Malta may-june 2015

ATM 2015 SPECIAL

e r o m is

Five centuries of history but an eternity of opportunities The Mediterranean Conference Centre – a monument to our past – looks to the future by meeting the corporate business needs of today.

Rediscover the charm of Malta’s most coveted meeting venue. Dare to be different and unique, and be inspired by the unconventional.

MCC prides itself on the level of customer support service it offers through its dedicated and highly motivated staff. No matter what the size of the event being organised the Mediterranean Conference Centre can cater for all your requirements.

• Conference halls accommodating more than 2,700 persons • Magnificent exhibition spaces totaling over 3,400sqm • Unique medieval venue for themed events • Superb contrast of modern facilities with old stone • Eclectic design in a historical setting • Multi-functional conference centre

T: +356 255 95 215, F: + 356 21 245900 E: sales@mcc.com.mt. W: www.mcc.com.mt

CURIOSITY

M I DDL E E A S T

In Association with

Malta Tourism Authority

Editor-in-Chief Karen A. Paul Elson Creative Director Mohammad Usman Siraj Art Editor Melanie King Photographer Firoze Edassery

From the Editor’s Desk As part the Curiosity Middle East special supplements series, we are proud to present this exclusive 40-page report on Malta.

This “must-visit” destination has got one of the most fascinating mix of attractions for holiday-makers as well as business travellers. And our objective with this edition is to put the spotlight on all those beautiful treasures.

Technology Solutions Muhammed Ameen Ameerzada Ashish Sareen Production Manager Stanley Kularatne Business Development Director Amit Kakkar MTA SPONSORED SUPPLEMENT Pictures and content supplied

So what are you waiting for? Let Curiosity Middle East take you around this magnificent Mediterranean jewel that is unique in every way.

Travel Bug

Copyright© Curiosity Middle East. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All information and travel details are correct to the best of our knowledge. However this may not be so on the date of publication. Curiosity cannot be held responsible for any information or photographs published here.

The Hon. Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis was born on the 21st June 1973 in Mtarfa, Malta.

He completed his formative years at St. Aloysius College and his tertiary education at the University of Malta. He graduated in BA European Studies and International Relations and subsequently obtained a Doctorate of Laws.

Until recently, Dr. Zammit Lewis practised as a lawyer especially in the superior courts of Malta specialising in litigation in the civil, commercial and the constitutional law sphere.

Hon. Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis Minister for Tourism Please throw some light on the UAE MALTA relations.

Over the years, the relationship between Malta and the UAE has surely strengthened through increased bilateral communications and was then further consolidated since we set up the Consulate General in 2013. Today, we can identify three clear areas of growth namely, consular services, targeted investment and growth in mutual tourism flows.

What are the strategies and plans to grow market in UAE and Middle East?

Malta’s tourism industry has been registering record performances for the last 5 years and 2014 was no exception. The Maltese Islands also enjoy a very healthy seasonality pattern of visitors throughout the 12 months of the year with a natural peak in the summer months. Malta’s strategy for the coming years shall be one of improving this pattern by increasing arrivals in the winter months, improving yield for the industry in peak periods while simultaneously improving the great value and authentic experience that a stay in Malta offers to visitors from around the world.

The UAE and the Middle East is a region in which

The Hon. Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis was also chosen by the Labour Party leader, today Prime Minister, Dr. Joseph Muscat to represent the Party through the rent law reform amendments in 2009. Later, Dr. Zammit Lewis also formed part of the legal team to pilot the case, raised by the Labour Party, relating to the controversial application of VAT on the registration of vehicles, a matter subsequently resolved by the Labour Government.

During his university years, the Hon. Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis was actively engaged in the Malta has only been promoted and marketed in recent years as a destination. The response so far has been encouraging but our objective is to step up Malta’s marketing activity in the region as it is clear that there is further potential that we aim to exploit.

Our Plan for the immediate future is to continue building on the good work done so far, consolidate cooperation with Emirates Airlines and the tour operators, group organizers, travel agents and MICE agents in the region. Parallel to this, we want to reach out to the end client with targeted advertising and PR activity to showcase Malta and the excellent experience it promises to offer to the UAE and Middle East traveler.

Labour Youth Forum, where he occupied the post of President for two years during which he was also elected as a local councillor in the locality of Attard in 1997.

During the last general election in 2013 won by the Labour Party, Hon. Dr. Edward Zammit was successfully elected on the 8th electoral District.

He was immediately appointed by the Prime Minister to serve as Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth.

In April 2014, following a Cabinet reshuffle, Dr. Zammit Lewis was appointed as Minister for Tourism responsible also for the Aviation Industry and the National Carrier, being the post he currently occupies.

In December 2014, Dr. Zammit Lewis was also given full responsibility for the Maltese Film industry.

Hon. Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis is married to Notary Public Dr. Elena Farrugia. They have one daughter Lucia and currently reside in the charming locality of Lija.

Why do you feel Middle East is a significant market for Malta?

For many years, Malta’s main tourism source markets have been from within Europe that on average generated 90% of all tourist arrivals to our Islands.

From past experiences Malta knows very well that it should avoid relying excessively on any single source market. As the European market becomes more and more homogeneous, Malta is enacting a strategy to consolidate its market share within the European markets and seeking growth in new and emerging tourism markets like the Gulf and Middle East, among others. Such new markets offer

Malta incremental business, often of a higher yield together with the added benefit of generating the larger portion of traffic in the leaner winter months of the year.

As I already mentioned, we believe that there is still immense potential for growth in the collaboration between the two countries in a number of areas.

The opportunities for synergies and collaboration between Malta and UAE have been highlighted in recent months by the UAE authorities waiving prior visa requirements for Maltese nationals visiting UAE. Malta is now in the process of reciprocating this initiative.

Moreover, there is growing cooperation between Malta and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Middle East Business Council.

Malta’s goal of becoming a logistics hub in the Mediterranean can, for example, be strengthened through collaboration with Dubai where trade contributes 30% to Dubai’s GDP. Opportunities for further collaboration are in the Finance, Aviation, Education, Healthcare and ICT sectors among others. Malta, in turn, offers businesses in Dubai a ‘point of entry’into the European Union and the North African region with favourable legislation and minimal bureaucracy. Malta’s trade and logistics opportunities offered to Dubai businesses can be attested by its Freeport (one of the largest in the Mediterranean), the Airport, (Voted the best Airport with passenger volumes of 5 million or less) and ICT infrastructure (ranked the best in Europe on the basis of the Digital Agenda indicators).

All these opportunities are testament to the importance of the Middle East market for Malta and also the openings that Malta can offer to UAE and Middle East business. Tourism and Business flows between the two countries can only grow in the years ahead.

What kind of new offers you are about to introduce in this region? What new tourism attractions are coming up in Malta ? What’s unique for UAE visitors ?

Our UNESCO World Heritage City, the Capital Valletta shall be the European Capital City of Culture for 2018. Major restoration works have been conducted within Valletta and the organizing committee for this special occasion is setting up a varied programme of events in the build-up to 2018.

The MTA is meanwhile marketing Valletta as a distinct City destination and the Maltese Archipelago as the new trendy cultural destination for visitors hailing from the UAE and the Middle East. The major restoration works in Valletta, the building of a new entrance to Valletta and a new Parliament building are also being complemented by several millions of Euros worth in investments by private investors in luxurious boutique hotels in a number of Valletta’s 500 year old Palazzos that were built at the time of the Knights of Malta, top International designer brands opening up shop as well as other major investments in dining, cafes and entertainment venues.

The heritage sites and our traditional local events

are our pride and joy. From the Hypogeum underground temple, to Hagar Qim, Ggantija & Mnajdra, our collection of Neolithic temples, Phoenician Graves, Roman remains, the legacy of the Knights of St John with our grandiose CoCathedral that houses the only signed work of art of the great Caravaggio, the Grand Masters palace and other structures built by the knights, as well as our rich calendar of events and annual events that take place within our Islands, make Malta & Gozo a unique centre for arts, culture and history.

