We quite like to go away at Christmas, and this time we decided to visit Malta and Gozo.

Above I’m pictured in front of the Azure window as featured in Game of Thrones.

A few (quite a few) years ago, me and my friends decided to go on holiday together.

Opinion was divided amongst the group. Some of us wanted a “summer holiday”, others wanted to visit the Alps (you can probably guess which camp I was in).

As it was Julie, Mac and Caz went to Malta and had a really good time, while Lee and I went to the Alps and went Interailing around Europe.

I remember hearing all about Malta and always wondered what it was like. Now I was going to find out.

We’d be spending 8 days over Christmas touring the Island with short stop off’s and 2 night breaks.

We fly into Malta international airport. The only airport in fact, since the Island is actually 16 miles long.

We get a taxi to our first destination Marsaxlokk, A traditional fishing village with 3.5 thousand inhabitants.

It was late in the evening, so we found somewhere local for dinner then had drinks in a few bars before retiring to bed.

In the morning, our hotel had a rooftop bar where we had breakfast (which luckily had a roof, as the weather was terrible).

So, not a perfect start to our trip, but as usual we’ve got a contingency.

Travelling via the capital Valletta we head for a fortified medieval city called Mdina.

We used the bus service extensively throughout out trip and found it to be very comfortable and reliable.

And Mdina certainly was fortified, it had the massive walls all around it.

It was an interesting place to visit and an ideal “rain” destination.

Which was good, as the rain was getting worse.

Inside the walls, a small bar where we shelter from the rain.

Very atmospheric and the wine and beer were really nice. We spent about 2 hours in here, as we’d seen everything by now and it was tipping down outside.

We wander back through the alleyways and head home.

Back at Marsaxlokk to get cleaned up, then were out for the evening.

La Nostra Padrona is recommended by our hotel and my steak was delicious.

One thing to note about Malta, is that most meals come with a sort of pre-starter, and if you dont know this and your hungry, you order a pretty big starter and then can’t finish your main.

In the morning we go out for a walk before breakfast, and the weather has changed completely.

Marsaxlokk is known for its special kind of boats which are painted in local colours and a bit “boxy”.

We wander further to see the Parish church before heading back for our breakfast.

With a walking trip planned later that morning I eat plenty as I’ll need the calories.

We wander along the coast then head inland along a farm track.

Short while afterwards, we cross the island and wander along a coastal path.

And then we reach St Peter’s Pool.

A lovely quiet cove where we enjoyed the sunshine and had a swim.

There seemed to be a sort of abandoned hotel here.

Its a shame, as it would have made a superb destination for weekend breaks (and would have allowed us to buy some cold drinks).

With cold drinks on our mind, we wander back to the village and relax by the ocean.The waterside cafe in Marsaxlokk.

With our 2 days complete, were off to our next destination Xlendi, on Malta’s sister Island, Gozo.

Gozo can only be reached by ferry, so we get another bus to Cirkewwa.

The journey is quite short (30 mins).

We got some drinks and while Nikki looked out at the Mediterranean ocean, I wandered around the shop (they had an extensive selection of English books and magazines).

Between Malta and Gozo is an Island called Camino which features a beautiful swimming spot called the Blue Lagoon.

I’d wanted to see it, but its only 500m across and only has 1 hotel which was closed. With no resources on the Island, the ferry’s weren’t sailing there.

We get a tax to Xlendi and check into the Hotel San Andrea.

The view of the bay from our balcony window is one of my favourite memories of the trip.

Since its late afternoon, we wander around the town and explore (I find a nice pub and Nikki a respectable Italian restaurant).

In the evening, we out out at Zafiro and I try the local Risotto.

We’ve earmarked two incredible coastal walks while on Gozo, so the next morning its an early breakfast and out.

The road’s out of town have these amazing countryside valleys in between them.

We head up a farm track and I pause for this picture.

A discussion about whether a path is privately owned, puts us off balance.

After another discussion and reviewing the “picture” which the tourist board describes as a map, we find an alternative route and were re back on track.

We stop at this pool which has all sorts of wildlife and birds.

It’s also a nice spot to stop for some rest and a drink.

We reach the Dwejra bay and are rewarded with these amazing pictures.

The Fungus rock above is home to many unique plants and animals and although people dive and fish around here, they aren’t allowed on the rock.

It takes its name from the Fungus Cynomorium coccineum which the Knights discovered had medicinal properties.

Continuing along the sandy coastal path.

Five different species of Gekko live here, of which 2 are unique in the entire world.

