Malta may be a small country made up of only three islands, but despite its small size, it packs in some of the world’s oldest free-standing structures, and it also enjoys over 3000 hours of sunshine every year – making it a wonderful destination to explore year-round. With a fascinating history, delicious cuisine and dazzling blue grottos and rock formations, there are almost too many highlights to cover, but a member of our Headwater team, Tim Fowler, recently went on a holiday with us to Malta and is keen to share with us what his unexpected highlights were.
Malta is home to many fascinating geological formations, but none quite as intriguing as Fungus Rock. Located off the coast of the island of Gozo, Fungus Rock was once believed to have healing powers, and legend has it that the Knights of Malta would collect the rare fungus that grew on the rock and use it to treat a variety of ailments, and even presented the plant as an honourable gift to distinguished visitors who came to the island.
On our Malta holiday, you can see this rock up close for yourself on our walk. Tim commented, “I thought the history of how the fungus was collected for medicinal purposes was fascinating. Our walk also took us to a nearby lagoon called the Inland Sea which was surrounded by dramatic cliffs. A raised rocky beach nearby was used as a filming location for the Game of Thrones, and as a big fan of the TV series, I was excited to wander in the location where Daenerys Targaryen had her wedding!”
“One of the things that caught my attention in Malta was the names on the houses”, Tim said. “Every house seems to have a different name, and the names were often unusual.” Going one step further than personalised licence plates, the Maltese people have embraced naming their properties over the years.
Whether it’s a simple signature, a historical handle or literary label – the creativity of the Maltese locals knows no bounds. But there’s one prevalent theme Tim picked up on: country names. Tim explained, “The reason for this is because many Maltese people emigrated to places like the USA, Canada, and Australia, and when they returned to Malta to retire, they named their homes after the places they spent most of their working lives. This resulted in endearing house names such as “God Bless Canada,” “Koala,” and “New York.” But you can also just as easily discover homes named after song titles or relatives.” He continued, “Another funny thing I noticed is that you’d occasionally see keys left in plain sight at the front doors. Crime rates are so low on the island that some homeowners leave their key visible so friends and neighbours can let themselves in to say a quick “hello.””
Malta’s cuisine is a fantastic fusion of different cultures boasting influences from the Levant, Italy, France, and the British Empire. Malta was once part of the British Empire, with one unexpected culinary influence being the British love of pies. Tim commented, “A national favourite, you’ll find at nearly every hotel breakfast buffet is the “pastizzi”, a flaky, diamond-shaped pastry filled with either ricotta or mushy peas.”
These local delicacies are not just for breakfast though and can be eaten at any time. If you want to try them for yourself, Tim suggests to pick them up from the Is-Serkin – Crystal Palace Bar in Rabat, not far from the gates of Mdina. “As much as I enjoyed Pastizzi, my favourite food from the trip was their Maltese pizza. The island of Gozo has many hole-in-the-wall style bakeries, where you order at the doorway and the baker brings your order steaming hot to you from the kitchen on the other side. Mekren Bakery, just outside Nadur, served delicious Maltese pizza with traditional toppings of potato and goat’s cheese. A perfect way to fill up after a day exploring the island on foot.”
Follow in the footsteps of the late Queen with a visit to The Hotel Phoenicia in Valletta. Perhaps the grandest of all of Malta’s hotels, this 75-year-old, neoclassical hotel enjoys a prime location at the entrance of the city. Arguably, one of the most outstanding features is its breathtaking 7-acre landscape garden, which comes complete with an outdoor bar and infinity pool that overlooks the harbour and the bastions of the city.
The hotel has a storied history, with its construction halted by WW2, after it was requisitioned by the British military and used by RAF personnel. The building also suffered aerial bombardment during the war but was lovingly restored and officially opened to the public in 1947. Perhaps one of the most fascinating historical ties, however, lies with the late Queen Elizabeth and her attendance to regular ball dances in the Hotel Phoenicia’s ornate ballroom. The time the late Monarch spent in Malta, was said to be one of the happiest times of her life as she was able to live like an ordinary person, driving her own car around the island. And although the villa that the former Princess Elizabeth used to live in has recently been purchased by the Government of Malta which is being restored for future visitors, you can enjoy a more immediate royal experience in the meantime, by heading to the Hotel Phoenicia’s ballroom, where walls are decorated with black and white photos from this time.
Tim recommends that if you are travelling to the old city of Mdina at any time of the day, then you should travel there in the late evening. “At this time of the day, the crowds seem to fizzle away, and you are left alone with twisting, aged streets illuminated in a film-noir fashion by occasional lamplight. Wandering the streets with hardly anyone around is a surreal experience – and for anyone keen on photography, it is a great time to get some atmospheric photographs.” The only people you’re likely to encounter are couples strolling around arm in arm while heading to the old city’s many excellent bars and restaurants. He continued, “Our group ended the evening by dining on delicious Italian-style food in the delightful Trattoria AD 1530.”
As a travel destination, Malta often flies under the radar, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. The country’s unique blend of cultural influences and stunning scenery make it one of our favourite places to visit all year round, due to the temperate climate. Whether you’re looking to explore the ancient streets of Mdina, admire the dramatic coastlines at Fungus Rock or follow in the footsteps of royalty at the Hotel Phoenicia, there’s something to surprise and delight every visitor on this beautiful Mediterranean island. If you’d like to find out more about our trips to Malta for an unforgettable Maltese experience, contact a member of the Headwater team today, or browse our trips here.
