The info on my reviews are for products i own/ have extensive use. Always trying to be more indepth...
The info on my reviews are for products i own/ have extensive use. Always trying to be more indepth so if you wish to msg me suggestions will be very much appreciated. The more info we have the better our judgement and more informed buying decisions :-)
Member since:14.07.2005
Reviews:11
Ok this is a review on Valletta and also on St. Julian's (St. Julians was requested by a fellow ciao'er)
Firstly St. Julian's. A densely built up area that is geared up for tourists. Honestly I would not recommend so much to stay there unless you are looking to be close to the centre of what is going on in Malta. Like most tourist areas, the food is not the best and also not the cheapest. There are some good restaurants and bars but they tend to be heavily crowded, especially in summer. It is also more expensive than other areas of Malta.
St. Julians in my opinion is not the best place to go as it may dampen your stay. However, if you only stay there just for your hotel and see it once or twice it should not matter that much. It is littered with entertainment, bars, nightlife, casinos, restaurants etc etc. I have not been there for some months but very close is paceville (pronouned: parch vill) Paceville is definately for the younger generation at nights as the clubs come alive till gone 6am. Nightlife for the maltese does not really start until midnight - 2am. Its a fact that Sj. Julians and surrounding area (like Paceville) has the highest concentration of bars, clubs and pubs anywhere on the island.
St. Julians seafront stretches for miles and you will see many a walker or jogger here. Traditionally it is a fishingvillage which still shows evidence of this. Many a maltese traditional boat adorns the waters. The beaches here are rocky though but great for access to swimming and diving, underwater fishing and many other water sports.
Typically, St. Julians promenade is a ritualistic meeting place for locals to get together and talk (the maltese LOVE talking) you say hello and if you
get on your more than likely to end up at their home having dinner!!! this is getting a rarerity now but none the less it still does happen with the elders. People here (like Sliema - pronounced: sleema) like to see and be seen.
St. Julians would be a picturesque fishing village except for high rise apartment blocks that support maltese holiday homes and tourist accommodation...there is so much accommodation here. In fact, St. Julians is quite possibly the most stayed at area in Malta for tourists which is why this once pretty little fishing village now houses more fast food restaurants than fishing boats! During the day it is unfortunate to say that Paceville looks shabby and run down, I really do not advice to go here unless you like pubs up to midnight and then clubs after midnight. There really is nothing at all of interest here to the tourist...St.Julians however is buzzing with people in the day. you may find it difficult to sleep at night if where you are staying is located on a main street. This is why it is not suitable for children. Many a bad review has been written simply because of this fact and thus has ruined what could have been a perfect holiday. Sometimes it really is better to research before booking. I have found this out the hard way too! If your looking to be at the centre of things but a more quieter stay then St. Georges bay is very close to the main area of St. Julians and there is more of bowling and cinema that DJ's and drinking.
St. Julians really has been the focus of a tourist surge and development here is huge. Every scrap of land is being taken up...when will the Maltese learn!
With regards to St. Julians I have not really painted a pretty picture but it needent be that way if your staying there. Late morning and mid afternoon and early evening are fine and can be a treat to see people, shop, eat and the general things but between 12-6am be prepared for an "Ibiza" experience. However, the buses are so plentyful just hope on one and go somewhere to get away from it. Being in the centre St. Julians really isnt far from all the beautiful sights and surroundings of splendor to be seen and there is so very very much to see. Come prepared for what you want to do and it will be a breeze. In the future I may write up a bus list of numbers, destinations (times are incredibly frequent so I wont need to write the times).
Next Valletta. A history and architecture dream. What a city. A city built by gentlemen for gentlemen. A city of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. The population is around 6500. Unfortunately alot of the building are crumbling because the residents simply cannot afford the up keep of such incredible homes. As you walk off the main street you will see quite a few homes with government notices requesting the owners to restore their homes.
