Su m mer 2 0 1 5 Edi t i o n
EDITORIAL
General Information about the Hotel The hotel’s outlets Level 8 Executive Club Lounge The perfect place to discuss business matters, prepare meeting notes or share your special moments with family and friends during your stay.
Our team at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is committed to making every moment of your stay a memorable one. Whether you are planning an intimate event or a family celebration; a reunion with old friends or a new business connection, we promise intuitive service, unmatched attention to detail, and sophisticated style to create long-lasting memories. We invite you to Live the Grand Life at the Grand Hotel Excelsior. With this hotel as your home you are only two minutes away from Valletta, Malta’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take the opportunity to re-live Malta’s rich history whilst unwinding during a Mediterranean Luxury Escape. Visiting Malta and Valletta will help you to affirm why the City was chosen as the European Capital of Culture 2018. Our prime location allows for easy access to all tourist locations around the Maltese Islands. We highly recommend that you take advantage or our private tours around Malta and Gozo and discover the unique and truly Mediterranean experience in style. Le Grand Spa compliments our luxurious accommodation, with excellent spa and wellness facilities. Its relaxing atmosphere is the perfect starting point for the journey toward equilibrium between your body, mind and spirit. We offer an indoor (heated) and outdoor swimming pool and also have the only private sandy beach in the Capital City Valletta. We wish you a pleasant stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, and look forward to living the Grand Life with you.
Level 7 Business Centre Level 6 Hotel Entrance Our Reception Desk is manned and at your service round the clock and can be reached by dialing 0 Harbour View Lounge serving a selection of hot and cold beverages, wine, alcoholic and non alcoholic cocktails 24 hours, 7 days a week Chartroom Lounge serving Traditional Afternoon Tea daily between 1500 and 1700hrs Level 5 À la Carte menu and Themed Buffet nights served in Admiral’s Landing between 1830 and 2230hrs Level 4 A lavish spread is available for Breakfast in Spice Island, level 4, between 0630 and 1030hrs Level 1 Le Grand Spa is open daily between 0900 and 1900hrs Guest Services: Room service is available 24 hours Check out time is 1200hrs noon Please let us know whether there is anything else you require during your stay. Nothing is impossible and we will leave no stone unturned to ensure your ultimate comfort and wellbeing.
Norbert Grixti General Manager
Grand Hotel Excelsior Great Siege Road, Floriana, FRN1810, Malta Phone Fax
+356 2319 2224 +356 2125 0522
grand hotel excelsior malta
tripadvisor certificate of excellence for 5 consecutive years G
rand Hotel Excelsior has been recognised as a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame winner. The Certificate of Excellence award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor. The ‘Hall of Fame’ was created to honour those businesses that have earned a Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years. Winners include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a superior customer experience. “Being awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence five years in a row and inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ is a true source of pride for the entire team at Grand Hotel Excelsior and we’d like to thank all of our past guests who took the time to share their experience on TripAdvisor,” said Norbert Grixti, General Manager at Grand Hotel Excelsior. “There is no greater seal of approval than being recognised by one’s esteemed guests. With the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence based on customer reviews, the accolade is a remarkable vote of confidence to our business and our continued commitment to excellence.” “Winning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years is a remarkable feat. TripAdvisor is pleased to induct five-time award winners into the ‘Hall of Fame’,” said Marc Charron President, TripAdvisor for Business. “By putting a spotlight on businesses that are focused on consistently delivering great service to customers, TripAdvisor not only helps drive an improvement to hospitality standards around the world, it also gives businesses both large and small the ability to shine
and stand out from the competition.” When selecting Certificate of Excellence winners, TripAdvisor uses a proprietary algorithm to determine the honourees that takes into account the quality, quantity and recency of reviews and opinions submitted by travellers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period as well as business’s tenure and ranking on the Popularity Index on the site. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.
About Grand Hotel Excelsior:
As the premier destination among 5-star Valletta hotels, the Grand Hotel Excelsior is ideally located on the doorstep of a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the City of Valletta, with all its major attractions, art treasures, and historical architectural gems. This acclaimed Valletta Malta hotel prides itself in providing the discerning traveller with magnificent accommodation, breathtaking views, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, and an unforgettable dining experience. Grand Hotel Excelsior is a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts LVX Collection. All guests of Grand Hotel Excelsior are eligible to enroll in the iPrefer guest loyalty program, which extends points redeemable for cash-value Reward Certificates, elite status, and special benefits such as complimentary Internet to members upon every stay at more than 550 participating Preferred Hotels & Resorts locations worldwide.
Top towns
& villages in Malta
O
ne of the most sought-after sites attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year is St. John’s Co-Cathedral, located in the Capital City of Valletta. The church was built in the 16th century by the Maltese architect Gerlomo Cassar and decorated by the Italian artist Matteo Pretti. This church is the first and most complete example of High Baroque in the world. However, there is much more to see in Valletta. The city is packed with fascinating elements, architecture, art and culture. Valletta is also known for homing one of the naturally largest and deepest harbours in the world – the Grand Harbour. Explore and fully absorb the beauty of this Mediterranean gem. Malta will surely be one the list of one of the most beautiful places you have ever visited.
