DISCOVER MALTA
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03. Map of the Maltese Islands 04. Where to stay 06. Top 5 events for families 08. How to keep your teens off of their iPads 11. 7-day holiday itinerar y
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M A LTA : M E M O R I E S M A D E TOGETHER LAST FOREVER When you’re choosing a holiday for the whole family, keeping everyone happy might seem a daunting task; especially if you’ve got older children. Long gone are the days of buckets and spades, it’s time to find a getaway which will keep teenagers entertained, without losing the feeling of a traditional family holiday. The Englishspeaking Maltese Islands boast over 300 days of sunshine each year and are just a short three-hour flight away from the UK. Discover more than 7,000 years of history on the Mediterranean archipelago by Segway, Quad Bike and ‘Rolling Geek’ tour and eliminate the sigh of despair from teens when they hear hist… The Maltese Islands are home to a host of historic sites including the Megalithic Temples, the oldest freestanding structures in the world, predating the Great Pyramids of Giza by 1,000 years.
The Mediterranean Sea offers a tranquil environment ideal for snorkelling, kayaking and swimming; whilst the topographical island landscape encourages rock-climbing, mountain-biking and horse-riding. Malta has been named one of the Best Dive Destinations in the world at the Diver Awards for a number of years, and children can gain their PADI certification from the age of 10. Malta’s sister islands Gozo and Comino are just a 25-minute ferry away from Malta and offer more unique diving experiences. If adventure by day isn’t enough, young adults can enjoy exploring Malta’s thriving nightlife scene, whilst parents experience Maltese Cuisine at a waterfront restaurant. Visit the Maltese Islands year-round and create memories that your family will never forget.
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W H E R E T O S TAY Step 1: Where should we go? The Maltese Islands. Step 2: Where should we stay? Whether it’s a beach getaway, city-break or rural escape you’re looking for; the Mediterranean archipelago has it all. BUGIBBA The sheltered waters off Bugibba’s rocky beach are ideal for basking in the sunshine and enjoying water sports. Bugibba boasts an idyllic promenade lined with delightful restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops. The Malta National Aquarium can also be found here. QAWRA Located in St. Paul’s Bay, Qawra is a lively resort home to a bustling promenade lined with cafés, restaurants and bars. Take a walk to the historical 17th century Qawra Point watch tower, that overlooks a small bay popular with sunbathers, or visit Ta’ Fra Ben beach, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. ST. JULIAN’S & SLIEMA Built around the beautiful Spinola Bay, St Julian’s is the perfect place to stay if you want to be close to the action. Relax on the popular sandy beach St. George’s Bay or go shopping for the day in neighbouring Sliema.
MELLIEHA This quiet area in the north of the island is ideal if you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere. Home to Malta’s longest white sandy beach with great views over the Mediterranean-Sea, this is one of the most peaceful resorts on the island. VALLETTA With its rich heritage and bustling centre, Valletta is ideal for families wanting to spend their time in Malta's thriving cultural centre. The Baroque capital boasts stunning boutique hotels and waterfront alfresco dining overlooking the spectacular Grand Harbour.
Step 1: Where should we go? The Maltese Islands. Step 2: Where should we stay? Whether it’s a beach getaway, city-break or rural escape you’re looking for; the Mediterranean archipelago has it all.
GOZO Gozo is just a 25-minute ferry crossing from its sister island Malta, and boasts a picturesque rural landscape teamed with tranquil sea views. If it’s relaxation your family are after, why not stay in a Gozitan farmhouse? There is also an abundance of adventure activities to experience here, you won't run out of ways to keep the kids amused.
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TOP 5 EVENTS The year-round Mediterranean archipelago boasts over 400 events each year. From arts and culture, theatre and performance to music festivals and carnivals; there’s something for the entire family. EASTER The Maltese Islands are perfect for an Easter getaway during the kid's holidays. Easter is widely celebrated in Malta; unmissable processions, Easter vigils and other spectacular traditions take place during the Holy Week. Be sure to try figolla, an almond-filled pastry in the traditional shape of a rabbit, lamb, fish or heart, covered in icing sugar, for a Maltese Easter treat. EARTH GARDEN Earth Garden is an art, music and culture festival held annually in the summer holidays. Presenting a number of stages, a musical playground, food court, enchanted forest, ethnic market and fun park; the festival appeals to the whole family. The festival showcases both local and international musicians playing eclectic genres including Blues, Reggae, Jazz, Funk and Alternative Rock. SUMMER CARNIVAL The Malta Carnival is a five-day celebration featuring colourful floats, extravagant costumes and parties into the early hours. The heart of the Visit www.maltauk.com for the most current list of events and dates.
