A to Z Challenge: M = Malta

2014, A to Z Challenge, Cruises, Europe, Malta, Travel Notes

A to Z Challenge: M = Malta

M = Malta I read several reviews about sailing into the Grand Harbour on Malta and all mentioned how beautiful it was to sail into this port. The Captain of the first ship I cruised on, the Brilliance of the Sea, said that this was his favourite port, I knew it would be a treat –…

Cat Starr

April 15, 2014

2–3 minutes

A to Z Challenge, cruises, Malta

M = Malta

I read several reviews about sailing into the Grand Harbour on Malta and all mentioned how beautiful it was to sail into this port. The Captain of the first ship I cruised on, the Brilliance of the Sea, said that this was his favourite port, I knew it would be a treat – and it is!

Here are some of my top picks for visiting Malta.

St. John’s co-Cathedral is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. From the outside, it does not look like it would be much – but inside, it is over the top! The floor is a unique treasure. Each large square tile decorated with coats of arms and other fantastical symbols and marks the resting place of a member of the Knights of St. John. Another highlight is the large Carvaggio painting of the Beheading of John the Baptist.

The Grandmasters Palace is another interesting place to visit. Built in 1571, after the knights left Rhodes, it is still used today by the Maltese government for state functions. Some of the highlights include a rare collection of Gobelins tapestries and the Palace armory. One suit of amour worn by a grandmaster is pictured in a Carvaggio painting that is in the Louvre museum.

Neptune's Courtyard at the Grandmasters Palace — Neptune’s Courtyard at the Grandmasters Palace

Caravagio's Grand Master — Caravagio’s Grand Master

I loved the National Archaeology Museum. It is right on Republic Street in Valletta, The collection is from the sites on Malta and include several stone altars and the large Reclining Goddess of Malta.

National Archeology Museum — National Archaeology Museum

There are inexpensive buses that can take you around the island. About twenty minutes from Valletta is Mdina. This is a beautiful walled city and well worth a quick visit to walk around and see the limestone walls.

View of countryside between Valletta & Mdina

The Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta have a fantastic view of the harbour. Every day at noon, they fire the cannons in a very traditional military fashion.

And my favourite part of Malta — sailing in and out of the Grand Harbour.

Entering the Grand Harbour early in the morning

View of the Upper Barrakka Gardens — View of Valletta

8 responses to “A to Z Challenge: M = Malta”

cvail

April 15, 2014 at 3:35 pm

I love, love, love Malta. I’ve been twice now…The first time they were still using the yellow buses which I loved, but alas they have upgraded…darn!

Reply
1. Cat Starr Astral Traveller
  
  April 15, 2014 at 4:03 pm
  
  No, they upgraded the buses? What a shame; that was part of its special charm! Still, I love Malta and want to go back. I’ve been there twice as well.
  
  Reply
Donna

April 16, 2014 at 1:46 am

Your pictures are so beautiful and I am so jealous! Valletta is one of the most beautiful and interesting places I have ever been to. It was so hard returning to the cruise ship at the end of the day.

Reply
1. Cat Starr Astral Traveller
  
  April 16, 2014 at 5:12 am
  
  I agree. I chose my first cruise partly because it went to Malta. It is beautiful. I’m glad you liked my pictures.
  
  Reply
A to Z Challenge: N = Naples | Astral Traveller

April 16, 2014 at 9:09 am

[…] of my favorite places in Naples is the Archaeological Museum (and yes, if you saw my post on Malta or Santorini, you can tell I like to look at old stuff). The museum has much of the artwork from […]

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Gina Ellis

April 16, 2014 at 9:21 am

And how about the old temples and the hypogeum? I hated St. John’s – crammed to the gills and deco’d on every surface and full of tourists – claustrophobic and history of horror. Malta was my first o’seas destination after many years of no travel and I have fond memories. (I was fantisted by the teacup and soup ladle in the museum – put them in yer kitchen and nobody would bat an eye. The designs were perfected many thousands of years ago!)

Reply
1. Cat Starr Astral Traveller
  
  April 17, 2014 at 9:16 pm
  
  St. John’s is over the top. I did not get to the temple but I will be back!
  
  Reply
A to Z Challenge: R = Rhodes | Astral Traveller

April 21, 2014 at 9:42 am

[…] Century by the Knights of St. John’s (the same ones responsible for many of the sights to see in Malta). The city is a tapestry of winding streets, shops and restaurants, churches and mosques, and even […]

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