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Malta
On 1 January 2008 Malta adopted the Euro
as its official currency and the Euro became legal tender
in Malta and Gozo. This new legal tender has made Malta
an even more exciting 48-hour destination than it has always
been.
Beautiful hotels, great spas for relaxation,
beaches, a street full of bustling nightlife everything
you would want out of a short break. Malta looks like so
many places you may have been to yet at the same time, it
is so unique that it gives you that ‘jamais vu’
(never seen) feeling. This is because the maltese
approach to life is to enjoy and celebrate it as much as
possible.
Malta’s capital city, Valletta is
also listed in the Unesco’s World Heritage list as
one of the most concentrated areas of historical importance
in the world. Valletta boasts some of the finest churches
in Malta, with St. John’s Co-Cathedral being one of
the best examples. The Maltese Parliament is also resident
in Valletta together with the Office of the Prime Minister.
If you stroll around the streets of Valletta, which was
once described by Sir Walter Scott as a “city of palaces
built by gentlemen for gentlemen" you will be impressed
by the fine, baroque architecture of the old buildings,
the sculptured facades and the grand interiors of the churches.
Nightlife
Malta nightlife is so active that can start
having fun as soon as you arrive. Major music concerts with
classically inclined José
Carreras and Lydia Caruana or outstanding jazz are held
in the Palace Square by individual organisers, attracting
large crowds of both tourists and locals alike.
For the young at heart, the Maltese Islands
are great for the clubbing scene. The main nightlife clubbing
action is in Paceville, on the coast near St. Julians, where
the clubs and bars are in abundance – literally a
whole street of night clubs with each club play a different
kind of music from pop, to salsa through to rock, African
or jazz!
A destination for
sporting enthusiasts
Another view of the Island is the exceptional
sports and well-being holidays organised by United
Travel a Maltese-based destination management company
or through their UK agents Hunt
& Palmer.
In addition to their Meetings and Incentives activities,
they design holidays for activity holiday enthusiasts which
combine:
• The pleasures of sporting activities, well-being
and relaxation
• Very comfortable accommodation in charming 3 or
4 star hotels
• Discovery of the cultural and gastronomic heritage
that makes Malta a total leisure destination.
Flights to Malta
Air Malta
has flights available from just £69 return including
taxes and charges as part of their campaign to target the
short break market.
Other airlines from the UK include British Airways
Places
to stay in Malta
The Sheraton in St Julian offers
excellent accommodation. The hotel is fully equipped with
swimming pool, gym, spa and comfortable rooms.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MALTA
Language
The Official language is maltese, but English
is widely spoken and hotels have staff who speak a wide
range of other major European languages.
Money
From LIRA to EURO
On 1st January 2008 Malta adopted the Euro as its official
currency. From this date onwards, the Euro became legal
tender in Malta and Gozo. Throughout the month of January,
cash transactions can take place in both Maltese Lira and
Euro, but after January 31st 2008, businesses will accept
only payments in Euro.
Most shops, hotels and restaurants accept
all major credit cards. Banks are normally open until early
afternoon from Monday to Friday, and until midday on Saturday.
Some banks/branches work longer hours. Summer and winter
opening hours may differ.
Tipping
Tipping practices are similar to the rest
of the world. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip but will
appreciate a little extra. In restaurants 10 % is considered
adequate if service is excluded.
Getting Around
The Maltese Islands are not very large,
which makes getting around relatively trouble-free. However,
the public bus service on Malta and Gozo is a good way to
get around as buses serve the major tourist areas, go practically
everywhere and are cheap and efficient. The cost of a bus
route ranges from €0.35 to €0.58 and the longest
bus journey takes about fifty minutes; the average ride
is between twenty and thirty minutes. Valletta can easily
be reached by public transport as it is the main bus terminus
for the majority of the public transport routes. If you
are in Sliema you can also take the ferry which will take
you to the West side of Valletta. Alternatively you can
drive to the city – there are various public car parks
on the outskirts where you can leave your car.
Renting a car is a good option if you want
to get to the farther reaches of the island. All the road
signs are in English and driving is on the left.
Major and local car hires are located on
Malta and Gozo with daily rates of €16 - €28.
International and national driving licenses are acceptable.
A number of internationally based car hiring firms as well
as local garages also offer the services of chauffeur-driven
cars.
Renting scooters, motorbikes or mountain
bicycles is an option, but please note however that not
all roads are two-wheel vehicle friendly.
The white taxi service can pick up passengers
from anywhere, except bus-stops. Taxi services from the
Malta International Airport and the Seaport Terminal to
all localities in Malta are based on a fixed tariff. For
more information on taxi rates click here.
A regular ferry service links Malta to Gozo,
taking about 20 minutes each way. A sea plane service links
Grand Harbour in Valletta to Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. There
are also regular boat services between each island and Comino.
A water taxi service using traditional Maltese
'dghajsa' boats is also available in Grand Harbour.
A winter weekend
in Tallinn, Estonia
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