I will be visiting Malta for the first time in 2007 and need some general advice that I've been unable to find by searching the Internet.
1. Dress guidelines for women when wandering around cities, towns, and the countryside -Would a woman wearing modest knee-length shorts be accepted by local inhabitants? Or is Malta like parts of Greece where a skirt or dress is the norm and anyone in shorts would really stand out and perhaps receive disapproving looks? In contrast, in Canada during the summer most women who are not at work would be wearing shorts.
2. Have read that Malta and Gozo are hilly. Is it so hilly in towns or the countryside that it would be limiting to a person who normally had trouble walking up hills? Pretty vague, I know but want to get a sense if an older person with a lung condition who wants quiet for a long term stay, not the noise of nightclub partiers, should stick to certain locales on Malta and Gozo that may have flatter terrain.
3. Many travel sites mention that Malta is humid, especially in the summer months when they say that even sleeping is difficult. Does this mean that an air conditioner is absolutely necessary for a self-catering apartment rented anytime from early spring to late fall?
4. While broadband (highspeed) Internet is available in Malta in hotels and Internet cafes, is it also available in individual suites within self-catering apartments? Do locales have it in their homes?
That's it for now. Many thanks for any advice.
Cheers, Pat
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Hi Pat, and welcome - I'll make first stab at answering what I can
1. I'd say generally "a woman wearing modest knee-length shorts " is not a problem, unless going into churches, and even then prob OK, but I'm a bloke, so wait for girlie input on that ! Malta is much less conservative than remote parts of Greece - Malta is more like Athens in attitude than a small Greek village
2. Yes esp. alot of Gozo is hilly, but not all areas - "bad" areas I can think of quickly would be Valletta and Victoria
3. humidity is more of an issue in the winter than in the summer, but you may want aircon in the middle of summer for the heat (not the humidity), although many find a ceiling fan sufficient (and also normally sufficient to deter mosquitos)
4. Malta is very internet savvy, and has one of the highest ratio of broadband to dialup in the world. In self-catering apts ?? not sure
any clarification, or futher questions, just ask !
1. I'd say generally "a woman wearing modest knee-length shorts " is not a problem, unless going into churches, and even then prob OK, but I'm a bloke, so wait for girlie input on that ! Malta is much less conservative than remote parts of Greece - Malta is more like Athens in attitude than a small Greek village
2. Yes esp. alot of Gozo is hilly, but not all areas - "bad" areas I can think of quickly would be Valletta and Victoria
3. humidity is more of an issue in the winter than in the summer, but you may want aircon in the middle of summer for the heat (not the humidity), although many find a ceiling fan sufficient (and also normally sufficient to deter mosquitos)
4. Malta is very internet savvy, and has one of the highest ratio of broadband to dialup in the world. In self-catering apts ?? not sure
any clarification, or futher questions, just ask !
Hi Pat, it's great to have a contributor from Canada so welcome, am I right in thinking that your home state of Alberta is named after Queen Victoria's husband ?, anyway if you need any other info regarding Malta and most things related please ask it will be a pleasure to assist you.
Regards
Sliema2
Regards
Sliema2
-
Edited by
Sliema2
2006-12-20 09:05:59
Hi Pat 
Mark is correct, having been many times with my wife and daughter there is never an issue with shorts even in a church, the only thing to pay attention to is that your shoulders must be covered and this applies to both females and males, and there are shawls provided free when you enter a church if required anyway.
Cheers
Graham
I'd say generally "a woman wearing modest knee-length shorts " is not a problem, unless going into churches, and even then prob OK, but I'm a bloke, so wait for girlie input on that
Mark is correct, having been many times with my wife and daughter there is never an issue with shorts even in a church, the only thing to pay attention to is that your shoulders must be covered and this applies to both females and males, and there are shawls provided free when you enter a church if required anyway.
Cheers
Graham
Many thanks to gozomark, sliema2, and Graham for kindly responding to my post.
Mark wrote, "...you may ... find a ceiling fan sufficient (and also normally sufficient to deter mosquitos)".
