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The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Seven reasons the best way to see the Med is from a ship
The leapfrogging around There are times when you want to stay in one place for a week and explore in depth. A good cruise itinerary, however, paints a bigger picture. One day we're in Italy, the next Corsica, then Spain and Malta. Over the course of the cruise, I get a better appreciation of how these destinations are interlinked through conquest, culture and cuisine. Those connections are also made during Seabourn Conversations, the onboard lectures that cover topics from the 'Great Siege of Malta' to 'Michelangelo and the papacy'. Besides, I enjoy being in a different destination every day. Variety is invigorating. In Sicily, I'm climbing a volcano. In Saint-Tropez, admiring superyachts and chic shops. In Valletta, plunging into history. In Palamos in Spain I do nothing much at all in an inconsequential town that invites happy wandering. I discover saints weeping in gloomy churches, eat Iberian ham that dissolves on the tongue, poke around markets and enjoy Spanish local life. The moveable hotel A great hotel is intrinsic to a positive travel experience, and so is a great ship. Seabourn Ovation is a luxury vessel of only 300 passengers, exuberant with eccentric artworks and sculptures and yet unpretentious and relaxed. It has pleasing lounges, several restaurants and bars, a spa and a theatre. The fitness room gazes over the sea. Its cafe serves proper coffees from an espresso machine that hisses like a dragon. Bonus of this hotel: it moves. Tiers of breezy decks rise around its swimming pool in a grandstand from which to admire the scenery and enjoy low-key but lively sail-away parties. The Observation Bar provides moving panoramas as cocktail shakers rattle and ice cubes clink. Do this trip on land and hotel staff will never get to know you. For me, a bonus of cruising is interaction with the crew. Seabourn Ovation's waiters get to know my culinary whims and favourite drinks and, even better, are cheerful and chatty. The thrill of history No matter how you get around the Mediterranean you'll encounter history galore. By land and sea alike, there's no shortage of old towns, museums and palaces. But I reckon that, on a ship, you feel the thrill of it too. For most of human history, boat or ship was the optimal way to get around. As Seabourn Ovation glides at a sedate 20 knots, I feel I'm following in the wakes of all who went before: the ancient Greeks, Romans, Spanish and Knights of St John. The Mediterranean has always been fundamentally about maritime trade and conquest and maritime culture. Its greatest sights are nearly all piled up on its shoreline and islands. As we glide towards the Amalfi Coast, Vesuvius lurches to port, the crags of Capri to starboard, cliffs ahead crowned with teetering towns encrusted with 2000 years of tourism history. I can almost hear the creak of a Roman trireme's oars across the water. The way easy does it Getting around Europe is easy enough, but try cruising. In Monte Carlo, my suitcase arrived onboard in my stateroom within 30 minutes of checking in, and was shortly after unpacked and put away under my bed. No more repacking and dragging it across cobblestones and onto trains. No trains either. The magic of Seabourn Ovation is that I'm having dinner, watching a show and having a good night's sleep while someone else takes care of the travel hassles. Next morning, all I have to do is open my stateroom curtains and outside is an entirely new coastline, and maybe another country. I can dally over pancakes on deck as the sun heaves upwards and we dock in another port. No airport queues. No train timetables. Not another hotel. This is a holiday whittled down to the most enjoyable bits. The reliable dining A frustration of cruising can be that you miss out on local dining experiences. Then again, you miss out on repetitive and overpriced tourist menus too. On an upmarket cruise ship, you have quality and variety, and never need to gather the energy to find evening meals after long days of sightseeing. Seabourn Ovation hits the spot on this cruise because its newest restaurant, Solis, specialises in Mediterranean cuisine. In celebration of Sicily, I order panzanella salad, pappardelle with grilled baby artichoke, and swordfish with lemon and capers. At The Colonnade, themed evening meals include French and Italian. On Spanish night, I'm happy to be eating zarzuela seafood soup with saffron, Catalan-style grilled rib-eye steak, and a crema catalana with caramel sauce. So much for missing out. Another cruise advantage is that, when I hanker for a change of flavours, I'll find Thai yellow curry or ramen noodles far more readily on Seabourn Ovation than in a small Mediterranean town. That cruise feeling I can't list all the ways a cruise differs from land exploration because part of the difference is nebulous. It's an atmosphere, a hard-to-define experience that's the sum of many small parts, and it starts from the moment the ship's engines rumble and I know we're setting off. The ship slides me into that holiday feeling of sparkling sea, warm sun and cold cocktails. Every day I'll be somewhere new, and nobody is forcing me to do anything. I can sight-see, I can sit in cafes or simply go for a walk along Amalfi clifftops or Ajaccio seawalls. On board, I can eat when I want. I can flop by the pool like a seal on a rock, get pummelled in the spa, or have my knowledge of history polished in the lecture theatre. Fresh towel? Macchiato? I feel like Aladdin with a lamp, because it's coming right up. Loading I've paid my dues. I've backpacked, hitchhiked, trained and budget-flighted my way around the Mediterranean. Cruising is something else entirely, and I love it. The details Cruise Seabourn Cruise Line has many Mediterranean itineraries aboard Seabourn Ovation and its other ships, with regular departures between February and November. Some range across the eastern or western Mediterranean, others concentrate on the Aegean, Adriatic or French and Italian rivieras. Among them is a 10-day Tyrrhenian Treasures & Malta cruise between Monte Carlo and Barcelona departing on July 21, 2025, similar to the cruise described here. From $9201 a person. See
