My second work trip and a definite bucket list destination for quite a while, ever since I heard rave reviews for it after Ireland secured qualification for Italia 90 there in1989. I believe it’s been a very popular holiday spot with the Irish ever since. Better late than never for me! I even passed the national Ta’ Qali stadium on a bus on my way to check out the ancient capital of Malta, Mdina. Malta is one of those unique places you have to see, a very beige/brown and fortified place. Fortified because it’s been attacked by anyone and everyone down through the ages because of it’s location and strategic significance. It’s an odd but wonderful mix of Italian, Maltese, African, Anglo and Middle Eastern vibes. English is spoken widely.

I stayed in the Palazzo Paolina hotel, a very authentic and quaint establishment very well located near everything. I had a huge room and kitchenette and breakfast was nice. The staff were great too.

Attractions included the wonderful Mdina, about a 45min bus journey away, the Tritons fountain which is pretty much the centre of Malta and where the main bus terminus is and just walking around the narrow, pretty streets. “The Pub” where Oliver Reed pretty much drank himself to death is worth a wander past or stop for cooling beer but don’t go mad! There’s no beaches in Valetta, I struggled to find somewhere to paddle even so you’d have to travel  bit to somewhere like St Georges Bay for that.

We had our main work meal in Ta’Nenu which is authentic Maltese cuisine and where I ate my first and possibly last rabbit. We also had a nice meal and cocktails in Toro Nero on St George’s Square and The Queen Victoria. Note all the very English sounding places! I did say there were Anglo vibes but not in a Benidorm kinda way..

PS – I had to get home in a hurry as I’d a personal trip to Morocco booked the next day and I was going home to Dublin via a connecting flight in London but Murphy’s law, there was a massive delay in Malta airport which would have meant I’d miss my London flight so I had to book another flight for the next morning and an overnight hotel stay at Gatwick airport. Turns out the London flight was also delayed so I made it! But no refunds were given…