Oh, no! Don't tell me Malta has mosquitos! Please confirm it's a minor annoyance. Places in Canada have mosquitoes that resemble helicoptors (think Apocalypse Now and all those 'copters flying in to "Flight of the Valkyries").
Sliema2 wrote"...am I right in thinking that your home state of Alberta is named after Queen Victoria's husband?" That's close, but Alberta is an oil-rich province named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta
About the shorts, I really meant just walking about the streets and shops. If entering a church, I'd opt for more conservative dress.
Our planned holiday is actually a test run to see if Malta is suitable for us to retire to. It's always been in our mind as a neat place to visit since my husband's mother was born there (while her father served in the British Navy during WW1).
More questions and comments:
1. Is Malta vegetarian friendly, not just in restaurants but in terms of buying a variety of cheap veggies at the local shops.
2. Our city has been smoke-free in public places for many years, so I'm glad Malta has opted for the healthy option of no smoking in restaurants. But does this mean that all sidewalk cafes are loaded with smokers puffing away? I'm a former 2-pack a day smoker and you know how fanatical the reformed are.
3. I can look this up on the Internet but "rack prices" are often misleading. Approximately how much do one-way and return flights from London cost - bargains and regular prices?
More later. Thanks again!
Cheers, Pat
Mark wrote, "...you may ... find a ceiling fan sufficient (and also normally sufficient to deter mosquitos)".
Oh, no! Don't tell me Malta has mosquitos! Please confirm it's a minor annoyance. Places in Canada have mosquitoes that resemble helicoptors (think Apocalypse Now and all those 'copters flying in to "Flight of the Valkyries").
Sliema2 wrote"...am I right in thinking that your home state of Alberta is named after Queen Victoria's husband?" That's close, but Alberta is an oil-rich province named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta
About the shorts, I really meant just walking about the streets and shops. If entering a church, I'd opt for more conservative dress.
Our planned holiday is actually a test run to see if Malta is suitable for us to retire to. It's always been in our mind as a neat place to visit since my husband's mother was born there (while her father served in the British Navy during WW1).
More questions and comments:
1. Is Malta vegetarian friendly, not just in restaurants but in terms of buying a variety of cheap veggies at the local shops.
2. Our city has been smoke-free in public places for many years, so I'm glad Malta has opted for the healthy option of no smoking in restaurants. But does this mean that all sidewalk cafes are loaded with smokers puffing away? I'm a former 2-pack a day smoker and you know how fanatical the reformed are.
3. I can look this up on the Internet but "rack prices" are often misleading. Approximately how much do one-way and return flights from London cost - bargains and regular prices?
More later. Thanks again!
Cheers, Pat
mosquitos - they are very small here - a ceiling fan is enough to deter them, as they can't cope with the breeze ! They are a minor irritation only
1. vegetarian - restaurants is OK, but not sure how "pure" vege they would be. As for buying veggies, I find it great, esp. in the season - particular favourites of mine for locally produced veg are - potatoes, tomatoes (and lots of other salad stuff), corgettes, onions, mushrooms - fruit - grapes, figs, oranges.
2. it does mean that the outside tables at many bars and restaurants are "no-go" areas for non-smokers, but I've noticed less and less people are smoking, even in the 4 years I've been here
3. flights - from London - incl tax etc, etc £100-200 covers most - one way used to be the same as return, but the low cost airlines competition means all offer one way at half the cost of return. In fact, when I'm booking flights Malta-London, I often fly the two legs with different airlines, and using different London airports.
BA (Gatwick), AirMalta (Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick), BritishJet (Gatwick), Ryanair (Luton)
1. vegetarian - restaurants is OK, but not sure how "pure" vege they would be. As for buying veggies, I find it great, esp. in the season - particular favourites of mine for locally produced veg are - potatoes, tomatoes (and lots of other salad stuff), corgettes, onions, mushrooms - fruit - grapes, figs, oranges.
2. it does mean that the outside tables at many bars and restaurants are "no-go" areas for non-smokers, but I've noticed less and less people are smoking, even in the 4 years I've been here
3. flights - from London - incl tax etc, etc £100-200 covers most - one way used to be the same as return, but the low cost airlines competition means all offer one way at half the cost of return. In fact, when I'm booking flights Malta-London, I often fly the two legs with different airlines, and using different London airports.
