What to see at Malta : The Queen of Mediterranean
Malta -- the gateway to Africa
I visited Malta in 2006, and I can say that it is a very nice and lively place situated in the Mediterranean region, it is indeed a gateway if you want to go to Africa. It is unique and wonderful place molded by many years of interaction with different conquerors. It is a very strategic place in commerce and a heavens place if you love small island visit plus if you want to go to different heritage sites, and the most popular one is the "Megalithic Temples", which is considered the oldest "free-standing" structure in Europe. It is composed of three large island groups of Valetta, Gozo and Comino and other small islands which are not inhabited.
I arrived in Malta from Farnkfurt, Germany which is nearly three hours away by plane. It is a lively tourist spot which lies in South of Europe and consists of an archipelago situated in central Mediterranean, Sicily, Tunisia and Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east. Maltas location is very strategic for expansion that’s why it has been under the rule of Phoenicians, Romans, Fatimids, Sicilians, Knights of st. John, French and the British have all rule the island.
The people : they are very lively people and there are lots of festivities going on in the area, they are a proud people with lots of nationalism in them plus pride and they are religious and courteous too.
Culture: The culture of Malta reflects the various cultures that have come into contact with the islands. Since they got their independence from UK, they are a free country now since 1964. They also drive in the left side like the Bristish and Aussies. There is a good transport system within the city of Valetta, they use the bus.
Mediterranean climate and aura
If you love the Mediterranean climate and aura, Malta is the best place to go plus all people from all walks of life go there too as it is considered really a tourist destination. The houses are of Mediterranean style and island hopping is a very nice way to spend your time there, plus the city is bustling and very lively. Valetta is always full of many people, and lots of things to do. The night life is awesome. I was lucky when I went there because it is summer, so people are relaxing under the sun and waters too.
And if you love to look at Mediterranean type of houses too, it is very nice, plus the architecture is beautiful (I am biased to Mediterranean style and architecture) and there are many archeological sites within the area as well.
What to see at Malta
Valetta: is the seat of the government where the President and the Parliament is situated. When I went there the office opens at ten am, and this is usual as they have many siesta time. Their form of government is presidential parliamentary.
Harbours : Malta has three large natural harbours on its main island. They have also museums and theaters where you can visit and find amusement too. Then they have the Grand Harbour, and it is located at the Eastern side of the Valetta city, second harbour is the Marsamxett harbour which is located at the western side of the city and lastly the Marsaxlokk harbour and this located at the southeastern side of Malta.
Popeye Village at Malta: It is also known as Sweethaven Village is a group of village with wooden buildings near the area of Anchor Bay in the northwestern corner of the village Mellieha. It was built as a set of production of the 1980 live action musical feature film POPEYE produced by Paramount pictures and Walt Disney productions, it serves as museum and for family entertainment too.
In one of the theater, you can see and view the history of Malta in audio visual form and how they came into being with their rich culture too.
You can also visit and experience the "Village festival" -- it is fun and very colorful feast.
I visited St. Johns Co-Cathedral in Valetta and see the Caravaggio paintings and how HE went to Malta in 1607.
I also went to visit the Mdina, the ancient capital which is walled by the ARABS and separated from the nearby suburban areas which became RABAT. You can see the history at "THE WALLS".
Most of all I enjoyed my walks and visit in the capital city of Valetta which is buzzing with people, restaurants, people having fun and swimming too while sitting down. The city is abound with museums, churches, art gallery and of course the smiling people.
It is indeed a unique place and experience which you can only see when you go to the Queen of Mediterranean--Malta.
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Maita, a friend of mine had vacationed there several years ago, taking movies and pictures and several of us gathered at her home for Malta Movie Night. Her and her husband enjoy diving/snorkeling which she said was a good experience there. Malta appears to be a beautiful Mediterranean island. Thank you for taking me back for another brief encounter.
Forever His
You know, where first I read the title to this hub, I thought for a split second you were calling yourself (Maita),"The Queen of the Mediterranean," lol. Reading this was a delight for all of my senses. I sure do hope that I get the opportunity to visit one day. You're absolutely right about the architecture. I'm sold on it as well!
You'll always be a Queen in my book, Maita! Thanks again!
Dohn
maita, you sure like to travel. Great work here and if you enjoy traveling and can do it, take advantage of it, you only live once as the saying goes.. Glad to see you had fun.
I hope to go on a cruise in that part of the world someday. I still have other places i would like to visit in the world before i vacation in the Mediterranean - another good one Maita
Popeye Village? Well that's certainly interesting. I'm so glad you included 'You' in the photos - nothing like a personal experience. Lovely place - and thanks for putting it all together. Lovely!
Nice article Maita, I would love to visit one day myself. I need some travel soon. I really enjoyed the pictures, and your guided tour. Thanks.
I really enjoy your travel posts, Maita!!
Spent three glorious consecutive summers in Malta in the nineties and this brought back some lovely memories. Thanks Maita.
