED R TA T ER

SOME GO OD

FO OD FOR THOUGHT

57

FOOD A ND DRINK

WE BRING YOU THE BEST THAT THE MALTESE KITCHEN HAS TO OFFER WITH RECIPES INSPIRED BY MEDITERRANEAN AND EUROPEAN CUISINE.

YOUR DELICIOUS

MONTHLY RECIPE

Stefan Hogan first discovered his love of cooking at the tender age of nine, when he began experimenting with recipes at home. He studied cooking and service at the Malta Catering College, before embarking on a long and award-winning career with the Corinthia Group, during which he worked in many of the Group’s international properties. Today Stefan is Executive Chef at Corinthia Palace, Malta, where he continues to execute and share his culinary vision.

58

FOOD A ND DRINK

Local lampuki (or mahi mahi) is everywhere this season! This meaty fish is often served lightly battered and fried or in pies – but, in this innovative recipe, Corinthia Palace Hotel Executive Chef, Stefan Hogan, has given it a unique spin by poaching it in red wine and fig molasses. Delicious!

LA MPUKI POACHED IN RED WINE AND FIG MOLASSES INGREDIENTS 4 lampuki (mahi mahi) fillets, around 160g/180g each 2 garlic cloves, sliced 1 red onion, finely sliced 2 stalks of fresh thyme 150ml port wine 750ml red wine 150ml fig molasses 800ml brown chicken stock 1 bay leaf METHOD Put the onion, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme in a pot with the red wine, port, chicken stock and fig molasses. Place over a low flame to reduce (this will take a while). Stir often and deglaze the sides to avoid it burning. Reduce to a thick consistency.

Strain through a fine sieve and place in a shallow pan to poach the fish.

Over a low flame, heat the reduced wine. Check the seasoning and adjust if necessary.

Place the fillets in the pan and cook for 10-12 minutes (or until firm to the touch).

Remove the fish and keep warm. Strain the reduction and place in a clean pan and reduce to a syrup consistency, add a tablespoon of butter and whisk in.

Plate the fish with seasonal vegetables and dress with the reduced red wine sauce.

59

FOOD A ND DRINK

A GUIDE TO

DINING ON THE MALTE SE ISL ANDS

TA’ MARIJA – YOUR GASTRO MALTESE KITCHEN

VINI E CAPRICCI BY ABRAHAM’S

Constitution Street, Mosta

Gozitano Agricultural Village, Mġarr Road, Xewkija, Gozo

Established in 1964, Ta’ Marija is one of the island’s most historically rich restaurants. Head to their Folklore Dinner shows held every Friday evening for a touch of Maltese liveliness. Transport can also be arranged. Their gastro menu is bursting with creativity with what is locally traditional while adding their own signature flavours of sumptuousness. From small-sized appetizers and platters ideal for those of you looking to experience a variety of different flavours, to traditional home-made ravioli, bringing you your favourite Maltese dishes in a way you never imagined. Mains include traditional and signature Maltese dishes ranging from popular rabbit selection, seasonal fish and shellfish in season, local meats and the famous ‘Whisper’ chargrilled steaks … also specials offered on the day. Be sure to leave room for their mouth-watering home-made desserts.

Vini e Capricci by Abraham's is the answer to every gourmet’s prayers, and an experience in its own right. A truly innovative gastrodome, home to exquisite food and award-winning wine and spirits. A concept which integrates a strong educational element, where the public not only can purchase but will also experience products first-hand; a sumptuous celebration of food by young and exceptionally talented Chefs, who bring with them a wealth of knowledge, talent and a flair of excellence. A landmark in the Maltese Islands, with an aim to marry a store selling the finest ingredients with a cultural and artistic offer second to none. Constant attention to detail and a passion for the good things in life is what makes Vini e Capricci a unique culinary destination.

+356 2156 3231 www.viniecapricci.com abrahamsgozo abrahamsgozo viniecapricci@abrahams.com.mt

+356 2143 4444 www.tamarija.com info@tamarija.com

LE CINQ ROOFTOP Hotel Castille, Valletta It’s not just about the view… Experience an exquisite seasonal ‘A la Carte Menu’, which revisits long-serving classics with a twist of French & Nouvelle Cuisine, available for dinner from Thursday to Sunday, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. Or perhaps enjoy watching the sunset with some pre-dinner drinks, offered from 5:00p.m. La Cinq is also available for group bookings and small weddings, so get in touch for bespoke packages that suit your need.

