Malta - Friendly Holiday Destination?

[GumbyLearner]

Just thought I'd ask if anyone on ASF has ever been Malta?

Is it a friendly place to stay? What are the best places to stay/visit/see?

It would be great to know! So share your thoughts?

 

[kwallace]

This will be of little help......

On my way back from Tunisia about a year ago or so I was stuck in Rome with another couple of Aussie's who were coming back from a holiday in Malta, apart from us all agreeing Rome was a prick of a place in general they thought Malta was a really good and the people friendly (the chick was part Maltese though)

 

[cutz]

This will be of little help......

On my way back from Tunisia about a year ago or so I was stuck in Rome with another couple of Aussie's who were coming back from a holiday in Malta, apart from us all agreeing Rome was a prick of a place in general they thought Malta was a really good and the people friendly (the chick was part Maltese though)

Rome a prick of a place, what's the matter with you. ??

 

[Pivotonian]

Rome a prick of a place, what's the matter with you. ??

Rome rocks.

 

[eddyeagle]

I spent a week in Malta in Summer 2009.

It really depends what you are looking for from a holiday.

The people are quite friendly and chilled out, and everyone speaks English.

There aren’t many beaches – people generally sunbathe on rock platforms etc

The nightlife is ok but has a bit of a tacky, cheap vibe and is generally rammed with 18 year olds straight out of school.

It’s worth a look but I wouldn’t go back there again.

 

[kwallace]

Well, we all thought the people there were rude and arrogant and unhelpful to say the least. It was so bad that after we got off of the plane, in the little temporary walkway, since the bus had not arrived they just locked the whole plane in this area stood around doing nothing while everyone waited in the 30+ heat for about 20 minutes (No, we weren't allowed back onto the plane). When we asked about, the guy we spoke to just shrugged and said it wasn't his job to arrange the bus.

Rome itself seemed to be a city of 2 star hotels with undesirables wandering around aimlessly, it wasn't clean there seemed to be very little care taken and the people came across taking it all for granted.

Then on top of that, we got charged around $15 for a coke and an orange juice.

Best deal with got was from a Moroccan selling donar kebabs for euro 2.50 each, this was the only high point of be brief stayover.

Tunisia was miles ahead.........

 

[dougy]

Malta's very interesting for a day or two if you're into historical buildings etc. We had one day there in September last year during a cruise, had been advised to avoid the tourist traps in Valletta, and made for Mdina, a quaint inland town about 25 minutes by bus. Taxis lie in wait for tourists in Valletta and are not interested in taking you anywhere for a reasonable fee - they only want to talk about a tour - for very excessive fares, like around 80 euros. We got the bus to Mdina for about 2 euros each.

Mdina is an ancient walled city, still lived in complete with shops and its own infrastructure, no cars allowed inside, well worth the visit.

Can't help with accommodation suggestions as we were only in Malta one day.

Prices in Malta seem very reasonable - except for taxis out of Valletta. We did return from Mdina to Valletta by taxi - that fare was quite reasonable.
dougy

 

[GumbyLearner]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I did see some footage of Valletta on the BBC news in the last few days because of the Pope's visit. While Malta looks nice, I think Croatia looks much better for a holiday destination.

Anyway thanks again.

 

[JTLP]

Gumby i've been to both...

Both are equally nice but it depends what you are after. Malta was very consistent weather, nice people, nice surroundings and pretty standard. I stayed around Sliema/St Julian which was pretty close to the party part etc. Overrun by 16 year old girls looking for a good time...might get a slap on the wrist from the law though!

Croatia was amazing. Which part are you going to? I ventured to Zagreb and then went all the way down the coast...Split, Hvar, Korcula etc and then on to Dubrovnik. All spectacular, cheap and really friendly people as well. Croatia definitely rates.

 

[GumbyLearner]

Gumby i've been to both...

Both are equally nice but it depends what you are after. Malta was very consistent weather, nice people, nice surroundings and pretty standard. I stayed around Sliema/St Julian which was pretty close to the party part etc. Overrun by 16 year old girls looking for a good time...might get a slap on the wrist from the law though!

Croatia was amazing. Which part are you going to? I ventured to Zagreb and then went all the way down the coast...Split, Hvar, Korcula etc and then on to Dubrovnik. All spectacular, cheap and really friendly people as well. Croatia definitely rates.

Still haven't decided but Split looks wonderful. Palm Trees and beaches. I don't want to move around a lot. Not interesting in partying that much, just going to relax with my wife when I get a decent break from work one of these days.

 

[JTLP]

Still haven't decided but Split looks wonderful. Palm Trees and beaches. I don't want to move around a lot. Not interesting in partying that much, just going to relax with my wife when I get a decent break from work one of these days.

Ok to be honest Dubrovnik is amazing. If I had to rank the cities in Croatia in order of my favourites it would be:
- Dubrovnik
- Hvar
- Korcula
- Split
- Zagreb

Get the ferry from Split to Hvar...spend 5 days there and then get the ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik and spend another 5 there. Or just stay in Hvar. You really can't go wrong come to think of it :

Split isn't that exciting though. More peace/quiet on Hvar.

 

[eddyeagle]

Ok to be honest Dubrovnik is amazing. If I had to rank the cities in Croatia in order of my favourites it would be:
- Dubrovnik
- Hvar
- Korcula
- Split
- Zagreb

Get the ferry from Split to Hvar...spend 5 days there and then get the ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik and spend another 5 there. Or just stay in Hvar. You really can't go wrong come to think of it :

Split isn't that exciting though. More peace/quiet on Hvar.

What he said! Good summary!