Why to visit Malta

I was lucky enough to live in Malta for 2 years. I know the Rock is not everyone's cup of tea but I personally adore the tiny island and will always think about it as my second home. Visiting Malta as a birthday present back in 2013 pretty much determined the following few years of my life. On the way back home I already knew that I have to pack up and see what this country can offer me, and since then she never let me down.

A crazy, vibrant and beautiful island, horrendous traffic jams, amazing history and cuisine, non stop fireworks and feasts...these are just few of many features of Malta.

I still wake up in the mornings wanting to pick up a freshly baked pastizzi on the way to work or have a world class coffee at Cafe Berry in Sliema.

You will need to forgive me for my partiality but most of my entries will compliment the island even though I'm well aware of the its negatives too.

I just fell in love deeply with Malta and will never say no another visit.

Perched in the middle of the Mediterranean sea, just south of Sicily sits proudly this stunning tiny island. The centuries long struggles between the Moors and the Crusaders created a unique culture, architecture and culinary styles, leaving Malta with a long and rich history. If you like architecture, Malta will blow your mind. It's a big mix of Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Whilst they're constantly renovating some parts of the country others are crumbling but one thing is common everywhere; the wooden coloured facades.

I loved wandering around in Valletta's narrow alleys, listening to my steps echoing on the medieval cobble stone streets, meeting up with friends for a drink in the famous Strait street which used to be home of bohemian brothels for fun loving sailors or just admire the view from the upper Barakka garden, watching the luxurious ocean liners crossing the Grand Harbor and the Three Cities. In my girlish dreams that was the place I wanted to get married in.

I'm not a big fish-eater but having a big seafood platter in Marsaxlokk or fresh octopus in Xlendi meant a different level of cuisine to me. The Maltese fishermen are still taking out their brightly coloured boats everyday just to return with big baskets of fishes, shrimps and clamps in a few hours.

The close distance to Italy meant endless choices of Italian wines and most importantly authentic pizzas and gelatto. If you wanted to be brave enough to try local flavors they would happily serve you hobz biz-zejt-tomatoe - olives, onions and capers topped bruschetta followed by rabbit or horse stew.

The nights are full of music and events, everyone could find their own taste, whether it is partying in St Julians's night clubs, enjoying the film festivals in the old opera house in Valletta or like me, having wine by the candle lights and listening to the best quality jazz in Bridge bar.

Malta is super Catholic and religious and the best way to show it (at least that's what they think) is the 24/7 fireworks and weeks long feasts. They dress every town center in bright colours, decorate every corner with statues of their saints and light up the churches. The biggest annual feast - Assumption of Our Lady Santa Marija - takes place in Mosta, where the world's biggest Rotunda gives home to the festivity.

Church wise they're also going big, having 365 churches crammed into 316 km² with the most famous St John's Co-Cathedral with endless black marble and gold interior and Caravaggio paintings. Visiting the churches and the wonderful palazzos in Notte Bianca in every October is a lifetime memory. This annual event illuminates the cityscape of Valletta with a spectacular celebration of arts and culture all night long. The gates that are closed during the year and hiding private collections and medieval treasures will open for one night and everyone can enter the world of the Grand masters, walk through every museums or even the President's Palace before the countless concerts and fun for free of charge.

If you fancy medieval festivals, Mdina is your place. The silent city is still confined within its walls and once you step though the gates a real time travel begins. I used to go there often and sat on the city walls stargazing in the night with the entire island under my feet. Mdina has also few of the best restaurants in Malta and I would never pass on a cake in Fontanella.

The Mdina Medieval Festival is a 2 days re-enactment and pageantry that evoke Malta's late medieval period. Emma used to think the dressed up kings and queens were real and worried that the fighting soldiers will eventually die in front of us.

Although you won't find too many sandy beaches, swimming in Blue lagoon or in St Peter's pool is a must. Taking a powerboat trip from Sliema to Comino really is a great fun, let alone the Crazy Pirate boat parties.

I would still love to recommend snorkeling under the Azure window in Gozo but sadly the arches collapsed after over a 100 years reign, however the red sandy Ramla bay where you can hike up to Calypso's cave - just like Odysseus did - will offer you a great beach day.

When I was around Emma's age one of my favorite films was Popeye but I'have had no idea even before moving to Malta that one day I will be walking through the movie scenes. Popeye was shot in Malta - along many other movies like Gladiator, (part of) Game of thrones, Troy, World war Z etc etc...- and they actually kept the entire set once the production finished in 1980. I must admit I went there even without Emma to re-live my childhood memories.

Sunday evenings chill usually meant Cafe del Mar sessions with my crazy friends in St Paul's bay, but on a warm August night you don't even need more than an ice cold Aperol Spritz by the pool.

There are so many other places, memories, adventures I could talk about and will do in separate entries, going through the country from South to North, top to toes.

My life in Malta was a safe and happy bubble which will never burst.

Stay tuned....