+356 2124 3677 | +356 9956 1409 lecinq@hotelcastillemalta.com lecinqrooftop lecinqrooftop

60

IFNOSO ED R TA T NEDXDTRHI N ER KE

TERRONE RESTAURANT

HAMMETT’S GASTRO BAR

Fort St Angelo, Birgu

33/34 Tigne Seafront, Sliema Hammett’s Gastro Bar is a unique, city-inspired, Asian fusion social dining experience. The menu offers an innovative platesto-share concept with culinary influences, ingredients and imaginative cooking techniques from all over Asia. At Hammett’s Gastro Bar you can expect to taste and share a variety of complementing cuisines in one sitting. The wine list and cocktail menu have also been carefully selected in order to enhance the experience. There is a no reservations policy, so feel free to stop by whenever suits you and you will be seated in no time.

At Terrone our philosophy is to champion fresh, local produce.

We work with a daily changing menu highlighting seasonality and freshness to curate a memorable dining experience in a unique and historic setting.

Choose to share a number of smaller plates to sample a multitude of flavours prior to a whole local fish or premium cut of beef from our wood burning grill or indulge in our signature 6 course seafood tasting menu which showcases the best seafood the Med has to offer. Either way quality and consistency are assured. Reservations recommended.

+356 2134 1116 www.hammettsgastrobar.com hammettsgastrobar hammettsgastrobar

+356 2704 2656 www.terrone.com.mt info@terrone.com.mt terronemt

TA' KRIS RESTAURANT & MALTESE BISTRO

MALDONADO BISTRO

80, Fawwara Lane, Sliema

Victoria, Gozo

Set in one of Sliema’s oldest bakeries, Ta’ Kris is all about providing a genuine mix of affordable Maltese and Mediterranean dishes in a homely fashion and rustic surroundings. Ta’ Kris offers a varied menu of traditional Maltese food such as braġioli, rabbit, octopus stew, bebbux (snails), balbuljata (corned beef hash), baked lamb, daily specials, pasta dishes, a selection of fresh fish on a daily basis and mouth-watering steaks. Ta’ Kris also offers take away & delivery service and set menus can be designed for special occasions. Advance booking is recommended and may be done through our website, via email, by phone, or on Facebook. Ta’ Kris is open from Monday to Sunday, from 12:30pm till 11pm.

Where Maltese gastronomy defines a way of life. Where culinary tradition is met with a contemporary twist. Where passion for authentic cooking is proven and happiness is created by a feast of delicious Maltese food. Maldonado Bistro was born out of a passion for cooking. Discover more behind the scenes, upstairs within the walls of our private open kitchen where we host weekly cooking classes and wine tastings.

+356 9901 9270 www.maldonado.com.mt info@maldonado.com.mt maldonadobistrogozo maldonadobistro

+356 21 337 367 | +356 79 337 367 www.takrisrestaurant.com takrisrestaurant@gmail.com

61

FOOD A ND DRINK

SKYBEACH

COUNTRY TERRACE

InterContinental Malta, Saint Julian’s

Żewwieqa Street, Mġarr, Gozo

Summer is in the air! SKYBEACH bar and restaurant provides refined sophistication with colourful upscale poolside snacks, served during the day and delicious grill dishes served as the sunsets. Highly professional staff are hands-on to attend to your every need. After an entire day of exploring the island, wind down with an evening rooftop dinner, serving a selection of dishes, prepared and grilled to perfection on a state-of-theart barbecue. With a range of flavours and premium spirits, cocktails and fine wines available from the bar, the evening is yours to make the most of it.

Perched on a cliff top in Mġarr, Gozo, Country Terrace provides panoramic views over the yachting marina and the Malta/ Comino channel. With ferries hypnotically passing by, and being secluded from view by surrounding trees, it’s the perfect spot to while away the time. Joseph, the owner, is a big character and great host, taking care of front of house so that guests feel welcome, whilst his eye for detail ensures high standards. The menu here is primarily Mediterranean, with a large range of pasta dishes including gluten free, as well as many vegetarian choices, and fish and meat options in classic combinations. Get in touch for opening hours and reservations.

+356 2137 7600 SKYBEACH skybeachmalta

+ 356 2155 0248 | + 356 2755 0248 www.country-terrace.com info@country-terrace.com

SINGITA MIRACLE BEACH MALTA

EAT

Triq Għajn Tuffieħa, Mġarr

Triq Misraħ Għonoq, Mosta, Malta Triq Tobruk, Pembroke, Malta

Nestled in completely natural surroundings, Singita Miracle Beach philosophy is all about positivity and wellness.

