BARRAKKA LIFT - MALTA

The Barrakka Panoramic Lifts are located inside the ditch of the fortifications of Valletta, and it links Lascaris Wharf to St. Peter and Paul Bastion and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. It allows access from the Grand Harbour to the Valletta city. 

EXPLORING HISTORIC BIRGU, MALTA

Situated on Malta's Grand Harbor, the city of Birgu (also known as Vittoriosa) is  full of historic charm.   Many visitors forgo visiting Birgu or it's sister city Senglea.  

I have stayed in both cities and prefer them to places like Valletta which are crowded with tourists from cruise ships throughout the day.  Birgu offers stunning views of the harbor and beautiful buildings steeped in history.

If you are interested in lodging in Birgu and Senglea, you can check out information here:

SENGLEA LODGING

BIRGU LODGING

You will find suggestions below of things to see and do in Birgu.

VISIT FORT ST ANGELO  

The beautiful apartment we rented in Birgu was located next to Fort St Angelo and across the harbor from Valletta.  The  fort was originally a medieval castle that was rebuilt by the Order of St John as a bastioned fort called Fort Saint Angelo between the 1530s and the 1560s, and it is best known for its role as the Order's headquarters during the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.  

Fort St Angeleo is also one of many location where filming for Game of Thrones took place.  Its underground tunnels were used as the Red Keep Dungeon, where Arya chases a cat on assignment from Syrio Forel and overhears a key conversation.

LODGING IN BIRGU, MALTA

The first time I visited Malta, I stayed in a wonderful apartment in Senglea, Malta.  This particular apartment was booked on my recent visit so we chose an apartment in Birgu.  

It is across the harbour from Senglea and you can take the water taxi over to Valletta with a short five minute ride.

We chose to stay in this Airbnb (Fantastic Grand Harbour Sea Views) in Birgu.  

WHY VALLETTA, MALTA IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES ON EARTH!

I have not traveled extensively but for an old lady from a small town in Arkansas, I have managed to make it to 29 countries in the last 5 years.  I am proof that it is never to late to get out and see the world.

I love warm beaches and will not hesitate to say that my favorite Caribbean vacation was a cruise from Puerto Rico.  You can read about that vacation HERE.

I have also been vocal about my love for Italy.  I love the Amalfi coast, Cinque Terre, and a little fishing village in Cefalu, Sicily.

But there is a little island in the middle of the Mediterranean between Sicily and the north African coast that I would love to return to year after year.

A LITTLE INFORMATION

It's a nation known for historic sites related to a succession of rulers including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British. It has numerous fortresses, megalithic temples and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean complex of halls and burial chambers dating to circa 4000 B.C.

DID YOU KNOW?

There is a reason many movies and tv shows are filmed here.  I'm talking shows like Game of Thrones, Gladiator, Troy, Captain Phillips, World War Z, By the Sea, Assassins Creed, and the Spy who Loved Me.  Oh, and the movie Popeye.  You can visit the movie set and swim in the beautiful turquoise water in the lagoon.

WHAT TO SEE & DO IN MDINA, MALTA

This was my second trip to Malta and my second visit to the Mdina. On my first visit, my goal was to just explore every street and alley. I took a ton of pictures and had lunch at this cute little sandwich shop.

This second visit was different.  This time my niece was in my travel group and she had specific places she wanted to photograph including the famous blue door and filming locations from Game of Thrones.  

Another friend in the group had eaten at the Fontanella Tea Garden on our last visit to the Mdina and had bragged on the wonderful food and decadent cakes so it was a given that we would be having lunch there.

   

If you missed my post about my first visit to the Mdina, you can see it HERE. I went over the history of the Mdina and what makes it such a unique place to visit so I won't go over it again in this post.

In this post I want to focus on what you should see and do.

********  TO SEE ********

#1 MDINA CITY GATE
First on the list is the Mdina City Gate where you will enter the walled city. You will walk across an bridge that was over an actual moat but the moat is now dry.

Game of Thrones fans may recognize it from the first season.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT MALTA

I have visited 27 countries over the last few years and have come to realize that each country has its own quirks.  I guess that is why we travel.  If everyone was like us, there would be no reason to venture away from home.

Each place has their own traditions, food, language, and culture. I have added some information below that may help if this is your first visit to Malta.

  #1 THE CROWDS

It can get crowded when the cruise ships come in, especially in Valletta,  but by evening, it gets much quieter.  The only place that was really crowded while we were there was the main street in Valletta.    The Mdina was a little crowed in the square but we traversed a maze of side streets when no one in site.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES IN MALTA

No destination on the Mediterranean is more interesting and culturally rich than the three small islands of Malta (Malta, Camino and Gozo). 

Malta is a photographers dream with the sheer amount is has to offer.  It has a deep history to explore and miles of beautiful coastline.  Mdina and Valletta have beautiful windows and doors  that will keep you busy for days. 

In the harbors, you will find colorful Luzzu boats, the traditional Maltese fishing boats and in Gozo you will see the most beautiful crystal clear water.  

