SHORT HAUL: Malta
of Valletta, features
an 18-hole golf course, miniature golf, 18 tennis
courts, squash courts and cricket grounds. Malta regularly wins praise for its scuba diving, based on its crystal-clear waters, fl eet of sunken vessels and stunning rock formations. Visitors who like a little pampering
have plenty of spa options, like Ayurvedic treatments at the Kempinski San Lawrenz Spa in Gozo or thalassotherapy at the Spa Mediterranée at the Fortina in Sliema. Sister island Gozo has a much more laid-back and rustic vibe and is popular for divers, walkers and its farmhouse-style self-catering cottages. Renting a jeep is the best way to soak up Gozo’s laid-back atmosphere. Take in the fresh sea air and the fragrant countryside as you bump along the rough tracks and glimpse cornfl ower-blue bays and sleepy Mediterranean villages. Gozo’s Ramla Bay is perhaps the best beach, a large stretch of bright orange sand backed by countryside and spiky cactuses and the mythical Calypso’s Cave. Smaller beaches are found at pretty fi shing villages Xlendi and Marsalforn, also
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well served by quayside
restaurants and bars. Gozo’s Ggantija temples
are said to be the world’s oldest free- standing and religious structures, pre-dating both the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge. Valletta will be crowned European
Capital of Culture in 2018 – the smallest city to have ever won the accolade. Bidding cities must prove they have prepared a cultural programme which will have a lasting impact and contribute to the long- term cultural and social development of the city.
Tourism talk “Visitor numbers are increasing year on year; 1,440,000 in 2012 when we welcomed 200,000 more visitors than in 2007 – a record year for tourism. “Moreover, visitors spent nearly 12.5 million nights in Malta last year. We are upgrading our heritage sites, embellishing public spaces, creating new visitor attractions and improving the infrastructure –2013 looks set to be yet another record year.” Alex Incorvaja, UK & Ireland Director Malta Tourism
What’s new Airlines: Air Malta and The
Malta Tourism Authority launched a travel trade winter offer in November, which runs until March 24 2013. It offers return fl ights for one agent plus an accompanying guest from as little as €50 per person. Visit mta.
com.mt/pepoffers to claim. Monarch will fl y twice-weekly to Malta from East Midlands, starting May 7 and on sale now. Operators: Specialist tour
operator Belleair Holidays has expanded its fl ight portfolio this year, adding departures from four new airports, two new airlines and offering agents the option of booking directly online and tailoring their clients’ fl ight choices by choosing their preferred departure airport and carrier. They can also now see a range of other carriers for the same route. New UK departures are available from Edinburgh, Luton, Bournemouth and London Stansted and through Ryanair and Small Planet Airlines from Gatwick, starting in June. Belleair now includes cruise product in its brochure, with the Costa Favolosa cruise programme, exclusive to the operator.
The seven-night Costa cruise
departs from Malta but also takes in Sicily, Naples, Savona in Italy, Barcelona and Majorca, before returning to Malta. Pre- and post- night stays are also available. Hotels: Maritim Antonine Hotel
& Spa, in Malta’s Mellieha has opened a new Mediterranean Bistro – Al Ponte. The restaurant, with expansive views of the bay, features Mediterranean dishes, with live cooking on select nights.
Where to book it BELLEAIR HOLIDAYS – 0845 365 3412
Seven nights at the four-star Topaz Hotel costs from £244pp, based on two adults sharing a standard room, B&B, with return fl ights on Ryanair from Stansted, return transfers and entrance to a local Malta attraction. Seven nights at the fi ve-star Radisson Blu Hotel, St Julian’s costs from £399pp based on two adults sharing a standard room and the above extras.
belleair.co.uk/agents
Anti-clockwise from top left: Mdina and the Xara Palace Hotel; prickly pear; a bright sandy beach; Mdina streets and bougainvillea
selling tip
“For nightlife and a wide variety of restaurants stay in St. Julian’s or Valletta. For peace and quiet, choose Mdina”
XARA PALACE
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