Valletta Valletta is officially declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many buildings were built during the 16th century, reflecting a strong Baroque influence. Nowadays, Valletta is a home to the some of the most significant authoritative bodies such as the National Parliament, the Law Courts, Government Ministries and Departments. Moreover it boasts museums and plenty of shopping opportunities. Although the city gets very busy during the day, one can find number of hideaway spots. Lower & Upper Barrakka are a great example offering incredible views of the Grand Harbour. Apart from the places to see this city is also a great choice for a night life.
Mdina Mdina, once a capital city of Malta is a fortified medieval town enclosed in bastions and is located on a large hill in the centre of Malta. This Medieval town surrounded by fortifications is full of narrow streets and alleyways provide a relaxing atmosphere for its visitors. The architecture reflects is a mix of the Norman and Medieval times. The first inhabitants settled there 700BC and it is said that they were Phoenicians. The legend has it that St. Paul stayed there after he shipwrecked in Malta.
Birgu (Vittoriosa) Birgu is one of the Three Cities of Malta and one of the oldest cities on the Island. During the Siege in 1565 it played an extremely important role. It was a main city of military and maritime activities. Due to its position in the Grand Harbour, many leaders desired to conquer and take it over. The development of the city was therefore influenced by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and Aragonese. However, it was only after arrival of the Knights of St. John was given a lot importance and became the Capital City.
Mellieha Mellieha is beautiful town in the North of Malta. It is popular during the summer months, with amazing sandy beaches and clear blue sea. Among the number of beaches is the largest sandy beach, Ghadira. Similarly to the other popular tourist towns, Mellieha also boasts many restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops.
Bugibba Bugibba is a seaside tourist resort with a busy nightlife; especially in summer with entertainment including, bingo halls, karaoke bars and even a casino. Bugibba is located in the North East part of Malta and it is one of Malta’s largest seaside villages with numerous hotels, restaurants, clubs and pubs. The long promenade is ideal for evening strolls. The beaches are rocky and are ideal for those who do not like sand.
Qawra A popular seaside and tourist resort located on the North of Malta, very close to Bugibba. It was built up during a time when tourism in Malta was at its boom. In fact it is formed of a cluster of a hotels, holiday apartments, restaurants, aquarium, casino, coffee shops, and many other facilities catering for the tourism.
Sliema
Marsaxlokk
In the past, Sliema was home to the local aristocracy. Nowadays, it is a hub for shopping, coffee shops, restaurants and many hotels. Due to its location, a short distance from the sea and shops, this town is very popular among tourists visiting Malta and expatriates residing in Malta. What once used to be a small fishing village and a summer residence for the wealthy is now known as one of the commercial hubs in Malta. Most of the old houses have been replaced by the modern architecture and apartments. From one side, the Sliema promontory offers spectacular views across to Valletta, and from the other side, there are breathtaking open sea views. The promenade that stretches for a couple of kilometers is ideal for long walks or runs
Marsaxlokk is a fishing village full of traditional Maltese colourful luzzus. The village is well known for its big Sunday fish market and its many decorative “eyed” painted boats called Luzzus. There are many historical happenings linked to this mall village in the south of Malta such as first Phoenicians arrived and set up their business there or where the Turkish fleet anchored during the Great Siege. The Promenade of this charming village is packed with countless restaurants specializing in various cuisines. Not far from the village core, approximately 20 mins walk away, is a small sandy beach and famous St. Peter’s Pool.
St. Julian’s St Julian’s is a town sought after mainly for entertainment and night life, and is very popular among both, locals and tourists. It is a hub for the new developments, modern and luxurious hotels, different kind of cuisine restaurants and nightclubs
a Summer of
Festas
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF HOLY DOCTRINE
05/07/2015 Tas-Sliema - Malta The Feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is celebrated in the town of Sliema in Malta.
19/07/2015 Ħal Tarxien - Malta The Feast of the Holy Doctrine is celebrated in the town of Tarxien in Malta
FEAST OF ST. PAUL 05/07/2015 Rabat - Malta The Feast of St. Paul is celebrated in the town of Rabat in Malta. FEAST OF ST. ANDREW 05/07/2015 Ħal Luqa - Malta The Feast of St. Andrew is celebrated in the town of Luqa in Malta. FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 05/07/2015 Ħamrun - Malta The Feast of The Immaculate Conception is celebrated in the town of Ħamrun in Malta FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL 12/07/2015 Gżira - Malta The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated in the town of Gżira in Malta. FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION 12/07/2015 Ħal Balzan - Malta The Feast of The Annunciation is celebrated in the town of Balzan in Malta. FEAST OF ST JOSEPH 12/07/2015 Ħal Kirkop - Malta The Feast of St. Joseph is celebrated in the town of Ħal Kirkop in Malta. FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL 16/07/2015 Valletta - Malta The Feast of of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is celebrated in the Capital City of Valletta in Malta.
FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH 19/07/2015 Kalkara - Malta The Feast of St. Joseph is celebrated in the town of Kalkara in Malta. FEAST OF ST. SEBASTIAN 19/07/2015 Ħal Qormi - Malta The Feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated in the town of Qormi in Malta FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH
FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH 26/07/2015 Ħaż-Żebbuġ - Malta The Feast of St. Joseph is celebrated in the town of Żebbuġ in Malta. FEAST OF ST. ANNE 26/07/2015 Marsaskala - Malta The Feast of St. Anne is celebrated in the town of Marsaskala in Malta. FEAST OF ST. VENERA 26/07/2015 Santa Venera - Malta The Feast of St. Venera is celebrated in the town of Santa Venera in Malta. FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES
19/07/2015 Msida - Malta The Feast of St. Joseph is celebrated in the town of Msida in Malta
02/08/2015 San Ġwann - Malta The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is celebrated in the town of San Ġwann in Malta.
MAGIC IN THE SKY 2015
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF POMPEI
Annual pyromusical show 25/07/2015 Żurrieq - Malta Magic In The Sky is the annual pyromusical show held on the eve of the feast in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel which is celebrated in Żurrieq.
02/08/2015 Marsaxlokk - Malta The Feast of Our Lady of Pompei is celebrated in the town of Marsaxlokk in Malta.
FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING
02/08/2015 Valletta - Malta The Feast of St. Dominic is celebrated in the Capital City, Valletta in Malta
26/07/2015 Paola - Malta The Feast of Christ the King is celebrated in the town of Paola in Malta. For more on Religious Feasts in Malta and Gozo FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL 26/07/2015 Balluta Bay - Malta The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is celebrated in the town of Balluta in Malta. FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL 26/07/2015 Żurrieq - Malta The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is celebrated in the town of Żurrieq in Malta FEAST OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS 26/07/2015 St. Paul’s Bay - Malta The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated in the town of St. Paul’s Bay in Malta.
FEAST OF ST. DOMINIC
FEAST OF ST. PETER IN CHAINS 02/08/2015 Birżebbuġa - Malta The Feast of St. Peter in Chains is celebrated in the town of Birżebbuġa in Malta. FEAST OF ST. GAETAN 06/08/2015 Ħamrun - Malta The Feast of St. Gaetan is celebrated in the town of Ħamrun in Malta. FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD 06/08/2015 Ħal Lija - Malta The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord is celebrated in the town of Lija in Malta.
FEAST OF ST. LAWRENCE 10/08/2015 Vittoriosa (Birgu) - Malta The Feast of St. Lawrence is celebrated in the town of Vittoriosa in Malta FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY 15/08/2015 Qrendi - Malta The Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is celebrated in the town of Qrendi in Malta. FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY 15/08/2015 Mosta - Malta The Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is celebrated in the town of Mosta in Malta. FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY 15/08/2015 Gudja - Malta The Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is celebrated in the town of Gudja in Malta. FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY 15/08/2015 Ħ›Attard - Malta The Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is celebrated in the town of Attard in Malta. FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY 15/08/2015 Ħal Għaxaq - Malta The Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is celebrated in the town of Għaxaq in Malta. FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY 15/08/2015 Imqabba - Malta The feast of the Assumption is honoured all around the Maltese Islands, and also has a prominent place in the history of Malta
FEAST OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA 23/08/2015 Tas-Sliema - Malta The Feast of Our Lady Star of the Sea is celebrated in the town of Sliema in Malta. FEAST OF ST. HELEN 23/08/2015 Birkirkara - Malta The Feast of St. Helen is celebrated in the town of Birkirkara in Malta. FEAST OF ST. LEONARD 23/08/2015 Ħal Kirkop - Malta The Feast of St. Leonard is celebrated in the village of Ħal Kirkop in Malta. FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY 23/08/2015 Mġarr - Malta The Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is celebrated in the village of Mġarr, Malta. FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY 23/08/2015 Ħad-Dingli - Malta The Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is celebrated in the town of Dingli in Malta. FEAST OF MARIA REGINA 30/08/2015 Marsa - Malta The Feast of Queen Mary is celebrated in the town of Marsa in Malta. FEAST OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW 30/08/2015 Ħal Għargħur - Malta The Feast of St. Bartholomew is celebrated in the town of Għargħur in Malta. FEAST OF ST. DOMINIC 30/08/2015 Vittoriosa (Birgu) - Malta The Feast of St. Dominic is celebrated in the town of Vittoriosa in Malta FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH 30/08/2015 Manikata - Malta The Feast of St. Joseph is celebrated in the town of Manikata in Malta.
FEAST OF ST. JULIAN 30/08/2015 St. Julian’s - Malta The Feast of St. Julian is celebrated in the town of St. Julian’s in Malta. FEAST OF ST. PAUL 30/08/2015 Ħal Safi - Malta The Feast of St. Paul is celebrated in the town of Safi in Malta. FEAST OF ST. CATHERINE 06/09/2015 Żurrieq - Malta The Feast of St. Catherine is celebrated in the town of Żurrieq in Malta. FEAST OF ST. GREGORY 06/09/2015 Tas-Sliema - Malta The Feast of St. Gregory is celebrated in the town of Sliema in Malta. FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LADY 08/09/2015 Mellieħa - Malta The Feast of Our Lady of the Nativity is celebrated in the town of Mellieħa in Malta. FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LADY 08/09/2015 Senglea (L-Isla) - Malta The Feast of Our Lady of the Nativity is celebrated in the town of Senglea in Malta. FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LADY 08/09/2015 Naxxar - Malta The Feast of Our Lady of the Nativity is celebrated in the town of Naxxar in Malta. FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GRACES 13/09/2015 Ħaż-Żabbar - Malta The Feast of Our Lady of the Graces is celebrated in the town of Żabbar in Malta
what makes malta unique
to the locals
I
t is often the tourists who are asked what makes Malta unique for them. Have you ever wondered what would locals consider special about their own country?
