Mr and Ms X often play the ‘name a……..’ game pertaining to the country they are visiting. This time they played ‘Name a Maltese person you know or know of’. This game seemed to be never-ending! What with: Camilleri, Azzopardi, Cauchi, Gauci, Mifsud, Micallef, Vella, Borg, Zammit, Spiteri, Grech, Falzon, Chetcuti, Cassar, Darmanin, Bezzina, Scicluna…………………

There is one name that Ms X has deliberately left from the list as they need special attention (which we know that they would expect and love), MATTIA. Ms X’s long time friend, to be known as Ms M has been telling this pair for years:

“YOU’VE GOT TO GO TO MALTA” said in her dear mum Polly’s accent. So, they listened and went at long last!

To understand Malta the pair soon realised that it was a lot about The Knights of St John who defended the island during the Crusades. So in no particular order, here are these retiree’s top picks to see:

1. The 3 Cities:

The cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua became one when the Knights enclosed them together to improve their 17th century defences, before they decided Valletta was the preferred option. The retirees wandered through the 3 fortified towns as they are today.

2. The Lascaris War Rooms and Operation Husky in WW2:

Mr X loved reading more on the history of Malta’s role in WW2 which resulted in the whole island getting The Victoria Cross medal for the community’s brave involvement.

3. Valletta by day and by night:

It’s great to walk the streets at any time really.

4. The Blue Grotto and the Dingle Cliffs

And yes it’s really blue and it’s spectacular.

5. Marsaxlokk

Now Ms M insisted our retirees should fit in a visit here, and they did. It’s a small traditional fishing village in the south. Unfortunately the visitors were there early in the morning so really not the best time for a seafood meal however our travellers did enjoy seeing the fishermen cleaning and sorting their nets. It was also the traditional coffee and chat time for them as well.

6. Mdina and Rabat:

Mdina (the silent city) is fortified and sits beside Rabat. Walking through Mdina is like time has stood still. In the narrow streets and high walls, one can easily get lost. Rabat on the other hand is like a typical Maltese town that is just waiting to hold the next festival.

7. Get a Guide for a day at least:

We were lucky and found Kurt who showed us many parts of Malta that we normally couldn’t have visited. He was knowledgeable and lots of fun. He even brought his wife Sylvia with him on the day. Kurt also bought us the most delicious pastizzis for lunch and sent Ms X his recipe for Brodu!!