A destination that offers all this diversity all-year round and in a relatively compact geographical area that eliminates wasted time in long journeys from one place to another and the famous inviting hospitality offered by the locals, place the Maltese Islands in a class of their own for all visitors and in particular to the UAE and Middle East traveler who may as yet never considered Malta for a weekend break or family holiday.

How do you see the market growing in next 5 years on the tourism map?

UNWTO and European Travel Commission studies forecast that tourism will continue to grow in the coming years as more and more people will have the drive, financial means and opportunity to travel and discover new destinations and cultures.

The future traveler will travel more frequently but trips will be of a shorter duration and shall increasingly seek the authentic experience of immersing oneself in different cultures in a voyage of self enrichment and discovery.

The biggest growth for incoming tourism into the Mediterranean is forecasted to originate from medium and long haul markets in Asia, Middle East, North and South America as well as India.

I feel that Malta is very well positioned in this forecasted scenario and we have the strategy, policies and action plans in place that are aligned and geared in this direction. Exciting and potentially very rewarding times are ahead of us.

To attract new business or investments in Malta– what will be your plans? Does it fall under your authority to promote Malta for investments?

Even though attracting new business and investment in Malta is not within the primary remit of the Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority and this onus lies with The Malta Enterprise (ME), the Maltese Government is focused to attract fresh investment to our shores.

Malta Enterprise holds its offices, in Dubai, with whom MTA has a joint office there, and its main task is of attracting direct foreign investment, as well as supporting Maltese companies that are exporting to Dubai and the Gulf region. The MTA and ME office actively promotes Malta with the business community in the UAE mostly through the Unique Selling Proposition that Malta has to offer as an investment destination whilst assisting Maltese Companies to showcase their products and services there.

Please throw some light on food and entertainment attractions of Malta?

Cuisine in Malta is a Mediterranean fusion of tastes and delicacies, but created with a delectable traditional Maltese touch. Our pasta variations can be infused with local delicacies such as rabbit, fresh fish, tasty local vegetables or even shell-fish.

Home grown vegetables, stuffed or on their own are slowly roasted as they absorb fresh herbs such as oregano or fennel or marjoram and served with other oven or stove top slow cooked main dishes, such as beef, lamb or chicken. For our visiting UAE and Middle Eastern guests, several restaurants also offer a Halal menu.

Entertainment options are varied from al fresco dining, nightclubs, dance parties by world famous DJ’s, open air concerts, opera, fireworks, art, folklore and music festivals, family attractions, International Sports Events and also Casinos.

Please describe about sectors like education and healthcare in Malta? How is the Medical Tourism sector doing there?

English Language Learning in Malta is becoming attractive for foreign adult students and professionals. Several English Langauge Learning Centres in Malta also offer specialized bespoke courses for sectors like International business, Aviation, Tourism, Banking, Finance and Medical amongst others, targeting corporate executives and professionals in the different disciplines seeking to combine a professional development visit with their holiday. Higher learning in Malta at the University of Malta is one of the best for first degrees in Europe, with non-resident student rates that are very competitive with other competing Universities within the EU. Medical tourism and all areas related are bound to experience rapid growth in the coming years, especially after the ground breaking investments recently announced for the first overseas campus of Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry being set up on the Island of Gozo, a private hospital investment in strategic partnership with Johnsons and Johnsons, one the largest worldwide companies in the health sector at ICT Smart City in Malta as well as American and Maltese investment in other private hospital facilities on the Island.

A word for the visitors of Arabian Travel market In Dubai.

In 2014 The Maltese Islands welcomed nearly 1.7 million tourists and more than 500,000 cruise visitors. Independent feedback from these visitors is overwhelmingly positive and a common comment by new visitors to our Islands is that Malta and Gozo exceeded even their wildest expectations and that they plan to return to Malta for another holiday in the very near future.

Malta & Gozo now look forward to the opportunity to welcome and surprise more travelers from UAE and the Middle East who are steadily starting to discover the Jewel of the Mediterranean.

Gozo...

The Magic of Calypso´s Isle ABOUT GOZO Gozo meaning “joy” in castilian is the name the Aragonese gave this island, when they possessed it in 1282. The idea of joy and pleasure is also conveyed by its Latin motto “Fertilis ab undis caput iffero – a fruitful land raising its head from the sea”. We know that the Phoenicians, when it was theirs in 700Bc, called it “Gwl” or Gaulos, meaning a round ship, possibly in reference to the island’s shape from a distance, a name the Romans kept when they, in turn took it over in 218AD. The Arabs, who came

to rule this precious piece of land a thousand years ago, and who strongly influenced its Semitic language, left behind the name that has stuck in the vernacular:Ghawdex (pronounced Aw-desh).

Gozo is the second largest island of the Maltese Archipelago that consists of three islands known as Gozo, comino and mainland Malta. Millions of years ago the Maltese island were the elevated regions on a mass of land extending southwards from nearby Sicily. This continental shelf was submerged when the sea level rose during the interglacials

leaving those land tips exposed in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea. Roughly circular in shape, 14km by 7km in area, Gozo is hilly and from the south-west to the northwest, the coast is entirely surrounded by cliffs. The hills of Gozo are curiously rounded and flat-topped, the result of hard rock lying on top of softer rock.

The highest point on the island rising 190 metres above sea level is TacDbiegi hill on the outskirts of the village of San Lawrenz. The southern part of the island facing Malta, is low lying, but it rises near the

coast and forms the vertical cliffs of Ta cenc that jut out like a bastion into the sea. Several narrow valleys cut through and dissect the plateau – the best known being Marsalforn, Xlendi and Ramla l-Hamra.

Gozo is rural and simple, its culture and way of life rooted in fishing, and in primitive pastoral and agricultural activity. Tomatoes, potatoes, onions, melons, grapes, figs, oranges, and tangerines are the island’s prime agricultural produce.

Gozo though separated from mainland Malta by a 5km stretch of Mediterranean sea is distinctly different from Malta. The soil is fertile as much blue clay is present. This means that rain water does not sink through the ground quickly and is the reason why Gozo always looks greener for most part of the year.

Gozo’s population of approximately 29,000 is not so much in evidence, except in the in the bustling little square in what makes for the main town, Victoria, so named in 1897 in honour of Queen Victoria’s jubilee and where a fifth of the population resides.

The local people have resolutely stuck to their own name of Rabat, instead of Victoria. Like other Rabats in the one-time or present Arab world, this Rabat, has its medina, the fortified citadel atop a summit, which shelters the old town and which once offered security from raiders. This haunting citadel, a favourite spot for true romantics, has only a few splendid old houses and a lovely small cathedral encircled by the spectacular bastion walls. At night, with moonlight filtering through the ruins and the aged stones of ancient palazzi, it is almost possible to feel the spirits of those who lived, laughed, cried, loved, played – and diedhere, when the world was a very different place, but Gozo was much the same.

The island’s hamlets and villages, which are perfectly, still, with their strong wooden doors closed and their windows shuttered, appear to be deserted at certain times of the day. A boy in shorts might free-wheel an old bicycle down the centre of the main street, or a girl in a shaded cotton dress might run to her grandmother’s home with a reed basket containing a fresh loaf and some tomatoes. A dog might twitch its tail, lying stupefied by the heat and the silence, right in the middle of the road. But sounds are muted and movement at a minimum.

There is no fear in walking about at night. The sense of safety and security is tangible. The people of this island take pride in the absolute absence of muggings and the almost non-existence of theft.

Until fairly recently, when they were not at home, the villagers of Gozo left their keys in their front doors, a custom which can occasionally still be seen.

Gozo is tranquil, and treasures its peace. For some, the silence can be overwhelming, but not to those for whom it spells a blessed a blessed respite from the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Gozo is not for those who like wild clubbing, bur for those who treasure their peace of body and soul and a slow rhythm of life, although a couple of excellent night spots are a hive of activity among the locals during the summer months.

Village bars open early in order to cater for the early risers who attend the first mass of the day and close fairly late at night, catering to the socialising needs of locals and visitors alike. These watering-holes, with their wooden chairs, marble counters, and large metal trays containing this local delicacy, pastizzi, are a cultural icon. They have stayed unchanged for decades, the only sign of time passing by being the food and drink displayed for sale on the solid shelves and in the Edwardian

glass cases.