Unlike those tropical beach destinations in the Caribbean or those cultural tours around Rome, Malta offers it all!

Here are a few suggestions for those amazing Instagram photos.....

8 PLACES OUTSIDE OF THE US YOU CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD TO TRAVEL TO IN 2017

I have said this many times....Travel doesn't have to be expensive.  If it was, I would never leave my house.  I live in Arkansas where the minimum wage is $8.50, so many of us have to work extra jobs to earn travel money.  Some work three jobs!

The good news is that there are some places where you can consistently find cheap flights and lodging.  Places like Spain, Italy, France, Ireland,  many Caribbean islands, and almost all of Mexico.

One of your biggest expenses is airfare so be sure to check out my post on Finding Cheap Airfare HERE.

My travel companions and I have put a list of some of our favorite budget places to travel.

#1 ROME   I don't remember ever seeing Rome and a list for budget travel.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe because flying directly into Rome can be expensive.  If you fly to a cheaper destination like Barcelona, you can fly on to Rome for around $25.  Once you are in Rome, there are tons of things to see for free.  We paid to get into the Colosseum but you can walk to the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, and many more places for free. 

The public bus cost €1.50 for 100 minutes or €24 for a week so you can travel around Rome cheap.  There are tons of places to eat in Rome but if you are looking for someplace inexpensive, pop into one of the pizza shops where you can get a huge slice of pizza and soda for around €5.

#2 BARCELONA I never realized how popular Barcelona was as a travel destination until I traveled there the first time.  Barcelona is fairly easy to get around and there is always something to do.  Buses to and from the airport are very affordable (I think we paid ­€7) and if you stay in a hotel (or use Airbnb like we did) near the Placa CAntalunya, it's just a short walk to everywhere.  If you really want to eat cheap, find a tapas bar where you can pick up a tapas for €1 each. 

48 HOURS IN MALTA

I went to Malta with three beautiful 27 year old ladies.  We flew into Barcelona and was there for 24 hours, then on to Rome for 24 hours, and ended in Malta for 48 hours.  

Think 48 hours isn't a enough time to explore?  You would be amazed at what you can do in that length of time.  Check out the video above and you can see a peek into what can be done with some careful planning.

You can read all of my post about our visit to Malta HERE.

SAINT PAUL'S BAY, MALTA

St. Paul was shipwrecked on an island which many scholars have identified as Malta on his voyage from Caesarea to Rome. The Maltese people believe that it was St. Paul who laid the foundations of Christianity on the island.

I did not have a chance to explore this area but I snapped a few photos as we drove by.

GOLDEN BAY ~ MALTA

When we asked locals about the prettiest beach in Malta, Golden Bay always mentioned.  Golden Bay is located  on the north-west coast of Malta.  It is a sandy beach and tends to be more popular because it has a larger stretch of sand, is easier to access and has better facilities, including three restaurants.  

I didn't stay long at this beach but I had friends that stayed to watch the sunset and they loved this beach.  

VISITING VALLETTA, MALTA

Valletta was built by the knights of St John on a tiny peninsula.  It retains it's 16th century elegance and has been described as on of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. 

The colonnades gardens overlooking the Grand Harbor were created in the late sixteenth century as a place of recreation for the Knights of the nearby Auberge d'Italie and still form a nice shady retreat from the hustle and bustle; from the balcony it also enjoys one of the most beautiful views of Malta.

SENGLEA, MALTA

I had never heard of Senglea, Malta before my visit there last week.  We were on Airbnb looking for places to stay and we ran across this amazing apartment, in a beautiful location, and at a great price.  The apartment was beyond our expectations (you can see the apartment HERE) and the neighborhood was perfect.  

Senglea is the smallest of  the Three Cities in the Cottonera. It is situated on a peninsula protruding into the Grand Harbor, facing the charming walled city of Valletta.

MDINA ~ MALTA

The history of Mdina traces back more than 4000 years. According to tradition it was here that in 60 A.D. that the Apostle St. Paul is said to have lived after being shipwrecked on the Islands. Furthermore it is said that St. Paul resided inside the grotto know as Fuori le Mura (outside the city walls) now known as St. Paul's Grotto in Rabat. Lamp lit by night and referred to as "the silent city", Mdina is fascinating to visit for its timeless atmosphere as well as its cultural and religious treasures.

Visiting the Mdina is like stepping back in time.  It's fun exploring the narrow cobblestone streets, the churches, monasteries, and palaces.  Step into gift shops and try some of the amazing pastries and cakes as you tour this amazing ancient walled city.

Mdina is one of Malta's major tourist attractions, hosting about 750,000 tourists a year.  No cars are allowed except for a limited number of residents and service vehicles which is partly why it has earned the nickname "the Silent City."  

The day we were there, tour groups from the cruise ship were arriving.  There were hundreds of people milling about the streets and courtyards and although it was very crowded, there was still plenty of opportunities to see everything and the shops are restaurants were not that crowded.