BA (Gatwick), AirMalta (Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick), BritishJet (Gatwick), Ryanair (Luton)
Many thanks, gozomark, for the assurance that Malta mosquitoes are mini.
More questions....
1. We will not be driving a car but what do you think of a "little old lady" with a passenger using a motor scooter such as a Vespa for routine trips for groceries and other daily excursions. I'm exagerating a bit on the "little old lady" part, but is traffic as hectic and drivers as erratic as they say and would it be risky? For example, I would never think of driving a scooter in Rome or London today, although I did drive a VW Beetle there, indeed all over Europe, years ago.
2. Do agencies give discounts on long term apartment rentals, e.g., someone who stays 6 mths?
Thanks!
Cheers, Pat
More questions....
1. We will not be driving a car but what do you think of a "little old lady" with a passenger using a motor scooter such as a Vespa for routine trips for groceries and other daily excursions. I'm exagerating a bit on the "little old lady" part, but is traffic as hectic and drivers as erratic as they say and would it be risky? For example, I would never think of driving a scooter in Rome or London today, although I did drive a VW Beetle there, indeed all over Europe, years ago.
2. Do agencies give discounts on long term apartment rentals, e.g., someone who stays 6 mths?
Thanks!
Cheers, Pat
Hi
1. The problem with a Vespa is not just the other drivers, but the poor state of the roads in many places. However, depending where you would live, the roads there maybe fine. I use a small motorbike every day nearly, because its nice to be in the fresh air, and so much easier to park. I'd say you should be OK, but don't plan on it definitely being OK.
2. Yes, although 6 months isn't long term, but medium term, but would still be alot cheaper than renting for a week at a time - there is so much over supply of rental places that rents are really good value
1. The problem with a Vespa is not just the other drivers, but the poor state of the roads in many places. However, depending where you would live, the roads there maybe fine. I use a small motorbike every day nearly, because its nice to be in the fresh air, and so much easier to park. I'd say you should be OK, but don't plan on it definitely being OK.
2. Yes, although 6 months isn't long term, but medium term, but would still be alot cheaper than renting for a week at a time - there is so much over supply of rental places that rents are really good value
I have now read many reviews of Malta on the Internet and evaluated the evidence critically. It strikes me that Malta suffers from tourist overload and other systemic problems, outlined as follows (see sources below).
Visitors can expect to
1. Jostle with tourist mobs to board crowded buses (and probably not even get a seat), then deal with crabby, rude bus drivers
2. Walk carefully on city streets to avoid doggie droppings
3. Be on high alert as pedestrians to avoid being hit since sidewalks are narrow and drivers are careless
4. Run risk of getting sprained ankles when avoiding traffic on un-repaired streets
5. Suffer repeated outages of basic services, followed by poor service with long delays
6. Be treated as largely invisible by shop keepers and waiters when shopping or dining outside of tourist areas
7. Experience sub-standard food in grocery stores put on display for tourists or any non-Maltese speaking shopper (whereas locals ask for and get fresher produce)
8. Be confronted by beaches loaded with cigarette butts
9. Service in retail stores to be generally poor
10. Restaurant dining to be undistinguished, including the standard fare offered everywhere that British tourists predominate: greasy chips served with everything
I have several sources but the ones below from 2 sources ring true filtered through the eye of an experienced traveller. Would appreciate others who have visited Malta for an extended time to comment. Many thanks.
Cheers, Pat
Sources:
Strategies for controlling social space in tourist locations.
http://www.xpeditions.be/publication/socialspace/socialspace.html
Mutliple blog posting from http://www.maltacalling.com
Stuck in elevator in Malta
http://www.maltacalling.com/index.htm?blogentryid=924454
edited by Biff to removed multiple links to blogs.