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Seven reasons the best way to see the Med is from a ship
The leapfrogging around There are times when you want to stay in one place for a week and explore in depth. A good cruise itinerary, however, paints a bigger picture. One day we're in Italy, the next Corsica, then Spain and Malta. Over the course of the cruise, I get a better appreciation of how these destinations are interlinked through conquest, culture and cuisine. Those connections are also made during Seabourn Conversations, the onboard lectures that cover topics from the 'Great Siege of Malta' to 'Michelangelo and the papacy'. Besides, I enjoy being in a different destination every day. Variety is invigorating. In Sicily, I'm climbing a volcano. In Saint-Tropez, admiring superyachts and chic shops. In Valletta, plunging into history. In Palamos in Spain I do nothing much at all in an inconsequential town that invites happy wandering. I discover saints weeping in gloomy churches, eat Iberian ham that dissolves on the tongue, poke around markets and enjoy Spanish local life. The moveable hotel A great hotel is intrinsic to a positive travel experience, and so is a great ship. Seabourn Ovation is a luxury vessel of only 300 passengers, exuberant with eccentric artworks and sculptures and yet unpretentious and relaxed. It has pleasing lounges, several restaurants and bars, a spa and a theatre. The fitness room gazes over the sea. Its cafe serves proper coffees from an espresso machine that hisses like a dragon. Bonus of this hotel: it moves. Tiers of breezy decks rise around its swimming pool in a grandstand from which to admire the scenery and enjoy low-key but lively sail-away parties. The Observation Bar provides moving panoramas as cocktail shakers rattle and ice cubes clink. Do this trip on land and hotel staff will never get to know you. For me, a bonus of cruising is interaction with the crew. Seabourn Ovation's waiters get to know my culinary whims and favourite drinks and, even better, are cheerful and chatty. The thrill of history No matter how you get around the Mediterranean you'll encounter history galore. By land and sea alike, there's no shortage of old towns, museums and palaces. But I reckon that, on a ship, you feel the thrill of it too. For most of human history, boat or ship was the optimal way to get around. As Seabourn Ovation glides at a sedate 20 knots, I feel I'm following in the wakes of all who went before: the ancient Greeks, Romans, Spanish and Knights of St John. The Mediterranean has always been fundamentally about maritime trade and conquest and maritime culture. Its greatest sights are nearly all piled up on its shoreline and islands. As we glide towards the Amalfi Coast, Vesuvius lurches to port, the crags of Capri to starboard, cliffs ahead crowned with teetering towns encrusted with 2000 years of tourism history. I can almost hear the creak of a Roman trireme's oars across the water. The way easy does it Getting around Europe is easy enough, but try cruising. In Monte Carlo, my suitcase arrived onboard in my stateroom within 30 minutes of checking in, and was shortly after unpacked and put away under my bed. No more repacking and dragging it across cobblestones and onto trains. No trains either. The magic of Seabourn Ovation is that I'm having dinner, watching a show and having a good night's sleep while someone else takes care of the travel hassles. Next morning, all I have to do is open my stateroom curtains and outside is an entirely new coastline, and maybe another country. I can dally over pancakes on deck as the sun heaves upwards and we dock in another port. No airport queues. No train timetables. Not another hotel. This is a holiday whittled down to the most enjoyable bits. The reliable dining A frustration of cruising can be that you miss out on local dining experiences. Then again, you miss out on repetitive and overpriced tourist menus too. On an upmarket cruise ship, you have quality and variety, and never need to gather the energy to find evening meals after long days of sightseeing. Seabourn Ovation hits the spot on this cruise because its newest restaurant, Solis, specialises in Mediterranean cuisine. In celebration of Sicily, I order panzanella salad, pappardelle with grilled baby artichoke, and swordfish with lemon and capers. At The Colonnade, themed evening meals include French and Italian. On Spanish night, I'm happy to be eating zarzuela seafood soup with saffron, Catalan-style grilled rib-eye steak, and a crema catalana with caramel sauce. So much for missing out. Another cruise advantage is that, when I hanker for a change of flavours, I'll find Thai yellow curry or ramen noodles far more readily on Seabourn Ovation than in a small Mediterranean town. That cruise