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action takes place in Bugibba, where hundreds of people gather during the parade wearing flamboyant costumes, masks and heavy makeup, creating a great party atmosphere. If you’re travelling during the winter months check out the winter carnival held in Malta’s capital city Valletta, and sister island Gozo. INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS FESTIVAL The annual Malta International Fireworks Festival, held in Valletta’s Grand Harbour and various other locations, takes place at the end of April to commemorate Malta’s accession into the European Union on 1st May 2004. Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy each evening free of charge. PAGEANT OF THE SEAS Set against the majestic backdrop of Valletta’s Grand Harbour, the Pageant of the Seas hosts a programme boasting daytime activities including competitive races, visual demonstrations and water acts in June each year. The nights are particularly spectacular; offering a colourful celebration on the water.
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HOW TO K E E P T E E NAG E R S O F F O F T H E I R i PA D S . . .
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enjoy the adventure of histor y
SEGWAY TOUR Discover over 4,000 years of history in Malta’s old capital city Mdina, an abundance of historical sites in Valletta and untouched countryside dotted with majestic churches in Gozo… in a flash. Segway tours are available in a number of locations across the Maltese Islands and enable families to sightsee together, all the while keeping teens entertained.
QUAD BIKE TOUR Discover Malta’s sister island, Gozo, on a Quad Bike tour. Explore stunning bays hugging the sparkling crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean and topographical cliffs rising from the gentle sea. Beautiful sandy beaches open up the landscape to untouched countryside dotted with villages, majestic churches and farmsteads.
ROLLING GEEKS TOUR Rolling Geeks are self-drive electric cars, complete with a pre-programmed GPS that not only takes you on the perfect tour, but also explains what you’re looking at too. Enjoy all the benefits of an organised excursion, but with the freedom of being in your own quirky electric car. The tour covers everything from the famous Grand Harbour Marina and Rinella Bay, to awe-inspiring churches and traditional piazzas found in the narrow charming streets that characterises The Three Cities.
JEEP SAFARI Go off the beaten track on a Jeep Safari to discover Malta’s unique rugged countryside, topographical landscape and picturesque views. Travel to the north of the island, find a place to park your jeep and visit either Mellieha Bay or Golden Bay to relax on a white sandy beach and enjoy a swim in the warm Mediterranean Sea. Alternatively, explore the south of the island for spectacular island views at Dingli Cliffs or the Blue Grotto. Whichever route you choose, the day will be one to remember.
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new memorable experiences
The Maltese Islands, repeatedly voted second best dive destination in the world, boast an abundance of reefs, stunning caverns, caves and shipwrecks. The water surrounding the Mediterranean archipelago is known for its pristine transparency, warmth and azure blue colour. There isn’t a better destination in Europe to experience scuba-diving or master a dive qualification than Malta or Gozo. FIRST-TIME DIVERS Families who are yet to experience scuba-diving can feel confident diving in Malta; there are a number of great dive centres across the islands and the Maltese speak perfect English. A full range of programmes are available from ‘try dives’ to qualified diving courses. Children can start their PADI Open Water Certification from the age of 10. BSAC and CMAS also have
a presence on the islands, and with slack water and sheltered dive sites, Malta and Gozo are perfect destinations for learning to dive; you can experience some of the best dive sites during training.
7 - DAY I T I N E R A RY With so much to see and do it’s hard to know where to start, check out our week long itinerary for a helping hand.
EXPERIENCED DIVERS Maltese waters are unique in their opportunity for technical expeditions, boasting excellent water quality, great depths and an abundance of shipwrecks and caves to explore. Wreck diving is especially popular around the islands with an array of vessels from WW2 and a number sunk as an artificial reef for divers. The Tanker el Faroud is considered one of the best wreck dives in the world and should be on every divers’ bucket-list. Visit www.maltauk.com for more information on diving and to download our ‘Dive Trail’.
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Pass through CITY GATE; the door to the city of Valletta. The impressive gate marks the beginning of Republic Street and was designed by architect Renzo Piano. Wander through the streets of Valletta and marvel at the NEW PARLIAMENT BUILDING and the ROYAL OPERA HOUSE also designed by the Italian architect during the City Gate Project. The exterior of the contemporary New Parliament Building resembles the limestone that the Maltese Islands are recognised for; the holes in the structure replicate the erosion of limestone over time. The ruins of the Royal Opera House have also been converted into an open-air theatre for all to enjoy. Visit the UPPER BARRAKKA GARDENS; a beautiful public garden in Valletta. The gardens offer a stunning panoramic view of the Grand Harbour and date back to 1661, when it was a private garden for the Italian Knights. Discover ST JOHN’S CO-CATHEDRAL. The jaw dropping interior elaborately adorned by Mattia Preti is widely considered to be the best example of baroque style anywhere in Europe. The magnificent Cathedral is also home to the only signed work and largest painting by Caravaggio.