Jeff
Maita, this is so nice. Thank you for introducing me to Malta. And- Popeye was filmed there. I did like that movie. stay warm.
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Hey Revlady, oh your friend must had fun, snorkeling is fun there really but I dint have time anymore to do that, am really sure they had fun too, You can try to go there one day if you want too, it is really worth it, Thanks Rev, Maita
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hey Dohn, yes could be that I am queen of Mediterranean, I dont look like European hehe, anyway it is a pleasure to be one, Queen of Dallas hehe,
I am wondering when I am thinking of the title of this one really, should be Maita at Malta hehehe, comedy...
Thanks, Dohn, I like your new article, Maita
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hi ehern, I would like to travel some more, maybe to Brazil, and to South America, maybe one day, I will be fine, but if I really have a chance I would like to go to other places as well, Thank you ehern for always dropping by, Good day, Maita
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hey coolmon, it would be nice if you have your honeymoon there too, think about that, tell your bf, Thnaks BTW for dropping by here, and I like your new healthy article too, Maita
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BK, thanks for your comments and for visiting me here once more, When are we going to have the dance, you teach me belly dancing? Maita
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Hey Truth, plan to go there now or Asia===Manila, Singapore or Bangkok and Hong Kong are awespome places to visit, I cant feature those places because some of the pictures I have there are all gone when my last computer collapsed, Thanks Truth for reading this, Maita
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Hi Cris, thanks for dropping by again, Maita
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Hi Jeff, I am sure you missed it, it is an awesome place isnt it, no plans of going back there? Maita
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Hey Mick, thanks, Popeye the movie, they shoot it there, yes, and thnaks for your nice comments, How are you today? Maita
Hi pdh I love your new pic, your beautiful :)
I'm looking for something different and exotic for a trip in 3 months. How long would you say a good visit to Malta would be? Ideally, how long would you want to be there?
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hi wolf, thank you for your comment and for dropping by, Maita
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three weeks is enough Book, just go there september as the weather is comfortable too, their money is in Euro, you can ride Paris to Malta or Germany to Malta--Frankfurt, you gotta go Book, it is awesome,
three months is too long, why not try europe, you can go to europe for three months too, just plan it, you can buy Europass whcih you can use for all countries which you like in Europe,
or you can try Australia, Sydney, then Canberra too, (they are two hours apart by plane)
or asia, very cheap, Bangkok, Singapore and HK are near ecah other, come on Book
Thanks and if you have some more questions you can ask me good day, Maita
What an interesting looking culture. I hope to get there some day.
Lucky girl! Beautiful place!
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Hey Katrina, they are really interesting BTW, go get there girl with you bf, hehe, Enjoy Mediterranean, Maita
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Hey habee, thanks, Maita
Great hub Maita, I've haven't been there yet, but it's on my wish list. I didn't knew about the Popeye Village, thanks for the hint.
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Hi hypno, yes the POPEYE village is an awesome place to see, You can visit there if you want too, September is the best month, how are you today? Maita
Fine thank you. :) I forgot to say that also the pictures are great. Have a nice weekend.
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oh hypno, thnaks for that compliment, have a nice weekend too, will visit your hub later, Maita
Hi Maita, I have always wanted to go to Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt. Africa and Asia are very intreguing places. Those cultures delveloped in very different ways, but the emphasis that they put on respecting tradition and elders reminds me of how lacking we can be at times here in North America. Very inciteful-Please contact me if you end up going and tell me how it was!
Steven Randall
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hi Steven, you know what I am an Asian woman and traveled lots in Asian countries, you can go to Bangkok, Manila, then Hong Kong, I can be your tour guide, hehe, and yes Cairo Egypt is a dream for me too,
It is amazing how people in some cultire respect elders too,yes, as for example in the Philippines we dont have homes for the elderly, we take care of our parents when they grow old not in an institution,
Thanks Steven for the visit here, Maita
Fantastic pictures! You really make me want to visit! I've been to Italy and Greece but I will now have to put Malta on my list. Thanks for sharing your trip!~
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hi russiangypsygirl, yes its a beautiful place, and it deserves your visit too, hehe, and thanks for dropping by and reading this one, Maita
Nice work, thanks, I have a friend in Malta right now and wanted to a specific read on it, this is a great description.
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thanks dear, Are you going there too? Maita
Hi Pretty,
I've just added a link from our hub "Malta Bus Travel" to this one - hope you don't mind.
Malta really is a lovely place to visit - good hub.
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2patricias, I will add you to mine as well, Maita
Kumustaka Maita,
Malta sounds interesting to visit. May be One day in the future. I guess you were traveling with group tour. I like to travel myself independently.
Do you need some big laugh then visit my hub. I updated but they are still not showing ads. Some of my other hubs was not showing too but I fixed them & it is fine now.
Have fun today........
I visited Malta years ago in my early 20's to get away from the busy city.
I had a great time. I had no idea they made the movie Popeye there! I loved that film when I was a kid.
Nice hub.
Andy
Great Pics, I love the hub...Definitely is now on my list of places I want to visit!
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