The city itself is littered with flights of small steps largely because as you go off the main street (anywhere turning left off the main street) it takes a somewhat steep downward path. The steps however are not of normal dimensions because they were built to allow the knights of Malta in armour (heavy armour) to walk up. However, these steps are very unique and add to the attraction of Valletta.
There is a main bus terminus that at its centre is a very large ornate fountain, this is situated very conveniently just at the entrance to Valletta whose huge arches allow the gateway of access. You can catch a bus to anywhere from here. In fact if you do drive in Malta and you get lost just head to Valletta and you can find your way from there.
As mentioned in one of my previous reviews is The Grandmaster's Palace. It really is incredible to see and is also in Valletta. The floors are covered in multi coloured tiles and it is a true palace. Along the huge corridors coats of armour adorn. Off the main corridor are other rooms which you are able to see. The palace is large inside and offers a glimpse of how life used to be for the Grandmaster.
Lower Barrakka gardens offers a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Inside is a fountain and greenery. There is also a Roman built collum (excellent for shade). It is magnificant to see as it is a very well preserved piece of Roman architecture.
After all this walking you will no doubt be hungry and thirsty! There are some lovely places. Eddies which is in the main street of Valletta in the square has the best waiters, good priced food, and is well prepared and tastes good also. If you like to eat by the water then you need to go to the "waterfront" The waterfront is a place where there are many restaurants that offer good food and a chance to relax by the sea. I have eaten here and the table I sat was a mere 1 foot from the waters edge. There are other little restaurants and cafes that offer different cuisine, some reasonably priced others expensive. It is highly advisable to see the menu/price list before ordering otherwise you may find yourself hit with a big bill. If you see alot of Maltese eating at a certain place you can almost guarantee it will probably be good food...the Maltese are sticklers for good food. If you want a quick snack and your on a diet passtizzis are probably not the best (even though they are extremelly delicious they are filled with the best riccotta cheese) try another maltese tradition... a ftira (pronounced: fu teera) a delicious crusty bread with a drizzle of oil, tomatoe puree or real tomotoes squashed onto the bread, filled with tuna, olives, capers, salad and other little delights. Ftiras are very filling and cost around 30-50 cents. One should fill you up for a couple of hours. I will have to write up a seperate review on restaurants and how good they are in the future.
St. Johns Cathederal does not look so much of a great thing from the outside but inside your hit with astounding ornate view. Each of the chapels inside try and outdo each other in their splendor. As you walk along the floor try and remember one thing...the entire floor is taken by graves of the knights which are very intricately inlaid with many different colours of marble. It has been described as having the most beautiful floor in the world! A definate sight to see I must say. It is without a doubt that St. Johns cathederal is one of the most impressive cathederals in Europe. It does not open after 4.30 though but is open on saturday mornings.
The national war museum is a great place to learn all the history of the war about Malta. A definite place for those with a yearning for war history, history adepts and anyone interested in seeing rare artefacts. You will be looking for hours.
Hastings Gardens is also situated near the entrance, The view is simply magnificant and stunning and a huge area which is especially comforting given the visitors, best to see at sun rise or after 6pm (because Malta is very hot) and there is not such a great deal of shade. From here you can see views of Floriana, Marsamxett Harbour and sea for miles upon miles. The gardens are very high in comparisson to the rest of Malta so you can imagine the view.
Valletta was the works of one man, Jean de la Vallette (the Grand Master) There is a very interesting story as to why Valletta was the headquaters of the knights of Malta. The pope at that time sent his very own architect and also Michelangelo's assistant (albiet at the Grand Masters request) to aid in the assisstance of building Valletta. Valletta was built to primarily act as a defence although the bastions that surround the city were never tested, none the less if you see them you will be in their awe.
I find that when I go to Valletta I get a headache simply because it is very busy with tourists and maltese. Perhaps this is because I have seen the vast majority of sights to see! i get away from the hustle by going to the gardens where I can relax. There is so much more to Valletta and will take a good few full days at least to see everything. It is most advisable to determine the most places of interest for your personality before you go and then make a point to see them first otherwise it is very probably you will be sidetracked by the vast offerings Valletta has.
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