Tagged With "Malta"
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Re: Doors of Malta and Sicily
Nice work. I'm also partial to capturing door photos, but you are much better at it than I.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 17, 2015: Mdina Gates, Malta
Mdina is one of the few places I've been that's, in my experience, unlike any other. I thought it so beautiful on my first visit that I booked a room in the closest hotel just outside this gate and spent several days exploring it and the adjacent town of Rabat. Lunch at the restaurant of, I believe, the only hotel in Mdina, the Xara Palace , was memorable, wonderful service and food and a small compensation for not staying in the 5 star hotel. Thanks for the memory, IslandMan.
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Re: Top Tips and Advice for Travel to Malta & Gozo
"Tropical Paradise" is stretching it a bit - Malta is nowhere near the tropics and, whilst it has a mild climate, it is far from tropical. However, having been there, I concur that it is well worth a visit. We rented a local flat for a week and found the bus services quite good (and thus did not rent a car). Rabbit dishes seem to be ubiquitous on restaurant menus and we found many of them very good - although it is probably true to say that I am more fond of rabbit than my wife.
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Re: Top Tips and Advice for Travel to Malta & Gozo
Professorabe : Should that final line read "I am more fond of rabbit than my wife is"
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
It does not seem fair that one place should have so much going on. Worse, it is less fair that I am not there ! Thanks for the great pics and a bit of history. What are the good months to visit for water sports like paragliding ? Is it winder or the surf stronger some months than others ?
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
Thanks for your comments TatToo. Summer is the best time for water sports,from May to October. Most operators usually shut down over winter. There isn't much surf to speak of unless there is an exceptionally stormy day, but the northern parts of the island are more suited for windsurfing and paragliding as the winds from the northern Mediterranean tend to have more strength in them
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
That's a great piece about a great destination most of us have not heard a lot about. Would you know if there are direct flights between Malta and Sicily, Islandman? How would you recommend connecting these two. I think a great way to spend two or three weeks would be to combine stops at Sicily and Malta.
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
Thanks IslandMan! Your history insights and photos do make it look like an ideal travel destination.
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
Hello DrF, there are direct flights from Sicily to Malta and also a daily ferry. Yes, many visitors take in Sicily when coming to Malta, or they combine it with other European destinations. There also regular cruises around the Mediterranean which stop in the Grand Harbour for a day.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 18th, 2014: Chihuahua Man of Marsaxlokk
Island Man, just over a year ago I landed on Malta after my freighter trip from Singapore. I stayed first in Marsaxlokk for several days, at Duncan Accommodations, above the bar of the same name, which it appears Chihuahua Man is looking right at! I loved the town, especially fun on market day. Thanks for the memory.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 18th, 2014: Chihuahua Man of Marsaxlokk
Love the photo and the backstory, Islandman! Chihuahuas are really quite amazing animals -- extremely intelligent and very affectionate with their owners. A little small for my taste, but I can see his attraction to them.
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Re: Family Friendly Attractions in Malta
Malta and its people certainly are unique Jason. I remember well the Blue Grotto when your hands turned blue under the water. Its on my list of places I must go back to. You make it sound more tempting ! Interesting blog! Thanks !
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Re: Family Friendly Attractions in Malta
I hadn't really ever considered Malta as a family travel destination, but I have been educated by your post. Thanks for sharing all this information. Hope we can hear more about your travels!
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Re: Family Friendly Attractions in Malta
On my first visit to Malta I was exploring the Megalithic Monuments when a group and their guide arrived. She was explaining to the folks the stones where blood sacrifices were made. So I stayed within earshot for a free tour - at a discreet distance. Then she turned and pointed at me ! " where that couple are standing is a Fertility Temple! " Whoooa !! We moved away quickly ! But too late - we had been chosen by the Goddess of Fertility ! That was on the 29 December - and on the 29...
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Re: Family Friendly Attractions in Malta
Well, I can see why Malta has such a special place in your heart, GarryRF!
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Re: Family Friendly Attractions in Malta
The Temple at Hagar Qim is believed to be the oldest in Europe at 3,500 BC,
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Re: Family Friendly Attractions in Malta
Hello Jason and thanks for the interesting and informative post about family Malta. I am resident here myself and I agree with the family attraction side of the island. It's a fun place to visit and I do notice many families enjoying their time together.
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Re: Family Friendly Attractions in Malta
That is okay, it must be great living there. Yeah I traveled there with my family and went to these locations, each one was great
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct 21, 2014: Maltese Bread
My wife sometimes believes that my main photo subjects are bread, fruit and veg, and birds perched on statues, so it's nice to know someone else appreciates how beautiful bread is, and how easy it is to smell it and taste just by looking at a great picture like this!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct 21, 2014: Maltese Bread
Maltese bread is something special. I'd certainly use it as an excuse, if you need one PHeymont, to visit Malta. Wonderful photo, IslandMan.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct 21, 2014: Maltese Bread
I also love a fresh loaf of bread. When it's just right, it's easy to make a meal of just bread and butter. I have great sympathy for those who can't eat gluten. I'm not sure I'd find life worth living without fresh baked goods.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct 21, 2014: Maltese Bread
Walking the narrow streets of Valletta - past the small shops that sell freshly cooked food and cakes. The smell of Coffee from the Cafes and Restaurants. And the smell of new leather. Brings back all the memories of wonderful Malta.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Sep 15, 2015: Pit Lane, Mdina Grand Prix
I was having lunch in Mdina. Our waiter was a boy about 8 years old. He asked if I'd ever seen a train. "Of course I have. Maybe 4 a day" "When I save enough to leave Malta I want to see a train" he said. Then he asked my Mother in Law if she was my sister. She slipped him a few dollars. He'll soon have enough - I thought - to see a train - even at 8.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, April 1st, 2014:Traditional Maltese Musical Instruments
Thanks for the lesson in these instruments. It's amazing what I learn on this website everyday.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, June 3, 2014: British Telepone Box, Malta
I enjoy these British phone booths! I'm not sure the last time I saw a phone booth in North America. Maybe at an airport somewhere, but they've all but completely disappeared (thanks to near universal ownership of cell phones).