There are many forts on the coast. Dwejfra fort was built in the 1700’s and later used by the coastguard.

Its been restored to superb condition and had a museum inside with a historical video.

You could also go onto the top battlement.

Anther half mile and we reach the thing we really wanted to see. The Azure window.

That’s me standing on top of it, to give some idea of its size.

Its not recommended to stand on top, but it was a once in a lifetime thing. Nikki took this picture from the cost.

This is a close up off me.

As you can see, there are cracks forming in the rock. Although I felt safe, if I’d walked 3 feet forward I would have been in the water !.

There were some souvenir shops, but we got the bus to the capital of Gozo, Victoria and did some sight seeing.

At one point, we were in a bar, and someone who worked there, and bought an Angel to go on top of his tree.

He had dropped it, and it didn’t light up. I used my headtorch for additional lighting and with my penknife started fixing it.

And after all the buildup, I coulnt fix it. Instead, we gave him a tip of the price of the Angel so all was well.

Some nice Tappa’s for dinner, and then bus back to Xlendi.

A different route this morning, heading out of the bay.

Looking back, we could see our hotel.

Starting off at a lower level, it follows the coast.

After a while, it heads inland across rough tracks, and we see some people out on mountain bikes.

The walk PDF’s we got off the internet were enthusiastically written, but not recently researched.

The walk along the cliff edge (yes, its about 4 feet away from a 350 foot drop) come to an end as someone has built a wall.

We circumnavigate and rejoin the path.

Back next to the ocean, the surroundings have changed once again.

We continue, heading for the port town of Mgarr.

Just outside town we arrive at Fort Chambray.

This place was amazing, an old fort on the outside, had been converted into modern flats and apartments on the inside.

I would have loved to live there.

Just before we reach Mgarr harbour, we get this view of Camino island.

With Christmas day around the corner its time to move again, this time to a more central town (so we’ll actually be able to get something to eat on Christmas day and everywhere wont be shut).

Time now for a bit of luxury, we stay at the Seashells resort in Qawra near St John’s bay.

It’s Christmas eve, so we wander into the main town to explore.

Just after lunchtime on Christmas eve, I’m disappointed at the number of drunken “balloons” around so we head back to the peace and quiet of our hotel.

We sit by the Ocean and have some nice drinks. I cant remember a Christmas eve lunchtime like this before.

We’ve not booked anywhere for Christmas eve dinner and I’m starting to get concerned. No matter we’ll sort something out.

Our first stop, is the hotel itself, as a reception is being held for all guests by the hotel management. We popped in and joined them for a drink (they were really nice, and it wasn’t the “sales promotion” kind of thing I’d expected.

As we head around the hotel, we find a quiet bar called the Blue Dolphin (so quiet, that Nikki and I were the only guests).

I’m not religious, but Christmas is always a special time for me and I’m having a nice time.

But what are we going to do about dinner (my contingency plan of the breakfast bars I have in my rucsack just wont fly with Nikki 🙂

We ask the bar if they can recommend anywhere and they have an attached restaurant.

Result, the food is lovely and the wine selection extensive.

When we first sit down its pretty quiet, but a few minutes later, several family’s arrive. One group is so big it fills the entire table in the centre of the room.

With food eaten, toasts given, hands shaken and Happy Christmas said to everyone, we head home.

We decide to have a list drink in a bar nearby. The end of Christmas eve, was a special time.

It being Christmas day, what can we do but head out walking.

A bus takes us too Ghadira and we walk a road up to Slugs bay.

From here, we follow a track along the coast with views like the one above.

There were loads of recreational boats moored here,  and I presume people come here at weekends to go sailing and boating.

One of the beaches has a public bathroom.

I loved this sign, that says please don’t wash your feet !.

We wander passed Ramla bay resort.

I’m not a “summer holiday” type, but this place looked like it had everything.

Only thing was, it appeared derelict and closed down. Since returning home, I’ve realised its still open, it does a full shutdown at certain times of the year. I really liked it and I’m going to go back there.

It even has a diving school, and this map shows a number of wrecks nearby that you can dive too.

Continuing, we cross a rocky outcrop.

There’s an enormous cave (so big that some people are camping in there and as we pass are rock climbing inside the cave with ropes.

A place a found really exciting was an abandoned army base, used during the 2nd world war and finally closed in 1967.

I reminded me a lot of the sort of thing you used to see on the xFiles, but Nikki didn’t really enjoy it as much as me.

Near the end of our walk, and we arrive at St Agatha’s tower built in 1649 and instantly recognizable by its red colour.

