Good to get away in these times!
Whilst I have plenty of times written down the requirements for my clients to travel and realised how daunting it can look on paper , with the NHS Covid Pass and PLF’s , Lateral Flow tests , and Day 2 tests all needed for a Green listed country, this was my first time experiencing it for myself.I can honestly say though, once you are organised, which is made easy with the links we have and the discount codes available, it really was straightforward and painless.
We flew British Airways who currently do not have an onboard service in economy , but a TC friend tipped me off to the fact BA allow you to order refreshments in advance to be delivered to your seat, and so I was not without my usual in-flight prosecco ( or two). Heathrow T5 was quiet , not all restaurants were open , but enough were , and there were only short queues through security.
If I felt any hassle from these differences to my travelling , it was quickly dispersed by the wonders that the islands of Malta offered us. The weather was glorious, sunny, and hot but with a good breeze. With only 3 full days to explore and with Covid restrictions in place, I had booked restaurants in advance. I would definitely advise booking excursions in advance as well if you can, to be sure of availability.
We stayed in Sliema which is a busy town opposite Valletta with a huge harbour area that sees the sightseeing boats and ferries lined up. There are plenty of options to eat and drink: some really lively bars as well as some small intimate ones. There is no beach here, but there are a few beach clubs at an area called Tigne Point that do not disappoint: offering a great atmosphere , good music and great locations where you can access the crystal-clear sea from the rocks.
St Julian’s next door with a more sophisticated nightlife , has a small beach and there are further beaches across the island including at the famous Golden Bay collection , all with sunbeds available and shades. We are both ‘foodies’ and Malta has a great selection of fine dining restaurants including Michelin star choices, but they get booked quickly so be sure to book in advance. We enjoyed great hospitality and outstanding cuisine at some fabulous restaurants in Mdina, Sliema and St Julians.
To get around there are sightseeing tours by open top bus around the island visiting various key locations including the original capital , the walled city of Mdina, Valletta, the waterfront and the Blue Grotto , or you can take a full day boat tour around the entire island, as well as trips to Gozo and Camino. They use Bolt not Uber or taxis are also easily available.
Some attractions are still not open , the San Anton gardens and the Malta Experience for example, so you need to check this with the tour desk for up-to-date information.
Malta has so much to offer we really could not see it all in the time we had and so we most definitely need to schedule in a revisit!