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Malta – Exclusive & affordable luxury

12th August 2010 Print

The Maltese archipelago, consisting of Malta, Gozo and Comino, is one of Europe’s best kept secrets.

Whether guests choose to explore the depths of history & heritage or immerse themselves in the natural escape that is Malta, they will discover a luxurious, yet affordable, oasis in the heart of the
Mediterranean.

A place of infinite possibilities and affordable luxury, Malta offers above and beyond any another holiday experience to deserving guests who have a taste for relaxation, adventure, pampering, history, fine dining and fun.

The perfect destination for a weekend break, the islands also hold a fantastic array of events over the year to tempt visitors to its shores; from traditional food, wine and religious festivals, to the Malta
Festival Of Arts and the Malta Jazz Festival, Malta’s annual programmes attracts names from around the globe.

The Maltese islands boast 5 star hotels and the finest spas, unbeatable sailing and top sporting facilities, exclusive dining and charming boutique hotels, all surrounded by stunning beaches and clear blue waters. With picturesque views, beautiful architecture and an array of activities to offer guests, Malta awakens and renews the senses of any holidaymaker. Just a three hour, direct flight from all over the UK, guests can let the calm waves of the Maltese shores wash away the congestion and headaches of life.

ACCOMODATION

Malta offers visitors an exciting selection of 5 star hotels, situated across the Islands in various destinations. With brands such as Hilton, Corinthia, InterContinental, Radisson, Kempinski and Le Meridien choosing Malta, guests can opt for livelier hubs such as St. Julian’s or the more picturesque areas such as Golden Sands and Gozo. Other outstanding 5* hotels include the Phoenicia and The Hotel Grand Excelsior, both situated close to the island’s capital, Valletta. Also, in the five?star category, twelve luxury hotels in Malta and two on the island of Gozo offer state-of-the-art spas.

If guests prefer more subtle and specialised luxury, Malta offers a number of boutique hotels which ooze with superlative charm and character. Elegantly styled, these boutique hotels include; The Xara Palace Relais et Chateaux, a grandiose 17th Century palazzo, now a privately-owned and family-run, 5 star, boutique hotel, situated within the fortifications of the ancient medieval city of Mdina, the Hotel Juliani, a small design boutique hotel overlooking the picturesque bay of St. Julian’s, and the recently opened George also in St Julians.

5 Star boutique Hotels in Gozo include the Ta’ Cenc, set in one hundred and sixty hectares of land, overlooking majestic cliffs and affording a magnificent view across to the islands of Malta and Comino, and The Grand Hotel Gozo, ideally situated above Mgarr Harbour, the gateway to Gozo Island.

For a fresh and authentic way to experience Malta, and the ultimate in privacy and relaxation, the charming Island of Gozo offers a variety of luxurious farmhouses for hire in prime locations.

Catering for all group sizes and interests and offering modern amenities, guests can choose between selection of farmhouses offering a variety of spectacular views and landscapes, stunning architecture, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and proximity to charming villages. With service, comfort, and authenticity above all else, most farmhouses are family run and offer the chance to immerse yourselves in Gozo’s laid back way of life.

SPAS

For those looking for some serious pampering, Malta boasts several world class spas; With no fewer than 15 hotel spas and the first all-inclusive spa resort, Malta and its sister island Gozo are fast becoming the most relaxing short-haul destination in Europe.

The Fortina Spa Resort in Sliema is the definitive all-inclusive spa resort with four spas, a dental clinic, cosmetic surgery and the world’s first Therapeutic Spa Bedrooms. Le Meridien St Julians, The Hilton Malta, The Palace and the Radisson Golden Sands all feature Malta’s own spa chain Myo Ka and both of Malta’s Corinthia hotels offer fantastic amenities such as the newly refurbished Athenaeum Spa in the quiet residential town of Attard.

Finally, the award-winning spa at the Kempinski San Lawrenz, on the island of Gozo, incorporates one of the largest marine care centres in the Mediterranean and the largest authentic Ayurvedic centre in Europe.

FOOD AND DRINK

Offering a true blend of Mediterranean flavours and techniques with a splash of Sicilian, Italian, Lebanese and North African influences, Malta’s dynamic cuisine focuses on fresh, delicious produce and celebrates a rich culinary history whilst constantly evolving and driving new trends.

Serving as a hub for gastronomes, Malta offers a number of high end restaurants and talented chefs.

Names such as Kevin Bonello, the highly acclaimed Executive Chef at the award winning De Mondion restaurant, Joe Vella from The Hilton, Michael Cauchi a multi-lingual native Maltese Chef and George Borg, chef at Il-Kartell Restaurant in Gozo, have all influenced Malta’s fine dining scene, setting a standard that compares well with any of the top European restaurants and offering a serious attraction for foodies to Malta.

Offering a huge variety of restaurants and plenty of al fresco dining, Malta’s dining scene is increasingly cosmopolitan and visitors can enjoy almost any kind of cuisine imaginable. A recent trend for fusion food has seen local chefs successfully combining typical Maltese food with the exotic flavours of the East with great success.

Those who prefer private dining can enjoy the personal service of their own chef on their yacht or in their farmhouse for a reasonable cost.

From fine wines to classic cocktails, the drinking scene in Malta covers it all. Cocktail bars such as Level 22, on the 22nd floor of the Hilton Tower, Q Bar on the Valetta waterfront and the Bedouin Bar at the Westin offer the best mixologists and premium brands.

Wine buffs will pleased to discover that the perfect balance of sun drenched days, cool sea breezes and rich clay terrain of the Maltese islands have helped produce distinctive grapes with exceptional flavour and depth of character. There are five main wine makers in Malta, many of which still family owned and a few of them offer tours and tastings of award winning wines.

The Islands also boast many intimate wine bars such as Trabuxu in Valletta and Del Borgo in Vittoriosa, where the exclusive wine lists are complemented by a delectable menu and a beautiful ambience.

CONCIERGE SERVICES

Malta has a number of highly qualified and informative guides who can be hired on a daily rate to ensure you get the most out of your sightseeing.

For those looking for the highest quality of service, at competitive rates, Malta’s concierge services can take the stress out of planning and will carefully create a tailor-made programme for visitors, offering sound advice and ensuring your stay in Malta is a positively unforgettable experience.

YACHT CHARTER

With Malta’s crystal blue waters and stunning locations like the Blue Lagoon and caves to explore, why not charter a yacht for the day, complete with skipper and deckhand? Yachts of all sizes are available, from 29 Ft to 64ft and more, and prices start from €260, including fuel.

The Malta Sailing Academy and the Royal Malta Yacht Club also offer a number of courses throughout the year.

Aside from chartering a yacht, there are other ways to travel in style in Malta. Take a flight on the Seaplane and enjoy a unique take off and landing from Grand Harbour. Whether you’re visiting Gozo or taking the ‘Scenic Tour’, the Seaplane offers an exhilarating experience and a bird’s eye view of the Maltese archipelago.

Malta has a well developed road network, making it a pleasure to explore the multitude of interesting sites. A selection of car hire companies offer a variety of vintage, luxury, off-road and modern vehicles.

Rich with history and cultures, riding in a vintage car in Malta allows guests to immerse themselves in the glories of the past.

For more information about holidays in Malta, log on to: visitmalta.com