feeling I can't list all the ways a cruise differs from land exploration because part of the difference is nebulous. It's an atmosphere, a hard-to-define experience that's the sum of many small parts, and it starts from the moment the ship's engines rumble and I know we're setting off. The ship slides me into that holiday feeling of sparkling sea, warm sun and cold cocktails. Every day I'll be somewhere new, and nobody is forcing me to do anything. I can sight-see, I can sit in cafes or simply go for a walk along Amalfi clifftops or Ajaccio seawalls. On board, I can eat when I want. I can flop by the pool like a seal on a rock, get pummelled in the spa, or have my knowledge of history polished in the lecture theatre. Fresh towel? Macchiato? I feel like Aladdin with a lamp, because it's coming right up. Loading I've paid my dues. I've backpacked, hitchhiked, trained and budget-flighted my way around the Mediterranean. Cruising is something else entirely, and I love it. The details Cruise Seabourn Cruise Line has many Mediterranean itineraries aboard Seabourn Ovation and its other ships, with regular departures between February and November. Some range across the eastern or western Mediterranean, others concentrate on the Aegean, Adriatic or French and Italian rivieras. Among them is a 10-day Tyrrhenian Treasures & Malta cruise between Monte Carlo and Barcelona departing on July 21, 2025, similar to the cruise described here. From $9201 a person. See
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
World's most beautiful castles
What is it about castles that fascinates so many people around the globe? A lot of the allure derives from the history and human drama that played out within the walls, as well as the astonishing architecture that features on so many castles. But they're also romantic and somewhat mystical, places that spark our imagination and conjure visions of long-ago knights in shining armor and powerful warrior queens. 'Because they combine two functions, they are far more interesting than fortresses or palaces,' says Marc Morris, author of 'Castles: Their History and Evolution in Medieval Britain.' 'What makes a castle a castle is that it combines the functions of defense and dwelling — it's a fortification and a stately home rolled into one. Creating a building which is both comfortable and defensible is difficult. The ingenious ways in which castle-designers reconciled this balance is always intriguing.' Although we normally associate castles with European history, it's actually an architectural form found around the world — in nations as varied as Japan and India, Morocco and Mexico. Many are now hubs of living history where modern visitors can watch jousting and other ancient combat forms, listen to medieval music or watch artisans demonstrate the arts, crafts and everyday skills of a thousand years ago. They also make great backdrops for outdoor concerts, films, theater and military performances, or for the on-location filming of movies and television shows. 'With a castle you get not only the stories of sieges, but also stories of the domestic lives of the rich and famous,' says Morris. 'Castles are places were plots were hatched, marriages were consummated, murders carried out, royal babies born, and so on. With castles, you are never short of fascinating things to talk about.' Read on to find out more about 21 of the world's most beautiful castles, fortified homes that are both a feast for the eyes and a time trip back to the bygone age during which they were created. Located about 30 minutes by bullet train west of Osaka and Kobe, Himeji rises above the Inland Sea and is considered the epitome of the Japanese feudal castle. Both a Japanese national treasure and World Heritage Site, the elegant whitewashed structure is also called 'White Heron Castle' because of its resemblance to a great bird taking flight. Completed in the early 17th century, Himeji offers daily guided tours in Japanese and English. This classic medieval castle towers above the island of Rhodes in the Aegean Sea. Originally built as a Byzantine citadel, it was reworked into its present Gothic form by the crusading Knights of St John when Rhodes served as the headquarters of their grand master. During the brief Italian occupation of the Dodecanese Islands, Benito Mussolini used the castle as a holiday home. Its permanent archeological exhibitions feature relics from ancient Greece and the early Christian period. Even though many people consider this Bavarian masterpiece the epitome of a German castle, it's a relatively new creation, erected in the late 1800s at the behest of King Ludwig II. The Bavarian monarch instructed his architects to design something that would reflect both the operas of Richard Wagner and the romantic ideals of the Middle Ages — as much a fantasy as Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, but with the snowcapped Alps as a backdrop and the Bavarian plains spread out beneath. Neuschwanstein is also a cinema darling, having appeared in numerous flicks over the years including 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and 'The Great Escape.' One of the most striking castles in all of Europe, the Alcázar rides a narrow, rocky promontory overlooking the plains of Old Castile in central Spain. Although it started life as a Roman fort, the structure evolved over hundreds of years into a prototypical medieval castle with a deep moat, drawbridge, round guard towers and a robust keep, as well as lavishly decorated royal chambers. Segovia Castle is most