Valetta, Malta...what to do?

[NefertariMalta]

Thanks Joanne for your tips!! Yes, please post any suggestions you have for lunch in Malta -- we will be there on June 10th on Norwegian Gem, and there isn't as much info about Malta as there is about our other ports.

 

There are a lot of good restaurants in Malta. Pasta and fish can be the most popular dish (at least for me :D ) but you find all sorts of restaurants! Valletta is full and might be quite busy during the day with all the lawyers and law courts people who work in valletta out for lunch!

 

a good site with the restaurants of malta and some including the menu is

 

http://www.starwebmalta.com/homepage.asp .. i find it very useful when deciding for a restaurant! i love valletta though :D

[1happyfam]

Taxis can be a bit on the expensive side so try and agree a price from before. I never used a taxi since i have a car and drive so cannot tell you the price:( sorry. The tour though seems to be quite reasonably priced i would say. I would go to the Mdina and Mosta tour (both really nice places) and then tour valletta on my own since it is within walking distance from the port! How long will you be staying in Malta?

I will be in Malta from 7-2(back on board 1:30) I want to experience as much of your island as possible but also dont want to spend the day driving, Valetta itself sounds wonderful,so confusing to plan.....

[sjsuda]

Sorry I did not answer your questions before but I had my son in hospital so obviously I was very busy. But I thank NefertariMalta because she answered all questions. (By the way, where do you live in Malta. I've been using these boards to help me prepare for a baltic cruise in 2003 and a Mediterranean cruise last year, and never met someone from Malta).

 

As NefertariMalta suggested Valletta is full of restaurants where you can have lunch. But a restaurant I highly recommend is "Ta Marija" Restaurant in Mosta (for those of you who first can visit the church and then have lunch there). This restaurant specialises in Maltese food and has been awarded Best Maltese Food Restaurant for four consecutive years. The website is :-

http://www.tamarija.com/home.html

[MizLizzie]

Different strokes for different folks. We booked on the NCL Gem just because it is going to Malta. It was the port we most wanted to visit this trip. The history, if you like that sort of thing, is magnificent. We are touring Medina and all the sites related to the Knights of Malta. I hope you will find the island as interesting as we do.

 

Lizzie

[NefertariMalta]

Sorry I did not answer your questions before but I had my son in hospital so obviously I was very busy. But I thank NefertariMalta because she answered all questions. (By the way, where do you live in Malta. I've been using these boards to help me prepare for a baltic cruise in 2003 and a Mediterranean cruise last year, and never met someone from Malta).

 

As NefertariMalta suggested Valletta is full of restaurants where you can have lunch. But a restaurant I highly recommend is "Ta Marija" Restaurant in Mosta (for those of you who first can visit the church and then have lunch there). This restaurant specialises in Maltese food and has been awarded Best Maltese Food Restaurant for four consecutive years. The website is :-

http://www.tamarija.com/home.html

 

How is your son? hope nothing serious? will pray for him.

 

I logged on this site last year i think for the first time .. before we went to the Hawaii cruise and i met some really nice people on the cruise from the this site.

 

I find most people have a mis conception about Malta! and even though sometimes i might moan myself for being stuck on a small island .. in the end i believe that we have much to offer .. and is the place i will stay .. so i want other people to see the beauty of it all as well!

 

I live in Ibrag and you?

[NefertariMalta]

I will be in Malta from 7-2(back on board 1:30) I want to experience as much of your island as possible but also dont want to spend the day driving, Valetta itself sounds wonderful,so confusing to plan.....

 

1.30am you mean? so you will have a full day here in malta? You can spend the day in Valletta since you have a lot of things to do and see over there! Though i would think about going to Mdina as well .. maybe even in the evening .. get a taxi or a tour and go there to watch sunset whilst taking some cake. In Valletta there is casa rocca piccola which i really like .. an antique home full of works of arts .. and in Mdina there is a similar one (i prefer it actually but that is my opinion) being Palazzo Falzon.

