Italy to Malta

[fishcatdogbird]

Hey all,

I leave for Europe in 11 weeks and will be travelling around for almost 6 months. I would love to know who here has been to Malta and how did you get there? I have looked everywhere on the internet and in lonely planet guides they are all very vaigue and dont give a price.
Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Fishcatdogbird

PS has anyone else noticed that for booking accomodation lots of places wont let you book in 2005, why is this the case? I would love to hear from people who have booked accomodation through travelpunk. :>)

[kingcrazylegs]

Hey there, welcome to Travel Punk! I lived in Malta for 5 years and it is certainly a place you want to go if you have the chance!

As far as traveling from Italy to Malta... It has been a few years so I don't remember the prices. Your best options should be to either fly from Rome or take a ferry from Catania, Sicily if you get out there. As I remember, the ferry takes about 3 or 4 hours. I don't remember the cost but it was cheap. The flight from Rome is also not a bad price.

I don't know what sort of thing you like, but if you get to Malta avoid the exteremly touristy towns and the shopping district (Sliema). Its worth walking through Valetta. Mdina is one of my favorite places, good for seeing the sunset. Check out the Dingli cliffs and the neo-lithic temples. One of my favorite places is down south - its called Blue Grotto. It is a maze of caves in the cliffs that you can take a boat ride through rather cheap.

Anyhow, just explore as much as possible. Public buses were 11 cents Maltese when I was there last (3 years ago) which is about 35/40 cents US.

Have fun.

[fishcatdogbird]

Hey thanks so much for the reply! Im really looking forward to Malta, I should be staying there for around 2 weeks Yipee. Im planning on hiring a motorbike/scooter and going around the islands.

Cheers

[kingcrazylegs]

Yeah getting around on a motorscooter is the way to go if you want to rent something. You will always have the right of way in traffic!!!

Also, renting a tourist apartment is usually cheaper and more "local" than a hotel.

Have a great time!!! Oh, and kiss the grown for me when you get there.