Malta Jazz Festival: the July event attracts world-famous musicians
Isle of MTV:
will.i.am lights up the stage
Festa: a
traditional festival in Naxxar village
SAMPLE PRODUCT
features baroque music composed around the time the capital was built, with atmospheric concerts in historic buildings such as Teatru Manoel, St John’s Co-Cathedral and the President’s Palace. Also bringing tradition to the
fore is Ghanafest, a three-day celebration of folk singing held in June in Floriana’s tranquil Argotti Botanical Gardens, while over in Gozo, Festival Mediterranea in late October recounts the smaller island’s history through opera, classical music and crafts. Those with more modern tastes should make a beeline for the Malta Jazz Festival, held outdoors at Ta’ Liesse, overlooking Valletta’s famous Grand Harbour,
on the third weekend each July. Celebrating its 25th birthday next year, the event attracts giants of the jazz scene and is so popular that nearby hotels have started getting involved. The Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta hosted a Jazz on the Fringe event this year with music in its Rotunda and an art installation by festival founder Charles ‘City’ Gatt. Hotel sales and
marketing director Rob Bruno says: “We were delighted with the success of this year’s Jazz on the Fringe event, and hope to do something similar for next
year. It was a big hit with both the hotel guests and other visitors who joined us for the evening.” To enjoy fine wine along with fine music, Classic Collection Holidays
Carnival: festive floats
recommends its guests try the Delicata festival in early August, held in Valletta’s Upper
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travelweekly.co.uk — 4 September 2014
Barraka Gardens. Sample more than 30 local wines – including some from Maltese grapes girgentina and gellewza – on a wander through these peaceful gardens, while listening to classical, jazz and chill-out music, and sampling local dishes of rabbit and suckling pig.
l CULTURE CLUB
The rest of the arts scene is just as wide-
ranging. The Malta Arts Festival comprises dance, theatre, art and music each July, held in interesting venues such as the Old Opera House ruins in Valletta. This year’s performances included a modern circus, a Shakespeare play, a Malta Philharmonic Orchestra concert and an independent film festival. Entrance prices vary from free to €25, but devotees can buy a three-event ticket for €30 or two-week festival pass for €100. Cultural events also make a
great excuse to maximise off-peak sales. Notte Bianca, on Saturday, October 4, sees Valletta come alive after dark. Prestige Holidays marketing manager Nicky Shafe says: “It’s a spectacular night-long celebration of culture and arts.
Prestige Holidays offers a week’s B&B at Hotel Excelsior during Notte Bianca from £999, including easyJet flights departing Gatwick on October 1, and private transfers.
prestigeholidays.co.uk
Kirker Holidays has a week-long escorted tour to the Valletta International Baroque Festival, departing January 10, including Heathrow flights, B&B accommodation, six concert tickets, excursions and a lecturer, from £1,989.
kirkerholidays.com
Classic Collection Holidays offers a week’s B&B at The Xara Palace in Mdina from £1,157 to coincide with several village festas in August, including flights and private transfers.
classic-collection.co.uk
Singles specialist Solos offers a 14-night Christmas tour departing December 22 staying half-board at Hotel Fortina in Sliema, with Christmas Eve meal, Gatwick flights, harbour cruise and sessions in the thalasso pool, from £1,299.
solosholidays.co.uk
FAST FACT
Jet2.com will
start a weekly service from
Leeds Bradford to Malta on May 23, 2015
PICTURES:
VIEWINGMALTA.COM/MTV/RENE ROSSIGNAUD
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