[1happyfam]

1.30am you mean? so you will have a full day here in malta? You can spend the day in Valletta since you have a lot of things to do and see over there! Though i would think about going to Mdina as well .. maybe even in the evening .. get a taxi or a tour and go there to watch sunset whilst taking some cake. In Valletta there is casa rocca piccola which i really like .. an antique home full of works of arts .. and in Mdina there is a similar one (i prefer it actually but that is my opinion) being Palazzo Falzon.

I wish 1:30 am NO NO it's 1:30 pm, so only from 7am -1:30pm. If i do the 4 hr tour of Mdina and Mosta that does not leave me much time for Valetta which I ehar is beautiful itself. What would you suggest??The island looks so beautiful I wnat to enjoy as much as I can.

[NefertariMalta]

I wish 1:30 am NO NO it's 1:30 pm, so only from 7am -1:30pm. If i do the 4 hr tour of Mdina and Mosta that does not leave me much time for Valetta which I ehar is beautiful itself. What would you suggest??The island looks so beautiful I wnat to enjoy as much as I can.

 

four hours at too little to do the three for sure! so i would suggest that you have a taste of Malta and visit Valletta personally. Then i am sure you will enjoy it so much that you will return for a week and will have time to visit Mdina and Mosta and all other places! :D

[sunnydelaware]

Nefertarimalta,

Thank you so much for your insight. Maybe you can help me too, I am having a hard time choosing a excursion in Malta. I've seen pictures and Malta seems like a wonderful place to visit. These are my choices, I made them as condensed as possible. We are only in port for 6 hours, hardly time to see much of your beautiful Malta.

1.Marsaxlokk, fishing village, market, and vineyard.

2.Ancient Malta, visit Ghar Dalam the Cave of Darkness, then to Tarzien temples and a museum in Vallentta.

3.Board a dghajsa to Vittoriosa for a walking tour of city.

4.Mdina, walking tour through city, St Johns Cathedral, Baracca Gardens.

5.Malta by 4x4, go north to Mellieha, see Red Tower, visit Golden Bay, proceed to Fomm ir-Rih and Dingli Cliffs.

These choices are the hardest part, hardly a thing to complain about, but I will be glad to finally make the decisions.

[Preds]

Perfectly said! :D I agree with all of you i think that our port is the best in the world! You see the three cities on one side and valletta on the other! just great!

 

there is so much to see that it depends what your interests are! We also have the oldest free standing temples in the world for example!

 

http://www.heritagemalta.org/heritagesites.html . heritage site where you can find a list of some of the important sites to visit! :D

Hey Shirley!

 

Remember us from Hawaii? How have you guys been? We had a great time with everyone on the POH last year!

 

We're visiting your neck of the woods on July 1st (Norwegian Gem 6/29 sailing).

 

We're debating between the Jeep Safari http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/shorexDetails.html?groupId=MLA_50 and the City of Knights & MDina http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/shorexDetails.html?groupId=MLA_58 excursions. Can you recommend either of them? We're leaning towards the City of Knights & Mdina excursion.

 

If not either of those, is there something you'd recommend (keeping in mind we're travelling with out 15 and 12 yo sons).

[Preds]

Hi Preds how are you? Yes we are still around and actually going on a cruise to Alaska this year! :)

 

So you are coming to Malta on the 1st of July! :D For how long? do you need anything . ... i should be working till 4pm but will be free afterwards if you' ll still be here!

Oops, I somehow missed this post. We're great thanks! We're looking forward to our port stop in Malta, brief as it may be.

 

Sadly we're only in port from 8am-3pm, thus we won't be able to meet up.

 

I posted above what we're debating doing. Your input on either or would be great. Thanks!

 

We went to Alaska last summer on the Star. So beautiful. You'll love it!

 

Our Pride of Hawaii cruise still rates among our favorites though!

