Finally, a day off! Here's how to make the most of it on the Maltese Islands.
Malta may be well-known for its propensity to jam-pack the year with public holidays, but you can never get enough, in our view! And, with the (pre-) summer season already in full swing, what should you do when school, work and the sun are all out?
1. Go swimming in the sea
This may be the most obvious item on the list, but you’ve got to get as many of those swim days in! While the sandy beaches – such as Golden Bay, Mellieha Bay or Riviera Beach – may be the most sought after (and, as a result, the most crowded), you might want to try some beaches which are a bit more difficult to access to get away from the throngs. Try the small bay below Selmun Palace in Mellieha or San Blas in Gozo for a day in the sun – without everyone else.
2. Go on a boat trip
One sure-fire way to avoid the crowds is hiring a boat with some friends or family and heading out to the open sea. You don’t need to venture far from the coast to enjoy all the wonders the Mediterranean has to offer. Coves – where pirates once hid their gold – secluded beaches and spots of crystal clear blue water are all out there, just waiting for you to enjoy. Don’t miss the Blue Lagoon – it may be very busy, but stay slightly out from shore and you’ll have those turquoise waters to yourself (almost).
3. Lounge by a pool
Many of today’s beaches are extremely well-serviced, with restaurants and clean toilets, but, for a spot of luxury, book yourself a day beside the pool at one of the island’s five-star hotels. There are many to choose from – rooftop, seaside or, if you want to stay out of the sun, indoor – so there’s bound to be something for your tastes.
4. Walk in the countryside
Swimming not your thing? You can still enjoy the great outdoors with some fantastic walks around the Maltese, and Gozitan, countryside. While the landscape may be scorched to some degree, the contrast of the yellow land and the blue sea – which is never far away – will make for some stunning photos.
5. Have a cultural day out
Shade, shade, shade. For many of us, the sun can be a tad too hot and you may want to avoid all those people who are heading to the island’s shores. Whatever the case may be, topping up on your knowledge of Malta’s history and art is never, ever, a bad thing. Plan a cultural day out with like-minded companions: first head to a museum, have a long lunch, followed by another museum in the afternoon. Best is to pick a town, such as Mdina, Valletta or Birgu, which has plenty on offer – not a difficult find on this archipelago. Watch out for the opening times, however, since some sites might not be open all day.
6. Take a very long lunch – with lots of wine!
And with no need to go back to work, you can take a few hours out to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Go with the seasonal flow and order fish at a seaside restaurant or find one of the many restaurants adorning the streets in the capital and check out their specials. Whatever you decide to order, just make sure there’s wine – and plenty of it!