My sentiments too Dave!

There has to be a good reason for anyone going back to the same destination especially considering the money it costs us to do so. We really must go elsewhere but whenever we've done so in the past we return to Malta.

Can't say our past visits to Mallorca have been particularly memorable. We've done all the normal things like visiting the Caves of Drach (I think that's what you call them?), visiting a pearl making factory, liqueur tasting etc etc but we don't really thirst to go back. Perhaps if there were holidays offering us a stay amongst the Mallorcan people and not in the artificial surroundings of places like Palma Nova where you hear more regional English accents than Spanish spoken, then this might appeal more to what we like when we go to Malta!

I guess the answer is to have at least one break in Malta each year and just try somewhere else as well just in case we're missing something?

Trev

Hello charlie & trev,
It seems to me that when you find the spot on holiday that you like, other places cannot compair to it. People who like Malta seem to find it hard to find another place to beat it.

Just what is a holiday? to some it is a short flight to the sun hit the sun bed and never leave the hotel till it is time to go home, others like to fly half the way round the world and do the same and perhaps go on a trip to some site or another, sorted out by the tour rep.

To some people its all action holidays, climbing/mountain bikes/diving or water sports (and I mean in the water) walking, horse riding and so on. Then there are them who go to places just because they like the food the way of life and the people, I find I am all of these people Malta may not have all that I am looking for in a holiday, Portugal comes very close to it Greece had its chance.

From what I can make out those who hate Malta are the one who go there see only the run down side of it, and don't ever seek out the real Malta that most of you on this site know is there. A friend once told me he would never go back to Malta as in his words Bugibba was like Beirut but he did admit he never left the resort, this was some years ago and Bugibba did and still does look like Beirut but some people love the place.

You could even say the same about the hotel Palm Court for every 100 people who say they hate it you will always get 10 who say they like it, so is it a good thing to go back to one place all the time or do you try some other places and then wish you were back in Malta.

The world is a big place and not to see as much as you can is a sin, so as trev has put if you can afford more than one holiday a year then go to the one you like best be it Malta/Spain or Portugal then go to another country just to see what it has to offer.

Dave

I have not entered this debate before although I have read it with interest.

I so much agree with Dave's comments in the previous posts. I love the sun and I love beaches so the Greek islands generally hit the spot with me. I do like the Algarve but the Atlantic can be a bit cold(I like swimming in the sea!)

OK Malta is not famous for its beaches but I love Little Armier (nothing better than a Maltese Platter and bottle of Marsovin for lunch at Ray's Lido).

I am lucky that I travel with my job so I have "done" China, Brazil, Slovenia, Sri Lanaka and other places for free!!! I have been back to Slovenia on a private visit as it is an amazing country and I would consider a holiday in Sri Lanka but I always go "home" to Malta.

Friends and colleagues know I am a Maltaphile and ask my advice. I supply them with all my guide books and advise them to book at least four star accommodation for their first visit but I know they are scared because they have heard such bad reports from some visitors.

Having said all this - this is the first year for fourteen years that we have not visited Malta although we may still visit in late November. The traffic last year in July was getting unbearable (almost like the rush hour in Manchester with sun!!!) so we went to a Greek Island for our hot summer break. Although it was a bit too hot (40 plus most days).

Yes,I agree that people either love or hate Malta but I think this is better than describing a place as "ok".

I LOVE Malta but it does not preclude me from visiting other places.

Hello mandyc, please tell me what is a Maltese Platter, I know it is food but what do you get on it?

Dave

Hi there,

well i have just returned from Malta. I went out because my father was taken seriously ill and rushed to the new Matre ??? hospital. Luckily all is ok so what was meant to be a week of driving my old mum around the island to and from the hospital turned out to be a weeks relaxing instead.
It was the first time i have been to Malta outside the summer months and i must admit i was very pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. The days were a bit breezy but not cold. The evenings were pleasant enough for just a t shirt and jeans and i enjoyed many Cisks in the Lemon + Lime bar in Marsascala. I also had the pleasure of spending the day with my friend Robert Bugeja and his crew at Hal Far fire station and what a fine bunch of lads they are.
The only downer was an extremely drunk Brit who did his best to bring Anglo-Maltese relations to a stop, PRAT, if you dont like it GO HOME!! I would thoroughly recommend a visit at this time of the year.
PS Tickets cost me £24 return plus £61 fuel and tax from Heathrow. Car parking cost me £40 in Courtlands just outside the airport. Bristol wanted £265 + carparking so the extra 2 hours drive from South Wales was worth it.

Hi godber,

How right you are regarding that drunken Brit. I have to say that I'm not interested in moaners who go to Malta (except for the poor folks who are staying in the Palm Court!).