Visitors can expect to
1. Jostle with tourist mobs to board crowded buses (and probably not even get a seat), then deal with crabby, rude bus drivers
2. Walk carefully on city streets to avoid doggie droppings
3. Be on high alert as pedestrians to avoid being hit since sidewalks are narrow and drivers are careless
4. Run risk of getting sprained ankles when avoiding traffic on un-repaired streets
5. Suffer repeated outages of basic services, followed by poor service with long delays
6. Be treated as largely invisible by shop keepers and waiters when shopping or dining outside of tourist areas
7. Experience sub-standard food in grocery stores put on display for tourists or any non-Maltese speaking shopper (whereas locals ask for and get fresher produce)
8. Be confronted by beaches loaded with cigarette butts
9. Service in retail stores to be generally poor
10. Restaurant dining to be undistinguished, including the standard fare offered everywhere that British tourists predominate: greasy chips served with everything
I have several sources but the ones below from 2 sources ring true filtered through the eye of an experienced traveller. Would appreciate others who have visited Malta for an extended time to comment. Many thanks.
Cheers, Pat
Sources:
Strategies for controlling social space in tourist locations.
http://www.xpeditions.be/publication/socialspace/socialspace.html
Mutliple blog posting from http://www.maltacalling.com
Stuck in elevator in Malta
http://www.maltacalling.com/index.htm?blogentryid=924454
edited by Biff to removed multiple links to blogs.
are you doing research for something other than for your holidays ?
taking your points one by one, but with reference to Gozo only for most of them as I live there and only go to Malta when I have to !
1. Jostle with tourist mobs to board crowded buses (and probably not even get a seat), then deal with crabby, rude bus drivers - don't use buses in Gozo - do in Malta, but only from Cirkewwa to Valletta - never had a problem, but if you get on a bus other than at the start of the route, then standing is common - still you can always get a taxi, and the buses are very cheap
2. Walk carefully on city streets to avoid doggie droppings - getting much better, esp. now there are green wardens issuing fines
3. Be on high alert as pedestrians to avoid being hit since sidewalks are narrow and drivers are careless - in Gozo pavements are nearly non existent, so yes, and yes
4. Run risk of getting sprained ankles when avoiding traffic on un-repaired streets - yes
5. Suffer repeated outages of basic services, followed by poor service with long delays - no, not really - in four years, water cut off 2 or 3 times, but only for a few hours, electricity off maybe 1-2 times per year, on av for 1-2 hours, telephone never had a problem
6. Be treated as largely invisible by shop keepers and waiters when shopping or dining outside of tourist areas - no, if anything better service outside tourist areas
7. Experience sub-standard food in grocery stores put on display for tourists or any non-Maltese speaking shopper (whereas locals ask for and get fresher produce) - never
8. Be confronted by beaches loaded with cigarette butts - Gozo beaches (Ramla and San Blas) are very clean
9. Service in retail stores to be generally poor - not especially
10. Restaurant dining to be undistinguished, including the standard fare offered everywhere that British tourists predominate: greasy chips served with everything - Gozo has many excellent restaurants, and some poor ones. However, alot of restaurants have very similar menus
taking your points one by one, but with reference to Gozo only for most of them as I live there and only go to Malta when I have to !
1. Jostle with tourist mobs to board crowded buses (and probably not even get a seat), then deal with crabby, rude bus drivers - don't use buses in Gozo - do in Malta, but only from Cirkewwa to Valletta - never had a problem, but if you get on a bus other than at the start of the route, then standing is common - still you can always get a taxi, and the buses are very cheap
2. Walk carefully on city streets to avoid doggie droppings - getting much better, esp. now there are green wardens issuing fines
3. Be on high alert as pedestrians to avoid being hit since sidewalks are narrow and drivers are careless - in Gozo pavements are nearly non existent, so yes, and yes
4. Run risk of getting sprained ankles when avoiding traffic on un-repaired streets - yes
5. Suffer repeated outages of basic services, followed by poor service with long delays - no, not really - in four years, water cut off 2 or 3 times, but only for a few hours, electricity off maybe 1-2 times per year, on av for 1-2 hours, telephone never had a problem
6. Be treated as largely invisible by shop keepers and waiters when shopping or dining outside of tourist areas - no, if anything better service outside tourist areas
7. Experience sub-standard food in grocery stores put on display for tourists or any non-Maltese speaking shopper (whereas locals ask for and get fresher produce) - never
8. Be confronted by beaches loaded with cigarette butts - Gozo beaches (Ramla and San Blas) are very clean
9. Service in retail stores to be generally poor - not especially
10. Restaurant dining to be undistinguished, including the standard fare offered everywhere that British tourists predominate: greasy chips served with everything - Gozo has many excellent restaurants, and some poor ones. However, alot of restaurants have very similar menus
-
Edited by
gozomark
2006-12-30 13:16:22
Hi there I have to totally disagree with this article http://www.xpeditions.be/publication/socialspace/socialspace.html regarding drinking and dining in 'non-tourist' areas. My experience is mainly in Malta. During the years my husband and I have been the only 'tourists' in many bars and restaraunts that we have visited and ALWAYS been made to feel welcome. In fact we would always choose a place full of Maltese customers above a place full of tourists.
