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malta
a story to tell. These venues capture the essence of Malta’s historical character without compromising on luxury or romantic ambience. Examples include Trabuxu (trabuxuboutiqueliving. com), Palazzo D’Orange (
palazzoprincemalta.com), and Palazzo San Pawl (
livinginvalletta.com).
Tourism talk “We are expecting the fi nal fi gures (for 2014) to show another remarkably successful year for Malta, with over 1.6
million tourists visiting. The British market is very important to us, making up 33% of the total, and this year it is forecast to be up by over fi ve per cent on last year. “We have made a concentrated effort to make Malta accessible from both national and regional airports. Our national carrier, Air Malta, offers the most frequent service, with twice-daily fl ights from Heathrow, dailies from Gatwick, fi ve a week from Manchester and regular fl ights from other regional airports. We are also excited by the extensive programme of fl ights that Jet2 is starting in May. “We punch above our weight on the marketing
side, and work closely with the trade to reinforce our USPs. We hosted the ITT conference in June, with 400 senior trade fi gures, and the AITO conference at the end of December. “Our extensive calendar of events through
the year offers something for every type of traveller. The events start as early as January with the Valletta International Baroque Festival, and continue with the Fireworks in April, the Jazz Festival and Gozo’s Opera Festival. “We recently celebrated 50 years of independence with a visit from Prince William. We were also favoured by Hollywood royalty when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie chose to have a working honeymoon making a fi lm together on Gozo.” Alex Incorvaja, UH Head of the Malta Tourist Board
Where to book it PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS – 01425 480400
Seven nights in May start from £794pp, staying at Hilton Malta with a marina view on a B&B basis. Flights are with easyJet from Gatwick and private taxi transfer. This price represents a
saving of £58 per couple if booked by March 31.
prestigeholidays.co.uk BELLEAIR HOLIDAYS – 0845 365 3400 Historic Malta for Single Travellers is an eight- day tour including Valletta, a harbour cruise and folklore evening, staying at the four-star San Antonio Hotel. From £939pp it departs May 12. Historic Gems is an eight-day tour including Valletta, the Blue Grotto, Rabat, and Mdina, staying at the fi ve-star Radisson Blu Resort, St Julians. It departs May 13 and leads in at £1049pp, including door-to-door transfers.
belleair.co.uk EXPLORE – 0844 499 0904 Malta and Gozo by Bike is an eight-day tour that includes Valletta, Mdina, and the Ggantija temples in Gozo. Departing March and April 2015 it is priced from £998pp and includes return fl ights, seven nights’ hotel accommodation B&B, bike hire, transport and tour leader, cycle guide and driver.
explore.co.uk THOMAS COOK – 0844 412 5970 The operator offers seven nights in Mellieha Bay from £549pp. Included is the four-star DB Seabank Resort & Spa on an all-inclusive basis, fl ying from Manchester on April 21. Airtours offers seven nights in Sliema from £429pp, at the three-star Plaza Regency, half- board, fl ying from Manchester on March 31.
thomascook.com OCEANIA – 0845 505 1920 An 11-night Exotic Mediterranean cruise is priced from £2089. Departing May 20 from Istanbul, it takes in Izmir, Santorini, Malta, Tunisia, Spain, and Portugal.
oceaniacruises.com
WHO FLIES THERE
airmalta.com;
batraveltrade.com;
easyJet.com;
ryanair.com;
Thomascookairlines.com;
Thomson.co.uk;
Jet2.com
“Have dinner at Ta’ Frenc. Gozo’s top restaurant is an
elegant 400-year-old farmhouse with its own herb garden. Pricey, but delicious French and Maltese cuisine – flambé a speciality –
and a choice of 700 wines” JULIET RIX, AUTHOR OF MALTA & GOZO, THE BRADT GUIDE
Clockwise from top: the old streets of capital Valletta; cuisine has become an important element of a Malta holiday; the resort of Marsascala
sellingtravel.co.uk
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