If they don't like Malta that's their problem and I sure ain't gonna let them spoil my time there! I hope when I go there my positive attitude does go some way towards healing the negative sad attitude that some other Brits portray when they go there.

I reckon I ought to be the British Ambassador in Malta (some hopes!!),

Trev

actually there is no ambassador, but a high commissioner because Malta is on the Commonwealth, and if you see the pickle he's been in over the Commonwealth voting issue, you wouldn't want his job at the moment
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2007/12/02/t2.html

Hi Trev & Godber I agree with the moaning brit thing heard it so many times in Malta miserable boring half wits they are, which is why best we can we live, eat and drink where the locals are, heard too many boring brits rattling on with themselves they should all be deported to the Spanish costas or even Filey or blackpool, I will say it again it's down to pure ignorance and stupidity oh how they get up my nose , but go on Godber give us all a laugh and tell us what the pea brained moron was grunting on about that caused so much distaste ?.

hey .up.....sliema2.........dont you dare send them to filey....we dont want them.we are happy folk here...... .
regards.........j.d.......

Whoops Sliema2 don't go upsetting johndoe of Filey.

gozomark - I did know that Malta had a High Commissioner but like the sound of Ambassador better. Hey what is the pickle he's in at the moment? I tell you what I wouldn't mind picking up his salary - pickle or no pickle!

Got some Maltese money today. Very sad that it's the last time we'll be able to spend Maltese Liri since they're changing to the Euro on 1st of Jan 2008. Still we can go down in history as having been in Malta during the last month that we could have used Malta's own currency,

Trev

Hi Trev, the good news regarding Liri is that if you have some left you can use it up until March 2007 but will receive your change in Euro's, anyway mate only a few days left until you return to the magic isles bet you can't blinking well wait , however if anyone deserves a holidayhaving not been for a while then it's you and the family, well in case I don't get a chance afore ye go then have a smashing time mate and pm if you need any info while you are away.

Regards
Sliema2

Hi Sliema2

you can only spend Lm until 31st Jan, but you can change Lm into euros until 31st March at the banks. After that, you will be able to exchange any remaining Lm coins and notes for, respectively, 2 and 10 years at the Central Bank of Malta.

http://www.euro.gov.mt/page.aspx?id=42

you can, of course, pass any Lm left onto Gozo SPCA at any time
http://www.spca-gozo.org/

Hi Sliema2,

I first noticed this idiot when he was parking his car. He pulled out into the road narrowly missing a passing car. He then crawled/staggered into the bar and basically started mouthing off about how the Maltese didn't have a clue about anything but the embarrassing bit was the language, F this and F that very loudly. The Maltese on a table close to me were muttering something about 'Inglesi'. It is this sort of idiot who gives honest decent people a bad name. He left after a few minutes, i dont think he got served, and tried to get into the wrong car but unfortunately eventually found his. Being a Firefighter and having had to deal with the carnage caused by drunk drivers i was livid.
As i said in my last post, it was the only low point in what was otherwise a lovely break.

Hi gozomark,

I Guess I'll be keeping some coins/notes when I return. I recently came across some coins and an Lm1 note from way back in 1981 when I brought back some currency then. The coins just like those that were used in the UK had more value then and they were much larger in size compared to the fiddly little coins of late in Malta. Will Malta have their own version of the Euro?

Sliema2,

Right on! - we sure can't wait to get back to that fantastic Island. I think the weather isn't going to be too clever but as you know we don't really care since we'd rather spend a week away there whatever. Anyway thanks for your kind comments and yes if there's anything I think you might be able to advise or help us with I'll certainly PM you while we're there,

Trev

Will Malta have their own version of the Euro?
yes, but.... "Maltese euro coins, designed by Noel Galea Bason and featuring the Maltese Cross, Malta's coat of arms and the Mnajdra Temple altar, are expected to start becoming scarce a few months after they are launched as they are likely to get lost in the pool of millions of European euro coins."

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20071204/local/maltese-euro-coins-already-on-ebay/euro

On the subject of the Euro i heard an interesting reason why so much building work is going on in Malta even though there are thousands of empty apartments on the Island.
When the euro is introduced you will obviously have to exchange your Lm for the new currency and that means bank account details etc. Now according to friend and very very senior rank in the Maltese Police force many Maltese used the mattress savings account system and panicked when they realised they would not be able to exchange this undeclared money without paying heavy taxes. To ensure they do not lose out they put these savings into property. An interesting theory perhaps?

Right Godber, There are lots of people here that never trusted banks and hoarded thousands of lire, some legite some maybe not, I often wonder what they will do but I dont think property purchase will help them because their i.d. cards will be registered against the sale and computors are fast becoming a major tracking factor. Maybe they should stock up on corned beef. Just in case!

Godber,

Yes I have also heard this. I have also noted more house extensions being built this year!

Are Malta and Marmite one of the same?

Dave.