The size and connection: In Malta where ever one goes and whoever they meet, they will always find out that they are somehow connected either through family, friends, workmates etc. Malta is also unique due to it’s short distances, great weather, beautiful sea and the fact that no one is more than 30 mins away. Wherever on the island, you are always only a maximum of 20 minutes away from the beautiful sea and coast. Due to the island’s size, travelling abroad is very easy – MIA is easily accessible from all around the island, so travelling for even a short break is a worthwhile. Malta boasts a diverse multi-faceted history, combined with a geographical location, excellent weather and relatively a safe destination. The megalithic structures claimed to being the oldest free standing edifices in the world, pre dating Stonehenge. Old character houses with the colourful Maltese balconies and local traditional food. Malta’s historic bastions give beautiful scenes to Malta’s landscapes. A church on every street corner with people actually still going to church in great numbers. No matter how much Maltese complain about the way they do things, they are truly good at heart. Maltese also consider themselves to be hardworking, generous and compassionate. As in other countries in the South of Europe, the Maltese are also known for living with their parents well into their twenties and thirties.
1O Grand things
1
to do at
Grand Hotel
Excelsior
2
1)A Grand Private Breakfast on your room terrace 2)
Relaxing by the Outdoor Pool
3)
Lunch at Tiki Bar & Restaurant
4)
Private Chauffeur driven tours around Malta
5)
Afternoon Tea at the Chartroom
6)
Spa Treatment at Le Grand Spa
7)
Cocktails at the Harbour View
8)
Themed Nights at the Admiral’s Landing
9)
A là Carte dining at the Admiral’s Landing
3
10) Enjoy a Cocktail and Platter at Tiki Village
4
5
8
6
9
7
When on holiday in Malta, take advantage of its small size and visit as many sites as possible. The distance from one place to another is relatively short so your stay can be truly mesmerizing and filled with plenty of different experiences. After all, holidays should be about exploring new and unknown, perhaps even typical for the country visited.
Valletta Enjoy a cup of coffee at Cafe Cordina, Valletta’s oldest cafè Explore Valletta’s grid system of streets Visit St. John’s Cathedral and admire Caravaggio’s beheading of St. John the Baptist Enjoy the view from the Lower Barrakka Gardens Visit the open air market outside Valletta on a Sunday Morning Visit The Saluting Battery Visit the National Museum of Archeology Visit Lascaris War Rooms Admire The Magesterial Palace & Armoury Visit the National Library Visit the Malta War Museum in Fort St Elmo Attend a concert or play at the Manoel Theatre
Mdina, Rabat and Dingli Cliffs Explore Mdina by Night Go to Dingli Cliffs, limits of Rabat and enjoy the stunning views Visit St. Pauls Catacombs in Rabat Wander around Buskett Gardens close to Rabat See a Norman House by visiting Palazzo Falzon in Mdina Admire the mosaics at The Roman Villa in Rabat Visit the Museum of National History in Mdina Experience the Mdina Dungeons Enjoy the beautiful views from Fontanella tea rooms in Mdina
The Three Cities Explore underground shelters at the Malta War Museum, Vittoriosa Walk around Fort St Angelo Go to the Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa Visit the Inquisitor’s Palace
Gozo Book a unique tour of Gozo at our Transport Desk Visit the Azure Window Stay in a typical Gozitan farmhouse. Climb the hill towards Citadella Soak up the sun at Ramla Bay beach Drive to the salt pans in Qbajjar Visit the sacred shrine of Ta’ Pinu Eat by the water’s edge at Xlendi Bay Attend the Gharb carnival in Gozo in February Go back to the past; visit the Ggantija Temples Drive to ‘Ta Kola Windmill n Xaghra Go to a summer party at ‘La Grotta’ nightclub Go to Mgarr Ix-Xini cove Visit the ‘Azure Window’ in Gozo
things to do when in Malta Local Foods & Drinks Try a traditional Maltese dish Fenkata in Mgarr Taste the famous Maltese ‘pastizzi’, filled with ricotta or peas Taste bebbux (snails) Enjoy a bottle of Maltese wine Try one of the Maltese traditional liquors called Bajtra (prickly pear) Another must is to taste freshly made Maltese bread Try Maltese sausage, available from village butchers Enjoy Gozo cheeselets During summer months enjoy delicious local fish called ‘lampuki’ Have a pint of Cisk – Malta’s local beer. Refresh yourself with a local soft drink Kinnie Try a packet of Twistees a local snack Enjoy the delicious ‘mqaret’ the Maltese traditional date filled pastries. Savour ‘hobz biz-zejt’, maltese bread with tomato paste and tuna filling
