05 Nov

Malta International Firework Festival 2012

2012 is rapidly approaching and you may have started thinking about your next year’s holiday itinerary. With the onset of the warmer weather and the first of the buds beginning to bloom, spring can be a great time to make an escape to sunnier climes.

With these thoughts in mind, the island of Malta can be a fantastic spring holiday destination, particularly if you ensure that your visit coincides with the Malta International Fireworks Festival 2012, when the island literally ‘lights up!’

On the 29th and 30th April 2012, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Tourism, Environment and Culture alongside the Malta Tourism Authority, will be holding the eighth edition of the Malta International Fireworks Festival.

Fireworks on the island of Malta have a long and lustrous history that date back to the time of the Order of the Knights of St John. During this time fireworks were lit as an expression of celebration and rejoicing, such as the birth of a prince, the election of a Pope who was the leader of the Order, and the election of a Grand Master.

Fireworks continued to be a mark of festivity in the 19th and 20th centuries and today continue to wow the crowds of Malta’s hectic festival calendar.

The Malta International Fireworks Festival 2012 is being held at the Grand Harbour, which has been used since at least Phoenician times, and, being Malta’s greatest geographical asset, provides a perfect setting for a spectacular firework display.

The event will include the fireworks made from various factories on Malta as well as the fireworks from two international firework manufacturers that will give the event a more foreign flavour. This sensational and awe-inspiring display will be synchronised to music and, we can safely assume, will be an unforgettable experience for all the family.

Paul Handley


 

18 Aug

The Malta International Air Show 2011

Whether you are an aviation enthusiast or just a regular traveller holidaying on the beautiful island of Malta this September, you simply cannot miss the Malta International Air Show 2011, one of Europe’s most spectacular aerial displays.

Held on 24 – 25 September 2011, this fantastic annual event is one of the largest outdoor events held on Malta, attracting a growing number of visitors each year of all age groups, nationalities and tastes.

After years of persistent lobbying by the Malta Aviation Society, in 1993 Maltese officials finally gave in and the first ever International Air Show was held over the stunning Marsamxetto Harbour in the city if Valletta, which being surrounded by ancient bastions and luxury yachts, could not offer a more fitting and adrenaline-pumping location for such a spectacular event.

The Malta International Air Show attracts some of the most interesting aircrafts to its runways from around the world including Spitfire, Hurricane, Tornados, Red Arrows and Israeli A-4 Skyhawks. This year’s show promises to be more extraordinary than ever, as, after being absent from the event for six years, the world-famous Frecce Tricolori are to wow the crowd with their aerial delights. On Sunday 25 September, the largest aircraft aerobatic team in the world will bring a climaxing conclusion to the show to mark the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and Frecce Tricolori, the proud ambassadors of the Italian Air force.

Tickets for this enthralling Maltese event cost 12 euros for a day ticket for adults and children under the age of 14 can attend for free. If you are a devout aviation enthusiast, you may be interested in a four day pack ticket, which, for 75 euros, gives you entry on the Friday (arrivals day), entry on the two public days on the Saturday and Sunday, entry to Park 2 and entry on the Monday (departures day).

Tickets will be available to purchase from 1 September 2011 at the Malta International Airport Information Desk and at all MacDonald’s restaurants around Malta and Gozo.

For more information on this spellbinding family day out visit the official website.

Paul Handley


 

21 Jul

Top three beaches in Malta

The island of Malta is surrounded by a parameter of beautiful sandy beaches that are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling and taking the children.

With such a fine choice of beaches on offer providing the very best of what we love about a beach holiday, knowing which one to head to for a day in the sun can be a difficult decision.

If you are spending your holiday in Malta this summer then read on because we have located the island’s top three beaches in malta to cater for diverging tastes and desires.

Ghajn Tuffieha, Golden Bay

With its fine sand, rural and tranquil atmosphere and sensational sunsets, it is understandable why this picturesque cove is called Ghajn Tuffieha, which means “Apple’s Eye”. This beautiful stretch of beach is located next to Golden Bay and can only be reached by climbing 180 steps. The beach is particularly popular with younger couples and those seeking a more tranquil and secluded day at the beach in the most breath-taking of surroundings.

Ghadira Bay, Mellieha

In complete contrast to Ghajn Tuffieha, Ghadira Bay in Mellieha is easily accessed and is Malta’s largest sandy beach. Having been described as being “one of the best beaches in the whole of the Mediterranean”, Ghadira Bay certainly lives up to its reputation and is an exceedingly popular beach, particularly at the weekends. The facilities at Ghadira Bay can only be described as being ‘excellent’, with snack bars, cafes, sun beds and a comprehensive choice of water sports tastefully scattered across the beach. Due to its easy access and great facilities, Ghadira Bay is a fantastic beach for all the family.