The island is well served by restaurants, where the eating is good and varied. The visitor is spoilt for choice. Apart from restaurants and cafes offering local dishes as well as continental menus, one can also enjoy theme restaurants such as chinese and Indian.

Restaurants abound in Rabat, Mgarr and in the fishing villages of Marsalforn and Xlendi, as well as in several other places. At the end of a day of pleasure on the beach, the most enjoyable epilogue is dinner al fresco in one of these places. A particular local dish is rabbit stewed in wine. Octopus stew with spaghetti is also very typical. Very tasty are a variety of soups and dishes with freshly caught local fish. A quick lunch with local cheeselets, olives, tomatoes, olive-oil and fresh bread washed down with a glass of wine is a real treat. Juicy prickly pears as a dessert may prove delicious and a small jar of the world renowned pure Gozo honey may be taken home to be shared with family and friends.

In this pastoral atmosphere, you will occasionally come across the incongruity of an International Herald Tribune, a Guardian, or a Frankfurter Allgemaine. Gozo is peaceful, but it is not isolated, and the newspapers get there on time, which may be bad news for visitors who want to escape the headlines from their own country. But as they say, no man is an island and where better to communicate then over a beer or two, accompanied by bowls full

of roasted peanuts and some sun-dried tomatoes?

Gozo and its inhabitants have their own distinct character and identity, and noticeably different lifestyles, accents and dialect. Those who live in Gozo pointedly describe themselves as Gozitan, while those who live in Malta call themselves Maltese. Through the centuries, the Gozitan has developed a strong and independent character. A conservative person with staunch, clear thoughts, unaffected by what others think about him and who carefully deliberates every action to determine its compatibility with his interests and plans.

Gozitans are hard-working and diligent, known as

able farmers. The tourist who spends time on the island will surely experience the friendliness of the Gozitans. The young children and the old folk alike will go out of their way to indicate a direction or help a visitor find a hotel or apartment.

Gozo is renowned for its cottage industries, particularly spinning and weaving, and the creation of jumpers and jackets from the wool of sheep and goats.

Lace is the most widespread doorstep craft. It was introduced on a large scale after the 1840’s. The craft soon proved its worth for the product was sold to the higher classes of society and even abroad. It was very common, especially in the afternoon, to see mothers

with their daughters sitting on empty wooden lemonade crates with a lace pillow in their lap rested against the wall, their hands moving bobbins swiftly and deftly creating the most intricate and delicate of designs. Gozo lace is an object d’art and it continues to flourish despite competition from machine made lace.

The men make lace of a different variety: silver filigree, twisted into miraculous pieces of jewellery. And there is fabulous glass, with remarkable shapes in subtle shades of blue and green. Pottery is widely available, ranging from decorative pots and statuettes to imaginative house name plaques and door numbers.

Crafts that are rarer still include palm work, palm leaves that are woven into sun-hats or baskets, cane work, especially practised by fisherman during winter The main destination characteristics that attracted diving respondents to Malta were: Climate (54.6%) A new place to go (46.7%) Value for money (39.6%)

Other important pull factors include: • Accessibility (28.0%) • History/Culture (27.1%) • Previous visit (25.4%) • Recommendation by friends/relatives (21.7%) • English spoken widely (17.4%) • Good diving (15.9%) • Maltese hospitality (10.5%)

during winter to make cane curtains, carvers or sculptors, working the local stone or papier mache, producing statues and other objects to their own design, wood-workers that can construct anything from frames of grandfather clocks to limitation antiques chests of drawers and guilders, a craft that is gaining popularity.

Change is slow in Gozo, which adamantly sticks to its tortoise-like pace. Gozo has still succeeded in retaining its dream-like qualities of peace and solitude. If Ulysses were to come here today, he would find it even harder to leave.

BAYS & BEACHES

There are beaches of red sand like Ramla ilHamra, literally “Red Sands” where turtles once bred and where a Roman mini-potentate long ago built a summer villa, and San Blas, white sands like Dahlet Qorrot, magnificent deep water inlets that wind their way through the cliffs, like Xlendi and Mgarr ix-Xini, or coves of pebbles, like the romantically named Hondoq

ir-Rummien, “Pomegranate cove”. Xlendi is where Phoenician galleys sought shelter and where, on storm days, they were wrecked on a treacherous reef, leaving amphorae lying in stillness in the depths of azure waters.

Then there are the wild imposing cliffs, where the breeze carries the scent of wild thyme and the brilliant turquoise waters of comino, the tiny island across the way, sparkle in the sunlight. The Maltese falcon, which gave its name to a Humphrey Bogart film, once bred on these cliffs. But sadly, it does so no longer – though some say that its cry still echoes in the wind.

One of the best – known bays is Marsalforn, which hums and buzzes until the early hours of the morning during the hotter months, but which is left to the sea spray and the net-mending fishermen in the winter. Traditionally, this was the summer resort of the middle-class from the town of Victoria, which is all of four kilometres away – a burdensome, hilly journey in a horse-drawn carriage in the summer heat, before cars came along.

Dwejra, with its curious rock formations and spilling seas, is also a magical attraction with spectacular deep-sea swimming down a cliff-path, and spellbinding diving through what is known as the “Blue Hole” near the Azure Window and the Inland Sea.

THE CITADELLA

Gozo’s colourful and assorted past is typified by the winding streets of The Citadel.

The Citadel, high on the hill of the capital Victoria, is a fortified city built by the Knights of St John between 1599 and 1603. This haunting spot, a favourite of true romantics, houses a small cathedral encircled by the spectacular bastion walls. Bustling

during the day and completely silent at night, it also offers panoramic views of the whole island.

A visit to the citadel is a must and the fatigue of going up the hill is fully rewarded. From the fortifications there is a superb view all around the horizon with vistas over the tiny fields cut by yellow stone walls, domes of village churches rising from clusters of houses and the Gordan Lighthouse.

The number of inhabitants in the citadel is less than ten and half the place lie in archaeological ruins which are continuously being restored. This results from an exodus in the 17th century to more spacious houses in Victoria. In the other half there is the Gozo cathedral and the Law courts, as well as the cathedral Museum, the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, the Folklore Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Old Prisons.

The most impressive of all is the cathedral, dedicated to Santa Marija, the Assumption.

A centuries-old belief, partly proved archaeologically, noted that a temple to Juno that had existed within the acropolis was rededicated by the early christians to the Blessed Virgin Mary. When the present building was raised between 1697 and 1711, remains of this temple were discovered in abundance.

The cathedral is a fine baroque structure in the form of a Latin cross and is built entirely of the local limestone on a plan by the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafa’. Instead of bell towers, a tall campanile with five bells is attached to the north east side. The interior is very graceful and well-proportioned. A flat ceiling in perspective closes the aperture of the dome. This ingenious painting, raised in place in 1739, is one of the cathedral’s major attractions and is so convincing that many visitors have to be persuaded that it is not, indeed, a real dome.

The other attraction is the statue of Santa Marija, the Assumption, undertaken in Rome in 1897. The statue of the Madonna was embellished with a diamond necklace, a gold belt and a solid silver plinth donated by Gozitans who emigrated to the New World and made good. On 15th August, it is taken shoulder-high in a procession around the streets of Victoria.

LIST OF MUSEUMS

With an eclectic history and exciting culture, Gozo has an array of museums for all the family to enjoy during your vacation.

- The Museum of Archaeology, the Citadel - The Folklore Museum, Victoria - The Natural Science Museum, the Citadel - The Old Prisons, the Citadel - Gozo Heritage, between Mgarr Harbour

and Victoria - Ta Kola Windmill, Xaghra - Museum of Toys, Xaghra - Maritime Museum, Nadur - Gharb Folklore Museum, Gharb

CHURCHES

Each of Gozo’s 14 towns or villages has a unique church, making it the perfect religious holiday destination. Tourists are invited to visit each of these churches and enjoy their tranquil atmosphere, precious artefacts and beautiful art collections.