Mediterranean pasta, fresh salads, local and exotic fruits, seasonal vegetables, Italian pizza, evening barbecues, and a lot more can be experienced in our sea view terrace. Waiting for the sun to set straight into the sea sipping our fresh fruit cocktails, it is now considered as one of Malta’s top experiences.

EAT has combined a passion for smoked food and vintage trucks since 2015. They are famous for making smoked BBQ street-food classics within reach of the avid foodie. Popular among these are the brisket, pastrami, philly cheesesteak and pulled pork. EAT operate from two locations in Malta, Mosta and Pembroke. Their trademark foodtrucks with hand-built smokers in tow are an attraction in themselves. Both locations offer a relaxing lunch with outdoor seating under the trees. Mosta is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm, whilst Pembroke is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

+356 2157 8586 www.singita.it/en/malta/ singitamalta

+356 9980 9990 eatmalta eat_fortheloveoffood 62

IF NOSO ED R TA T NEDXD TRHI E NRKE

Open Waters Advert.pdf

1

22/06/2021

ANDREW’S BAR St. George’s Bay, St. Julian’s Andrew's Bar is a freshly re-opened venue where fun is not optional, good food is compulsory, and building great memories is essential! Steeped in legacy, this is, in fact, Malta's oldest bar!

The place is a go-to, and you're simply going to love indulging in the extensive menu with a great local cuisine focus with traditional Maltese dishes and modern dishes such as pizza or pasta. Ideal for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or also for a quiet drink or two!

+356 2138 8031 info@andrewsbar.com

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

TA' KOLINA 151, Tower Road, Sliema Ta’ Kolina is a quaint, family run restaurant on Tower Road (one of Sliema’s most popular spots) and has been open since 1974. Ta’ Kolina is a typical Maltese restaurant with it traditional Maltese interior and décor. A set menu comprising of traditional Maltese food offers a choice of starter, main dish, dessert, and coffee for €24 per person. There is also a vibrant a la carte menu and daily display of fresh local fish. Dining here is a true Maltese experience for a reasonable price. We are open for both lunch and dinner from 12:00hrs – 22:30hrs.

+356 2133 5106 www.takolina.mt

+356 2010 5590 info@beachgardenmalta.com Beach Garden Hotel, St. George's Bay, St Julian's, STJ 3302, Malta

14:22

Welcome on board!

FOOD, BEVERAGE AND BOUTIQUE MENU

Cash is not accepted on board. Please ask your cabin crew for a receipt.

Choose from our selection of sweet and savoury options and enjoy a range of hot beverages, beer, wines, spirits and mixers, or opt for our deals for amazing value.

WINE DEAL

BAR MEAL DEAL

Choose any Wine and Pringles, Salted Peanuts or Hummus Tomato & Basil Chips for

Buy any Main Meal with any Alcoholic Beverage for

SAVE UP TO €2.00

SAVE UP TO €4.50

only €8

only €10

PRE-ORDER

your Meal, Fragrances, Beauty Products and more, before your flight, in 4 easy steps:

1. Visit www.airmalta.com

and click on Pre-Order Menu

2. Enter your flight details 3. Select and pay 4. Sit back, relax, and get it delivered to your seat Ask any crew member for more information!

Orders close 48 hours before departure.

Other T&Cs apply.

65

Build your own Deal Choose a Main Meal and add a Snack and Non-alcoholic Beverage for JUST €3.00 more. SAVE UP TO €5.00

AT €10.00 ONLY

Select a main

Choose a snack

Pick a beverage

OR

ANY HOT BEVERAGE

The Extra Mile Deal Get the Ham and Cheese, Snack and a non-alcoholic beverage as a meal deal for €2.00 LESS

Get an additional €2 discount on the meal deal when you choose the Ham and Cheese as your main meal when you are flying into Malta!

This offer is subject to availability and is only available on inbound flights to Malta.

Ham and Cheese available on selected flights. For a guaranteed onboard meal please visit our pre-order section on airmalta.com. Ask any cabin crew member for more information. Allergen information: ingredients and allergens may vary depending on country of origin. Please refer to product labels before consuming. Images may differ from actual products. Some products may be unavailable on certain flights, please ask your cabin crew member for more information. Cash is not accepted.

