Hello alan, this is a great way to see Valletta they do take the micky with there fares though, best thing to do is try and fix a lower price than the one they will ask for. Another good way to see some of Valletta and the three citys is the water taxi's (Dghajsas "dicers") Traditonal ferry boats.
Have a geat holiday and for your wedding anniversary why not try that old favourite of Sliema2 the Il-merill restaurant, let Vince know who you are and I am sure he will look after you and your wife very well.

Dave

Hi, just a word of warning. I have seen some of these poor horses in conditions which i found personally unacceptable, and read reports (on this site) of them being frequently without access to water, beaten and lacking in basic humane care by their owners . Just asking that you think twice - maybe not such a nice anniversary treat?

warning

whatever you do do not pay more than half of what the driver asks
they are well known for trying it on
they will be satisfied with around ml8.00

my first ride on a karrozin was with my first date with a maltese girl and it cost me 2/6d

inselli ghalik

I certainly wont go near any horses that appear mistreated dannic, rest assured.
Just a point,if I agree to pay the guy only half of what he asks...does he only take us half the distance? and will we know?
We are definitely going to give il- merill a go as long as we can find it,have been making notes from the il-merill topic

Hi Alan, I have to say that we agree 101% with dannic on this subject, in 16 visits to Malta we have never taken a trip and never ever will as the karrozinni horses are treated very badly by there ruthless owners , they are constantly left in the sun without shade or water and they are subjected to slogging around Malta often on busy main roads pulling a really heavy carriage from dawn to dusk, in summer the roads get a bit slippy through diesel etc and this is often the cause of the horses breaking there legs which to a horse means certain death, in our opinion anyone who takes a ride in a karrozini is perpetuating the mal-treatment of these magnificent horses and is guilty by definition of there actions of cruelty to animals, at the end of the day it's your decision but I would hate to have blood on my hands our conscience is clear on this subject, if you want a romantic anniversary ride why not take a Dghajser (dicer) ride from Birgu around the Grand Harbour check out http://www.maltesewatertaxis.com it's great fun, very romantic, and will cost you much much less than being ripped off by foul mouthed horse beating karrozini drivers, I know the Dghajser guys quite well and they will help make your boat ride special, if you e-mail them in advance ask for Stuart or Andy and tell them you got there info off holidaytruths as they are well aware of this site, have fun.

Prosit
Sliema2

Well said Sliema2!

In all the years we've visited these magnificent Islands we have never nor would never ever use the karrozinni for the very reasons you describe. Using these poor elegant animals to pull such heavy loads is cruel and inhumane. I hope others read our postings and do not use them when they visit,

Trev

Hi Trev, some things have to be said and this is one of them, nothing has changed regarding there welfare, as you know we got back from Malta earlier this week and the horses were left standing in the blazing sun on a number of occasions whilst we were there including Monday lunchtime when it was becoming really very hot indeed, the thing that annoys me the most are the happy smiley people who board the karrozini without any thought at all about those poor horses welfare, if only these people thought things through a little bit sometimes it could really make a difference.

Regards
Sliema2

Blimey, talk about put your foot in it.
I've stirred up a real hornets nest here.....well the wife has.
It never really appealed to me anyway,trust a woman to get you into trouble

Not at all Alan, it's just one of those things that some of us feel is important enough to discuss warts and all, you will have a great time in Malta and if the weather is anything like what it was last week then it will be roasting.

Regards
Sliema2

wouldnt you think the horses welfare would be the prime concern of the karrozini owners?
After all the horse is the key to their living without which they go hungry.
If the horse fails to operate or survive then they have no future aswell as the horse.One depending on the other,a catch 22 situation.
Very sad that this isnt monitered by goverment or is it.

Hi Alan, I think in there own way the horse's welfare is a major concern to them, I think the difference is the way we would treat them is vastly different than the way the karrozini drivers treat them, I also believe they think of them in a different way than we would think of them to them they are only a working animal from which to earn a living at all costs, to us they are magnificent animals that should be treated with dignity and fairness and shouldn't be exploited at all, as I said I think the mind set is the difference.

Caw Caw
Sliema2

nice to see the drivers have got there priorities right