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Re: Valletta, Why Do I Love Thee So?
Lovely pictures! I was surprised to see so many signs in English...is it the most common language, or is Maltese widely-spoken also?
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Re: Valletta, Why Do I Love Thee So?
Thanks PH. Maltese is the official language but English is widely spoken and there are little if any communication problems.
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Re: Valletta, Why Do I Love Thee So?
The island of Malta became part of the British Empire in 1800. The French had invaded Malta 2 years previously and were unwelcome. The British removed the French and established a base there at Valletta to give them a port in the Mediterranean Sea. And it provided employment and security to the local people. In 1964 it voted for Independence. The Coat of Arms of Queen Victoria can be seen over the VICTORIA GATE photo - above. The current Queen Elizabeth ceased any connection with Malta in...
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Re: Valletta, Why Do I Love Thee So?
Thanks for this fascinating piece, IslandMan. Malta quickly moves towards the top of future travel destinations in my bucket list.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 20, 2014: The Piano Busker
He is not the only piano busker. Check out Colin Huggins in my blog today about Greenwich Village, here on TravelGumbo.
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
What an interesting group of islands. Thanks so much for this article. Wondering - Do people get around mostly by boat ? Is English widely spoken ?
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
Hello F-car, people mainly use their cars to get around, which is a pity as the roads are not the best and there are far too many cars for the roads to cope with. There is an extensive bus network which I found more preferable to driving. Boats are used more for leisure but there are many fisherman who make their living from the sea. Although the Maltese have their own language, English is widely spoken and visitors get by without problems. Many locals also speak Italian (them being our...
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
Thanks so much Island Man.What a great post! I'll definetly include a visit to Malta in my future travel plans.
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec 16, 2014: Golden Bay, Malta
Golden Bay is located on the north-west coast of Malta , and is one of only a handful of sandy beaches around the coast. Although Malta is surrounded by water, most beaches are just rocky outcrops, and the few beaches that do have sand...
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Hope for Europe's small "flagship" airlines
In the face of competition from Gulf-based carriers and European budget carriers, it's been hard times for the familiar "national" airlines of Europe. Some, such as Sabena and Swissair have gone under, re-emerging in other forms; some, such as...
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Doors of Malta and Sicily
Sylvia shares some of the interesting doors she spotted while visiting Sicily and Malta.
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Sep 15, 2015: Pit Lane, Mdina Grand Prix
One of the highlights on the Maltese events calendar is the Mdina Grand Prix which takes place over 3 days in October. It consists of several group races on a 3 kilometer street circuit around the bastions of the ancient medieval capital of Mdina....
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 17, 2015: Mdina Gates, Malta
The medieval city of Mdina , the ancient capital of Malta, stands proudly on top of a hill in central Malta. Known to be first fortified by the Phoenicians around 700 BC, this walled city has withstood centuries of invasions, battles and...
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Top Tips and Advice for Travel to Malta & Gozo
Ed shares some great reasons why Malta is a travel destination worth your time and effort to visit.
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Sep 16 2014: Valletta, Malta
The capital city of Malta , Valletta was originally known as "the city built by gentleman for gentleman". That description may have changed somewhat over the years as it is now a World Heritage listed city. One of the first...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Aug 19th, 2014: Limestone Caves, Malta
The Maltese islands are made up of natural limestone and have been called a geological paradise by those with an interest. They are also ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling . There are many inlets, bays and rock formations where...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 20, 2014: The Piano Busker
One of the fun things I like about traveling is coming across the colorful characters that make visiting a particular destination interesting. Buskers are one of those types of characters and can be found in any town or city in all parts of the...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, June 3, 2014: British Telepone Box, Malta
The island nation of Malta became part of the British Empire in 1800 after the French were driven out in 1799. They gained their independence in 1964 and the last of the British forces and other personnel left...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct 21, 2014: Maltese Bread
The aroma of freshly baked bread is a special treat for the senses. Wherever we travel we usually track down the local bakery or cafe seeking something delectable for our morning sustenance. A favorite of mine is the traditional Maltese...
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Valletta, Why Do I Love Thee So?
Alighting off the bus at the Floriana terminus, I walk across the small bridge spanning the deep ditch and pass through the city gate. The city immediately opens up before me as I walk down the main thoroughfare of Republic Street. Valletta , the...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 18th, 2014: Chihuahua Man of Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk (pronounced "Marsushlock") is a fishing village on the south coast of Malta. It's popular for its picturesque promenade, traditional Maltese fishing boats, Sunday market and a choice of restaurants that serve some of the best seafood...
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Family Friendly Attractions in Malta
The island of Malta is a fantastic holiday destination home to many tourists each year. Malta is filled with wonderful blue water, colourful coves, and prehistoric ruins, so there is no question why over 1.2 million tourists holiday in Malta each year...
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The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
I have an affinity with the Maltese islands . The fact that I was born there may have something to do it, but, as I have lived most of my life in Australia, the distance between the 2 countries has made this affinity more special. I was constantly reading about it and wanted to know more. I returned there many times for short holidays, and my fondness grew with each subsequent visit. Sliema Waterfront I am now a permanent resident of the country, and, while I may seem biased towards it, it’s...
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The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
I have an affinity with the Maltese islands. The fact that I was born there may have something to do it, but, as I have lived most of my life in Australia, the distance between the 2 countries has made this affinity...