66

Main Meals Beef Lasagne

Sweet & Sour Chicken with Rice A taste of Asia and a worldwide favourite, served hot! €7.00

Vegan Lasagne Lactose free, gluten free, vegan and served hot! €7.00

Ham and Cheese Brioche

A Mediterranean classic, served hot! €7.00

Smoked Ham and Cheddar Cheese in a brioche Bun and served hot! €7.00

SAVOURY SNACKS Twistees 50g €1.50

Hummus Chips Tomato and Basil 45g €2.50

San Carlo Salted Crisps 25g €2.00

Maretti Bruschette Chips 85g €3.50

Pringles Sour Cream 40g €2.50

Salamini and Taralli 60g €4.50

Pellito Salted Peanuts 50g €2.50

Pot Pasta Mozzarella and Tomato 61g €4.50

SWEET SNACKS Bauli Chocolate Croissant 50g €2.00 Nestlé KitKat 40g €2.00

Haribo Goldbears 200g €4.00

Aunt Mabel's Blueberry Muffin 105g €3.50

Cadbury Nibbly Fingers Share Bag 125g €4.50

67

Beverages

€2.00

Fruitshoot Apple and Blackcurrant 200ml

€2.50

Coca Cola 330ml

San Benedetto Still Water 500ml

€2.50

Coca Cola Zero 330ml

€2.50

€2.50

Kinnie 330ml

€2.50

Cappy Orange Juice 200ml

€2.50

Diet Kinnie 330ml

€2.50

Don Simon Tomato Juice 200ml

€3.00

FuzeTea Peach Hibiscus 500ml

€3.00

San Pellegrino Limonata 330ml

€3.50

Pokka Chilled Cappuccino Coffee 240ml

MUFFIN DEAL Buy a Muffin and any Hot Beverage for

only €6

SAVE €1.00

Hot Beverages Douwe Egberts Black Coffee €3.50

Nescafé Cappucino €3.50

Pukka English Breakfast Tea €3.50

Douwe Egberts Hot Chocolate €3.50

68

Wines & Beers Spirits & Mixers

€4.00

Cisk Lager Beer 330ml

€4.50

Bulmers Red Berries and Lime Cider 330ml

€6.00

Verdala Rose Wine 187ml

€6.00

Caravaggio Merlot Red Wine 187ml

€6.00

Caravaggio Chardonnay White Wine 187ml

€7.50

Martini Prosecco 200ml

Schweppes Tonic Water 150ml

€2.00

Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger Gin 50ml

€5.50

Bombay Sapphire Gin 50ml

€6.00

Absolut Vodka 50ml

€6.00

Bacardi Rum 50ml

€6.00

Ballantines Whiskey 50ml

€6.00

Hendrick's Gin 50ml

€6.50

Cash is not accepted. Please ask your cabin crew for a receipt.

69

Air Malta Collectables Air Malta Retro Model Aircraft A320 €20.00 George, The Air Malta Pilot Bear €15.00

Beauty

YSL Touché Eclat Radiant Touch €29.50 €23.50 SAVE €6.00

Glov Make Up Remover €13.00 €10.00 SAVE €3.00

Wunder2 Brow Travel Set €25.50 €20.00 SAVE €5.50

Feet Friend Healthy Socks €49.00 €34.00 SAVE €15.00

Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette €45.50 €35.50 SAVE €10.00

Buff Body Gift Set €37.00

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray €13.00 €10.00 SAVE €3.00

Alpha H Liquid Gold €26.50 €21.50 SAVE €5.00

Seascape Island Apothecary Soothe Sleep Oil €12.00 €10.00 SAVE €2.00 L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser Duo €25.00 €20.00 SAVE €5.00

Alpha H Absolute Lip Perfector €15.50 €12.00 SAVE €3.50 Ultrasun 30SPF Sports Gel €16.00 €12.00 SAVE €4.00

Instant Effects Instant Eye Lift €24.00 €19.00 SAVE €5.00 Instant Effects 3D Lip Plumping Treatment €24.00 €19.00 SAVE €5.00 70

Fragrances

WOMEN'S FRANGRANCES Estee Lauder Modern Muse 50ml (Eau de parfum) €40.00 €30.00 SAVE €10.00 Boss Orange Woman 30ml (Eau de toilette) €20.00 MEN'S FRANGRANCES Paco Rabanne Paco 100ml (Eau de toilette) €20.00 Hugo Dark Blue 75ml (Eau de toilette) €30.00 €25.00 SAVE €5.00

