MALTA

We are nearing the end of March, also an end to the 1^st quarter of the year! We thank God for his grace and for keeping us. It has been a wonderful year so far and am grateful. Thank you Lord Jesus!

I know that many parents and other holiday cohorts are preparing in advance for the summer trip. Some are beginning to fill visa forms, others are making budget list and generally imagining the summer vacation.

 

Don’t join the usual trend of traveling to same old country that you are used to. You, the kids am sure are bored by now of visiting the same place year in year out. Why not seek a different kind of adventure! If you are one of those whom summer travels revolves around PARIS, ITALY, LONDON, why not try another kind of adventure! VISIT MALTA this time and you would thank me for it! 

YEA – MALTA! 

Malta is a nation in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. It's a nation known for historic sites related to a succession of rulers including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British.
 

Its capital is called Valleta! MALTA is a nation with a population of about 400,000 people. It is very close to Italy, its major religion is Catholicism and is also part of the Schengen States community.

MALTA apparently is a beautiful country for vacation. Its people are friendly and since they speak English, it is easy to interact with its natives. 

They are also very cultural. Do you know that they have quirky traditions, myths and superstitious believes such as avoidance of cemeteries during the months leading up to childbirth, avoiding the preparation of certain foods during menses. Pregnant women are encouraged to satisfy their cravings for specific foods, out of fear that their unborn child will bear a representational birth mark etc. Traditionally, Maltese newborns are baptised as promptly as possible, should the child die in infancy without receiving this vital Sacrament; and partly because according to Maltese (and Sicilian) folklore an unbaptised child is not yet a Christian.
 

Asides vacation, if you are thinking of immigrating to the Europe with your family, this is one country you should consider. Their education and healthcare is one of the best in the world. In January 2014 Malta started granting citizenship for a €650,000 contribution plus investments, contingent on residence and criminal background requirements – quite pricey I know but these package is the high-class or for those who can afford it.

Due to influences by the British and Italians they have one of the best architectural designs in the world just like Finland. MALTA is one country with beautiful towns and is good for sightseeing and exploring. You do not have to visit the beaches to have fun in Malta!

Their cuisines are usually a mix of French, Italian, British and even Spanish cuisines. They have this Maltese type of bread called FTIRA that is lovely. 



Notable places in MALTA to have fun include: 

Grand Masters Palace 

This is the administrative centre of Malta and has been for the past 3½  centuries. The original palace, built in 1571, was the seat of the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitalliers of St John and later, during the British colonial period, served as the Governor’s palace. Today it is home to the House of Representatives of Malta and the office of the President of the Republic of Malta. When not hosting functions of state, the state apartment magnificent halls at first floor are open to the public.
 

The Council Chamber is home to a rare collection of exotic Gobelin tapestries depicting hunting scenes from different continents. The State Dining Room is adorned with portraits of the Presidents of Malta and one painting of Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Malta. The Supreme Council Hall is decorated with a cycle of twelve frescoes by Mattia Perez d’Aleccio depicting the Great Siege of 1565. The Ambassador’s Hall and main corridors are lined with portraits of European monarchs and Grand Masters of the Order. 

Upper Barrakka Gardens
This is a public garden in Valletta, Malta. It offers a panoramic view of the Grand harbor. It constitutes a grand array of Romanesque arches, balustrades and promenades. 

It has a greenery gardens that is lush and splendid. You can stroll through it and it is a beautiful place for pictures. The parks have several monuments and memorials which are designated to different prominent people. It is a very magnificent sight seeing place in Malta. It also has bars, cafes, fountains and relaxation centres.
  





Malta National Aquarium
OK! For me this is a must see spot in MALTA. It is just MAGNIFICENT. It is like taking a stroll under the ocean without being wet, yet witnessing life under the water. You could spend the whole day here without realizing it.

The Point (Sliema) Malta

This is the largest retail mall in Malta. It consists of everything you want to buy and also a good stop for window shopping and selfies. 



















Merchant street
Merchant street is a busy shopping street in Valletta. This is a local street market that also has a lot of stuffs on displays. Affordable goods, veggies, Malta cuisines, Malta souvenirs and merchs, cafes etc. It is a fun place to be as you can relate with the locals and trust me, you will definitely not leave here empty handed. There is a lot of cart-away on this street.

There are other sightseeing places in Malta such as  - Sunday fish market, St. John’s Cathedral, Valletta Waterfont, Casa Rocca Piccola, The Citadel Victoria, Azure window (Island of Gozo) a lot of places to visit, explore and satisfy your adventure in MALTA.

So start planning that next trip to MALTA! 

XOXO!!!