Malta
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Travel Tips
For the Hypogeum, it is necessary to book in advance. This cannot be done over the telephone and you must go in person to the Hypogeum before your visit. When we visited in early July it was fully booked for the following 5 days.
Kim & Laura Overall (Jul 02)
Maltese wine is generally pretty good and very cheap indeed even in restuarants you only get charged about the same price as in off licences in England. Just for info if you go in May the weather is generally very hot but bearable, however the sea and even hotel pools are best described as 'bracing'!!
Mat Gore, UK (Jun 02)
Prickly Heat: Get some Anti-histamine cream. Topical treatments work better if you're out of the sun. Aviod oral treatments as some will make you drowsy; this is particularly dangerous in a sunny country like Malta.
Bob Farrell, Ireland (Jun 02)
Moving About
You can easily see the majority of sights on Gozo in 1 day if you have your own car. The roads are easy to navigate, but remember that they are driving on the left hand side and the majority of cars are manual. The roads on Malta are a little busier and there is more traffic.
Chris Louie, USA (Nov 05)
Buses on Malta are cheap and fairly frequent and all stem from a central terminus in Valletta. Given the outrageous price of taxis I'd certainly recommend people use them. The ferry to Gozo is cheap (about 1 pound fifty return) and takes about fifteen minutes. It operates every half an hour and 24 hours a day peak season to Mgarr harbour.
Mat Gore, UK (Jun 02)
Buses: When you ask for a fare, be aware you will automatically be sold a return ticket unless you ask for a "single" fare. However, because the fares are so cheap, this may not bother you.
Bob Farrell, Ireland (Jun 02)
Scams & Warnings
Buggiba: Be wary of people asking you to take part in a survey. Their aim - generally employing youngsters to do the dirty work - is to sell you the concept of "holiday ownership", which is a kind of Timeshare for the new millennium. Avoid them. Their first ploy is the survey, then they use a free gift enticement (18ct Gold pendant, free wine, etc..) and finally pleading. Usually, "They don't pay a lot of money for this job. All you have to do is say you've been together for 3 years and say you'll look around the hotel for 20 minutes....". You are then taken into the Santana hotel, registered and taken into the "cocktail lounge" and befriended (for about an hour) by the salesman. Slowly he will make comparisons with how you book(ed) your holiday and their offers. If you're into this type of deal, fine. If you want a free bottle of cheap wine and/or a tacky "gold" pendant for two hours of your time, do it. However, don't get duped into buying something (the contract is for 29 years!!) you may not want later.
Bob Farrell, Ireland (Jun 02)
Gems, Highlights & Attractions
Xerriâ??s Grotto located in Xaghra, Gozo: Established in 1923, this grotto was found when they were searching for water. The alabaster stone was chiseled away using handmade tools. The current caretaker of the grotto is the founders grandson. He is friendly, speaks English and will meet you upon arrival. There are 35 steps down a circular stairway that they built. The stalagmites and stalactites are interesting and the caretaker will take you on a short but interesting 15 minute tour. A voluntary contribution of 1 ML is expected.
Chris Louie, USA (Nov 05)
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