AIRBNB EXPERIENCE IN SENGLEA, MALTA

We decided to use Airbnb for our lodging in each country we visited.  I have never used Airbnb before but had heard about others having great experiences with it and the cost was much cheaper than staying in hotels.  And let's face it, staying in a hotel doesn't really give you an authentic experience.  

For detailed information about pricing and apartments we rented, check out my post Booking Unbelievably Cheap Lodging in Europe...Yes, It's Possible ! 

If you have never registered with  AIRBNB  and use THIS LINK you will receive a discount on your booking and I will get credit toward a future booking.  

We chose Kavall Apartments in Senglea. The price was great and the location was fantastic. The apartments are located just two minutes' walk from the Bus Terminus and 5 minutes away from the Sea, in one of the Three Cities in the historical part of Malta. Quiet and peaceful, yet only twenty minutes from the Capital City - Valletta.

The two photos above are of the deck off the living room.  It wraps almost completely around the apartment.

Everything was immaculate and beautiful.  The pictures really don’t do the place justice.

MARSAXLOKK, MALTA

The small and picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk (pronounced marsa-schlock – meaning Southern Port) is located in the South Eastern part of Malta.

The natural harbour has attracted seafaring cultures since ancient times. In the 9th century BC, Phoenicians used this port to land in Malta – they even had their own temple dedicated to Astarte. The Romans used Marsaxlokk bay for safe anchorage during their reign, as did the Arabs after them. Later on in Malta’s history, Marsaxlokk provided anchorage for the Ottoman fleet when they came to lay siege to Malta in 1565.

The public bus does not go to Marsaxlokk so we took a taxi from Senglea.  The cost was €20 so €5 each for our party of 4.  It took about 15 minutes to get there so it was well worth the money.  The buses in Malta are cheap (€1.50) but doesn't go to a lot of the tour sites so we opted to take a taxi to some of the places and then take a bus back to our apartment.  

If you plan to visit Malta, Marsaxlokk is a must-see.  Malta is an inexpensive place to visit so splurge and take taxi to those places you can't reach by bus.  You won't regret it !

POPEYE VILLAGE ~ MALTA

'Popeye Village Malta', the Film Set of the 1980 Musical Production “Popeye”, also known as 'Popeye Village' today is one of Malta's major tourist attractions. The film set was constructed in Anchor Bay during the last 7 months of 1979.

To construct this authentic wooden village, tree trunk logs were trailered overland from Holland, and wood shingles, used in the construction of the roof tops, were imported all the way from Canada. A 165 international construction crew consumed eight tons of nails and two thousand gallons of paint to finish off this massive Set.

Seeing this village was on my list of places to see in Malta.  I didn't have time to tour it up close but did have the driver carry me by the harbor so I could get a few photos.  

If you visit Malta, make sure this village is on your list of things to see.  If your time is short, like mine was, you can pull off the highway across the bay.  If you would like to visit, you can purchase tickets online at the website listed below.  

BOOKING UNBELIEVABLY CHEAP LODGING...Yes, It's Possible !

Next to airfare, lodging can be one of your largest expenses when you travel.  While searching for  lodging in Europe, we quickly realized that Airbnb was the way to go.  You can stay in an entire apartment cheaper than you can stay in a hotel.  Of course, since we haven't stayed in any of these places, we will have to wait for the final verdict.  

We rented apartments in all three countries.  Here is what we have booked so far:

Update:  I wanted to update our experiences at each of these places and  give you honest reviews.

The first place we booked is in Barcelona.

The description was accurate and it was well worth the $134 for four people.  You can read the entire review of this apartment HERE along with photos of the apartment and lodging information. 

The Space

Accommodates: 5

Bathrooms: 1

Bedrooms: 2

Beds: 3

Check In: Anytime after 2PM

Check Out: 12PM (noon)

Property type: Apartment

Room type: Entire home/apt

 The cost for 4 people ...$134.00 ($33.50 each)

FOLLOW ALONG AS WE PREPARE FOR OUR TRIP TO EUROPE

I'm Headed Back to Europe in October and I want you to come along.  I guess I should actually say WE are headed back to Europe.  I am traveling with three 27-year-old ladies, one of them being my daughter.

Each of us has a budget of $1000. That may sound like a lot of money to you but it you go search for flights to Europe, you will find that just the plane tickets are over $1000. We are going to try to book flights, hotels, food, and transportation and bring it all in around the thousand dollar mark and I'm going to show you how.

So follow along as we book our flights and lodging.  See how we pack everything into small cases so we don't have to pay luggage fees and how we earned our travel money.  Let's get started.....

Here is the gang:

As you can see, only one person in the group that is earning their travel money solely from their regular job.  The rest of us has had to do "something extra" for our travel money which means you can do it too.  I know there are some people who may already work two or three jobs to pay the bills and say there is no extra money.  I was that way for many years myself.

Experiences Are Worth More Than Things

I've always believed that experiences are worth more than things.

When I look back at the moments that have made me happiest, I rarely remember what I bought that year. I remember where I went, who I was with, what I saw, and the unexpected little moments that turned into stories I still tell today.

That got me thinking about a question I love to ask:

What are three of your favorite memories from the past year?