garcon magnifique Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Who's been to Malta? I'm going for a week on Monday, staying at the Waterfront Hotel in Sliema. No plans whatsoever as yet beyond 7 days of relaxation. Assuming I manage to get off my arse the occasional day, what are the recommended sights? We have half board but might eat out the odd night so restaurant recommendations also welcome. I'm told it really isn't worth hiring a car - just use the buses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Use the bus!! .. who the **** told you that, rent a shit box car and go native. It's a great island to explore if you like sand and mountains. Most of the buses are about 40 years old and whilst they cover the whole island they're not exactly regular and you can be stuck waiting for ages especially this time of year. A Kia Picanto / Fiesta is only 25 quid a week from Hertz But lookout for the Roma trying to make you pay for free parking / postcards / time share scams. Buy your excess cover before you go! Loads of historic stuff to walk around and see see in Valletta, there's the Blue Lagoon to look at, it's blue water the salt lakes, the old army hospital caves. Take the car ferry to Gozo (€16) and drive around the coast road, there are some fantastic views You should fit in as its full of old grannys and Russians 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Hire car. No question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Very English, hit the bar in Valletta where Oliver Reed drunk himself to death. I liked the 3 working visits I made a decade plus ago. Nice and sunny. Find a bar and they will have the Man Utd v Arsenal game, the locals love the football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 (edited) Last time I was there, was 1991 but I don't imagine it's changed much. Things worth seeing IMO are the Mosta Dome, Blue Lagoon between Malta and Gozo, War Museum and Mdina. Atrip to Gozo is quite pleasant too☺ Edited March 7, 2015 by Cuprabob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bells0 Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 Went a view times as a kid and have happy memories of the place! The Popeye film set was cool [more so to me as a teen though i guess!!!] The blue grotto caves were good too. Guessing the Island hasn't changed too much in the last 20 years, would love to go back with my kids some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted April 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 It was an interesting trip. Fascinating mix of British and Mediterranean cultures. Lots of building going on, some that looks like it was abandoned up to a decade ago. From what I saw and read the biggest recent change is the buses, now under one company owned by Arriva. The old owner driver bangers are gone, replaced by a new fleet about four years ago. The drivers are still all certifiable though. If you want lively, stay in St Julian's / Paceville. To get away from it all stay on Gozo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 Lots of building going on, some that looks like it was abandoned up to a decade ago. It's always been like that, a house ‘in construction’ doesn’t have any taxes attached to it so the builder just leaves it unfinished, hoping one day for a buyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted April 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 Ah! That would explain it. There's an entire part built resort up near the north west, now mostly reclaimed by the vegetation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 We went 20 years ago! The buses are vintage ones which is quaint but not that comfy, airconed etcWe were recommended to ensure that anyone serving us heard we were English. We did and amazing the waves part and you get served before any Germans. The Maltese have long memories! We used to get dropped at our hotel by the bus whereas the Germans were dropped at the last bus stop. It was very blatent! It was a lovely place. Interested to here if it's now built up and touristy. Oh I did ask the first driver what side of the road they drove on as I wasn't sure! He was "it depends where the shade is!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 One of the girls in our office lives in Malta 6 months of the year, she sent me a picture the other week of all the old multi coloured busses lined up in a giant warehouse slowly gathering dust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 I guess they don't last forever if they're being used as public transport rather than museum pieces Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 By the looks of them, they'd been keeping them going for donkeys years, they reminded me of the sort of things you'd exoect to see in Cuba, kept working one way or another. Apparently most of the locals are gutted they aren't on the roads any more, they see them as iconic, a bit like their version of the London bus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 I've been watching the BBC series where Dara O'Brien and Ed Byrne drive the Panamerica Highway. In one of the episodes they show what happens to the old school buses from America once they are knackered. They get sent to Guatemala where they are refurbished and turned into what are known as "Chicken buses". It is well worth watching! I'd never go near one, never mind take a trip on one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted April 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 Oh I did ask the first driver what side of the road they drove on as I wasn't sure! He was "it depends where the shade is!" You should see their approach to roundabouts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 Apparently most of the locals are gutted they aren't on the roads any more, they see them as iconic, a bit like their version of the London bus. Very much so, they were one of the must do tourist attractions the island. You should see their approach to roundabouts... I found you had to be on the other side to miss the huge potholes everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 I had some awesome holidays on Malta as a kid and will get back there some day. Lovely place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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