[wednesday]

Has anyone done a tour of the ancient sites and temples? We are thinking about booking the following excursion for our stop in Malta on May 27th.

 

 

"Drive to the southern part of the island to see some of the most unique prehistoric monuments in the world. Visit the temple of Tarxien, dating back to 2800 BC. The temple features various artifacts, including the most notable statue representing a sort of Mother Goddess. Then head to the temple of Hagar Qim that lies near the village of Zurrieq. Here, you'll find very interesting items including a very small statue known as 'the Venus of Malta', believed to be worshipped by the prehistoric people. Located close to the sea in Birzebbugia, you'll visit the underground caves in Ghar Dalam where you'll notice an enormous quantity of animal bone deposits from the lower strata of the cave's subsoil. Before returning to Valletta, a drive through Marsaxlokk will be made for a short photo stop of the colorful fishing village."

 

Any input would be appreciated:)

[NefertariMalta]

Hi i am really looing forward for alaska!!! :D we are going to the Ryndam.

 

it is a pity that we cannot meet up :( it will have to be for next time.

 

Re the excursion it really depends what you feel like doing. the jeep safari is nice and a laugh .. though can be a bit maybe too hot to go around in the sun in july! the Mdina one .. mmm i love mdina .. it is full of history and lovely places! Do you prefer a fun excursion or a cultural one? :D

[NefertariMalta]

Has anyone done a tour of the ancient sites and temples? We are thinking about booking the following excursion for our stop in Malta on May 27th.

 

 

"Drive to the southern part of the island to see some of the most unique prehistoric monuments in the world. Visit the temple of Tarxien, dating back to 2800 BC. The temple features various artifacts, including the most notable statue representing a sort of Mother Goddess. Then head to the temple of Hagar Qim that lies near the village of Zurrieq. Here, you'll find very interesting items including a very small statue known as 'the Venus of Malta', believed to be worshipped by the prehistoric people. Located close to the sea in Birzebbugia, you'll visit the underground caves in Ghar Dalam where you'll notice an enormous quantity of animal bone deposits from the lower strata of the cave's subsoil. Before returning to Valletta, a drive through Marsaxlokk will be made for a short photo stop of the colorful fishing village."

 

Any input would be appreciated:)

 

If you like temples and want to feel the the goose pumps at standing in an ancient site thousands of years old (older than stonehenge) i suggest this excursion .. I went to all of them .. and maybe Ghar Dalam is a bit disappointing but nice ta all the same!:-)

[wednesday]

If you like temples and want to feel the the goose pumps at standing in an ancient site thousands of years old (older than stonehenge) i suggest this excursion .. I went to all of them .. and maybe Ghar Dalam is a bit disappointing but nice ta all the same!:-)

 

Thank You! I LOVE history, and the older the better so this will most likely be the tour for me!

[NefertariMalta]

Nefertarimalta,

Thank you so much for your insight. Maybe you can help me too, I am having a hard time choosing a excursion in Malta. I've seen pictures and Malta seems like a wonderful place to visit. These are my choices, I made them as condensed as possible. We are only in port for 6 hours, hardly time to see much of your beautiful Malta.

1.Marsaxlokk, fishing village, market, and vineyard.

2.Ancient Malta, visit Ghar Dalam the Cave of Darkness, then to Tarzien temples and a museum in Vallentta.

3.Board a dghajsa to Vittoriosa for a walking tour of city.

4.Mdina, walking tour through city, St Johns Cathedral, Baracca Gardens.

5.Malta by 4x4, go north to Mellieha, see Red Tower, visit Golden Bay, proceed to Fomm ir-Rih and Dingli Cliffs.

These choices are the hardest part, hardly a thing to complain about, but I will be glad to finally make the decisions.

 

they are all nice things to do!!! though i would skip the Marsaxlokk .. personally i prefer seeing the place than go shopping.