renowned as the home of Queen Isabella and powerful Phillip II before the royal court was moved to Madrid. Another offspring of the Romantic movement that swept 19th-century Europe, Pena crowns a hilltop near Sintra, Portugal. Commissioned by King Ferdinand II on the site of a ruined monastery dedicated to the Virgin of Pena, the castle is a flamboyant blend of various historic styles including Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance details. The castle's vivid red-and-yellow color pattern — and its flashy clock tower — endow Pena with a much more playful air than the somber castles found elsewhere in Europe. Erected in the early 17th century by the Mughal ruler of Rajasthan, the Amber Fortress crowns a hilltop near Jaipur, its stout walls reflected in the waters of Maota Lake. The palace complex inside the walls revolves around courtyards flanked by exquisite examples of Rajput architecture like the Maharaja's Apartments, Sukh Niwas (Hall of Pleasure) and Diwan-i-Am (Royal Audience Hall). Although it was once fashionable to ride an elephant up the steep entrance road, visitors are now advised to walk or take a 4x4 taxi. This massive mudbrick structure on the edge of the Sahara has starred in more than a dozen movies and television shows including 'Game of Thrones,' 'Gladiator' and 'The Man Who Would Be King.' The complex features a fortified lower town along the Asif Ounila River — where people still reside — and a partially ruined hilltop citadel. Berber-style guest houses provide accommodation for visitors to a ksar originally built in the 17th century as an overnight stop for caravans traveling between Marrakech and the Sudan. Founded in the waning years of the Viking Age, Kalmar Castle traces its roots to a 12th-century defensive tower overlooking the Kalmar Strait on the Baltic Sea. Four centuries later, King Gustav and his sons transformed Kalmar into a splendid royal residence that (with the help of renovation) looks much the same today as it did in 1592. In addition to exhibitions, children's activities and guided tours, Scandinavia's best-preserved Renaissance castle also features special events like an exhibition of ancient Egyptian artefacts, which is open until November 2025. Guarding the entrance to San Juan Bay, this 16th-century Spanish citadel is one of the most impressive structures in the Caribbean. Protected by a moat (with a drawbridge), stone battlements and rugged sea cliffs, the castle has repelled numerous attacks including several assaults by French pirates and a 1595 strike by Sir Francis Drake. However, it surrendered to US forces after a fierce naval bombardment during the Spanish-American War. Since 1962, El Morro and nearby Castillo San Cristóbal (the largest fort constructed by the Spanish in the western hemisphere) have been part of the San Juan National Historic Site. The grassy 'field of fire' in front of the castle is now immensely popular for picnics and kite flying. Although it's officially called a palace, Istanbul's sprawling Topkapi compound bears all the features of a classic castle: defensible site, fortified walls, powerful gateways and a royal residence occupied by the Ottoman sultans from the late 15th century when it was originally constructed until the 1850s. Converted into a museum when the Ottoman Empire dissolved after World War I, the Topkapi offers extensive gardens, wall-top walks overlooking the Bosphorus, the Ottoman Imperial Harem where the ruler's concubines resided and the Imperial Treasury with its famous emerald-encrusted golden dagger — stolen and eventually retrieved in the 1964 heist movie 'Topkapi.' Perched on an ancient volcanic outcrop at the end of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle is considered the 'most besieged place' in Britain with at least 26 major attacks during its 1,100-year lifespan. From Mary Queen of Scots to Oliver Cromwell and Sir Walter Raleigh, many famous Britons are indelibly linked the ancient edifice. Britain's oldest crown jewels (the Honours of Scotland) are safeguarded inside a castle that also provides an incredibly fitting venue for the annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Music concerts, living history events and weapons demonstrations are among the many events staged throughout the year inside the walls. And bygone military mascots are buried in the castle's Dog Cemetery. Despite its diminutive size, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is well-endowed with castles — more than 50 are spread across an area smaller than London's metro area. The most spectacular of these is Schloss Vianden, poised high above the Our River in northern Luxembourg. Built on the site of an ancient Roman fortress that protected the empire from barbarian invasion, the castle was constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries. Blending aspects of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance design, it remained in royal hands until 1977 when the Grand Duke bequeathed it to the state. Vianden's biggest annual bash is an August medieval festival with dueling knights, troubadours, jugglers and artisans. The Kremlin in Moscow may be better known, but it can't hold a candle to the one in Novgorod when it comes to medieval ambiance. Located 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of St. Petersburg, Novgorod was the seat of a powerful Russian republic from the 11th to 15th century when it was finally overshadowed by Moscow. That power was concentrated inside the detinets or kremlin with its sturdy walls and heavily