Summer Jog or walk along the Sliema promenade and watch the sunrise Visit the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village Visit and shop at Malta’s largest shopping mall, The Point at Tigne Point, Sliema Go to Ghar Lapsi, a cove and small fishing village Visit the Second World War Shelter located in Mgarr Visit the church of St. Nicholas in the village of Siggiewi People-watch whilst having a coffee at a Sliema cafè Go to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk on Sunday and experience the fish market with the rowdy vendors selling fresh fish and other fresh produce Check out the Mtarfa ex-British military buildings Play a round of golf at The Royal Malta Golf Club Discover an underwater world – dive in Maltese clear waters Go parakiting from one of our sandy beaches and get a bird’s eye view of Malta Wander around San Anton Gardens in Attard Hop on and off the Malta Sightseeing bus Get the ferry from Valletta Marsamxetto to Sliema Strand Visit the Mosta Church which is famous for having one of the largest domes in the world Go to Fort Rinella and see one of the world’s largest canons Visit Corradino, Old Military Prison Experience Malta’s colourful history through a ‘new generation’ 5D cinema effect Hypogeum Temple Go to the Ghar Dalam, a prehistoric cave Walk around the exhibits at the St John’s Cavalier Centre for Creativity Charter a yacht and sail around the islands Go to Comino by the traditional Maltese boat Luzzu Visit the Hagar Qim Temples Visit the Kordin 111 Neolithic Temples See the Fat Lady at the Tarxien Temples Visit Popeye’s Village Hike around the Victoria lines
7,000
of
years Civilisation 5000 BC
First settlers arrive in Malta from Sicily
3600-2500 BC
Construction of Megalithic temples
800-480 BC
Phoenician Rule
218 BC
Roman rule begins during Second Punic War
60 AD
St Paul the Apostle shipwrecked off Malta
395-870
Byzantine Rule
870-1090
Arab rule
1194-1530
Norman rule
1194-1530
Swabian, Angevin and Aragonese rule
1530
Islands ceded to Knights of St John
1565
The Great Siege, Ottomans besiege Malta with an overwhelming force but are defeated by a small army of knights and Maltese.
1566
Founding of Valletta, the new capital city, named after Grand Master La Valette, hero of the Great Siege
1798
French army under Napoleon Bonaparte invades the islands on the way to to Egypt Knights of St. John expelled after 268 years in Malta
1800
Maltese revolt against the French who are expelled, heralding the start of British rule
1974
Malta becomes a Republic
2004
Malta becomes a member of the European Union
WHAT’s on OBSIDIO MELITAE 18/05/2015 - 16/08/2015 08:15
ROPHEE BAILLI DE SUFFREN 27/06/2015 - 08/07/2015 09:00
On the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege of 1565, the National Library of Malta is organizing an exhibition entitled “Obsidio Melitae: the 1565 event in National Library holdings”. The exhibition, which will be open between 18th May and 16th August 2015, will explore the theme of the Great Siege by means of the holdings conserved in the National Library collections. The main focus of the display will be the original prints by Matteo Perez d’Aleccio depicting the highlights of the siege. Other interesting documents include original letters of congratulation from European sovereigns sent to Grand Master Jean de Valette after the lifting of the siege. On view are also published contemporary accounts of the siege, including the 1567 and 1568 editions of Francesco Balbi da Correggio’s day-today diary. Modern scholarly studies of the 1565 event will also feature in the display.
The Trophee Bailli de Souffren is a classic yacht race covering 600 miles from Saint-Tropez to Grand Harbour Marina in Malta, and visiting some of the most exotic ports in the Mediterranean such as Porto Rotundo and Trapani. This event highlights an antique connection that exists between Malta and France, when back in 1748, cruises by French Admiral Pierre Andre de Suffren were organised with the galleys of the Order of the Knights of St John. The Mediterranean’s most beautiful yacht race is also its longest race for classic yachts which is run over three legs; Leg 1: Saint-Tropez to Porto Rotondo, Sardinia (193nm) Leg 2: Porto Rotondo, Sardinia to Trapani, Sicily (230nm) Leg 3: Trapani, Sicily to Grand Harbour, Malta (169nm)
The exhibition will be open to the public during the Library’s opening hours, i.e. until 15th June from Monday to Friday between 08:15 hrs and 17:00 hrs and on Saturdays between 08:15 hrs and 13:00 hrs; and between 16th June and 16th August from Monday to Saturday between 08:00 hrs and 13:00 hrs. Admission is free. Presentation of ID Card/Passport is required. Venue National Library of Malta Phone: +356 21236585 http://maltalibraries.gov.mt
Contact: Camper & Nicholsons Marinas Phone: +356 21800700 Email: info@ghm.com.mt Website: http://www.cnmarinas.com/ghm/ tropheebaillidesuffren
MALTA INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL 10/07/2015 - 03/08/2015 The Malta International Arts Festival is a showcase of top quality events and sees local and overseas’ artists and performers side by side. The programme’s diversity enabled the International Arts Festival to be popular and accessible to all. The summer slot enables most events to be held open air. Falling as it does during the peak tourist season, the festival attracts a significant overseas audience as well.