AFTERNOON Enjoy lunch at ST JOHN’S SQUARE and try traditional Maltese pastizzi; a delicious savoury filo pastry pasty filled with either rich ricotta cheese or mushy peas. Visit VALLETTA’S WATERFRONT before taking a traditional Maltese Dghajsa boat trip to THE THREE CITIES. The beautifully restored waterfront is of great historical value and heritage, dating back more than 250 years. Today, the waterfront boasts a number of upmarket bars, retail outlets and restaurants. Enjoy a ROLLING GEEKS TOUR of The Three Cities; a collective description of the three fortified cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua in Malta. The oldest of the Three Cities is Birgu, which has existed since the Middle Ages. The other two cities, Senglea and Cospicua, were both founded by the Order of Saint John in the 16th and 17th centuries. Please note that a driving license will be needed to operate the five-seater self-drive electric cars, complete with pre-programme GPS. Contact Rolling Geeks directly to book a tour of The Three Cities. EVENING Spend the evening taking in the spectacular view of the The Three Cities’ marina from Birgu’s waterfront. If you’d like to enjoy another traditional Maltese meal, try Malta’s national dish Fenek; rabbit stew or delicious ravioli packages filled with cheese made from sheeps milk.
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DAY ONE:
VA L L E T TA & T H R E E C I T I E S
MORNING Spend the morning exploring Malta’s compact capital city by foot or Segway tour. Valletta’s beautiful baroque architecture and rich heritage earned the city the accolade of being the European Capital of Culture in 2018. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to elegant winding streets, over 320 historical monuments and a wealth of boutique hotels.
Take a trip to Malta’s old capital city; the origins of MDINA can be traced back to more than 4,000 years. The Medieval capital is still home to Malta’s noble families and impressive palaces line its narrow, shady streets. Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city and unusual in its mix of medieval and Baroque architecture. Lamp lit by night, Mdina transforms itself into the ‘Silent City’. There are many ways to explore the car-free city. Why not experience a traditional horse drawn carriage ride? Or enjoy a fun-filled Segway tour? Both great ways to keep the children entertained whilst taking in the charming architecture and spectacular views. Enjoy lunch at the Fontanella Tea Gardens where you can take in the breathtaking views surrounding Mdina.
During World War II, the town of Mosta was prone to aerial bombardment due to its proximity to the airfield of RAF Ta Qali. On 9 April 1942, the Luftwaffe dropped three bombs on Rotunda, and two of them deflected without exploding. However, one 500kg high explosive bomb pierced the dome
and entered the church, where a congregation of more than 300 people were awaiting early evening mass. The bomb bounced across the floor and did not explode, which was interpreted as a miracle by the Maltese. A similar bomb is now displayed in the sacristy at the back of the church.
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AFTERNOON Visit MOSTA, a town in the Northern region of Malta. The most famous building in Mosta is the Rotunda, a large church with the third largest unsupported dome in the world. EVENING Enjoy a traditional folklore dinner show at Ta’ Marija in Mosta - it’s a great experience for the family.
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DAY T WO:
D I N G L I , M D I N A & M O S TA
the miracle of mosta dome
MORNING For a spectacular morning view, visit the DINGLI CLIFFS located on Malta’s Western coast, they are the highest point of the Maltese Islands and stand at around 253 metres above sea-level. Early birds should check out this location at sunrise.
MORNING Take a trip to GHAJN TUFFIEHA for a beach day to remember; the area is home to a stretch of three picturesque beaches. GHAJN TUFFIEHA BAY is one of the most tranquil beaches in Malta and invites you to enjoy the stunning scenery whilst the kids enjoy swimming in the welcoming waters. The rugged coastline and hillside behind the beach makes Ghajn Tuffieha a hidden gem.
G HAJ N T U F F I E HA
DAY THREE: AFTERNOON GNEJNA BAY is perfect for swimmers and divers wanting to enjoy the crystal clear waters. EVENING GOLDEN BAY is a stunning sandy beach set within a cliff face, located along unspoiled Maltese countryside. The bay offers one of the most remarkable sunsets in Malta, making it the perfect location to sit, relax and take in the breath-taking view this evening.