Ta’ Pinu Church is Gozo’s national shrine, with a moving collection of items which have been sent in by people whose lives were touched by the mysterious powers of this site.

This is one of Gozo’s most iconic churches and includes a devotion area as well as the Stations of the Cross.

TEMPLES

The Ggantija Temples in Xaghra are a World Heritage Site and completely unique. The oldest freestanding temples in the world, they date back to 3500BC and they are attributed to a mythical giantess.

Located in the sleepy town of Xaghra, these temples are a must-see for any Gozitan vacation.

DIVING

Gozo is home to some of the best diving in the Mediterranean. There are dive spots suitable for all levels of experience, from beginners to practiced divers looking for a new challenge. The underwater landscape here is spectacular, the visibility excellent. The sea is usually calm and the sea temperature never drops below 13ºC so diving is possible almost all the time. Gozo has a remarkable number of dives accessible from the shore and many more that are just a short boat ride away.

The small size of the island means that you spend little time travelling between sites and if there is wind on one side of the island you are only minutes from an alternative dive-site.

The Blue Hole in Dwejra is a big draw for divers: a natural underwater archway that leads to the open sea. There is also an abundance of reefs and caves, as well as four specially sunk wrecks, making Gozo’s diving some of the most interesting in the Mediterranean.

In 2013, it is estimated that around 100,000 tourists practiced diving during their stay in Malta.

This accounts for 6.3% of total tourists

Overall Divers’ Experience • Malta reached the expectations of the majority of diving travellers • 91.7% would recommend the islands to their friends/relatives • 77.5% plan to return, most of which in two years time or less Below Expectations 8% Exceeded Expectations 31%

Up to Expectations 61%

The Perfect Business Venue The Maltese Islands are a destination of choice for M.I.C.E. This award-winning island has seen record numbers of M.I.C.E. visitors with delegate numbers amounting to 86,000 from a total of 130,173 business travelers in 2014. Despite being one of the smallest members of the Euro-zone, Malta stands its ground as a destination of choice among many companies, international organisations and Associations.

Versatile, flexible and dynamic, the Islands offer a high quality infrastructure. Centrally located at the heart of the Mediterranean its direct flight connections, many of which are less than 3 hours away from main European gateways, make it an easily accessible meeting hub for delegates.

The Maltese Islands are also members of the European Union, the Euro zone and the Schengen agreement facilitating travel to and from the destination.

The multitude of languages spoken by local professionals ensures a clear understanding. Communication is also facilitated as English is the official business language together with Maltese - our national language.

The Islands’ inherent attractions set the scene for successful meetings and events. With modern conference centers, a vast option of prestigious historical buildings and outdoor locations, C&IT organisers have various possibilities where to host events. The size of the Islands also facilitates the planning process; Malta’s size (316 kilometers) is especially attractive as it minimizes the time spent on transfers between the meeting room and venues for social program.

Our five and four-star hotels include internationally renowned chains as well as boutique properties. These establishments have in-house meeting facilities and many are clustered within walking distance of each other, enabling event organisers to split up large groups into different properties.

Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the gentle climate is predominantly sunny and warm making it possible for an event to be organised in exceptional outdoor venues such as gardens, town squares and other historical places or precious landmarks dispersed along the Maltese and Gozitan coasts.

The flexibility of the Maltese Islands allows an array of options for activities. A number of DMCs have received international awards for their dedication and professionalism. In its ongoing drive to maintain this unparalleled standard of

Gozo, Malta’s sister island, is renowned for teambuilding events, active day tours and outdoor events. The size and natural setting conspire to make it a prime location for incentive groups wishing to experience the Island’s laid back lifestyle, culture and cuisine. Comino, situated between Malta and Gozo, is popular mostly for incentives and sporting activities.

The Maltese Government and public sector invest strongly in tourism and experience within the industry ensures that clients receive good value for time and money. In addition the Maltese Government has also announced that a foundation for the promotion of foreign conventions and congresses will be set up in Malta in the near future which further strengthens the importance given to this sector.

service, the MTA awards DMCs a Quality Seal to recognize those companies which are committed to high levels of quality. Malta has 18 Quality Assured DMCs, as well as other ancillary services on both land and at sea.

The Maltese Islands also offer a vast events calendar throughout the year which can be incorporated as part of incentive programs.

This diverse offer is not only a result of our history and heritage but is also possible through the everyday aspects of our local life: including the people, our architecture and infrastructure, as well as the Maltese language and cuisine.

The Islands’ picturesque beauty, the warm local hospitality and the history of events hosted in Malta and Gozo keep acting as a major attraction for M.I.C.E. business travelers.

Magical

MALTA

Malta is ideal for anyone wanting to embark on a Mediterranean Cruise, choosing either an Eastern or a Western itinerary depending on the Cruise Liner of choice. With its excellent flight connections to Dubai from Malta International Airport, the Cruise Terminal is just 20 minutes drive away from the airport. There are daily flights from Dubai with Emirates Airlines with comfortable timings for your arrival time in Malta to enjoy taking in the History & Culture of this Mediterranean gem. Alternatively, you can fly out of the Gulf and Middle East region to a European airport such as Rome, Frankfurt, Paris, Munich, Amsterdam and many others using major airlines that offer code share options, or direct flights to Malta on the national carrier, Air Malta.

Throughout history, up until some decades ago, most commercial and social activities in Malta were centred around the Grand Harbour. The Cruise Terminal situated at the Valletta Waterfront and it welcomes a substantial number of cruise ships a year, whether as port of calls, turnarounds or home porting operations.

The Maltese Islands is the ideal pre or post Cruise destination for those wishing to enjoy a couple

of historic and cultural sights. With affordable accommodation in a variety of star classes, self-catering or boutique hotels, both Malta and Gozo have more to offer in heritage, culture and experiences across their 316sq km than any other ‘country’ of its size. With a good public transport system, several taxi companies and self-drive companies offering vehicles to rent, there will hardly be a stone that is left unturned when you begin to explore the countless possibilities that await you here. 7000 years of history will take you across both islands, visiting our group of UNESCO World Heritage Temples and our UNESCO World Heritage Hypogeum underground temple.

With the Liners all arriving in the Grand Harbour, the UNESCO World Heritage City of Valletta is literally ‘up the road’. One can either take a leisurely stroll from the terminal up to the City Gate, or hop in to the public elevator beneath the imposing bastions and massive rock face that form the foundations of this European Capital of Culture 2018. If you only have one day to enjoy the Maltese Islands, without a doubt it is a priority to visit St John’s Co Cathedral in the centre of Valletta. Do not let the humble exterior fool you.

This baroque cathedral holds unparalleled beauty

and indescribable beauty within its walls. Shrouded in the memory of the days of the Knights of St John, its sacred floor is covered with the grave markings of many a gallant gent or priest that served the Grand Masters loyally. Deep underneath the Cathedral in the crypt lies the tomb of the most infamous Grandmaster of all, Jean de Valette, who led the Knights to victory in the 1565 Great Siege against the Ottomans. To top it all off, the museum holds the only signed painting known to date, by the artist Caravaggio – the beheading of St John the Baptist.

The Grand Harbour is the largest European natural harbor, in itself already a beautiful sight to see, with the infamous Three Cities on the opposite side of this haven, welcoming you to cross over in one of the traditional Maltese Dghajsa’s, and take in the wonders of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua.

If you happen to be in Malta in October, this Grand Harbour is the start line to the Rolex Middle Sea Race, an annual event that draws the world’s finest and hardiest professional and amateur sailors, to circumnavigate the middle of the Mediterranean on a tough 700 nautical mile offshore Classic.

Before or after your Cruise, you can indulge in the local cuisine, fresh produce and variety of fish, poultry and other dishes served to your heart’s delight. The old fishing village of Marsaxlokk is notorious for restaurants that serve up freshly caught fish in delectable ways. Local wines are the way to go if you wish to sample sun kissed grapes carefully grown on the hills of Gozo, Malta’s sister island. Gozo is the home to the seductress Calypso, a nymph that captivated the heart of Ulysses in Homer’s The Odyssey. But a word of warning, you may not want to leave here once you have been wooed by the magical touch of this sultry romantic island.