The festival is the highlight in our cultural calendar and as such, we see it as having a clear role to play in bringing about collaboration between Maltese and foreign artists. Joint performances, and workshops held on its fringes help enhance local artistic development and provide impetus to cultural innovation on the Islands. For audiences, the Malta International Arts Festival is a bonanza of performance, music and dance, and offers something from almost all artistic forms. The event has also over the years opened up little used and special venues, such as the Old Opera House ruins in Valletta and Argotti Gardens, and been an impetus for the Islands to set about providing a greater diversity of art and performance spaces. Malta Council for Culture & Arts Phone: +356 23397000 Email: info@maltaculture.com Website: http://www.maltaartsfestival.org
MALTA JAZZ FESTIVAL 16/07/2015 - 18/07/2015 Now in its 25th edition, the Malta Jazz Festival has helped raise the profile of jazz locally from a fringe festival to one of the most-awaited musical events in Malta’s artistic and cultural calendar. Running from the 17th to the 19th July in the open-air setting of Ta’ Liesse - where the Grand Harbour bastions meet the sea - contemporary music comes together with a sense of history, setting the backdrop for high-calibre performances which delight jazz aficionados and lay persons alike. Malta Council for Culture and the Arts Phone: +356 23397000 Email: info@maltaculture.com Website: http://www.maltajazzfestival.org
THE MALTA ESPORTS FESTIVAL 2015 24/07/2015 - 26/07/2015
The Malta eSports Festival 2015, from the 24th till the 26th of July at the Mediterranean Conference Centre Valletta, is one of the biggest gaming events that Malta has ever seen! With over 700m2 at our disposal, we will be organizing many events such as talks, shows and quizzes. We will be also having a PC area, stands and for the first time a dedicated Console area. Venue Mediterranean Conference Centre Website: http://www.gamers.com.mt
MAGIC IN THE SKY 2015 25/07/2015 21:15 Magic In The Sky is the annual pyromusical show held on the eve of the feast in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel which is celebrated in Żurrieq. Organised by the Mount Carmel Fireworks Factory, the show is renowned for its colourful choreography and is a fixed annual appointment for all fireworks enthusiasts in Malta. In its eight edition, the show will feature once again the Hanabi Towers; Two high-rise vertical firing posts which allow the possibility to create distinctive and spectacular pyrotechnic effects. We invite you to join us in this celebration of fireworks, colours and music. We guarantee that you will be entertained! Seating and parking area will be made available at a minimal fee. Seating area will be in best viewing point. Early booking is highly recommended. We invite you to join our event page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ events/745915202174523/) for regular updates leading to the event. http://www.talkarmnuzurrieq.org/
CHANGING OF THE GUARDS 28/08/2015 10:30 - 11:30
This ceremony is symbolic of the formal handing over of responsibility from one guard to another at the Presidential Palace in Valletta. The Armed Forces of Malta will be holding the Changing of the Palace Guard Ceremony at St. George’s Square, Valletta on this date at 1000hrs. The Guard led by the AFM Band will initiate the ceremony from Republic Street in vicinity of Palazzo Ferreria and proceed towards St George’s Square through Republic Street. Venue St George’s Square Email: valletta.lc@gov.mt Website: http://www.cityofvalletta.org
VI MALTA INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL BANDS FESTIVAL 08/09/2015 - 13/09/2015 12:00 A six-day festival of bands, majorette, groups, marching bands, folk groups, street bands, piper bands, make up the sixth edition of Malta International Musical Bands Festival 2015. During this week there will be three parades in most towns of the island. Venues: 11 Sept 2015, H. 7pm , Zebbug, Main Square 12 Sept 2015, H 10am, , Valletta, Repubblic Street 12 Sept 2015, H 7pm, Bugibba. Visit: http://www.euroartproduction.it/ festival-malta-music.html
IN GUARDIA PARADE 27/09/2015 11:00 - 12:00 The IN GUARDIA PARADE is a reenactment that portrays an authentic event that took place regularly inside Malta’s major fortifications of the Order of St. John. The re-enactment portrays the inspection of the fort and its garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of St. John in charge of military affairs. During the re-enactment, of the fort’s garrison - some 55 re-enactors in all - are kitted-out in their uniforms to perform their military drill to demonstrate to the Grand Bailiff its state of readiness. The show begins at 11.00 a.m. and lasts 40 minutes. Admission tickets Adults : Euros 7 Children (6 – 12 years) Young Adults (up to 18 years) : Euros 3. In case of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstance the event may be cancelled without prior notice. Venue Fort St. Elmo Phone: +356 22954000 Email: info@heritagemalta.org Website: http://www.heritagemalta.org
summer SPA PACKAGES
open daily
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erving light snacks and beverages from 12.00hrs till 18.00hrs The Hotel owners, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot are based in Hong Kong and have always strived to bring the authentic Asian concepts to the property. The mother company, energy based which is currently involved in a project in Philippines. This inspired them to bring a piece of Philippines to Malta. Despite Malta being so far from Philippines, the determination made it possible for these beautiful cultural and artistic creations typical for the Philippines to be transported to Malta to open the Tiki dining outlets. They strongly reflect the Philippines craft and service. The first outlet in this style was a Tiki Bar where guests could relax, while enjoying spectacular views. Following its big success, the owners decided to extend the dining outlets and open up a restaurant providing an exquisite view across the Grand Harbour. The official opening took place in June 2011.The Tiki Restaurant is a great example of a fusion between the Filipino and Maltese culture and art displaying handcrafted Tiki statues, figurines and furniture. The Tiki Village is one of our latest additions to our outlets. The hotel owners and representatives made several trips from Hong Kong to Manila, then travelling south to Tayabas in Quezon Province of the Philippines. The material purchased was handcrafted by Filipino carpenters using indigenous skills and products, including bamboo and nipa. The hotel owners took a very keen interest in these items and Mr. Elliott even assisted in the carving of some of the statues. The Tiki villas were transported on a very long journey to Malta. They were assembled and polished by our projects team. Since launching the Tiki Village in June 2014 we have had a great response from our guests. The Tiki Village is
located at the Water’s Edge so that guests can revel in stunning views of Marsamxett Harbour while relaxing in a beautiful and exotic ambiance. The Village is comprised of 10 Villas with each Villa seating 6 people, and additional seating is available within the Village. The Tiki Village is serviced by a bar, the Blue Ocean. Guests can enjoy light snacks at lunchtime and mouth-watering platters are served in the evening. The venue is also popular in hosting the prestigious group events. GHE is very proud that all equipment was purchased from the Filipino carpenters and therefore we had helped to contribute to their wellbeing in our little way. This summer season, the Grand Hotel Excelsior is reopening the door of its latest offering our esteemed guests this breath-taking venue again.