I have to totally disagree with this article http://www.xpeditions.be/publication/socialspace/socialspace.html regarding drinking and dining in 'non-tourist' areas. My experience is mainly in Malta. During the years my husband and I have been the only 'tourists' in many bars and restaraunts that we have visited and ALWAYS been made to feel welcome. In fact we would always choose a place full of Maltese customers above a place full of tourists.
Hi Charliegirl - I don't recognise Gozo restaurants from that article either ! - like you, always been made to feel very welcome
Sorry, have to disagree with every point on that list. You could apply that list to basically any country, certainly the UK.
Malta has some fantastic restaurants, certainly generally much more superior in quality AND price to the UK.
Buses are very cheap and provide a great service. Can't remember the last time I had a seat on a bus or train in the UK AND it was a complete rip-off price wise.
Shops & supermarkets? Well, what kind of service do you get in Tescos or other faceless outfits in the UK- absolutely none. Just a bunch of disinterested teenagers who know nothing about what is on offer. At least in Malta most outlets are still family run.
Malta has some fantastic restaurants, certainly generally much more superior in quality AND price to the UK.
Buses are very cheap and provide a great service. Can't remember the last time I had a seat on a bus or train in the UK AND it was a complete rip-off price wise.
Shops & supermarkets? Well, what kind of service do you get in Tescos or other faceless outfits in the UK- absolutely none. Just a bunch of disinterested teenagers who know nothing about what is on offer. At least in Malta most outlets are still family run.
hi all!
there are some articles that only aim at giving a bad view of the things! We ve never experienced such things while in Gozo. We have visited Gozo more than 20 times in the past 12 years, and really like the place, the people and their friendliness! Gozo people are very clean, tidy persons and very helpful! In one instant i can fully remember a day when i lost my wallet! I went to the police station to file a report only to find a guy had already been there with my wallet! I offerd this guy Lm10 note for his kindness, and you know what?! He refrained from getting it! Instead he asked me to go to a nearby bas for a drink and ended up buying me drinks himself too! Gozo is fantastic!
there are some articles that only aim at giving a bad view of the things! We ve never experienced such things while in Gozo. We have visited Gozo more than 20 times in the past 12 years, and really like the place, the people and their friendliness! Gozo people are very clean, tidy persons and very helpful! In one instant i can fully remember a day when i lost my wallet! I went to the police station to file a report only to find a guy had already been there with my wallet! I offerd this guy Lm10 note for his kindness, and you know what?! He refrained from getting it! Instead he asked me to go to a nearby bas for a drink and ended up buying me drinks himself too! Gozo is fantastic!
http://www.xpeditions.be/publication/socialspace/socialspace.html
I think that these observations are a little negative because that was their objective and purpose by the people who write such articles.
These 'professional' people are of the type that have been institutionalised all of their lives, School.college, university. and university careers!!!
Basically all of their views could be applied to any industry or society as a whole rather than just the tourist sector of Malta and Gozo.
I think that these observations are a little negative because that was their objective and purpose by the people who write such articles.
These 'professional' people are of the type that have been institutionalised all of their lives, School.college, university. and university careers!!!
Basically all of their views could be applied to any industry or society as a whole rather than just the tourist sector of Malta and Gozo.
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