An Exuberant Manifestation Of Tradition

Malta has a long standing religious tradition which finds itself manifest both inside and outside the many churches dotting the island. Perhaps one of the most spectacular assertions of faith in the Maltese Islands is the village feast, or festa as it is locally known. And yet, at the same time, the festa is also a celebration of all that is not religious, incorporating take-out stands, exhibitions, fireworks and a colourful gathering of people that reverberates not with devotion but with the loud atmosphere of a street party.

Each village has its own patron saint, and each saint, subsequently, is granted his or her own celebration. According to the ecclesiastic calendar, the feast days of these patron saints fall throughout the year, winter and summer alike. However, although these days are adhered to within Malta’s architecturally-rich churches, the actual feast in the piazza is postponed to the beautifully clear summer days. That way, nothing could rain on the parade of vibrant marching bands, troops of traditional Maltese food stands, and fireworks the renown of which is international.

This is not to say that the religious element is mitigated by all these celebrations. It is not a

devotee-pagan dichotomy. All those who organise and participate in these feasts have within them faith and joviality intertwined.

Even for the set summer dates, when it is not actually the saint’s dedicated day, churches will decorate themselves with lights, gold, crystal and deep red damask. Sermons will centre on the life of the respective saint, accompanied by organs, ensembles and local musicians’ solos.

The figured statue of the saint, emphasising some specific aspect which the village devotes homage to, is transformed into the centre of all the celebrations. Not only is it placed on display from the week before the actual feast night, but, on the night, it is taken out round the main streets of the village, to music, applause, and a magnificent backdrop of fireworks.

The secular, therefore, only enhances the religious element in Maltese feasts, and vice versa. Stands surround the main piazza, selling anything from toys to traditional Maltese sweets like qubbajd (nougat), from neon light tubes and small flags to diverse mementos of the occasion. Marching bands weave between the crowds and stages support singers, bands, orchestras and local performers. The experience is as magical as it is fascinating.

Late night, the crowd’s attention is directed to the firework displays. Most villages in Malta and its sister island, Gozo, have both sky and ground fireworks. The sky fireworks have won several international competitions, while the girandoles (or Catherine wheels) greatly vary in size, colour and rotation, and are usually lit

on the eve. Pyrotechnic clubs, mostly working on a voluntary basis, spend all year working to produce these magnificent and elaborate shows, and hence each village puts on its own personal touch on these spectacular festivities which are not to be missed.

In fact, the Mqabba Pyrotechnic Team won the 2007 Caput Lucis festival in Rome, beating Spain and England who achieved third and second place respectively. In 2006, Mqabba had also won the Malta Fireworks Festival. The Lija team won the International Fireworks Festival of this year, held in Malta’s historical Grand Harbour, beating Austria and Croatia, among others countries.

This is even more impressive when all the money toward these displays stems from the weekly donations of Maltese families and enthusiasts.

In the summer period, there is no shortage of celebrations, having about one or two feasts almost every weekend. The season starts with the feast of St. Publius, just after Easter, until the Victoria feast on the 8th of September. The

real problem is choosing to go to one feast over another, or figuring out a schedule to manage to get to simultaneous feasts in different parts of Malta. The feast of St. Mary is, for example, celebrated in seven different villages and towns at once, each greatly different from the other.

The quality is excellent across the board – a sense of competition between villages is always present, and this cyclically raises the level of entertainment. At times, competition is even localised when two or more band clubs contribute to the same feast.

In fact, feasts are nowadays as much of a cultural icon as a religious one. At Qormi, for example, the feast of which celebrates the Risen Lord, the statue of Christ is lifted on the shoulders of enthusiastic young men. These then sprint down the main roads with the statue. This reflects not only the fervour of the Roman Catholic community in Malta but also the energy present in virtually all Maltese feasts: a passion for fun, camaraderie and good cheer.

A very traditional feast is what is called Imnarja, the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. Held at the end of June, it is a very traditional feast which is celebrated, however, in ever fresh ways. Although the horse races, agricultural exhibitions, traditional Maltese singing and processions are still played out year after year, it is very youthoriented and the energy, therefore, never gets old. This is where spillage might occur, in favour of the profane, especially when one factors in youthful insatiability.

The authentic experience of Maltese feasts is mainly expressed throughout the summer season, but other feasts throughout the year do not fall

short of such characterisation. On the 10th of February, for example, there is the celebration of The Shipwreck of St. Paul, which is celebrated in Valletta with zeal and revelry alike. One might also mention Rabat’s feast of St. Joseph (19th March), which delightfully combines spirituality with other traditional Maltese sweets and foods of that particular area, and the Cospicua feast of the Immaculate Conception on the 8th of December.

In short, Maltese feasts occupy both the religious end of the spectrum as well as the profane, a combination which produces memorable and unique festivities, a carnivalesque atmosphere quite unlike anything on the continent.

SETTE GIUGNO - ANNUAL EVENT 7th June GORG FENECH ART EXHIBITION 1st-31st May

GOZO ULTRA TRAIL 2nd May

VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL, GOZO 10th June – 13th July GHANAFEST 12th-14th June TROPHEE BAILLI DE SUFFREN 27th June-8th July

Isle of MTV Malta Special 7th July The Isle of MTV Concert is the apex of a week-long festival of live music. The annual Isle of MTV music event in Malta is an MTV Networks International production. A world class line up of artistes will play in a free live concert on the Granaries in Floriana in front of a crowd which annually tops the 50,000 mark. Once again this promises to be one of the summer’s mustsee musical events.

The Isle of MTV Malta is unique in offering young people across Europe an exclusive opportunity to experience some of the world’s best new and established artistes here in Malta.

MARSOVIN SUMMER WINE FESTIVAL 10th-12th July

FEAST OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL; L-IMNARJA ANNUAL EVENT 29th June SUMMER FOLK FESTIVAL, BUSKETT GARDENS 28th-29th June

THE MALTA ARTS FESTIVAL 10th-26th July

JOSEPH CALLEJA LIVE IN CONCERT JULY (TBC) SUMMER NIGHT MUSIC

Saturday 4th July – Tramps Live – Xlendi, Gozo Monday 6th July – Mario Caruana in Concert – Marsalforn, Gozo Saturday 11th July – Brass Delights – Imgarr Harbour, Gozo

The Malta Jazz Festival 16th-18th July The Malta Jazz Festival has become a synonym for high-calibre performances which delight jazz aficionados and lay persons alike. For almost 25 years, the Malta Jazz Festival has been raising the bar for jazz in Malta, keeping its soul alive.

In the days preceding and following the festival, a number of events part of “Jazz on the Fringe” including master classes and open-air concerts will be held. In 2013, the first editions of the Malta Summer Jazz Camp and Jazz Contest were included in Jazz on the Fringe.

GOZO CERAMICS FESTIVAL, XLENDI

THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY- ANNUAL EVENT

1st August

15th August

THE DELICATA WINE FESTIVAL, VALLETTA & NADUR

SUMMER NIGHT MUSIC

6th-9th August & 28th-30th August

“LA NOTTE DI SAN LORENZO” – ANNUAL SUMMER FIREWORKS SHOW 9th August

MARSOVIN GRAPE HARVEST FEAST 14th August

Monday 3rd August – Straitahead – Marsalforn, Gozo Saturday 8th August Divine Sinners Imgarr Harbour, Gozo Sunday 16th August D Capitals – Marsalforn, Gozo Saturday 22nd August Brass Tubes – Imgarr Harbour, Gozo Monday 31st August – Upper Lip – Marsalforn, Gozo

HENRY ALAMANGO – WATER COLOURS ART EXHIBITION 4th-28th September

IL-VITORJA - ANNUAL EVENT

8th September Commemoration of 450 years from the end of the Great Siege

FEAST OF MARIA BAMBINAANNUAL EVENT 8th September

VICTORY DAY REGATTA - ANNUAL EVENT 8th September

VIVA 2015 8th September

MALTA INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL BANDS FESTIVAL 8th-13th September

Malta International Airshow 26th-27th September Held annually each September at the Malta International Airport (ex: RAF Luqa), the Malta International Air Show, one of Malta’s largest outdoor events, has gained the well-earned reputation as one of Malta’s top outdoor family events.

