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MALTA


LOCALS’ TIPS


MALTESE LOCAL: CARINA DIMECH


“If you want a taste of the ‘new’ Malta, ironically, it’s time to visit some of the oldest bits. Valletta and the three cities was exceptionally traditional,


mostly residential and in some places, particularly the Docklands, abandoned. Now it is one of the trendiest bits of Malta. One of these three cities, Senglea, has recently opened up beautiful, luxury concierge suites (ursulinovalletta.com/en/concierge), which are available for short-term rent.”


MALTESE RESIDENT: AMY LLOYD


“I’ve lived in Malta for a couple of years and have definitely seen a change in


that time. There’s lots of building work going on; things are happening all the time. In January, a new boutique hotel, the Grand Harbour Sky Villa, opened in Valletta. My favourite place to eat in the ever-more-trendy Sliema is Charles Grech Bistro – it brings a touch of Paris chic to Malta!”


LOCAL TOURIST GUIDE: AUDREY BARTOLO


“One of my favourite things about Malta and Gozo is their mindblowing history. Lots of people don’t realise it’s actually 7,000 years older than both Egypt and Greece! Every time I visit the Ggantija Temples, I marvel – they are the oldest freestanding structure in the world, comprising two Neolithic temples dating from the third millennium BC.”


WINDOW VIEW: The Azure Window limestone arch is among Gozo’s attractions


also gathering a reputation as a popular destination among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) travellers. Just over six months ago, the island moved up to number one on the European Rainbow Map, which highlights the best places for LGBT people to live, overtaking the UK and Belgium.


Malta may be a Roman Catholic stronghold, but attitudes are shifting, albeit in a haphazard way. “The line between liturgy and Liberace in Malta is very thin,” says gay rights activist Gabi Calleja. She adds: “Malta is one of the few countries in the world to pass intersex legislation (in 2015); yet in 2012, the Embryo Protection Act also passed, meaning Malta has no sperm bank. “Divorce was only introduced in 2011


(just 51% voted in favour in a national referendum), a mere three years before the provision of Maltese civil unions (2014). Abortion is still illegal, yet Malta last year introduced a policy for how schools should address transgender and intersex students. We’ve also just granted asylum to a transgender person on that basis.” All this social change and regeneration has injected a high level of energy to the


76 — aspire june 2016


island. Visitors wishing to relax for a few days away from all this innovation can make the 25-minute ferry journey to Malta’s sleepier sister island, Gozo. Here, the five-star Kempinsky residence in San Lawrenz has palatial suites overlooking tropical gardens just two kilometres from Gozo’s stunning Azure Window, a natural limestone arch. These offer complimentary use of the hotel’s three swimming pools, fitness centre and hammam. You might also like to book a traditional treatment here to make your client’s stay extra-special.


SAMPLE PRODUCT


Classic Collection Holidays (0800 008 7288; classic-collection.co.uk) offers a seven-night stay in Malta and Gozo from £1,039 per person. This price is based on four nights at Intercontinental Malta; two at Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, Gozo; and one night at The Palace, Malta, with two adults sharing on a bed-and-breakfast basis, including all transfers (private) and return flights. EXPERIENCESCOTTSDALE.COM


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