March 9, 2017 Comments (1) Views: 1331 Urban Trekker

Article by guest writer Elena

If you wonder why people yearn to plan their vacation in Malta and Gozo, you will have to visit the place to know how beautiful it is. Malta is an archipelago, consisting of 5 islands, that border the gleaming ocean between southeastern Europe and Arab North Africa. The weather is hot and dry in summer, and mild in winters.

I went to Malta last year as I heard a lot about it from my friends who visited the place in pursuit of their scuba diving ventures. The island is covered with buildings and the shaded lanes fall into a sunlit square where couples can be seen holding hands and facing the glimmering dome of a 19th-century cathedral. These sights are common throughout Malta, which has now become a popular crossroad of the West and the East.

After sundown, I cruised toward Valletta, the capital city, via Pozzallo. My co-passengers were locals and they talked about virtually everything under the sun. Although it originates from Arabic, the Maltese language is quite difficult. It has been blended with Italian, French, and Turkish and English elements. Someone once told me that it would take 30 years to learn Maltese if you are not a native.

A foghorn indicated we had reached Valletta harbor’s round citadel of stone, which glowed orange as darkness had now descended. I finally came ashore a quaint sea town, which appears quite ancient. Customs agents (almost all had a mustache!) whisked us via immigration onto a dusty paved street where the crowd was small.

To be honest, I felt intimidated and a bit scared of the sight. My first impression of the place was anything but welcoming. Soon after a cab ride down Malta’s curvy coastline, I reached St. Julian’s, which is a flashy entertainment spot crowded with visitors of all kinds dressed as if they were going to attend a disco.

My next day started with a bus ride to Mdina. I went for a stroll only to be left in awe of the Ancient Roman and Phoenician outer walls that encompass an inner maze of alleyways designed by medieval Arab city planners. The apostle Paul stayed here after his ship was wrecked in 60 AD.

My happiest memory was the dinner I enjoyed at a nice and elegant restaurant giving me just the perfect taste of the popular Maltese cuisine. The place was candlelit and I had my meal on a patio that gave me a clear view of the water. Like the language, the food is a blend of flavors, hailing from all corners of the globe but there is a strong Sicilian influence.

I opted for a few interesting dishes on the menu, from spicy fish stews to salty pea-stuffed pastries. Not just that, I found some interested African bean dips that tasted heaven. Just then, I spotted someone ordering a fenkata, dubbed as Malta’s national dish. This dish is prepared by roasting rabbit and then adding it to stewed tomatoes. It works perfectly with pasta and I opted for a Maltese Merlot on the side.

I learned from a group of tourists seated next to me that most tourists are headed to Gozo, which is a site filled with green valleys and hills. I decided to visit the place later as I had to head back the next morning.

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Malta gave me one of the happiest memories of my life. I felt as if I was wandering through an old section of Palermo or Istanbul and then the next moment I was surrounded by an exotic island that had picturesque beauty with clear waters. It is the perfect destination for both adventurers and history lovers as there are plenty of sites they can visit.

Elena Tahora is a guest contributor working at Atlantis Diving Centre in Gozo as a brand ambassador.

Tags: Gozo, Malta