The Malta International Airshow is the result of strong lobbying from the Malta Aviation Society for many years until approval was given to hold the first display in September of 1993.

INDEPENDENCE DAY - ANNUAL EVENT 21st September

ŻEJT IŻ-ŻEJTUN 26TH-27TH SEPTEMBER SUMMER NIGHT MUSIC

Saturday 5th September – Jazz Do – Imgarr Harbour, Gozo

SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER Travellers – Marsalforn, Gozo

SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER Novel Band – Xlendi, Gozo

NOTTE BIANCA 3rd October

The Mdina Grand Prix 8th-11th October The Mdina Grand Prix Classic Car Event will be held this year between the 8th October and 11th October. As late summer beckons the arrival of early autumn, the Mdina street circuit, set in the idyllic countryside beneath the imposing bastions of the Old Capital City, will be host, for the fourth consecutive year, the Mdina Grand Prix, promising a magical weekend of classic car racing on the 10th and 11th. A variety of cultural and other activities will also be organised for the participants and their guests during the days preceding the races which will include guided tours of Valletta, Mdina and the Three Cities and also a tour of the sister Island of Gozo.

THREE PALACES – CELEBRATING MUSIC 2nd-8th November

Birgufest

8th-11th October

Malta Military Tattoo 9th-11th October

Casal Fornaro 17th October

Pumpkin Festival 25th October

La Traviata opera in Gozo at the Teatru Aurora 17th October

La Boheme opera in Gozo at the Teatru Astra 29th & 31st October

Malta International Choir Festival 29th October-1st November

Festival Mediterranea

29th October - 21st November

Rolex Middle Sea Race 17th-24th October Malta is proud to host the Rolex Middle Sea yachting race which takes place in the heart of the Mediterranean and covers one of the most beautiful courses in the world. The offshore exciting race kicks off in the beautiful clear waters off the capital city of Valletta. Unique for a race of this length in that it starts and finishes in the same place, the 606-mile route starts in Malta’s magnificent Grand Harbour and also ends there.

This race runs by incomparable scenery and is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often unpredictable and tough conditions.

MALTA INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE MARATHON 20 - 22nd November

CHOGM (COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING) 27-29th November

ŻEJT IŻ-ŻEJTUN November (TBC)

Valletta International Baroque Festival 16-30th January 2016

Launch of the Happy New Year Chinese Festivities TBC

Feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck Annual Event 10th February

BETHLEHEM F’GHAJNSIELEM

First weekend of December till First weekend of January

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE (GOZO) December (TBC)

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, COSPICUA (BORMLA) 8th December - Annual Event

REPUBLIC DAY - ANNUAL EVENT

The first of the year’s major feasts is celebrated in the parish church of St. Paul’s Shipwreck in Valletta and throughout the streets of Malta’s capital city. The feast commemorates the shipwreck of St Paul on the Maltese Islands, an event which took place in 60 AD and which is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. The feast is also a national public holiday.

Carnival in Valletta, Floriana & Nadur (Gozo) 5-9th February

February brings with it Carnival week, which takes on a traditional

flavour, including extravagantlycoloured floats perched on lorries and children in fancy costumes. A hive of activities takes place in the cities of Valletta and Floriana, though various towns and villages across the Island have their own festivities.

Carnival in Nadur, Gozo, takes on a particularly comic and macabre tone with its spontaneous night-time carnival. Traditional carnival sweets are a firm favourite, and the love of good food prevails. Carnival week is a time to let your hair down and go with the flow – ideal for those who enjoy a good party.

Xewkija Carnival XAGĦRA Carnival Festivities

Nadur Carnival - A Unique Experience Vodafone Malta Marathon TBC

The Business Leaders Annual Conference TBC

13th December

EUROMED YOUNG SAILORS CHALLENGE December (TBC)

CRIBS & CHRISTMAS ART EXHIBITION December till beginning January

CHRISTMAS DAY 25th December

NEW YEAR’S EVE IN MALTA & GOZO 31st December

Recurring Events In Guardia, Fort St Elmo Various Sundays throughout the year from February till December The IN GUARDIA PARADE is a re-enactment that evokes an authentic event that took place regularly inside important military fortifications in Malta and Gozo. The re-enactment portrays the inspection of Fort St Elmo by the Grand Bailiff in charge of military affairs in order to ensure that the fort is in good condition to defend the Valletta peninsula and the two harbours situated on either side of it.

The show starts at 11.00 hrs and lasts 45 minutes.

The Saluting Battery

daily throughout the year

A PerfectWedding & Honeymoon Destination

Choosing to have your wedding or honeymoon in Malta means that you will be walking down the Aisle on an island with more than 7000years of history. With so many stunning backdrops and venues, beaches and castles, palaces or baroque gardens, indoor or outdoor venues for either ceremonies or wedding receptions, and with more than 365 churches & chapels (some older than 400years), added by even more churches, Mosques and faith centres for other denominations instantly puts the Maltese Islands on the map as being the ideal destination for a romantic meaningful wedding celebration in heart of the Mediterranean.

Convenient flight schedules from Dubai to Malta using Emirates Airlines makes Malta an attractive destination to organize your special day. Malta International Airport is only a short drive away from Hotels and venues. For your family and guests that reside in mainland Europe, several major airlines offer direct scheduled flights to the Maltese Islands from cities across the European Union such as Brussels, Rome, Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, Heathrow and several other cities, to offer affordable options of travel. Additionally, low cost airlines also operate to the Maltese Islands from selected European cities, either daily or once

to twice a week. Once on this multilingual island, a selection of professional wedding planners, as well as event organizers, await you to make that special day perfect.

A long list of service providers to cater for a bride’s every dream come true ensures that the memory of the beautiful day remain with the couple, their families and guests for a lifetime. With so many local traditional touches to add to a brides’ desires for her wedding day, it can be said that having your wedding in Malta is the best gift that a bride can give to herself and her groom. From a Maltese

“

Lovely beaches, good weather, peace and serenity, beautiful historical constructions, Malta has all you need to make a honeymoon picturesque and truly memorable!!

“

Abdul and Sadia Newly Weds at Malta traditional horse and carriage (Karozzin) to carry the bride to the altar or a traditional Maltese fishing boat (Daghjsa) to dreamingly carry the newly-weds away, great ideas await you.

Cuisine in Malta is typically Mediterranean, but this does not mean that your wedding spread is confined to local produce or bakes. Caterers on the islands are masters of gastronomy and are experts in the preparation, presentation and handling of an unending array of delicacies, dishes and unique menus to suit every palette and budget. The fact that so many top European chefs have settled here is already testimony to the faith that they place in their teams and the availability of the freshest produce and best ingredients on the islands.

Malta and Gozo also cater for the pampering and entertainment of your special guests. From seafront properties to accommodate them in, to historical and cultural activities, 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites to wow them and to die for Spa treatments in some of the nicest state of the art facilities possible. Myoka spas are unique to the Maltese islands with their main focus on well being and relaxation.

Getting married in Malta is a relatively straightforward process that is subject to some standard paperwork at the marriage registry. If you are hiring a wedding planner to take care of the nitty-gritties, then she or he will assist you or include the preparation of documentation for you.

However, as a quick guideline, documents required are usually full version birth certificates (showing parents’ names) and for the couple to make their Declarations on Oath (Form RZ2). These declarations are to be signed, on separate forms, by each of the parties either in the presence of the Commissioner for Oaths attached to an Embassy of Malta in your country of residence or, alternatively, in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths located in your country (example a lawyer, a Justice of the Peace, a Notary, etc.). It is absolutely necessary that the authorized person dates the declaration form and affixes his/her personal stamp or seal. Persons who have never been married must produce a Free Status Certificate where the registry from their home town or city declare that they are single and legally able to marry. It is important to note that unless otherwise specified on the document/ certificate, the expiry date of this certificate will be taken by the Maltese Marriage registry to be three (3) months from date of its issue.