Nearby is a nature reserve with lots of birds.

I find these abandoned buildings (I quite like abandoned buildings).

It looked like it used to be either a hotel or a very wealthy persons house.

Whatever it was, it was derelict now, but the vandals had at least painted nice murals all over it.

We wander back to the bus stop and while waiting had a drink at the Maxima bar.

Relaxing the rest of the day and evening, we set of the next morning for our final destination, the capital of Malta, Valletta.

We stay in hotel Fortina which is really nice.

They’ve mad a mistake and we dont have a sea view.

To compensate were given us a massive room. We found out when we went for breakfast that several hundred people are staying at the same hotel and they are all British, at least 60 and wearing sportswear from a different era :).

The capital is a funny sort of place, as its made up a of a few different peninsula’s. As were staying on Sliema, we have to get a ferry (or walk a long way) to get to Valletta, Paola or Birgu.

Stepping off the ferry, we walk up this steps to reach the main street of Valletta.

Its a vibrant thriving place so we immediately start exploring.

The South-east side of Republic square.

A library today, it was originally used to store records and contracts used by the Knights of Saint John.

The Knights of Saint John, occupied and ruled Malta.

There symbol, the Maltese cross is today used by the St John’s Ambulance society.

The 8 points on the cross represent the 8 languages spoken by the Knights (they were a multinational organisation) and the 8 rules/principles they were bound by.

Above is the Grandmasters palace of the order of St John.

Inside, the usual red carpet room thing.

And this corridor with amazing art work on the ceiling.

They had an extensive armoury which I found fascinating, and Nikki found rather dull.

We discovered one really cool thing about this Medieval town.

We had drinks in a place called Malata bar across from the Grandmasters palace.

A street along was City lounge where we’d decided to have dinner. I mentioned this to the barman, who showed us a “secret passage” at the back of the bar.

Down some dark steps and were actually in the main restaurant of the City lounge !.

And after such “Indiana Jones” excitement, what else but a lovely piece of steak, with Cafe de Paris sauce.

St John’s Cathedral.

They were doing restoration work, its always disappointing when a facade is put up, but I suppose its necessary.

We visited the Lascaris war rooms, deep underground.

Malta had played a significant role during the war, as it was strategically placed once the African front opened up.

It was frequently bombed from Italy.

Radar was used to track flights from Italy, so they knew when to be ready.

Worst of all, was when a British war ship HMS Havock was docked in the Grand harbour for repairs.

The enemy were determined to sink it in harbour and Spitfires were scrambled from Malta several times each day.

The Island itself suffered heavy casualties but life still went on.

Our guide in the war rooms said simply, we are Roman catholic on this Island, we produce people the way other society’s produce potatoes.

Hardly politically correct, but I think it reflected the personality of the people there, who I’d grown to love.

Another “historical” event that took place in Valletta, Malta was at this pub (which is simply called “The Pub”).

It’s here that Oliver Reed passed away after a night of heavy drinking (while making Gladiator, the producers had to use some animated material to complete the film).

It was loud and brash and not somewhere I’d want to go. So exactly the kind of place Oliver Reed would like 🙂

Instead, we had a few drinks in D Office Bistro, a much more calm and relaxing environment.

Its such a nice evening, that instead of getting the boat back, we decide to walk.

Next morning we head back to Valletta.

The arches and fountain of upper Barakka gardens.

From the battlements nearby, we can see across to the Forti Sant Anglu in the centre of the Grand Harbour.

We travel over and visit the fort. After several hours, we leave and have a drink at Cargo bar and dine.

We have a look around Malta Maritime museum (obviously ships and boating are important if you live on an Island).

It’s located in a former Naval bakery. They are hosting a wedding there that evening, so there are flowers everywhere.

On one floor, they have constructed an entire engine room from a frigate sent for scrap.

Afterwards, we “charter” a small boat back to Valletta.

He asks for 5 Euro’s but we give him 10.

Lovely and peaceful sailing back to port with all the ships lit up.

We wander up onto the battlements, so I can get a better look at this ship (one of many massive boats in the harbour, but the one I liked the most).

An enormous thing with swimming pool and helicopter landing pad.

As I passed it, I did a wifi scan. They had crew_recreation_ 1 & 2 which gives some idea of how elaborate things must be on that boat.

Near the lower Barakka gardens, the Siege Bell memorial.

A final memory of the trip, its time to head back to the hotel, as were flying home in the morning.

I love this place.

My thoughts go back to all those years ago. I’m glad I went to the Alps but part of me wishes I’d come here as well.