Hi everyone, just back from a week's holiday in Malta. Well not exactly 'just!' By the time the review was written, three weeks gone already. We went during the February half term- all of us- our family of four. Like any other holiday destination- there is lot to see and do in Malta. I will tell you where to go and what to see if you only had a week- like us.

Flying to Malta is not expensive, you will be able to get a lot of cheap flights - outside school holidays- could be as low as £65 with British Airways, but during school holidays, these swell up to £200! We spend about £185 with Air Malta. Flight time from Heathrow is 3 hours. Time difference- UK and Malta is + 1 hour.

In most holidays car hire is a must, but we were impressed by Malta's public transport system. Buses offer a cheap and efficient way of touring the Island. The main bus terminus is at Valletta from where buses operate to all parts of Malta, although there are also direct, point to point, services. The bus service is divided in zones and cost of a bus travel ranges from 20 cents to 50 cents. Zone 1 - 20cents, zone 1& 2 - 25 cents; zone 1, 2 &3 50 cents. The longest bus journey takes about fifty minutes; the average ride is between 20 and 30 minutes. You can buy an all day ticket valid for 24 hours for 1.50 Lm- which is a good way to tour round the island and then decide where you wish to spend more time to see things!

Valletta: Valletta is the capital city of Malta and has lovely buildings. The Governor's residence is called Buckingham palace. We got a picture outside that. Valetta was holding a carnival (16-20 Feb) and the entire city was in festive mood. Most school children of local schools were a part of this celebration. The time of Carnival is four days preceding Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Things to see here are - National Museum of Fine Arts- housed in a lovely palace called 'Admiralty House'. St John's cathedral- you will not be able to imagine its grandness from outside. This was built in 1572 as the conventional church of the Order and the Knights. There is also a museum here which has all the nice paintings- some are quite large in size.

If you have another day could go to- National war museum, National Museum of Archaeology or better if you could see the upper Barraka gardens- which is on high grounds and gives an excellent view of the harbour.

Fort St. Angelo: currently a military site- this fort was built in 1530 and stands on a beautiful spot of the island- surrounded the sea on three sides.

The grotto and neighbouring sea caves mirror have a unique blue turquoise colour. see my pictures. There is plenty of underwater flora. There is a boat service to the caves. If you are there early - you will be able to see a unique sunrise. Boating to the caves does not operate if sea is rough or in high tides or difficult wind conditions.

Pictures of General: Malta

Mdina alleyway

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When you travel around the island, you will notice that there is not much of un-populated area. Land is a major problem. Lot of investment properties are being sold- which makes local inhabitants difficult to buy a house.

Sliema is a busy town full of shops like The Plaza Shopping Centre (Malta's largest), restaurants, cafes, the largest group of hotels in Malta, a number of night-spots, including the Casino- Dragonara, popular beaches and beach clubs with water sports facilities. This has most of the shops which you find in the high streets of UK. It has lots of holiday apartments, and appears thriving all year round.

You should not miss a visit to the Dragonara Casino - built over the land overlooking the ocean with a 360 degree view of the ocean. Food is very good and at a very reasonable price. Plenty of slot machines, poker tables etc are there. You have to get a membership card to enter. This card is issued on the spot if you have an ID. You get a complimentary cake and coffee as well!

GOZO- is about 20 minutes away by ferry (cost of transfer is 2 Lm for adults and 50 cents for child up to age 12). The locals pay a third of fare paid by tourists. This island is about one third the size of Malta and is quite different from main island. It is primarily fishing and farming community and the countryside is greener and more spectacular. Many colourful fishing boats are there in the harbour. Lot of development activity is going on.

Its main thing to see is temples of Ggantija- meaning place of giants. They were believed to be built around 4000 years BC. The temples are very well preserved and visited by lot of tourists. In high tide ferry service to Gozo also gets cancelled and the island is cut off.

Food: No holiday is complete without knowing about food. Maltese food has lot of Italian influence. Even the quiches smelt like pizzas! Food is cheap in some bars. Like any other place- lot of Chinese restaurants are around. You will be able to get a good size dinner for 5 Lm in a bar, but in a good restaurant- will cost around 25030 Lm. Malta special food is rabbit and /or steak cooked in a spicy tomato sauce. My husband said it was really good- I did not feel like having it! Local beer is light and tastes good. Must try Maltese liqueurs - in prickly pear, Anisette and honey flavours. They also sell a digestive liqueur- which is an excellent bitter sweet balance. New and unheard cocktails are worth a try!