If the Registrar in the home town/city of the couple cannot issue such a certificate, the Maltese Marriage Registry then requires a statutory declaration by a third party drawn up in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths. Documents normally require legalization stamps/Apostilles issued from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the respective country of domicile. Hence, it is advisable to contact the Marriage Registry well in advance to ensure that you procure the right documentation or ask your wedding planner/organizer to explain the procedure to you. According to Maltese Law, a request for the publication of Banns (Form RZ1) must be received by the Marriage Registry earlier than six weeks but not more than three months before the date of the intended marriage. The Law in Malta does not provide for marriage by Special Licence.

Honeymooning in the Maltese Islands comes in many shapes and forms. Depending whether the couple prefer a romantic quiet get away, isolated from the hustle and bustle of every-day life or whether they are adventure seekers looking to experience exciting and fun outdoor fun to create lasting memories, Malta and Gozo can spice it all up for you.

The Island of Gozo, Malta’s smaller sister island, is without a doubt the romantics location. With low rolling hills, and rich agricultural produce, endless trekking paths and quiet romantic coves to swim in, the beautiful quiet scenery of Gozo offers a choice of accommodation from 5* service at the Kempinski San Lawrenz, complete with a luxurious Spa, the Ta’ Cenc Spa and Resort with it’s unparalled ‘Trullo’ accommodation to a variety of 4 and 3 star hotels.

The most popular accommodation of choice for newlyweds are the unique Gozo farmhouses that come with or without a swimming pool, in or outside of a local village.

Farmhouses are for the most part very old renovated ‘farmhouses’ where families would use the downstairs sections to house their farm animals and keep the upstairs rooms for themselves. These buildings now make for beautiful and indescribable holiday accommodation.

There are several companies that offer farmhouses (catered or self catering) to suit your fancy. Diving, sailing, trekking, climbing, horse riding, taking a day or weekend trip to nearby Sicily are all realistic and doable options to include in your Malta & Gozo honeymoon.

Heritage is so rich here that you won’t be lost for places to visit.

For a listing of Malta Tourism Authority Wedding Planners holding an MTA Incoming Travel Agent Licence, Hotels and Accommodation selections, Event Organisers and Wedding Service Providers you can check out www.visitmalta.com

Malta’s Gastronomic Delights The Mediterranean region is renowned for its healthy and mouthwatering cuisine. Nowhere else in the world is food exalted in quite the same way as it is by the countries bordering our bountiful sea. The Maltese islands have served as one of the most important trading posts of the region since ancient times and have seen their fair share of exotic delicacies cross its port, from fragrant oriental spices to cured meats, cheeses and fine wines but their personal take on food was much more humble and focused on local produce.

Admittedly Maltese cuisine is influenced by Italian, French, British, North African and Spanish and Greek tastes and over the years the Maltese have gained a reputation for being big foodies, with a particular taste for fish and meat.

What is truly marvellous about getting a taste of the “real Malta” is that traditional, classic Maltese home cooking, which is still loved by the majority of the locals is simple yet delicious and several restaurants now have a special section in their menu dedicated just to local cuisine, or better still there are those entirely dedicated to Maltese-inspired dishes. Whetting your appetite is never a problem especially when the quaint and endearing “nanna” (grandmother) response to claims of “I’m peckish” is still going strong and is wellingrained into the local mentality – “Have some more: you haven’t eaten enough/ You’re looking peaky and I’ve just cooked a dish/ tray/saucepan-full of ” whatever darling Maltese grans love to fatten us up with.

Let’s start with a universal favourite – Maltese bread, known as “ħobż Malti” is baked in wood-burning ovens and is particularly light with a dark crunchy crust that can be an acquired taste. Used as the basis of some mouth-watering appetisers, it tastes equally good just slathered in butter, whether toasted or fresh, as it does fried, but for those with a healthier diet in mind, “ħobż biż-żejt”, a type of ungrilled bruschetta, is terrific, made simply by drizzling fresh Maltese bread with olive oil, rubbing tasty Maltese-grown tomatos, ripened in the Mediterranean sun, into the textured bread and sprinkling it with salt, pepper and topping it with capers, olives and chopped onions, garlic and parsley to taste, is a joy that many Maltese ex-pats yearn for.

Other excellent ways to enjoy Maltese bread is with goat’s cheeselets (gbejniet) which can be either fresh and creamy or preserved in a coating of coarse black pepper. A truly traditional recipe is a hollowed out loaf which is then stuffed with a mixture of its own breadcrumbs, tomatos, gbejniet, olives, capers, onions and beans to form an extremely filling and healthy “Workman’s Lunch” in its own edible lunchbox, as the exterior shell eventually forms part of the meal. The same kind of filling is also included in a flat kind of bread called “ftira”, which, cut into smaller pieces makes an excellent snack.

Snail aioli are just another one of those Maltese quirks which turn gourmet food into a great bar-side appetiser.

Surprisingly, one of the recipes traditionally associated with those of a lower socio-economic status is now one of the most expensive and healthy dishes to be found. “Soppa ta’ L-Armla” or Widow’s

Soup, is so called because it was made from ingredients which were affordable by poor widowed women who had no regular income after their husband’s death – mainly an eclectic concoction of seasonal vegetables. These days, with vegetable prices at a premium, often with added fresh gbejniet and eggs cooked into it, this soup is a great meal that isn’t as easy on the pocket as it used to be. From vegetables to carbohydrates, some of the best-loved Maltese comfort food is designed to be followed by a nap and later by guilty exercise.

If there’s something that the Maltese love, it’s “Frejjeg” – fried omelettes and patties whose main ingredient apart from eggs varies according to personal favourites with cauliflower, meat and fish, courgettes and even corned beef featuring quite prominently, but the best by far is “Froga tat-tarja” a pie-like fried combination made with “tarja” – cooked cappellini pasta, beaten with an egg batter and mixed with ham, tomatos, garlic, parsely and mushrooms, fried and placed on a bed of cheddar cheese – providing a true mix of Italian, Maltese and British influences.

Add to these, “Timpana” – macaroni pasta baked with Bolognese sauce into a pastry pie as well as “pastizzi” – ricotta or pea pockets baked in filo pastry cases, and “qassatat” mini pies filled with ricotta or spinach. Local ricotta, incidentally, is salty and very tasty and the basis of many dishes and snacks – a perennial favourite being ricotta pie and “Bħal fil-Forn” (As though baked in the oven) – a simple, healthy dish of courgettes, tomatos, a large slice of creamy ricotta and an egg, all poached to perfection. Finish snacking on “imqaret” – deep-fried date cakes, and you have a list of devilishly good comfort foods which are sure to taste terrific but induce just a hint of guilt.

So let’s go back to meat, poultry and fish. Malta

being an island means that seafood features prominently in our diet – with stuffed calamari - squid, a delicacy often cooked in white wine, while “lampuki”, the dorado fish or mahi-mahi is a particular favourite, often cooked in a batter of flour and eggs, or more traditionally, al cartocchio, wrapped in foil and baked in its own juices and served with lemon juice and a side salad. Baked in a pie, the dorado makes a delicious meal, mixed with spinach, olives and capers, the last two ingredients are also used as condiments with octopus tentacles, along with olive oil, garlic and parsley.

Interestingly, it’s game which still has a prominent place in traditional Maltese gastronomy. Rabbit is one of the Maltese national dishes recommended.

It is traditionally served either stewed in a delectable sauce, or stove top sautéed with wine & garlic, or otherwise as an alternative spaghetti dish; while tender young quail stuffed with prunes and cooked in red wine still makes for one of the best local gourmet meals. Veal “braġoli” – condiments wrapped in tender veal and simmered till cooked, are also excellent. Usually accompanying

these dishes are sides of stuffed courgettes and “Brungiel” (aubergines) and tomatos as well as roast potatoes seasoned with fennel although the best potatoes are those sinfully cooked in goose fat.

