Malta: A Leonardo da Vinci Project

Malta, an island in the middle of the Mediterranean, the island of Pastizzi, of Cisk and of the many churches and sacred images scattered along all the streets and houses.... I lived on this island for almost two months, from March to mid-May, for a Leonardo da Vinci project. I personally saw the explosion of the tourist season towards the start of May. When I arrived in March it wasn't very hot, quite the opposite, but then in May the temperatures are much higher than in Italy. In Malta I felt at home, everyone is warm and kind, when I started speaking English they answered me in Italian. Shopping in the same places, after a week you know everyone and both the greengrocer and the milkman know your habits. To get around Malta it's worth getting the weekly ARRIVA bus pass, which costs 12 € and lets you move freely around the island.

The bus service is fairly efficient, although during rush hours you risk standing, and, given the sporty driving, the bends and the potholes of the island, it's not advisable! Typical foods of the island are Pastizzi, a sort of savoury Neapolitan sfogliatella filled with ricotta or peas; chicken and pumpkin pie; roast rabbit, bragioli and prickly pear liqueurs. If you want to visit Malta and relax a bit on its fantastic beaches, I suggest staying at least more than a week.

RECOMMENDED BEACHES: the northern beaches are the best. I love Golden Sands, reachable by bus 223. Personally I prefer the second bay, Gran Tuffheia, because it's less glamorous than Golden bay, the beach in front of the Radisson Blu. At Gran Tuffheia you're surrounded by greenery and rocks... Fantastic. Mellieha has a sandy beach near the road that offers parasols and sun loungers, convenient for families and with very good swimming.

WHAT TO SEE:

-The Valletta

The capital of Malta is a splendid little town with houses with colourful wooden window frames. Here you can find numerous shops of international chains. My favourite place in Valletta are the Barrakka Gardens, which overlook the Grand Harbour, really lovely! If you want to eat something I recommend the venues on the Valletta Waterfront.

-Mdina and Rabat

Mdina is a citadel in Arab style in which it's lovely to get lost among its little alleys and then emerge onto a belvedere that overlooks the whole island. Rabat is a more recent town that is in front of the entrance to Mdina and is famous for the feast of Saint Joseph. The procession is very evocative and you see statues and priests parading. Excellent are the pastizzi in front of the main church.

-Mosta

A town in the interior of the island, famous for its cathedral, the third largest dome in the world. Inside it, an unexploded bomb, hence the miracle of Mosta. It's also lovely to get lost among its little alleys.

-Saint Paul Bay and Bugibba

They are two tourist towns. Bugibba is full of hotels and has a little square full of bars and small restaurants. Saint Paul Bay, on the other hand, is more elegant and residential and has a wonderful walk along the coast.

-Marsaskala and Marsaxlokk

They are little seaside towns, with characteristic small harbours and excellent little restaurants where you can enjoy great fish, the garlic octopus being typical.

-Sliema, Portomaso and Paceville

The most glamorous and modern area of Malta is Sliema; heading north along the coast you reach Saint Julian, a district full of venues for young people. A trip to Paceville on a Friday or Saturday evening is picturesque, where you can see the customs and habits (for the girls, very skimpy) of young people having fun among little bars and clubs. Very chic is Portomaso and its dream yachts; also lovely is the Portomaso Business tower where on the 22nd floor you can have fun at Level 22 and see all of Malta by night.

-Dingli Cliff

It's a plateau that drops down to a plain, evocative yes, but not worth spending more than half an hour on.

-Mellieha and its beach

-Gozo is the island in front of Malta, more natural and more agricultural.

-Comino and the Blue Lagoon

A trip to the Blue Lagoon is worth the journey to Malta alone. The water is stunning, although to enjoy it you have to go in the low season, avoiding the assault of tourists on the small beach.