fortified towers. Among its landmarks today are the Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom with its silver domes, the Novgorod Museum and the Millennium of Russia monument. There's no better example of the transition from the fortified castles of the medieval era to palatial homes of the Renaissance than this enormous chateau in the Loire Valley. Commissioned as a 'hunting lodge' by King François I in the early 16th century, the massive structure (440 rooms) took 28 years to construct. While it's moat, corner towers and keep are purely decorative, the 500-year-old castle has nevertheless protected some real treasures, not least the a magnificent double helix staircase said to have been inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. One of the finest examples of Chinese castle architecture is Shuri, a hilltop fortress and palace complex on the island of Okinawa in Japan. As the royal court of the independent Ryukyu Kingdom for more than 450 years — when the islands were heavily influenced by nearby China — Shuri developed a warren of imperial living quarters, audience halls, religious shrines and an extravagant throne room reminiscent of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The compound was heavily restored after World War II, when Shuri served as the local headquarters for the Imperial Japanese Army. The castle's present-day activities range from a morning gate-opening ritual called Ukejo and multilingual audio tours of the grounds to daily dance performances and nighttime illumination. England has far larger castles (Windsor) and others that are more steeped in history (Tower of London). But none boasts that textbook form of Bodiam Castle in East Sussex. Erected in 1385 as the bastion of a former royal knight, it's the epitome of a medieval castle – thick crenelated walls supported by nine stubby towers, arrayed around a square central courtyard and reached via a wooden walkway (a drawbridge in olden days) across a wide moat. Among its many visitor summer activities are archery sessions, dressing up in medieval costumes, afternoon tea with cakes and scones and guided tours. And just seven miles away is where the landmark Battle of Hastings played out in 1066. The only royal castle in the Americas hovers high above Mexico City. Erected in the late 1700s as a summer house for the viceroy of New Spain, the castle has played many roles since then, including the palace of Emperor Maximillian and an 1847 battle between Mexican troops and invading Americans that features in the 'Marine Corps Hymn' ('From the Halls of Montezuma …'). Nowadays Chapultepec is home to Mexico's National Museum of History. The royal quarters — including the precious Malachite Room and Maximillian's flamboyant bedroom — are included in castle tours. What makes this Slovenian castle so special is its astounding location — Predjama is arrayed across a cave mouth beneath a natural rock arch on the side of a sheer cliff. The lofty setting made it virtually impregnable when it was constructed in the 13th century. Attackers laid siege to Predjama on numerous occasions, but a secret passageway (that still exists today) allowed the defenders to come and go at will. Located 62 kilometers (38 miles) from Ljubljana, the castle and its park-like grounds host the Erasmus Knight's Tournament, a medieval festival and jousting competition staged every July. This island bastion overlooking the Bay of Naples is the oldest castle on our list, tracing its roots to the 5th century BC when Greeks colonized the region. From Roman legionnaires to Napoleon's troops, many armies have occupied Aragonese over the years. The castle now belongs to the family of an Italian lawyer who purchased the fortified island in 1912 and began restoration of its battlements, churches, convents, crypts and gardens. In addition to views that stretch all the way across the bay to Mount Vesuvius, Aragonese Castle boasts outdoor cafes, a bookshop, art exhibits and outdoor movies. Prague's imposing citadel is also one of the few castles anywhere in the world that still boasts real political power — the official residence of the president of the Czech Republic. Among the other landmarks inside its spacious confines are St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, 10 gardens and a row of 16th-century cottages called the Golden Lane that once housed the castle guards. Guided tours, offered during daylight and evening hours, last around three hours. Reportedly damaged during Syria's recently ended civil war, Krak des Chevaliers remains one of the world's great castles — and the only one on our list that has experienced 21st-century conflict. Created in the 12th century by the Knights of St. John, the celebrated Krak is considered the epitome of a crusader castle in the Middle East and one of the greatest statements of medieval military architecture. The structure features two mighty walls separated by a moat on a steep hillside between Homs and the Mediterranean Sea. It's hoped that the end to the fighting in Syria will enable restoration and repair work. This article was first published in 2019. It was updated and republished in June 2025
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Nine reasons why Malta should be your next holiday destination
