We have now arrived in Malta but before we left Monforte d’Alba , we decided to reminisce and do a walk through the vineyards which we had done 2 years ago!

It was just as we remembered , lots of hills , ups and downs but very pretty. It was a pleasure to return to Elena and Pippo’s apartment and we enjoyed a lovely lunch with them. We now have an “Italian family” as well as a Swiss and French Family! Thank you to Elena and Pippo , it was fantastic to see you again and we will definitely return!

We spent a rather long day in the car driving from Monforte to Rome Airport. Only a couple of little “hiccups” along the way! We nearly ran out of petrol (we broke our golden rule of filling up when down to half a tank regardless of the price) and we nearly left our passports at the airport.

We arrived in Valletta at 10.30pm and Mark , our host kindly met us and drove us to our “home” for our 6 night stay. It is a beautiful renovated apartment with a traditional Maltese Balcony which are found all over the city.

 

 

On our first day we decided to wander around the beautiful old walled city. It was established in the 1500’s by the Knights of St John, a Roman Catholic Order. Our first stop was the magnificent Baroque St Johns Co Cathedral. It has a rather plain exterior , but OMG the opulent interior was amazing.

 

It was completed in 1577 and dedicated to St John the Baptist. It’s painted vaulted ceiling and marble floor covered in over 400 tombstones of knights was amazing. Each tombstone is adorned with the Coat of Arms of it’s “occupant”. We must say it was up there at the top of the list of one of the most magnificent interiors of a Cathedral we have ever seen……..and we have seen quite a few!!!!!

 

The streets of Valletta (called the city of Golden Stone) are amazing, quite up and down ….good for the knees????…..and the architecture is great.

 

Rhonda was excited to have her first “sea bass” meal and she wasn’t disappointed.

 

We went to great restaurant, recommended to us by our host, on the wharf and had a great meal with a few glasses of Maltese Rose , which was pretty good!

 

 

Of course we have already found some good coffee spots , but our favourite (so far) is the rather stately Café Cortina (1944) and it also has 2 for 1 Aperol Spritz Aperitivis after 3pm which Rhonda is very happy about!

 

The fortifications of Valletta are massive and we visited the Fort St Elmo (UNESCO listed) built in 1552. The views from the walls were pretty spectacular!

 

Inside the Fort was the National War Museum which proved to be very interesting. We did learn that in 1942 Malta became the most “bombed place on earth” , in total 15000 tonnes of bombs were dropped on the Island.

We are loving the architecture here, particularly the balconies. Some are in desperate need of repairs however the Government is now financially supporting people who wish to restore their wooden balconies.

 

The corner balcony of The Grand Masters Palace ,(above)  built in 1679 was the first to become enclosed with a wood and glass structure, so hence, after that it became fashionable.

 

 

The next day we took a boat ride across the Grand Harbour to The Three Cities, dating back to Phoenician times, and where the first capital of Malta was situated.

 

 

Although it was hot, it was lovely wandering through the narrow streets of Collachio and seeing the beautiful buildings that the Knights had built as their Inns when they first arrived in 1530…..and still standing today! It was great to get out of the hustle and bustle of Valletta for a while , and meander through the lanes with very few people,

 

This morning we “jumped” on the bus and headed to Marsaxlokk , one of Malta’s prettiest and most authentic fishing ports.

 

The harbour is filled with brightly coloured “luzzus” , the traditional fishing boats.

 

We arrived with heaps of other tourists , as Sunday is fish market day , however our lunch was sensational.

 

Yes …….you guessed it……..grilled sea bass and pistachio cake, washed down with a bottle of rose! One of our best lunches…….so far!

As it’s now after 3pm…….it’s time for a 2 for 1 Aperol Spritz!

so it’s addiju……….that’s goodbye in Maltese!

Cheers

Greg and Rhonda.