Sunglasses Superdry Sunglasses €38.00 €25.00 SAVE €13.00

Granite Ladies Sunglasses €21.00 €16.00 SAVE €5.00

Jewellery Estella Bartlett Stars So Bright Bracelet €22.00 €15.00 SAVE €7.00

Estella Bartlett 'Live As You Dream' Bracelet €20.00 €10.00 SAVE €10.00

Estella Bartlett Star Necklace €29.00 €15.00 SAVE €14.00

Estella Bartlett Bracelet Duo €15.00 €13.00 SAVE €2.00

Kids

Watches

Sprout Seed Pencil €20.00 €18.00

Sekonda Rose Gold Plated Watch €29.00 €21.00 SAVE €8.00 Sekonda Metal Strap Blue Face Watch €49.00 €34.00 SAVE €15.00 Lily and Stone Rose Gold Watch €35.00 €25.00 SAVE €10.00 Hippie Chic Watch €12.00 €10.00

SAVE €2.00

Marine Plush €8.50 €7.00

SAVE €1.50

Gifts & Gadgets Skross Universal Travel Adapter €39.00 €28.00 SAVE €11.00 Ögon Carbon Wallet €35.00 €25.00 SAVE €10.00

ChocoMoon Geometric Watch €49.00 €34.00 SAVE €15.00 Aviator World Cities Watch €75.00 €55.00 SAVE €20.00

SAVE €2.00

www.versiliasolutions.com

71

PLEASE TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Customer satisfaction is of 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 and enter our monthly draw to win a free flight. www.airmalta.com/wearelistening.

PAYMENT OPTIONS: We do not accept cash. You can pay by credit and debit card. We accept VISA and Mastercard for purchases up to €200. If you spend more than €50 you may be asked for identification.

PRODUCTS: Items from this catalogue are offered to our guests in the name and on behalf of Versilia Solutions and its affiliates, who are the solo responsible contractual partners for the service. All prices are correct at time of printing. They may change during the length of magazine. All products are subject to availability.

EVENTS & NEWS THE FOLLOWING PAGES WILL GIVE YOU AN INSIGHT ON WHAT’S GOING ON AT AIR MALTA. THE BEHINDTHE-SCENES AND HIGHLIGHTS OF PAST MONTHS AND FORTHCOMING ONES. MALTA’S NATIONAL AIRLINE TELLS IT LIKE IT IS, ENSURING ALL AIR MALTA CUSTOMERS ARE WELL-INFORMED WHILE SOARING HIGH IN THE SKY.

AIR MALTA CHECK-IN AT ROME FIUMICINO AIRPORT RETURNS TO TERMINAL 1

Check-in for Air Malta flights at Rome’s Fiumicino has returned to

lane has also been set up to provide a seamless and a faster

Terminal 1. The terminal has been closed since 17 March 2020 due

check in process for families. Rome's Fiumicino Airport has been

to the pandemic.

awarded the Best Airport in the EU for three consecutive years by ACI (Airports Council International).

During the past months, the terminal has undergone major upgrades aimed at increasing social distancing, maintaining

Air Malta is currently operating six flights a week to Rome’s

safety protocols and offer better ambience. A dedicated family

Fiumicino Airport.

AIR MALTA TRANSPORTS 40,000 COVID VACCINES TO LIBYA Air Malta has transported 40,000 COVID vaccines and a similar number of rapid testing kits donated by Malta to Libya. The flight was operated to Tripoli’s Mitiga airport.

Tweeting about Malta’s donation, WHO regional director Hans Kluge thanked the Maltese government for the solidarity shown with Libya.

Air Malta is pleased to be part of this global effort to transport vaccines and help neighbouring countries and other communities that it serves. During the pandemic the airline was instrumental to the Maltese Islands by carrying hundreds of tons of cargo that Air Malta’s aircraft at Tripoli’s Mitiga airport during the unloading of the vaccines and rapid testing kits. Photo: Captain Frank Scerri.

included vaccines, medicines, medical supplies, and personal protective equipment.