Sun-filled getaway or action-packed family adventure? A little bit of luxury or an inspiring cultural break? When it comes to planning the perfect holiday, the answer is closer than you might think. Just three hours from the UK and with direct flights from 18 regional airports, Malta is the year-round Mediterranean destination that truly delivers. And with over 300 days of sunshine a year, some of the best beaches to be found anywhere in Europe and a calendar full of world-class festivals and events, it's no wonder even those who return to this ancient archipelago say, 'There's always more to explore.' Lying just off the coast of Sicily, Malta enjoys a location in the heart of the Mediterranean. With around 200km of dazzling coastline, it's also home to no fewer than 12 Blue Flag beaches, meaning you'll never have to travel far to find a picture-perfect place to roll out your beach towel. The 800m-long Mellieħa Bay on Malta's northwest coast is perfect for families and watersports enthusiasts, while those looking for an inviting cove to snooze the afternoon away should head to Għajn Tuffieħa Bay. Quite simply, there's a stretch of sand for almost every type of holidaymaker. And with Europe's warmest average temperatures, mild winter weather and over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, beach visits are always an option, whenever you visit. Malta's fascinating history has made the archipelago something of a living museum, with ancient temples, time-stamped alleyways and Medieval fortresses waiting to be explored. A more modern curiosity is the iconic red telephone boxes scattered around the islands, among the few reminders of British governance. The entire capital of Valletta, built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century, has been designated a Unesco World Heritage Site. And the 'Silent City'of Mdina – car-free and home to just 240 residents – is the perfect place to discover thousands of years of history. Head to St John's Co-Cathedral to marvel at the glittering gold interior and Caravaggio's masterpiece, The Beheading of John the Baptist. At more than 5m wide, it was the largest painting he ever produced. And don't miss the chance to wander through the ruins of the jaw-dropping Ħal-Saflieni Hypogeum (book well in advance for this) and the Megalithic temple complex at Ġgantija in Gozo. Malta has a reputation as one of the best diving destinations in Europe. It has more than 120 underwater sites to explore, including shipwrecks, the remains of a WWII submarine, and breathtaking reefs. Offering a wide choice of shore and boat dives, there's something to suit divers of all abilities, and anyone over age 10 can attain recognised diving qualifications. Malta enjoys a packed cultural calendar full of festivals, exhibitions and local celebrations. Even international artists come to get in on the action. The village festas season runs from May to September, and sees local communities host public feasts and lavish fireworks displays to celebrate patron saints. Drop in for the Isle of MTV Malta Music Festival, Europe's biggest free music festival which takes place in June or July. Come in October and experience Notte Bianca, when Valletta's streets, piazzas, churches, palaces and museums are transformed into venues for free live performances and concerts. In December, the island becomes a magical wonderland full of festive events, with children's workshops, dance performances and enchanting Christmas lights illuminating Valletta's streets. Even if you haven't visited Malta before, it may feel familiar thanks to the starring role the islands have played in some of Hollywood's biggest movies. Valletta doubled as ancient Rome in Ridley Scott's Gladiator, and Mdina became King's Landing in Game of Thrones. The islands also provided the backdrop for Brad Pitt blockbusters Troy and World War Z. With no fewer than seven Michelin-starred restaurants, Malta has earned a reputation as a gastronomic capital. The local cuisine is a delicious mix of Arabic, Mediterranean, French and British influences, with fresh seafood on almost every menu. Traditional dishes include rustic pastizzi – flaky filo-style pastry filled with ricotta or mushy peas – and hearty stews and pies. You can learn about traditional brewing methods at the Farsons Brewery in Birkirkara, and discover award-winning Maltese wines, rarely exported outside the islands. Fancy swerving the sun lounger and getting the pulse racing instead? Malta is a thrill-seeker's paradise. Locals call this place 'The Rock'' because of the steep coastal cliffs, deep-cut valleys and high ridges that delight climbers. More than 50 hiking and cycling trails across Malta, Gozo, and Camino take you along the cliffs, down country lanes and through picturesque villages. Or tackle the Xterra Gozo Trail Run, which follows a coast-hugging 50km path that takes you right around the island. Perhaps a spot of stand-up paddleboard meditation, an outdoor gym session or some clifftop yoga is for you. Malta offers some of the world's most idyllic natural beauty spots to rejuvenate in, as well as top-class spas with indoor pools, saunas, hammam baths and steam rooms. You could easily build a trip dedicated entirely to wellness, or just pop into one of the island's luxury hotels for a pampering session between all the adventuring and outdoor activities. Malta has a growing number of eco-certified hotels – from three to five stars – across the island. Look for the green leaf symbol when booking your accommodation: the official mark to show that the hotel is environmentally friendly and has been certified by the Malta Tourism Authority. It means that the hotel has committed to initiatives including energy efficiency, waste reduction and sustainable sourcing, with restaurants focusing on local produce.
