All you need to know about Malta and more..

robert_harper_2000

Hey Guys,

Went to Malta a couple of weeks ago and thanks to some of Sloppychops advice in another thread managed to have a great time.

Whilst over there I picked up a few tips of my own and thought it might help you out.

The area we stayed in was called Qwara it is a lovely area right by the sea and a short 10 minute walk from Buggiba Square which has some excellent shops.

We stayed in the Suncrest Hotel which is literally next door to the Qwara Palace Hotel. The Suncrest is a four star hotel which over looks the mediterranean sea. The hotel and rooms are nice but it can seem a little understaffed at times. The evening entertainment was not as good as the next door Qwara Palace Hotel's however, you can just nip into their area and watch their entertainment.

Another four star hotel (we found this out over there doh!) which is owned by the same woman who owns the suncrest is the Topaz hotel which is alot cheaper! around 6.50 - 7.50 Lm a night! This hotel is a short walk from the beach and we had a look inside and is very, very nice and is even closer to Buggiba square.

When you arrive at the airport there will be taxi's outside and they will I repeat rip you off, you are better ringing another company and booking in advance ( i have a telephone number if you want it PM me) reducing the cost from 10.75 Lm to 7.00 Lm.

There is also a little newsagent I know that will give you 10% off of all Captain Morgan trips, also, we know a few cheaper companys that do cheaper trips out. We went on both and have to admit that although Captain Morgan has a bad reputation as a rip off the quality of the days out are 5* and well worth a look. We went on a boat called the Fernandes that is a pirate ship and they take you out to the blue lagoon where you can dive into the sea (watch the jellyfish lol) and they put on a buffet and you have the option (additional charge of around £12 for two) to go to the caves etc.

Also, when booking the hotel bare in mind the food is VERY cheap out there you can get a full and I mean FULL english breakfast out there for around £2.00 - £2.50. So it is definately not worth going half board, all inclusive etc.

A nice restaurant I highly recommend is 'Luzzy' which is on Qwara beach front and sells the nicest food! Yum! Also, La Fontana is nice, although staff not as good as the luzzy!

This is just a taster I have all the email addresses, websites and phone numbers for you.

Please Pm me if you need or want any help or info in booking a holiday there.

HTH

loadsacash

We are going ot Malta on 3rd July and getting very excited!

I will pm you.

robert_harper_2000

10% off Capital Morgan; which although everyone says is a rip-off, it does seem to be the one with the best boats! Telephone (using 18185) ISLANDER (00356)21576039 or email islander@waldonet.net.mtislandermalta.com
Perhaps phone to book before hand or to at least check it is still doing discount.

George Garage in Qawra telephone 21580380 offered currency at 62.50 Travelex is currently at about 61.0
George Garage can also be used to book transfer when you get to the airport rather than paying the airport rate 10.75 you will pay around ML 7. Just phone him with your flight number. This will work both ways as when we book
from airport once at our hotel he said oh I will only do it at 10ML for you if you want me to pick you up on your way home.

Book your flights through the back of the newpapers apparently can be booked as cheap as £30!

Make a currency rate note, I typed it up and first column with Malta Lira next British pounds underneath put in under ML 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 50, 100, 250 etc This will greatly help as they refer to everything as oh this is five pounds which they mean malta pounds not english pounds and so will help you not get confused! Like we did

Topaz Hotel is apparently fantastic we had a quick look and looked amazing!! website ww.topazhtl.com tel (0356)2351 0000 sales@topazhtl.com the rates pppn starts from including breakfast 6.50ML about £9.50ish but varies on dates etc I have a price list.

Don't do trips
-Popeye village
-Fireworks trip

Gozo is mainly churches so don't bother if not into that and only have a short stay.

Comino blue lagoon worth a look very nice

Supermarket has loads of bits and bobs plus there are 1lira shops good for hats etc.

St Julians the one for the nightlife.

Hoped this has helped, and have fun

sloppychops

Never stayed at the Topaz before but the reviews on Tripadvisor are not great.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g190320-d290786-Reviews-Topaz_Hotel-Island_of_Malta.html

Flights can also be found cheaply through
www.maltabargains.com (they are the ones who probably advertise them in the newspapers)

Another shop that does a very good exchange rate and competitive prices on excursions is Marys in Bugibba(opposite post office and near bus terminus)

St Julians/Paceville is worth a visit,plenty of cafes,bars,restaurants and shops and also a cinema and ten pin bowling alley.On a night it does get very busy with the younger folk out enjoying themselves.

For masses of info regarding Malta and Gozo take a look at Holiday Truths.
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=23&sid=34189a57978290b0f3bd817b25defb7a

pandaonmyshoulder

We stayed at RIU Seabank at Melliaha (sp?) last week of May, hotels booked via medhotels.com and BA flights. No complaints about either, booked to go again next May 08 and using medhotels.com was cheaper than booking direct with Seabank Hotel;)

trisontana

To add to this, it has just been agreed at the latest EU conference that Malta (and Cyprus) will change over to the Euro on January 1st. 2008.

robert_harper_2000

Oh with currency if you have a Nationwide card they actually gave me the best rate of 0.63 and no commission

VanMan2007

If you want to visit the south of the island - where the Maltese go for their holidays, always a good sign - try Pretty Bay, Birzebugga. One of the few places on the island with a decent sandy beach.

I always stay at Reno's Bar B&B, which has (lifts to) rooms, all with shower. Run by a Maltese family, the food is excellent and has a great, relaxed atmosphere in the evening, a stones throw away from the beach. Bus stop in the square opposite, to Valletta is 30 mins away.

The family are now good friends of mine and will arrange anything for you, such as car hire, money conversion, etc. Last time I stayed it was £13 a night for half-board, and the evening meal is 2 very delicious courses!!! But if you book for a week or more, they'll surely work out a rate for you.

A great place to base yourself to explore the island. And if you want the real Malta, away from all the tourists -and a little peace and quiet! Ask for "little" Joseph Polidano - and tell him Big Rick from Nottingham recommended you!

robert_harper_2000

Don't forget if you do smoke or if you know someone who does your allowed 200 cigarettes and I think they work out about £2.50 a pack of 20 - compared to ...? £5 ish

Or of course sell them lol

sloppychops

robert_harper_2000 wrote: »

Don't forget if you do smoke or if you know someone who does your allowed 200 cigarettes and I think they work out about £2.50 a pack of 20 - compared to ...? £5 ish

Or of course sell them lol

Your allowed to bring back 3200 ciggies per person from Malta which we have done a few times now.(not to sell though,they last me ages now as hubby quit 3 months ago)

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_008566&propertyType=document