Diving in Malta
Top 10 dive sites in Malta, Gozo and Comino 1. Santa Maria Caves
Located on the north side of Comino, and this is a very popular dive site due to its fascinating cave systems. Divers come here year after year and thus, arriving early to avoid crowds is recommended. There are 10 caves known to divers as Santa Maria Caves and they each have their own particular beauty. Some of them offer great swim troughs, some with large underwater tunnels while others have fascinating views into the blue through their entrance. The caves are quite shallow and some of them are even half above water, so they are also ideal for snorkelers. The shallow Santa Maria Caves are rich in marine life and you can spot Nudibranch, octopus, crabs, spiny lobster, eels, mullets, shrimp, damselfish and morays. Another attraction is the Banded Sea Bream that will swarm when fed with bread. The pretty Santa Maria Caves are suitable for all levels of divers and offers plenty of things to explore and for the underwater photographer the possibilities are never-ending.
2. Reqqa Reef
The Reqqa Point or Reqqa Reef dive in Ghasri, Gozo is a nice dive due to it’s beautiful view into the clear blue Mediterranean Sea and diversity of marine life of the north coast. Diving at Reqqa Point or Reqqa Reef you will see large groupers, dentex, rays as well as barracudas and if you look by the boulders you can also find lobsters and morays. Getting to the dive site might be slightly hard as the site is not easy to find and you have to walk a bit fully geared. It is recommended to dive at Reqqa Point with someone who has been there before and diving is not recommended during strong winds. In the Reqqa Point dive you descend along a large wall that runs down to over 60 meters covered in sponges with a lot of small fish present. You can choose to stop on the sandy reef bottom before the drop at about 25m. There are several smaller overhangs, caves to explore and at 18m you will find aspectacular chimney. When visiting Reqqa Point or Reqqa Reef take the opportunity to visit the salt pans nearby.
3. P29
The P29 wreck dive is done around the 62m long, 16m high and 7m wide ex German Kondo class minesweeper that was deliberately sunk in 2007. The P29 is situated 150 m from the coast off Cirkewwa Point. It is easily accessible from the shore and marked by a buoy. The P29 dive site is very popular with both locals and tourists visiting Malta and can be explored by experienced divers. If you are looking for rich marine life, the Rozi wreck is a better choice, however there is plenty of flora and fish on the wreck and on the way to the P29 dive site. You will reach the P29 wreck at 30 meters and the seabed is at 38 meters. You will find some amazing swim troughs, however the smaller and tighter areas are not recommended unless you are experienced in wreck penetration. The deck house has several openings, a lot of light and hardly any mud. The P29 dive is a fun and interesting dive that can be combined with several other dives such as The Arch.
The Maltese Islands’ clear blue Mediterranean Sea is ideal for scuba diving. All three Islands offer some unique diving experiences with an abundance of reefs, caves and wrecks that make diving here some of the most interesting in the Mediterranean.
7. Billinghurst Cave
The Billinghurst Cave dive is situated in Gozo and is one of the longest cave dives in Gozo near Reqqa Point. The Billinghurst Cave is about 50m long with the entrance only 3m under the surface with a maximum depth of 30m. At the entrance of the Billinghurst Cave the sunlight hits the water and creates fantastic lights perfect for silhouette photographs. However, bring a torch with you as there is very little natural light penetration to be able to see all the colourful fish, red sponges and lace coral covering the sides of the tunnel. The marine life is not as rich in the Billinghurst Cave as it is elsewhere. If you swim to the end of cave you will enter another cave called Railway Tunnel and at the end of this cave it is possible to surface. Diving in this site is only possible with a dive centre.