The Independent
29-04-2025
- The Independent
Best hotels in Malta for luxurious breaks, peaceful getaways and family-friendly holidays
Once upon a time Malta was a package holiday paradise of cheap sun and sea for the over-sixties, but in the last 15 years that has completely changed – and with it the style, quality and range of hotels. Today all ages flock to this island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean – six times as many people visited last year as live here – and there's accommodation for them all. Some people come for a sunbed by the pool or an umbrella on the beach in a need-never-leave resort, while the active seek the dive centres, sailing charters or cliff-top walks. Some drop in for a festival from rock to baroque, and want stays to match. Many now visit for Malta's USP, its unique and fascinating history (and prehistory) from Neolithic temples older than Stonehenge to the honeyed limestone legacy of the Knights of St John and remains of the nation's starring role in WWII. Historic buildings have been restored and converted into hotels full of character and comfort, while new accommodation has been constructed to cater for different tastes. Here are 10 of the best hotels in Malta for 2025. Best hotels in Malta 2025 1. Phoenicia Malta hotel Enter the fresh Art Deco foyer of the Phoenicia and step back in time to the British colonial heyday of this then-and-now glorious grand hotel. Imagine the late Queen, as the newly married Princess Elizabeth, then resident in Malta, dancing with Philip in the ballroom. And colonial Malta's great and good – Maltese and British – in full bib and tucker, sipping cocktails on the terrace overlooking the garden. Things are more relaxed now, and besides standard rooms being small for a five-star, the Phoenicia is Malta's best hotel, with prices to match. Being just outside Valletta's towering bastion walls, it is walking distance to everything in the capital while having space for a long garden, pools (inside and out) and a spa. Service is attentive and friendly, with many long-serving Maltese staff. All in all, it is a destination in itself and if you can't stay here, drop by for a drink. 2. Casa Rocca Piccola B&B Live like a Maltese aristocrat in this B&B within the only privately inhabited but publicly viewable palazzo in Valletta. Your hosts are the Marquis de Piro, a modern-day Knight of Malta, and his English wife. Oh, and their talkative parrot. Your stay includes a visit to the historic parts of the house full of fascinating furniture, art and objects from a portable altar to a Knights-era sedan chair, paintings from the Grand Master's galley to silver surgical instruments from the Knights' sacred hospital – not to mention the World War II shelter beneath the house. And you're right in the heart of Malta's tiny, walkable capital, just 100m from the main square and the Grand Master's Palace. 3. BOCO Boutique hotel In Bormla-Cospicua (hence Boco), a traditional area of the Three Cities, little touched by tourism, this enjoyable, good-value boutique hotel is full of contemporary art and humorous touches: life-size Boco in human form climbs from floor to floor; glass shower doors are painted with colourful figures; and headboards become installations. Outside, a five-minute walk takes you to the labyrinthine Medieval streets of Birgu (or Vittoriosa), the Knights' first base in Malta, or to Galley Creek and the picturesque 10-minute ferry ride across the Grand Harbour to Valletta. 4. Corinthia Palace hotel In an upmarket residential area of Malta, opposite the palace of Malta's president, this peaceful hotel offers a stay away from the tourist hordes. Its main restaurant occupies the original 19th-century villa around which the hotel was built. Spacious and traditional, each with a balcony, while in the garden there is a large multi-level outdoor pool and behind a glass wall, a lovely, well-heated indoor pool and spa and a substantial gym. Service is attentive and helpful, and there's a complimentary shuttle into Valletta twice a day. On the roof is a Michelin -mentioned restaurant and, in the foyer, with plenty of seating, a vegan café. 5. Kempinski San Lawrenz hotel Just fully refurbished, this low-rise five-star hotel tucked into the landscape on the edge of a traditional village on Malta's smaller, more rural island of Gozo has palm-fringed pools in the gardens and a substantial heated pool in the spacious spa. An extensive menu of treatments ranges from the usual massages and facials to specialist Indian Ayurveda. This is a place to relax. Gozo moves at a more leisurely pace than the main island and the Kempinski has all you need for a real break, as well as easy access to the rest of Gozo. It is a few minutes' walk to the village square with its oversized parish church, bar and blacksmith, and less than half an hour to the dramatic coastal landscape of Dwejra, the 'inland sea' and cave tunnel, a little boat trip and a Knights-period tower. 