Any Way The Wind Blows
In Malti, the points of the compass are mostly named for the winds that blow from that direction. These are versions of the old Latin names used by Roman sailors. Xlokk is the Maltese equivalent of the Italian sirocco, both of which derive from the Arabic word sharg, meaning 'east.' The xlokk is a hot, humid and oppressive wind that blows from the southeast, usually in spring, bringing misty conditions to the island. It derives its heat from the Sahara and picks up its humidity passing over the...
Horse Riding
Horses have long played an important part in Maltese life, and you can often see owners out exercising their favourite trotting horses. The quieter back roads offer enjoyable riding - instruction and horse hire can be organised through most major hotels. Riding schools in Malta include Bidnija Horse Riding School j 2141 0010 www. bldnijahorserlding.com Trlq il-Bdlewa, Mosta Golden Bay Horse Riding 2157 3360 Gtiajn Tuffieia See pi 15 for more details. Pandas Riding School 2134 2506 Triq Tobruk,...
Openair Clubbing
There are lots of reasons to visit this part of Malta, and refined pastimes such as museum-going and architecture-admiring are major drawcards. After dark, however, it's another story. In summer June to September , the area around Rabat is home to some of Malta's best nightlife. The Ibiza-styled Gianpula 9947 2133 www.glanpula.com , a few kilometres east of Rabat signposted en route to Zebbug , is a huge open-air club that kicked off in 1980 and is still going strong. It hosts big-name events...
pop Ufe
Atmospheric Vittoriosa is only 800m long and 400m at its widest, so it's hard to get lost - but aimlessly wandering its old, plant-filled alleys makes for a pleasant diversion. However, street signs are in Malti, while most tourist maps are in English only, which can be confusing. From the Poste de France, Triq il-Mina 1-Kbira Main Gate St leads to the town's main square, Misrah ir-Rebha Victory Sq . From the square, the marina and Maritime Museum are downhill to the left, while Triq San...
Gay Lesbian Travellers
Homosexual sex was legalised in Malta in 1973, and the age of consent for males and females is 16. Attitudes towards homosexuality in Malta are much the same as in most of southern Europe. Younger people and women are usually more tolerant than older people and straight men - and remember that it's a very Catholic country, and public affection straight or gay is generally frowned upon. Still, although Malta is not a very 'out' destination, it is gay-friendly. Although there are only a handful...
Golden Bay Grain Tuffieha
The fertile Pwales Valley stretches 4km from the head of St Paul's Bay to Ghajn Tuffieha ayn too ee-ha, meaning 'Spring of the Apples' on Malta's west coast. Here, two of Malta's best sandy beaches draw crowds of sun-worshippers. Golden Bay - the sand is more grey-brown than golden - is the busier and more developed of the two beaches, with caf s, water sports and boat trips, and a huge new hotel rising above the shoreline. There is talk of a golf course being built behind the Radisson hotel -...
Xemxija
The small, south-facing village of Xemxija shem-shee-ya , on the north side of St Paul's Bay, takes its name from xemx, meaning sun in Malti. There are a couple of private lidos along the waterfront, but Pwales Beach at the head of St Paul's Bay is just a narrow strip of gravelly sand. The town itself is desperately in need of some TLC - along the main road is a collection of derelict buildings creating a serious eyesore. Back from the water is Is-Simar Nature Reserve Map p102 2134 7646...
Food Drink
Like Malti, Maltese cuisine is influenced by the many foreign cultures that have ruled the country in its long history. The food is rustic and meals are generally based on seasonal produce and the fisherman's catch. Malta is not known as a destination for gourmets, but the food is generally good and cheap. The most obvious influence is Sicilian, and most cheaper restaurants serve pasta and pizza there are also upscale places serving more creative Italian specialities. English standards eg...
Midrange 1
British Hotel 2122 4730 www.brltishhotel.com 40 Triq il-Batterlja s d Lm14 20, with sea view Lm16 25 El Large parts of the 2005 movie Munich were filmed in Malta, and when location scouts wanted a 1970s-styled hotel, they chose the British - and barely needed to do a thing to it. The d cor in the foyer, TV room and bar is so dated it might now be considered retro-cool. The hotel has its fans and its detractors - on the plus side it's affordable and well located, and enjoys great views over the...