8. The Madonna Statue - Cirkewwa 4. The Blue Hole
The Blue Hole dive site in Dwejra overlooks the beautiful Azure Window and starts in a fantastic 10m wide inland sea pool which leads into a large crevice and through to the open sea. Once you start your dive you will see a natural rock arch with clear blue waters that is your doorway leading to the open sea. After passing the Arch you will swim through the tunnel with very nice rock formations, you will discover fantastic marine life such as parrot fish, Schools of Bream, Moray Eel, Lobster, Octopus and much more. Heading towards the reef wall you have to swim through a large vertical crack in the reef (The Chimney) starting at 18m and then go up to the coral garden located at 4m. If you do not wish to swim out to the open sea you can turn back and visit the cave at the far end of the Blue Hole. The Blue Hole is a good dive for all level of divers as there are several depths and routes to choose from. The Blue Hole dive can be followed with the Inland Sea dive.
5. Ghar Lapsi
The quiet and shallow waters of Ghar Lapsi are perfect for beginners and new divers who can descend on the reef to about 15 meters. Divers with more experience can discover the natural beauty of the Ghar Lapsi Cave with azure and green waters and with beautiful underwater photography opportunities as the sun reflects through the entrance. The Ghar Lapsi Cave has several entrances and exits and inside, the cave is wide and flat with plenty of marine life. Since large areas of Ghar Lapsi Cave are covered in sea grass, you have good chances of spotting nudibranches and sea hares. The Ghar Lapsi dive is easily accessible by either a ladder or by a large slipway leading down to the sea. Diving at Ghar Lapsi can also be combined with swimming at this popular beach and diving at Um El Faroud.
6. The Inland Sea and Tunnel
The Inland Sea is a very popular and spectacular dive that can be can be done on the same day with the Blue Hole dive located close by. The dive at the Inland Sea and Tunnel starts in a 60m wide scenic inlet surrounded by high cliffs. The unique tunnel connected to the sea is 80m long, however be careful when diving in the tunnel as boats pass through it as well. At the end of the tunnel you will see some stunning lighting effects created by the sunlight hitting the water. Light inside the tunnel is usually not a problem; however some divers prefer to bring a torch along to explore the tunnel walls. Once you exit the tunnel, the seabed drops to beyond 30m and you can choose to dive on the right or left side of the tunnel. Whichever you choose you will have fantastic wall dives and see plenty of marine life such as John Dory, Octopus, Cardinal Fish, Barracuda, Parrot Fish, Spotted Doris. Even though the reefs and the walls are beautiful, the Inland Sea and the tunnel are very unique and is a must dive if you visit Malta and Gozo.
The Madonna Statue is the ideal diving site to explore during your holiday in Malta as it is suitable for both open water divers and more experienced ones. One of the main attractions of this dive is the Madonna statue which was placed in the sea over 25 years ago by a local dive club at the entrance of a small swim-through at 18m. The dive starts from the shore with an easy access through a 1m deep pool and offers diving around shallow plateaus of maximum 10m. More experienced divers can dive off the plateau until around 30m. The wall has several tunnels as well as two amazing swim-troughs. This dive site is also popular for fantastic night dives. Be prepared to see interesting marine life such as amberjacks, barracuda, and scorpion fish and if you’re lucky, you might even see trigger fish.
9. Qawra Reef
The Qawra Reef is one of the most beautiful reefs in the touristic resort of Qawra. It is a perfect dive for beginners and intermediate divers. Access to the Qawra Reef is easily done from the shore and offers a drop off until 40 m with a nice wall as well as several big caves on the right side of it. The caves are going inside and under the reef and are safe to enter as they havewide entrances and do go deep. If you like marine life this is the place for you as you will find Spiny or Slipper Lobsters, hermit crabs, nudibranchs and spider crabs. If you follow the drop off to the deeper parts there are large boulders, which are home to barracudas, dentex, tuna and amberjack hunting for smaller fish and it is here that you can spot the rare Axinella verrucosa (Mediterranean ‘finger’ sponge). The Qawra Reef dive site has several shallow parts where the reef top comes to around 15 m for the beginners to explore with parrot fish, different types of groupers and cardinal fish to watch. This dive is not well known, so you might be the only one exploring the Qawra Reef.
10. The Rozi Tugboat Dive
The Rozi is a 40 m tugboat that was purposefully sunk in 1991 in Cirkewwa and is one of the most popular dive sites in Malta today. The dive starts from the shore with a swim over one of the most beautiful reefs in Malta towards the wreck which is only 150 m away from the shore and very easy to find as it is marked by a large yellow buoy. The Rozi wreck is still intact in an upright position at about 34 m, except for the engine and the propellers that have been removed. Thanks to this, the engine room and the wheel house are now empty and can besafely entered; while exploring the rest of the wreck is also possible. Behind the wheelhouse you can dive into several doorways and explore different rooms. The beautiful clear blue waters around the Rozi are filled with a lot of fish including Rainbow Wrasse, Cardinal Fish, lots of Sea Breams and Scorpion Fish. The Rozi dive in Malta is a spectacular dive that can be combined with the Madonna Statue dive. If you have time, explore the reef on your way back as it offers a few swim troughs in the rock and has a very rich marine life.
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