72

A I R M A LTA N E W S

AIR MALTA AND NETWORK AIRLINE SERVICES EXTEND TOTAL CARGO MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

Air Malta and Network Airline Services (NAS) are pleased to

explained: “We are proud to extend our agreement with NAS,

announce that they have extended their Total Cargo Management

as our preferred global cargo General Sales Agent. With over 35

(TCM) Agreement for a further two years.

years of air cargo management experience, NAS are strategically positioned, globally, to assist Air Malta with its ever-expanding

Whilst NAS has provided a TCM solution to Air Malta over the

cargo operation.”

last few years, it has assisted the airline to vastly expand its cargo business as well as establishing itself in the global air

Air Malta’s vision is to strategically strengthen its position as well

freight marketplace, whilst increasing distribution channels.

as retain a global cargo footprint and presence through NAS’

This has allowed the partnership to build a strong platform

network. Locally, Air Malta has grown their market share and is a

for future growth of its cargo business as an important

leading carrier of choice for cargo in Malta.

revenue contributor.

John Gilfeather, Sales Director of Network Airline Services Since the TCM agreement began, NAS has secured income for

added, “We are very proud to be extending the TCM agreement

Air Malta month on month, year on year, whilst allowing a better

with Air Malta. We are all looking forward to continue working

synergy shared between NAS and Air Malta including important

with the Air Malta staff, suppliers and customers to further our

functions such as sales, marketing, pricing and revenue

relationship with them. Air Malta provides excellent customer

management, cargo reservations, revenue accounting, back-

service to companies and individuals, sending goods to and

office administration, IT systems, cargo handling and

from Malta.

interline contracts.

“NAS has a proven track record of growing airlines cargo The TCM solution is becoming increasingly popular by several global

revenues through its global network of offices and IT teams

airlines as it represents opportunities to generate additional cargo

to build a carrier’s cargo brand as well as target new revenue

revenues from the maximization of aircraft cargo hold capacities.

streams on their behalf. NAS looks forward to diversifying Air

Network Airline Services has proved this solution generates new

Malta’s product range and global coverage even further, the

business opportunities from various sources, whilst Air Malta

extension of this TCM agreement allows us to do so. We will

concentrates on its core business of being a passenger airline.

continue to develop further relationships with other carriers and listen to our customers to gauge how we can further tailor our

John Vella, Air Malta’s Head of Cargo Sales and Marketing

service around their individual needs.”

73

A I R M A LTA N E W S

AIR MALTA APPOINTS DISCOVER THE WORLD AS TRADE, SALES AND MARKETING PARTNERS

Ian Murray, CEO Discover the World (left) together with Roy Kinnear, Air Malta’s Chief Comercial Officer during a familiarisation trip to the airline's headquarters in Luqa, Malta.

As Europe opens up for regional travel, Air Malta has renewed its

ancient monuments and a stunning legacy of centuries’ old art

focus to trade partners with the appointment of ‘Discover the

and culture, Malta has something to offer for everyone. Located

World’ for the markets of Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and

at the heart of the Mediterranean, our guests can start enjoying

Switzerland.

the renowned Maltese hospitality as soon as they step on board our flights. We are looking forward to work with Discover the

Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer Roy Kinnear said: “We are

World to drive Malta’s and Air Malta’s unique selling propositions

pleased to be expanding our relationship with Discover the World,

in these markets”.

who were already assisting us in our activities in secondary markets.

Discover the World will now drive our sales and marketing efforts

Aiden Walsh, Head of Airline Development for Discover the World

and help promote the Maltese Islands in these primary markets. As

added, “We are delighted to play an integral part on growing

we restart to gather momentum and increase frequencies to various

sales for the destination of Malta. We look forward to engaging

markets, we are looking forward to work with Discover the World who,

with our travel trade partners to position Air Malta as the

through their extensive network and experience, will assist us to

preferred carrier of choice to Malta and her Islands. We have put

promote Air Malta as the airline of choice to the Maltese Islands."

in place a dedicated team in these key markets all offering direct flights to the beautiful Island.”

Ian Murray, Discover the World’s CEO added, “We are delighted to be working with Air Malta across these key European markets.

Discover the World will be responsible for providing extensive

A fantastic brand servicing an amazing destination is a winning

field sales services to Air Malta, spearheading personal-visit sales

combination. With our super Air Malta and Discover sales teams,

campaigns; building on existing trade relationships and increasing

we will maximise all opportunities to help our trade partners and

ticket revenue from new agencies and operators keen to share in

consumers book with ease and with confidence.”

the upswing of demand for holidays to Malta.

Alex Savona, Air Malta’s Head Global Sales continued: “From quaint

Air Malta is currently operating over 90 return weekly flights to

beaches and crystal blue sea to trendy restaurants, to magnificent

19 destinations.

74

A I R M A LTA N E W S

Air Malta Executive Chairman David G Curmi congratulating Capt Joe Maniscalco after a distinguished flying career.