Environment
Malta, Gozo amp Comino -Off the Beaten Track is an excellent resource by Nature Trust Malta that gives an overview of the Maltese environment including its geology, flora and fauna . It also contains details and maps for walking tours. Malta's built-up surface area stands at 22 compared to the European average of 7 , and in an unpopular move the government announced in 2006 it will extend Malta's development boundaries by a further 2.4 . The Maltese Islands cover a total area of only 316 sqkm -...
Activities
A right turn at the top of the harbour hill leads to a belvedere with a grand view over the harbour to Comino and northern Malta. Triq iz-2ewwiega leads to an even better viewpoint just south of Qala it's worth the effort to get here - it's 1.8km uphill from the harbour to the viewpoint, and once here you can enjoy the magnificent panorama from Xerri II-Bukkett restaurant opposite . Xlendi Pleasure Cruises 2155 9967 www.xlendi cruises.com offers half- and full-day boat trips around Gozo and or...
MELLIEHA BAY Tyo
Adira Sailing entre amp Lido 2152 3190 dinner mains Lm3-6 S lunch amp dinner Inside the sailing centre's Greek Islands-inspired exterior is an alluring caf -bar. Enjoy your meal inside the sky-blue interior or preferably alfresco, with water views everywhere you look. The lunchtime menu is small, with a few baguette and burger selections dinner-time options are greater, with appealing fish and pasta dishes. At the southern edge of the bay, near the roundabout where the bypass rejoins the coast,...
Sleeping Cap
There's only one accommodation option in Marsaxlokk, and thankfully it's a ripper. CHEE3 Duncan Guesthouse 2165 7212 http duncanmalta.com 33 Xatt is-Sajjieda d from Lm14 S Friendly, family-run Duncan's is hands-down the sweetest accommodation deal in southern Malta. It's above Duncan Bar amp Restaurant on the waterfront, and the spacious guest rooms come in family-friendly configurations. They're well kitted out for lengthy stays, each with sitting area, TV, small balcony, spic-and-span modern...
Insect Bites Stings
Mosquitoes are found inmost parts of Europe they may not carry malaria but can cause irritation and infected bites. Use a DEET-based insect repellent. Bees and wasps cause real problems only to those with a severe allergy anaphylaxis . If you have a severe allergy to bee or wasp stings carry an 'epipen' or similar adrenaline injection. Sandflies are found around Mediterranean beaches. They usually cause only a nasty, itchy bite but can carry a rare skin disorder called cutaneous Leishmaniasis....
Carbon Offset Schemes
Climatecare.org and other websites use 'carbon calculators' that allow travellers to offset the level of greenhouse gases they are responsible for with financial contributions to sustainable travel schemes that reduce global warming - including projects in India, Honduras, Kazakhstan and Uganda. Lonely Planet, together with Rough Guides and other concerned partners in the travel industry, support the carbon offset scheme run by climatecare.org. Lonely Planet offsets all of its staff and author...
The Festival Of Limnarja
L-lmnarja sometimes spelt Mnarja , held on 28 and 29 June the feast day of Sts Peter and Paul , is Malta's biggest and most boisterous festival. Its origins lie in a harvest festival dedicated to St Paul - the name is probably a corruption of the Italian luminaria, meaning 'illuminations', after the traditional bonfires that once lit up Rabat during the festival. The festivities begin on 28 June with a huge party in Buskett Gardens, complete with folk music, singing and dancing. Vast quantities...
Travel Agencies
National Student Travel Service NSTS s 2558 8000 www.nsts.org 220 Triq San Pawl Specialises in student and youth travel can arrange budget holiday packages, water-sports facilities and English-language courses for more information see p166 . SMS Travel amp Tourism 2123 2211 www.sms travel.net 311 Triq ir-Repubblika A good general agency, offering excursions, guided tours, currency exchange and plane and ferry tickets. It's helpful to know the names of Valletta's main streets in both Malti and...
Thai Massage
Chao Praya Thai Massage amp Spa Map p88 2137 8666 52 Triq Il-Wllga, Paceville S 9am-10pm Mon-Sat, 9am-7pmSun is a small, surprising piece of Thailand in downtown Malta -from the smell of Tiger Balm as you enter the shopfront to the Thai chatter of the staff. Prices are not direct from Thailand, however-a half-hour massage is Lm8, a full hour costs Lm12, but the benefits to legs sore from sightseeing or clubbing are invaluable. You can also submit to foot massages, reflexology, manicures and...