 

The 4x4 is fun to do for sure! but if you do this remember that here in malta it will be hot in summer! so put sun protection and wear a hat! the places you mentioned are really nice .. i love the red tower esp at night when it is lit up ...

 

Vittoriosa (or Birgu as we call it) is nice very nice, the nicest thing is the view of the harbour which you will have from the cruise ship so that you might skip as well.

 

2 and 4 are both very nice!! Mdina is a beautiful place .. it is the ancient capital of Malta! And St John Cathedral is superb esp the museum with the only painting of caravaggio that he signed! On the other hand as i said the temples are also something fantastic since you will be visiting really old places of worship ... marvel at how they managed to erect those huge stones in that day and age!

[NefertariMalta]

Thank You! I LOVE history, and the older the better so this will most likely be the tour for me!

 

you will surely enjoy it! :D

 

i am off to sleep cause here in Malta it is 23.18 right now hehehe and tomorrow i have to wake up for work. But should you have any other questions post them and i try to answer as best as i can! :)

[Preds]

Hi i am really looing forward for alaska!!! :D we are going to the Ryndam.

 

it is a pity that we cannot meet up :( it will have to be for next time.

 

Re the excursion it really depends what you feel like doing. the jeep safari is nice and a laugh .. though can be a bit maybe too hot to go around in the sun in july! the Mdina one .. mmm i love mdina .. it is full of history and lovely places! Do you prefer a fun excursion or a cultural one? :D

This whole trip is all about culture, thus we lean towards MDina. I'm just a tad concerned we might bore the kids to death with too much culture!

 

I do think they'll be interested in the medievel history of MDina though.

 

You'll love Alaska. If you can swing it, take the Four Glacier Heli-Dogsled excursion out of Juneau (assuming HA has a similar one). It's pricey ~$500pp but was a blast and really showed us far more of the glacier's than you'll ever see on the ship. We landed at a dogsled camp on Norris Glacier, then went out with a team for about an hour, each taking a turn mushing, and then a return flight through the mountains and glaciers back to Juneau. We have some great pics from that which someday I'll find the time to put up online!

[NefertariMalta]

This whole trip is all about culture, thus we lean towards MDina. I'm just a tad concerned we might bore the kids to death with too much culture!

 

I do think they'll be interested in the medievel history of MDina though.

 

You'll love Alaska. If you can swing it, take the Four Glacier Heli-Dogsled excursion out of Juneau (assuming HA has a similar one). It's pricey ~$500pp but was a blast and really showed us far more of the glacier's than you'll ever see on the ship. We landed at a dogsled camp on Norris Glacier, then went out with a team for about an hour, each taking a turn mushing, and then a return flight through the mountains and glaciers back to Juneau. We have some great pics from that which someday I'll find the time to put up online!

 

take the kids to fontanella for a piece of cake .. that should make them happy :D

 

re Alaska we want to do the dog sledding in juneau for sure!! i love dogs!! we found one with HA with 30 min flying (i have the heli but it seems it is a price to pay to see the dogs) and then go mushing ... the cost is more than USD500 but then we found an excursion over the net (mary ann should have it cause i lost the e-mail hehehe) and the cost was USD450 or something similar. we will go for it expecially now that the dollar is in our favour :D

 

Good night (or morning in your case)

 

Speak to you tomorrow hopefully!

[spiritofscouse]

How is your son? hope nothing serious? will pray for him.

 

I logged on this site last year i think for the first time .. before we went to the Hawaii cruise and i met some really nice people on the cruise from the this site.

 

I find most people have a mis conception about Malta! and even though sometimes i might moan myself for being stuck on a small island .. in the end i believe that we have much to offer .. and is the place i will stay .. so i want other people to see the beauty of it all as well!

 

I live in Ibrag and you?

 

Hi Nefertari did not know there are some Maltese cruisers on here.I am very glad and happy that many visiting our island had a nice experience. I guess entering the Grand Harbour is a beautiful experience. i am from Ibragg too.

