I've been to Malta three times up to now and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Because of that many people have asked me what to do when you are there - I tend however to go the other way and recommend things that need to be avoided, which what I'm going to do now as well.
1) If you go on a package holiday DO NOT use your travel agent to book you excursions (if you want to do any that is). We have travelled there twice with Thompson Holidays and found that they offered EXACTLY the same things with local travel agents at ridiculously high prices. As an example "Discover Gozo" (which is the second biggest island of Malta) costs for 2006, 17.00 Maltese pounds with Thompsons (including lunch and ferry travel) while with Nova Tours (which is one of the most decent local travel agents) costed 6 Maltese pounds (without lunch however and ferry travel which is 2 Maltese pounds return travel). Needless to say we went with Nova and believe me we went everythere. (In order to be fair with Thompsons I didn't compare Nova Tours' prices with their "Discover Gozo -Select" package which is costed at 31!!! Maltese pounds. They are promoting it by saying "maximum 17 persons - personal service", which is what we got with Nova anyway).
2) If you are approached by Radisson group to "spend a morning at their new hotel" DO NOT go, unless you are prepared and willing to buy a timeshare. We were approached during our "welcome meeting", we were told that this was a "no purchase necessary visit" and the promotion was done in order to "know more about Radisson and tell your friends about it". We were lured by their free gift, we went there and instead of a presentation about the hotel, we were brainwashed for 2 hours to buy a "place in the sun" and when we declined we faced a furious manager who asked us "why do you want to miss such a good opportunity".
3) If you are not an adventurous and risky type of person, do not hire a car. The reason for that is simple: Maltese people drive like mad (red lights, stop signs etc mean nothing to them) and for the time we spent on the road, it really seems a miracle to me that we didn't experience a car crash (we almost did twice though). On the other hand, public transport is quite frequent and cheap, so you can travel almost anywhere without fearing for your life.
4) If you are a student DO NOT rely on your U.K. student card. Make sure you buy an ISIC (international student identity card that is), which will ensure that you will get a very good discount to all tourist attractions and in a good number of shops as well. No student discounts exist however on public transport.
5) I'm sorry to dissapoint any fellow Maltese Ciao members, but if you are into archaeological sites visit Greece- not Malta. Malta has a rich medieval history, an enormous number of beautiful churches, magnificent natural beauties but not any archaeological sites that are open to public and are worth of visiting. This is clearly presented in the Archaeological Museum of Malta in Valetta - if you go there, you have been everywhere.
and finally,
6) Do not hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Maltese people are generally very helpful and kind, therefore if you need anything just ask. They will be happy to help.
If you visit Malta, enjoy yourself! And do not forget - Malta doesn't have many sandy beaches, so do not go there just for that - you will be dissapointed.
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went to malta in 1991and totally agree with your review.We did find at that time if you took english money they would reduce the price of goods etc.We loved the rickety ex south american type buses.Travelled all over on these quite cheaply.Loved the way they made an attraction out of anything ie the film set from popeye.(good beach ther though)
Sal4Mike 05.08.2006 11:48
Nice idea to tell us the things to avoid! Enjoyed your review. tc x Sal x
neeraum31 29.07.2006 11:16
Excellent idea, telling the bad points, I went to Malta years ago, and I hated it, I've heard a saying somewhere you either love it or hate it! I would never go back :-)
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Advantages: Relaxing , easy to understand currency, friendly people and easy to get about. Disadvantages: Not many sandy beaches and not a place for Club 18-30 !!
cool4cats 17.05.2001 (17.05.2001)
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Review of General: Malta
Jul 27th, 2006
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