6. Villa Serenity B&B, Gozo A lovely family-run Gozo B&B with large rooms, great breakfast, a plunge pool in the garden and a wonderful location between the traditional village of Sannat and the towering Ta' Cenc cliffs – the perfect place for a sea view sunset walk. Join locals in the village square (at the bar of the football club or the band club where musicians rehearse for the annual festa) or follow the cliffs down to Mgarr Ix-Xini for a swim or a snorkel in clear blue sea. Alternatively, take up your hosts' offer of a personalised Gozo tour seeing the sights with them, both on and off the beaten track. 7. Iniala hotel The USP here is the iconic view (and the price). This luxury ultra-designer boutique hotel full of original contemporary art sits atop Barbara Bastion fronting a sweeping panorama of the famous Grand Harbour. It's quite something to wake to this vast expanse of (almost always) sparkling blue water surrounded by history in golden limestone. Straight ahead is Fort St Angelo, Malta's oldest castle and first base on the island of the Knights of St John (the Knights of Malta). The view continues over breakfast as you eat your fresh fruit, pancakes, or full English in the rooftop restaurant. The view is equally spectacular by night, and, come evening, the rooftop turns into ION by Simon Rogan, Malta's only restaurant with two Michelin stars. Address: 10-11 St. Barbara Bastion, Valletta VLT1961 8. Cugó Gran Macina hotel On the banks of the Grand Harbour's most historic creek, Cugó Gran Macina is named for the masting-crane (il-macina) that used to stand on the Knights-period bastion into which the hotel is built. Close to the entrance to Senglea – one of the Three Cities (really three tiny towns) that fringe Galley Creek (or Dockland Creek as the British called it), the hotel is backed by residential streets relatively untouched by tourism. Rooms are built into the fortifications, so they are all different shapes and sizes, some with glorious views over the water. Interior design is contemporary with lots of black slate, striking against the honeyed stone of the original structures. The roof terrace affords panoramic views, and just below it is the rooftop pool. Little Bastion restaurant at ground– and water–level serves Mediterranean and fusion food at breakfast and dinner. 9. Westin Dragonara Resort hotel Malta has quite a few large resort hotels but this one is a cut above with large rooms, great food and facilities for all the family. In an enclave all its own (which is just as well as it's not in the nicest area) it has everything you need for a summer holiday – and, unusually, for a spring, autumn and even winter one too. Crucially, the main outdoor pool, two Jacuzzis and a kids' paddling pool are heated year-round. So too is the indoor pool, and there's a spa and an on-site dive centre. The seaside Reef Club – with thatched umbrellas on the rocky beach and tiny sandy cove – is open in the warmer months. The Westin does the best buffet breakfast in Malta, which will set the whole family up for the day, be that in the resort or out exploring the island. 10. Palazzo Consiglia hotel In the heart of historic Valletta, this 400-year-old townhouse has been miraculously converted into a 13-room boutique hotel with full hotel facilities in miniature. The central courtyard in warm limestone has been covered with a retractable roof, while the chapel is now a pretty breakfast room. Reception doubles as the bar (and has some bar food), while down in the vaulted cellar, the original cistern has been converted into a spacious hot tub – and there's a room for spa treatments, too. The rooftop terrace boasts views and a plunge pool, and the staff are helpful and friendly. It's a welcoming place to return to after a day out seeing the sights.
