TRIED & TESTED:
Corinthia Hotel St George’s Bay
The former fishing village of St Julian’s, five miles north of Valletta, has become a hub for the island’s five-star hotels, nightlife and restaurant scene. The 250-room Corinthia resort provides the best of both worlds as it occupies a quiet spot on the headland, but Paceville is just a five-minute walk down the road. Rooms are well-appointed,
and for clients celebrating a special occasion or looking for extra peace and quiet it’s worth upgrading to the executive club floor where the comfortable lounge serves breakfast, snacks and hosts a daily happy hour. Away from the main Fra Martino Restaurant, serving buffet breakfast and dinner, other restaurant options offer a more intimate and diverse experience, including the excellent Caviar & Bull serving modern Mediterranean cuisine with a side order of stunning waterside views and the casual Henry J Bean’s bar and grill. From classic massages to a chocolate body indulgence, the spa offers a wide range of treatments and, outside, five pools cascade down to a private rocky beach.
corinthia.com
St John’s Co-Cathedral
historical treasures, peaceful countryside and a flying time of less than three hours. However, there’s much more to Malta than might meet the eye. Excellent diving conditions, rugged rural landscapes, spas, cuisine, nightlife and a good range of accommodation – from rustic farmhouses to luxury hotels – offer something for outdoor enthusiasts, couples and families. Malta Tourism Authority is also promoting the island as a winter destination for active breaks, cultural events and festivals. A further boost to selling is just
around the corner. In 2018 the capital Valletta becomes European Capital of Culture, and new public spaces have already been created to host events in the run-up to the landmark year.
l OLD MALTA Compact Valletta, where the striking baroque architecture was created by the ruling knights, packs in plenty of culture. Top attraction is ornately decorated St John’s Co-Cathedral which is home to two of the Italian artist Caravaggio’s most important works: The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Jerome Writing. The literal high spot is Upper Barrakka Gardens, the city’s highest point, which provides far-reaching views across Grand Harbour, a mix of ancient port and modern cruise terminal. For a different perspective
you can take an inexpensive harbour cruise on a dghajsa, the traditional Maltese wooden boat once used to ferry sailors ashore. Mdina, Malta’s first capital during the time of the knights, is another must-see area, where imposing fortified walls lead to a labyrinth of small streets lined by
medieval and baroque buildings. Visitors can hire horse-drawn carriages for an atmospheric trip around Valletta and Mdina. More heritage transport is provided by the distinctive old buses: once used on all the bus routes, a few are now preserved for tourist trips. A 25-minute ferry ride away is
green Gozo, Malta’s smaller and quieter sister. In the centre of the island are the landmark Ggantija Temples, built 7,000 years ago and the world’s oldest freestanding structures (pre-dating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by more than 1,000 years). Fishing and agriculture are Gozo’s main industries and sea salt has been produced for centuries at the coastal village of Marsalforn. Another natural attraction is the Blue Lagoon on the tiny traffic-free island of Comino, also served by a regular ferry service. Agents can book trips to coincide with Malta’s many festivals. One of the biggest is the carnival tradition in spring, dating back hundreds of years. The heart of the action takes place in
56 •
travelweekly.co.uk — 30 April 2015
FAST FACT
Kirker Holidays has added a
five-night Heritage &
History of Malta & Gozo tour, from £1,396, with a November 4 departure
PICTURES: MTA/MARIO GALEA;
VIEWINGMALTA.COM/GIOVANNI MARONI
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