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MORNING Visit Sliema; originally a small fishing village, the present-day town is home to shopping malls, modern eateries, eclectic bars and chic cafés. If you’re in need of some retail therapy, The Point and The Plaza shopping malls boast a number of outlets selling everything from fashion to electronics. Alternatively, visit one of Sliema’s waterfront cafés whilst watching the kids appreciate a refreshing swim off of the rocks.
SL I E M A & ST J U L IA N’S
DAY FOUR:
AFTERNOON Take your pick of where to enjoy lunch; Sliema boasts a number of restaurants serving Maltese, Mediterranean and Western cuisine. EVENING Proceed to St Julian’s for an evening stroll down the picturesque promenade. There are endless restaurants to choose from for dinner. Paceville, located in St. Julian’s, is known for its bars and club scene, if your children are over 18 they may wish to spend the evening here.
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Explore the ĠGANTIJA TEMPLES in Xagħra. The Ġgantija Temples are the oldest, free-standing monuments in the world; created 1,000 years before the famous Egyptian Pyramids of Giza. The temples are a unique architectural masterpiece and a witness to an exceptional prehistoric culture renowned for its remarkable architectural, artistic and technological achievements. The temple builders used locally available stone; hard coralline limestone for external walls and the softer globigerina limestone for the sheltered interiors and decorative elements. Discover VICTORIA, known to the Maltese as Rabat; Gozo’s capital city. The city was named in 1887 in honour of Queen Victoria during her Jubilee year.
Visit DREAMS OF HORSES, a family run farm located in Xaghra. Meet and feed the animals, experience the breath-taking scenery with a personal horse drawn carriage ride or walk the ponies through the countryside; each activity is one for the family to remember. All proceeds made from the experiences go toward rescuing farmyard animals and animal healing for children with disabilities. Discover RAMLA BAY, known in Maltese as Ramla il-Hamra (Red Sands), the biggest sandy beach on Gozo. The area that surrounds the beach is beautifully undeveloped, there are a couple of cafes behind the beach selling food and refreshments. EVENING After a wonderful day spent exploring the island, enjoy a traditional Gozitan meal at Ta Philip; the restaurant is committed to supporting locally sourced seasonal produce. Following dinner, take a 10-minute walk to MGARR HARBOUR for your ferry crossing to Cirkewwa, Malta.
Visit the CITADEL; a small fortified city which lies in the heart of Victoria. The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, and in the medieval era it was known as the Gran Castello. AFTERNOON Enjoy lunch at Ta’ Rikardu Restaurant for views of Gozo’s capital Victoria and Gozitan cuisine.
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DAY FIVE:
GOZO
MORNING Proceed to CIRKEWWA for the 25-minute ferry crossing to GOZO. Stunning bays hug the sparkling crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, topographical cliffs rise from the gentle sea, and beautiful sandy beaches open up the landscape to untouched countryside dotted with villages, majestic churches, farmsteads and the oldest known freestanding structures in the world.
AFTERNOON Take a 20-minute boat ride from Cirkewwa to COMINO, the smallest of the Maltese Islands. Comino is famous for the BLUE LAGOON, one of the most picturesque locations on the Maltese archipelago. The small cove between Comino and the uninhabited islet of Cominotto, boasts turquoise shallow waters perfect for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and exploring by boat.
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DAY SEVEN: MORNING Enjoy a trip to MARSAXLOKK the foremost fishing village and one of the most picturesque localities on the island. Find small fishing boats, known as the Luzzu and Kajjik, painted in vivid colours of red, yellow, green and blue floating gracefully on the calm waters of the bay. There is a fish market in the morning, where the fishermen’s wives sell the catch of the day to the locals.
MARSAXLOKK & ZURRIEQ
MORNING Spend the morning at MELLIEHA BAY, Malta’s longest sandy beach stretching across 800m. The beach slopes gently into ankle deep crystal clear water for approximately 50-metres, making it a perfect beach for families with children. The beach offers an abundance of water-based activities including waterskiing, jetskiing, paddleboarding and speed boat tours.
M E L L I E HA & C OM I NO
DAY SIX:
AFTERNOON Visit the BLUE GROTTO, the picturesque natural attraction and its neighbouring caverns are known to mirror the stunning phosphorescent colours of the underwater flora. The Blue Grotto is a short ten-minute drive from Malta International Airport; perfect for your last stop on the island.
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To learn more visit www.maltauk.com for further information and travel offers