[Preds]

take the kids to fontanella for a piece of cake .. that should make them happy :D

 

re Alaska we want to do the dog sledding in juneau for sure!! i love dogs!! we found one with HA with 30 min flying (i have the heli but it seems it is a price to pay to see the dogs) and then go mushing ... the cost is more than USD500 but then we found an excursion over the net (mary ann should have it cause i lost the e-mail hehehe) and the cost was USD450 or something similar. we will go for it expecially now that the dollar is in our favour :D

 

Good night (or morning in your case)

 

Speak to you tomorrow hopefully!

There are 3 tour operators out of Juneau that do the Heli-Dogsledding. They are about $450 private, and $500 or so through the cruise lines (I think ours was $469 or $489pp last year).

 

Ours was about 20-25 minutes of flight time there, the same coming back, so 40-50 minutes flight time total. We took different routes there and back, which was nice, since we got to see more glaciers that way! We spent an hour or so with the dogs. While it sounds short, it was still SO worth it. We loved it, especially our younger one Jake. He's a huge dog lover and absolutely loved interacting with the Dogs and driving the sled!

 

You will not be disappointed (unless bad weather keeps you from flying)! We sailed in late August last year, I think ours was the last week the Heli-Dogsled flew.

[1happyfam]

four hours at too little to do the three for sure! so i would suggest that you have a taste of Malta and visit Valletta personally. Then i am sure you will enjoy it so much that you will return for a week and will have time to visit Mdina and Mosta and all other places! :D

Ok so if I understand, If I do the 4hr tour of Mdina and Mosta that will leave no time for Valetta, so what would you all recommend? Spend the day in Valetta and skip Mdina this trip? Or is Mdina more the must see? Then sounds like I could do Valetta on my own, how is best to spend the day then?

[wednesday]

you will surely enjoy it! :D

 

i am off to sleep cause here in Malta it is 23.18 right now hehehe and tomorrow i have to wake up for work. But should you have any other questions post them and i try to answer as best as i can! :)

 

What is this Fontanella you mention...with cake?! :D

 

Also we should have an hour or two after our excursion to the temples and I wouldn't mind having lunch in Valetta and maybe do a little shopping. Is there anything within close walking distance to the port?

 

Thank you again for being so helpful! If everyone in Malta is this nice and helpful it should be a wonderful day!:)

[NefertariMalta]

Hi Nefertari did not know there are some Maltese cruisers on here.I am very glad and happy that many visiting our island had a nice experience. I guess entering the Grand Harbour is a beautiful experience. i am from Ibragg too.

 

lol looks like we are neighbours! :D

 

I got to know about this site a bit more than a year ago .. my friend told me about it and we meet some really nice people on our hawaiin cruise from this site!

 

In my opinion our Grand Harbour is the best in the world! I did not visit a lot of harbours ta imma from the limited experiance i have it is surely the best one so far! :D

[NefertariMalta]

What is this Fontanella you mention...with cake?! :D

 

Also we should have an hour or two after our excursion to the temples and I wouldn't mind having lunch in Valetta and maybe do a little shopping. Is there anything within close walking distance to the port?

 

Thank you again for being so helpful! If everyone in Malta is this nice and helpful it should be a wonderful day!:)

 

Valletta is only 10 max 15 min from the Port although it is uphill .. just to let you know! :D

 

You will find lots of shops in Valletta ... main brands like mango, Dorothy Perkins, Next etc are all found in the main two streets of Valletta. Re the eat i would suggest venturing in the side streets or else walking down Republic street but not where there are the shops ... venture a bit downwards and find a more quite spot to wind down and relax after a cultural day in Malta :D

 

P.S. yes the cake at fontanella is really good and quite a big portion! .. the view is fantastic .. the only down side of it is that the service there is not the best in malta, but if you know about it and decide to ignore it .. you will have a good time.