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One of my favourite snacks in Malta has to be hobz biz-zeit. It is a thick cut slice of bread with olive oil, tomato paste, tuna, capers onion and olives. There are many variations on this but this is my favorite recipe. I prefer this to any breakfast cereals or croissants and it also makes for an excellent lunch too.
At the north of the island are a number of small bays. One of them is Armier. My cousin and his family own a summer house here and they often come here for the weekends in the summer. They meet up with friends and other family members. We joined them one Sunday and I can honestly say that it was the best day of our holiday. We went out on my cousins' boat to Comino and Gozo, we had a BBQ and generally relaxed with them all.
Although there are a great variety of designs and finishing details, Maltese traditional balconies can be broadly classified under two categories. These are the open type, which can either be in stone or wrought iron with more rare wooden ones, and then there is the more striking closed wooden balcony. Open stone balconies are the oldest type to be seen in Malta. They are most common in the older inhabited areas such as Mdina. Valletta also had its share of such balconies but many of these were later converted into closed wooden ones. The open stone balcony also has a long tradition in Gozo where the working of stone has always been a major craft.
The Greatest event in Malta. A can't miss attraction if you're visiting Malta in Easter Holidays. Several villages around Malta hold this annual Festival with great effort and dedication. The following is common in all processions. Hundreds of pagaent biblical costumes ranging from a four year old boy holding a lamb to an eighy year old dressed up as Moses, Penitents dragging heavy chains tied to theor ankles and others dragging a cross. An average of ten statues represent certain episodes from the last moments of Christ. Each statue is following a group of Roman or Jewish soldiers. Most of these statues are considered priceless and some date back to the Knights of St John in early 1600's. Background music - The bugle and funeral marches. Many tours are organised for tourists. If you want to save money, go to Valletta or Mosta ( both are well organised) and catch a bus back to your...
Fireworks are normally enjoyed on one-off special occasions throughout the world. Usually on 4th of July, Guy Fawkes, New Year's day or National Day. For the Maltese, it's a daily occurance during the summer months in every Village festa celebrated. And it's not just quantity, but also topline quality !! See my Village Festa tip for a background idea. An hour non stop show with synchronized music is getting more common. A good tip for some of the best shows is 14th/15th August in Mqabba or Qrendi, 6th/7th August at Lija and both Zurrieq festas. Click on photo to see more pics.
Every village in Malta has got at least one Parish Chirch, at least one Patron Saint, at least one villge band club, at least one firework factory and so on. Said at least cause the MAltese have a way for these festas they go all out. It's not unusual for a village with 1500 inhabitants, celebrate two independant festas with their respective band club, statue, firework show etc. A typical festa has got ALL of the following in the agenda: Churches decorated with hundreds of coloured bulbs, and it's interior covered from top to floor with damasc or other fine textiles, band marches, firework shows, giggifogu ( street pyrotechnics), full week of celebrations, local delicacy stands selling 'Qubbajt' , fast food kiosks, street lighting decoration, toys stands, beer soaked party people, boisterous crowds and of course the village 'idol' - the Patron Saint leading a handful of the non mentioned...
In Christmas time, hundreds of volunteers around the island setup their traditional Crib. This comes to life with Nativity figurines known locali as 'Pasturi'. The pasturi represent Virgin Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the shepherds, animals and other carachters. Some of the cribs have their figurines dressed up with local folklore dress. A great work of art is appreciated in these creative cribs. Most of them are appx 10' x10' large, with trickling water simulating a stream, mechanical windmills, flickering bulbs simulating bonfires and such other details. Material used for the crib is endless such as papier-mache', cork, polyesterene, rocks, wax, wood, bogwood etc. Click on pic to see more related photos.
Traditionally, Mdian with it's Cathedral dedicated to the apostles Peter and Paul, was the focal point for the Maltese farming population to gather in the ancient city, beautifuly lit up for the occasion, and celebrate both the saints feast and the harvest festival. Mnarja is celebrated on June 29th on a national scale. A typical Maltese folklore festival with plenty of music, folk dancing, crop and farm animals competition, feasting and colourful horses and donkey races. It is characterised by a nightlong picnic at Buskett Garden, Rabat, on the eve of st Peter & st Paul's feast. The traditional singing ‘l-ghana’ is a simple and spontaneous songs of the Maltese peasantry. Click on pic to see more photos.
Carnival is a festival that lasts 5 days, whereas Sunday and Mardi Gras are the highlights. Children and adolescents dress up in typically bright and colorful costumes. Mostly theyrepresent fantasy heroes, heroines, animals, knights etc. Furthermore, huge carnival carriages are made, very artistically decorated with many pop-up functions to stun thepublic at Freedom Square! They will be marching and singing through Republic Streetand it is certainly worth visiting Valletta for this spectacle. The spectacle will be moderatedin Maltese language only.
Horses are still a favored means of transportation in both Malta and Gozo. In rural areas you will often see a two-wheeler being pulled by a horse and a man sitting in the small carriage!This is unique of Malta and goes back to history, when the Maltese Knights still used manyhorses. There is also a hippodrome which you can visit near Tarxien.
Hotel Phoenicia Malta Valletta
6 Reviews and 726 Opinions We stayed at the Phoenicia for 7 nights and I was happy we did. It is ideally located just outside...
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Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort & Spa Gozo
2 Reviews and 264 Opinions Good room, huge bed. Booked direct with hotel and beat best Internet prices! Am writing this from my...
The Xara Palace Mdina
5 Reviews and 81 Opinions I did not stay in this hotel, but I passed by it, when walking through the old town of Mdina. b.t.w....
Reviews and photos of Malta attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Malta sightseeing.
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Q: Hello, A question on Xlendi for those who know it. Looking at photos, I get the impression that you need to climb the steps set...
A: Xlendi is a village in Gozo. There is a beach and a rock you can climb if you like to see the sea from afar. You can avoid to do thins thing. I liked this little...
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