AIR MALTA BIDS FAREWELL TO ITS CHIEF PILOT After a flying career spanning four decades

contribution, loyalty, leadership, and passion

their assistance during my term as Chief Pilot.

and 21,600 flying hours, Air Malta’s Chief

for the airline and wish him a happy well-

It has been a pleasure to work at Air Malta and

Pilot Capt Joe Maniscalco has retired. He

earned retirement.”

to see happy customers satisfied with their

was responsible for the airline’s flight crew,

flight,” added Capt Maniscalco.

policy and procedure manuals, and the

Capt Maniscalco commented, “A pilot’s

day to day running of the airline’s flight

job is rewarding but challenging at the

Capt Maniscalco joined Air Malta in November

operations support.

same time. We go through a lot of training

1979 as a trainee clerk. Seven years later an

and proficiency checks and put safety as

internal opportunity arose for employees to

After operating his last flight, Capt

the top priority. Each flight is unique, with

obtain a commercial pilot’s licence. He was

Maniscalco was greeted by Air Malta’s

its changing weather conditions, airport,

selected and started his training in Perth,

Executive Chairman David G Curmi who

aircraft, crew, and passengers.

Scotland. His flight training continued and was

congratulated him on his career. Whilst

type rated on the Boeing 737-200. Two years

thanking him for his loyalty and services to

“Throughout my flying career, it always

later, in July 1990, he also obtained type rating

the airline, Mr Curmi said: “Capt Maniscalco

felt good to have a great Air Malta team

on the Airbus A320 in Toulouse, France. At that

joined the airline as a trainee clerk, a few

onboard and this is all thanks to our

time Air Malta was one of the first airlines to

years after Air Malta was first established.

professional crew. I look back at all these

start using this fly-by-wire modern aircraft.

He climbed the ladder to eventually lead

years and find many happy memories

A key milestone in his career was when he

our flight crew. On behalf of Air Malta and

that I will treasure. I wish to also thank the

commanded his first flight in June 1995. He

its staff, I thank Capt Joe Maniscalco for his

management and staff at Head Office for

was appointed Chief Pilot in August 2018.

75

A I R M A LTA N E W S A I R M A LTA N E W S

IL-BIZZILLA TALKS TO DE AN C AVALL ARO T U R N A R O U N D C O O R D I N ATO R A N D L O A D C O N T R O L L E R HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING WITH AIR MALTA? I have been working with the company for just over three years.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOUR JOB??

Engaging. Dynamic. Rewarding.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF YOUR JOB? I think the biggest challenge lies when, as a coordinator of everything that happens during a turnaround of an aircraft, unexpected problems crop up which need to be solved within a short time frame.

Although this can get quite challenging at times, it is also very rewarding.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES? Yes, I mainly spend my free time flying or voicing several commercials and videos. I’ve always loved flying and recently I’ve developed a love for voice overs. This gives me the ability to stretch my creative side and try something out of my comfort zone.

WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED MALTESE DISH? I think my preferred Maltese dish is rabbit stew. One should not miss out on trying a delicious plate of stew, slow cooked over several hours. The wait is worth the while.

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU LIKE TO FOLLOW? I usually like listening to Jazz from time to time or tunes from the 90s or the 00s.

WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE OF ALL TIMES? I have many favourite movies, however, one that most stuck with me is ‘Children of Men’. It’s a sad film with a great message, well worth going through the pain of seeing hope dwindle to get to a hopeful end.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS AND TIPS FOR ANYONE VISITING MALTA? In my opinion, Gozo is one of the nicest places to stay for a couple of days to unwind and discover this beautiful Island.

Though one cannot miss a traditional fresh fish dish in Marsaxlokk. Visitors can enjoy a beautiful evening, coupled with a beautiful sunset in Għajn Tuffieħa or a magical evening tour of our old capital, Mdina.

WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION AND WHY? My favourite destination is Scotland. Cold and wet, with beautiful countryside, great people and amazing food.

76

A I R M A LTA N E W S A I R M A LTA N E W S

A I R M A LTA D I R E C T F L I G H T S The flight schedule is subject to change without notice. For further information, kindly visit airmalta.com for the latest updates.