Paradise Bay

For fervent snorkelers and diving enthusiasts a trip to Paradise Bay is imperative. Although, as its name suggests, this beautiful beach is a picture of perfection and is well worth a trip even if your day at the beach is not snorkelling motivated. Located in Northern Malta close to the town of Cirkewwa, the secluded bay is a haven for divers and consequently there is a diving school there which is open all year round.

Given its seclusion and emphasis on snorkelling, Paradise Bay mostly attracts a younger crowd and is notorious for its beach parties.

Paul Handley


 

21 Jun

Free music festival in Europe

The Isle of MTV 2011 – Quite possibly the biggest live Free music festival in Europe this summer.

Malta’s biggest, wildest and loudest open air party returns to the island this year with the highly popular Isle of MTV event.

This pulsating musical party will see a crowd of more than 50,000 congregate at the Floriana Granaries, a public square that is a popular venue for large-scale concerts, to sing along, dance and enjoy the sounds of the live music well in the early hours of the morning.

MTV is in partnership with the Malta Tourism Authority and the Isle of MTV is now in its fifth year in Malta, and has become one of the best-known and established destinations of the summer music scene, with dance revellers and music enthusiasts from around the world travelling to this sun-kissed island to experience wild, music-infused nights and lazy days on the island’s beautiful beaches.

Similar to previous years, a fantastic line-up of world famous DJs, musicians and artists will take the stage to join in Malta’s biggest open air party.

MTV cameras will be there to capture the action on camera and the footage will be broadcasted in an hour long Isle of MTV special, which will be aired across MTV’s pan-European network later on in the year.

It has been confirmed that the hip hop legend Snoop Dogg is to headline this year’s Isle of MTV Malta. The rapper, producer and acting icon will be joined by two of the hottest acts in music in 2011, LMFAO and Far East Movement.

Talking about his excitement at plating at the Isle of MTV 2011, Snoop Dogg said:

“MTV always throws a good party, and Isle of MTV is one of the best nights of live music in Europe over the summer.”

This free event will take place on 30 June 2011 and serves as the ‘gran finale’ to the Malta Music Week, a week-long party featuring various activities from street concerts to different club nights in the island’s most popular nightclubs.

Paul Handley


 

07 Apr

Celebrate Easter 2011 in Malta

Why not spend Easter 2011 on the magical island of Malta?

Whilst Easter in Britain typically consists of gorging on too many Easter eggs and then feeling fat and fed up for the rest of the holiday season, with almost the whole of the Maltese population being ardent Catholics, it is only natural that Easter on Malta is a huge event.

If you are thinking of swapping the annual chocolate binge with some unique Easter tradition and heritage, and not to mention sun, then flying into Malta could prove to be an excellent choice.

Similar to Spain, Malta’s Easter celebrations last for a week, with this year’s ‘Holy Week’ commencing on April 17 until April 24.

During this time virtually the whole of the island is devoted to putting on spectacular shows, parades and religious re-enactments, which even if you are not religious, are mesmerising to watch.

The ‘crème-de-la-crème’ of the week-long celebrations, takes place on Good Friday, with a series of solemn biblical re-enactments being held in almost every town and village on the island.

Life-sized statues of characters from the bible are carried through the streets, often by as many as eight men. Roman soldiers are central to the re-enactments, many of whom are on horseback to give the shows a greater sense of realism, as the towns sombrely recreate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

On Easter Sunday the air of sombreness is replaced with an atmosphere of jubilance, as colourful bands march through the streets, followed by dance, merriment and fireworks, as the devote Catholic Maltese population passionately celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

If, however, you are able to experience an Easter without any deliciously sweet delicacies, Malta has its own Easter sweet, and, in this sense, is no different to the UK.

Figollas, a tremendously sweet pastry cut into different shapes such as fish, butterflies and lambs are filled with almonds and colourfully coated in icing sugar and chocolate. These are Malta’s most popular sweet delicacy at Easter time, and are naturally eaten in abundance.

With its celebratory atmosphere and such exquisite sweet delights, it is hardly surprising that the number of tourists visiting Malta at Eastertime is increasing each year.

Why not join them?

 

Paul Handley


 

13 Feb

Malta Marathon 2011

Malta Marathon 2011 – Running through an atmosphere of simple sophistication

On Malta’s marathon day an air of anticipation and excitement hangs over Valletta, the 4000-year-old Maltese capital. It is somewhat strange that though the city is known as the silent city.

There is a lot going on here, with ancient cathedrals boasting imposing bastions, botanical gardens, catacombs and a commanding dome belonging to a magnificent parish church, attracting a year-round stream of inquisitive tourists.

Starting at the gates of the medieval medina, the Malta Marathon has to be one of the world’s most historically-inspiring marathons.

After beginning at the ancient citadel, the marathon proceeds through the main road of Rabat and heads in a northern loop, taking runners through picturesque Maltese countryside, the famous town of Mosta and many quaint and charming villages, before finishing on the scenic promenade at the seaside resort of Sliema.

Paul Handley