Dessert is never really a problem in Malta because apart from the countless combinations of fresh fruit salads, Sicilian pastries, Italian ice-cream and British cakes and puddings which are all very much an integral part of our cooking culture, there are some delicious traditional favourites like “qagħaq ta’ l-għasel” – honey rings made with honey and rich treacle, “pastini and torti tal-lewz” – almond cakes and pastries, “imbuljuta” – a delicious Christmas recipe for a compote of roasted, softened chestnuts, soaked in a cocktail of hot chocolate and brandy and flavoured with nutmeg and cloves and “ħelwa tat-tork” – nut-butter-based halva which is crumbly and usually made from Tahini (sesame paste) or other nut butters and sugar and usually has whole almonds dotting it.

Taking away the memory of even a small selection of these delicacies after your holiday is enough to give you the best taste of Malta – a slice of heaven in the Mediterranean.

EnjoyThe

Nightlife

Typical of the Mediterranean lifestyle, the locals’ approach to life is to enjoy and celebrate it as much as possible.

Isle of MTV MaltaNightlife on the Islands is always bustling - even if the vibrant calendar of events gets leaner during some periods, there are always scores of clubs to visit, excellent wine bars and first-rate restaurants to try.

The Islands have an effervescent calendar of cultural events to see, such as the Malta Arts Festival, the Valletta Baroque Festival, the Opera Festival, the Choir Festival and the International Jazz Festival held in July.

recitals take place regularly in the many baroque churches. Regular orchestral, soloist concerts and operas take place in some stunning historic venues.

Band music is one of the most popular traditions on the Islands. Every town and village has at least one band club.

Band music is taken seriously on the Islands and the highlight of the year for band clubs is the parish festa.

These events are characteristic of the Maltese Islands. Saints, fireworks, food and fun are all part of this cultural phenomenon - try and catch one as they’re not to be missed.

Major music concerts starring top international artists are held every summer, attracting massive crowds of Manoel Theatre & OperaTheatre is a both tourists and locals alike. lively and well-represented part of the local cultural scene. The 18th century The Maltese Islands have also Manoel Theatre makes a wonderful become a hub for the clubbing scene. Internationally renowned DJs venue for the performing arts. The open-air Shakespeare performed in the like Paul Oakenfold, Erick Morillo, Gardens of San Anton Palace in July is Magda, Tiesto, Van Heill appear for guest weekends throughout the year. one of the many theatrical highlights.

This scene thrives all year round and If you happen to be here around Christmastime, check out one of sevela is an all-week affair in a variety of Pantomimes for some fun and great venues, from large clubs to quieter bars where some excellent house DJs kids’ entertainment. entertain and the admission is free.

There is more nocturnal entertainment The main nightlife clubbing action on offer - try your luck at the casinos, is in Paceville, on the coast near St. Julians, where the clubs and bars are go see a film (blockbuster movies, art in abundance. Classical music is very house films, re-releases and non-English language films) or dine al fresco at one popular on the Islands and organ of the romantic palazzos or bustling harbour restaurants.

Hotels

in MALTA

InterContinental Malta Star Rating: 5 Star Average Rate: €175.00 Booking Details: malta.reservations@ihg.com www.intercontinental.com/icmalta

The Westin Dragonara Resort Star Rating: 5 Star Average Rate: €250 Booking Details: Edward Bonello www.westinmalta.com

Hilton Malta Star Rating: 5 Star Average Rate:Starting from €175 per room per night for 2 persons including breakfast in a Deluxe Room Booking Details: reservations.malta@hilton.com www.malta.hilton.com

Plaza / Plaza Regency Hotel Star Rating: 3 Star Average Rate: €50 Booking Details: sylvana@aghl.com.mt or info@ plazahotelsmalta.com www.plazahotelsmalta.com

The Palace Star Rating: 5 Star Average Rate: € 105.00 to € 450.00 + 10% discount to Curiosity Magazine Readers (subject to availability) Booking Details: reservations.palace@axhotelsmalta.com www.thepalacemalta.com

Hotel Kennedy Nova Star Rating: 4 Star Special Rates apply Booking Details: reservations@kennedynova.com www.kennedynova.com

Bayview Hotel & Apartments Star Rating: 3 Star Average Rate: 10% Discount for all seasons. Guest can book via our website by using the promocode: MTAS101 Booking Details: sales@bayviewmalta.com website: www.bayviewmalta.com

Hotel Juliani Star Rating: 4 Star – (44 room - Boutique Hotel) Average Rate: €100 Booking Details: info@hoteljuliani.com www.hoteljuliani.com

Getting Around

Getting about the main island is fairly simple. Taxis are plentiful, although pricing can be steep and inconsistent, while the standard of driving in Malta (narrow roads, high speed) can make for a nervy trip from the airport. There's also an extensive (and far better-priced) bus service, with most routes taking in Valletta at some point. Gozo sits north-west of the main island, and you'll need to take a ferry to reach it. Happily, there's a regular service, especially in summer.

AMITEX 2015 Type: Exhibition Dates:12 Mar 2015 - 15 Mar 2015 Location: MFCC AMITEX, the travel and leisure exhibition starts on Thursday 12th March and ends Sunday 15th March, at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, MFCC, Ta’Qali. At Amitex one finds attractive offers and travel discounts on packages offered by agencies, solutions to reach desired travel destinations and new reachable destinations coupled with the expert advice to find the best solutions for a hassle free holiday.

Visa

Forming part of the European Union and Schengen area, entry and exit into Malta has been largely facilitated especially if travelling from destinations within participating areas (an Identity Card is all that is required). For those EU countries that an ID card is not issued and that do not form part of the Schengen agreement, such as the UK, a valid passport is necessary. For updated Visa requirements please refer to Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.foreignaffairs.gov.mt/

Health Medical care in Malta is available through both public and private hospitals and the quality of medical care in Malta is excellent. Hospitals are modern and supported by a regional network of health centres. Travellers do not normally require certificates of vaccination or immunisation to enter the Maltese Islands. Visitors from EU member states should make sure that they have a European Health Insurance card. It is advisable that all visitors, irrespective of their nationality, take out a personal medical insurance policy. Malta has reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom. Nationals of these countries, visiting the Islands for no longer than one month, are entitled to free medical and hospital care in both Malta and Gozo.

Visitors receiving special medical treatment should bring a medical prescription or a letter of introduction from their family doctor, in case they need to purchase particular medicines.

Emergency In case of emergency call 112

Accordionist

Events Afterselfie - Beyond masks Type: Theatre Dates: 13 Feb 2015 - 15 Mar 2015 Location: St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity Tel: +356 2122 3200 Afterselfie deals with the human being representation and seeks to look at the complexity of managing the distance between to be and to appear.

Bach and his Sons Type: Concerts Dates: 5 Mar 2015 at 19:30 Location: St. James Cavalier Tel:+356 2122 3200 Of the seven children that Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750) had with his first wife only three survived him. Two of these had musical careers of their own: Whilhelm Friedemann (1710 - 1784) and Carl Philipp Emanuel (1714 - 1788). This recital brings together the music of daddy Bach and his sons in a month that is very important for the Bach family - it is Carl Philip Emanuel Bach's 301st birthday on the 8th March and Johann Sebastian Bach's 330th birthday on 21st of March.

Riccardo Fogli and Hit Italy Band Type: Concerts Dates: 13 Mar 2015 Location: Mediterranean Conference Centre Italian music legend Riccardo Fogli is coming back to Malta after the eight-year break.

Together with Hit Italy band one of the most famous Italian singers promises to bring back the joy of listening to perfectly known songs.

RC44 Valletta Cup 2015 Type: Sport Dates:25 Mar 2015 - 29 Mar 2015 Location: Malta Tel:+356 9944 1950 The RC44 Valletta Cup will be organised by Yachting Events and will take place between the 25th – 29th March 2015 under the Patronage of the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Small Business and under the auspices of the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

Tourist Office There is an excellent tourist information office in Valletta in the Knights’ Auberge d’Italie (a sight in itself) at the City Gate end of Merchants St. 00 356 22915440 /41/42; open Mon-Sat 9am5.30pm, Sun 9am–1pm. For more information see visitmalta.com