DIRECT FLIGHTS

Freq Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Amsterdam 6 Berlin 2 Brussels 4 Catania 9 Dusseldorf 2 Frankfurt 3 London LHR 10 Lisbon 2 Lyon 3 Milan Linate 4 Munich 7 Palermo 2 Paris CDG 5 Paris ORY 6 Prague 2 Rome FCO 6 Vienna 6 Zurich 4

83 1. Freq. number denotes maximum number of flights operating by the end of month.

2. Not all days apply throughout the whole month.

77

FLIGH T I N FO

F L I G H T & CO M PA N Y I N FO R M AT I O N

SURVEY

NEWSLETTER

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.

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

www.airmalta.com/wearelistening

A I R M A LTA F L E E T

AIRBUS 320CEO

AIRBUS 320NEO

QUANTITY: 3 IN FLEET NUMBER OF SEATS: 168/180 ENGINES: CFM56-5B4/P MAXIMUM TAKE OFF WEIGHT: 75.5 / 77 METRIC TONS OVERALL LENGTH: 37.57M WINGSPAN: 34.1M CRUISING SPEED: MACH 0.78 (450KNOTS, 833 KM/HR) RANGE: 5,200 KM, 2,800 NMI, 3,250 SMI

QUANTITY: 4 IN FLEET NUMBER OF SEATS: 180 ENGINES: CFM LEAP-1A MAXIMUM TAKE OFF WEIGHT: 77 METRIC TONS OVERALL LENGTH: 37.57M WINGSPAN: 35.8M CRUISING SPEED: MACH 0.78 (450KNOTS, 833 KM/HR) RANGE: 6,500 KM, 3,500 NMI, 4,025 SMI

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

SMOKING

Alcohol consumed at high altitude can have a stronger effect than usual. Cabin crew are legally empowered to refuse to serve any alcohol to an intoxicated passenger and anyone under the age of 18. In extreme cases, crew may also temporarily confiscate the passenger‘s own drinks so that the passenger does not become a nuisance to the other passengers and crew. Furthermore, Air Malta is bound by international regulations which prohibit the embarkation or the carriage of drunken passengers. However, since 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 departure terminal building until you reach the arrival 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 not allowed on board Air Malta flights. Similarly, the use of naked flames on and around the aircraft is also prohibited.

FACE MASKS The Airline requires all passengers to wear an approved medical or cloth face mask at all times, starting from boarding, for the duration of the flight, through to disembarkation. Passengers will not be allowed to board without a facemask. Masks should also be worn within the airport building, before and during check-in, upon arrival, when collecting baggage, and up to the point that a passenger leaves the airport building. As per the Government of Malta Legal Notice 402 of 2020, children under three (3) years of age and persons with severe cognitive, physical, mental, or respiratory impairments who have difficulties tolerating a mask as certified by a licensed medical practitioner are exempted from wearing masks. Certified individuals shall always carry the relevant medical certificate exempting them from wearing a mask. Passengers risk fines if they fail to comply.

78

FLIGH T I N FO

E N H A N C E YO U R T R AV E L E X P E R I E N C E

JOIN OUR BUSINESS CLASS Upgrade to Air Malta’s Business 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.

CARRY MORE WITH 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

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/seat-selection

GET SPORTY Are you passionate about a sport? We make it easy to travel and take your specialised equipment with you at a very minimal cost.

Visit www.airmalta.com/excess-baggage-en-gb

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 can’t get anywhere else.

Email groups@airmalta.com

WEB 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

79

ELEC T RON IC DEV IC ES

U S E O F P O RTA B L E E L E C T RO N I C D E V I C E S O N B OA R D

TRANSMITTING PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES (PEDS)

NON-TRANSMITTING PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES (PEDS)

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 such as GSM & Wi-fi are switched off. Devices working on Bluetooth wireless connectivity are allowed. 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, takeoff 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.

LAPTOPS AND NOTEBOOKS 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.

ARE THERE TIMES WHEN I CANNOT USE MY ELECTRONIC DEVICES?

CAN I USE HEADPHONES? 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 CABIN CREW WHEN …

Your portable electronic device is damaged, becomes hot, produces smoke, is lost, or falls into the seat structure. If safe to do so, the device must be switched off immediately.

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

HAND HELD PEDS

(e.g. smart phones and tablets)

LARGER PEDS

(e.g. laptops and notebooks)

HEADPHONES

WI-FI, TEXT & PHONE CALL FUNCTIONS

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

Safety Notice: The carriage of damaged, defective or recalled lithium batteries or devices is prohibited on-board Air Malta aircraft.

80

Naturally Gozo Live in the moment

www.visitgozo.com