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.  

SAINT PAUL'S BAY, MALTA

On my first trip to Malta, I was fascinated by how much history seemed to be tucked into every corner of the island. Even when we were simply driving through, there was always something that caught my eye.

Malta is also closely connected to the story of St. Paul. According to tradition, St. Paul was shipwrecked on the island during his voyage from Caesarea to Rome. Many scholars have identified the island mentioned in the biblical account as Malta, and the Maltese people believe that St. Paul played an important role in bringing Christianity to the island.

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.  

My First Visit to Rome: A City of History, Chaos, and Beauty

The best way I know to describe my first visit to Rome is to compare it to being dropped into the middle of New York City—only you are surrounded by thousands of years of history.

Rome is big, busy, noisy, beautiful, and sometimes a little overwhelming. Around almost every corner there seems to be another ancient building, fountain, church, or ruin. It is the kind of place where you can turn down a street simply because it looks interesting and find yourself standing in front of something hundreds of years old.

And that was exactly what made my first trip so exciting—and a little intimidating.

Scrapbook of my European Vacation

It took me over a year to complete this photo book.  I used to purchase albums, paper, stickers, and all of the other paraphernalia that goes along with scrapbooking but the cost had become overwhelming.  I decided to do digital scrapbooking and started researching publishing companies. Mixbook had the best reviews and what I thought was the most professional looking finished product.

Sorrento, Italy: Lemons, Lunch and Little Discoveries

Sorrento was the last stop on our visit to the Amalfi Coast, and although we only had a short time to explore, it left me with some wonderful memories.

Our driver dropped our small group off in the middle of town, and we spent some time wandering around before stopping for lunch at a quaint little restaurant.

A Day Exploring Sagunto and the Underground Caves of Saint Joseph in Spain

During our visit to Valencia, Spain, we chose an excursion that combined two very different experiences: exploring the ancient city of Sagunto and taking a boat ride through the underground waterways of the Caves of Saint Joseph.

Positano, Italy: A Few Hours on the Amalfi Coast

From the moment I arrived in Positano, I was in love.

There are places you visit that are beautiful, and then there are places that seem almost too beautiful to be real. Positano was one of those places for me.

Built into the steep cliffs of Italy's Amalfi Coast, the town seems to tumble down toward the Mediterranean in layers of colorful buildings, balconies, flowers, shops, and restaurants. The streets wind their way downward, and just when you think you have seen the most beautiful view, you turn another corner and find another one.

I had only a few hours to explore Positano, but those few hours left a lasting impression.

A Drive Along the Amalfi Coast

After spending a little time exploring Pompeii, our guide picked us up and we began the next part of our Italian adventure—driving along the Amalfi Coast.

I had seen photographs of this beautiful part of Italy before, but nothing quite prepared me for seeing it in person.

Port of Naples, Italy: Following in My Ancestors’ Footsteps

I was especially excited about the last stop on our cruise. Naples is a bustling port city and the gateway to some of Italy’s most famous destinations, including the island of Capri, the ancient ruins of Pompeii, and the beautiful Amalfi Coast.

Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast had both been on my bucket list for years, so knowing they were on our schedule for the day had me up and ready early that morning.

It was everything I had dreamed it would be—and more.

How do you describe standing among the ruins of Pompeii or looking out over the breathtaking coastline of Sorrento and Positano?

Surreal. Wonderful. Magnificent. Awe-inspiring. Stunning. Thrilling.

Honestly, there just aren’t enough words to describe it.

Palermo to Cefalù: One of My Favorite Days in Sicily

Cefalù was one of those places that I didn't know much about before I arrived, but somehow left a lasting impression on me.

When our cruise ship docked in Palermo, Sicily, we met our guide at the port and headed along the coast toward the fishing village of Cefalù. The drive took about an hour, but it turned out to be one of those journeys where the scenery was every bit as memorable as the destination.

As we left Palermo behind, the landscape began to change. The busy city gave way to a much more relaxed and beautiful stretch of Sicily, with the deep blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea beside us and hills and mountains rising in the distance.

I remember looking out the window and thinking, This is Italy.

My "UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN " Moment in Sicily

I have watched Under the Tuscan Sun more times than I probably care to admit. It has always been one of those movies that I can return to whenever I need a little escape.

There is something about the story that has always stayed with me. Frances leaves behind a life that no longer feels like her own, travels to Italy, unexpectedly falls in love with an old villa, and begins restoring not only the house, but herself.

I think that's what has always drawn me to the movie. It's not really the villa or even Italy. It's the idea that sometimes we dream about walking away from the life we know and finding a place where we can begin again.

CATHEDRAL ~ BASILLICA OF CEFALU

The Cathedral-Basilica of Cefalù, is a Roman Catholic church in Cefalu, Sicily, Italy.  The Duomo dates back to the Norman era and contains some of the best preserved mosaics in all of Sicily.The building of the cathedral was begun by Roger II, the first king of Sicily, in 1131. He commissioned the artists to make the mosaics which it is so famous for and it is believed that his plan was for the entire nave to be covered in mosaics, similar to his Cappella Palatina in Palermo. However, Roger II died before the work was finished and the cathedral wasn’t completed until later.

The facade of the cathedral has two rows of blind arcades and two large bell towers that are slightly different from each other. The nave has arches supported by marble columns that are believed to be from the Temple of Diana whose ruins are up on La Rocca. The wooden ceiling has painted beams and the stained glass windows are more modern in appearance.