Malta: Part 2

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND


Sometimes, it’s best to let the pictures do the talking.

After a walk from our hotel in St. Julian’s to Sliema, we sat down in our sightseeing bus and waited for the tour to begin.  What followed was photo-taking madness, induced by the agreeable climate and sun-kissed architecture. We sat on the open top floor of the double-decker bus, steadying ourselves to take photos as it snaked along the Maltese countryside.
Before I forget to mention it, we took the Malta Sightseeing tour, persuaded to buy tickets by  a lovely young tour guide we met earlier that morning.  At 15 Euros for a day-long pass to a hop on- hop off sightseeing bus, as well as a ticket to a 90-minute boat tour, we couldn’t resist.  We were also able to bargain down the cost of the ticket, so we only paid 13 Euros each! Score! 

With our tour sorted, there was nothing left to do but sit back and discover. Come along with me for the ride!
From our departure point, the bus crept along the Sliema’s pier and past numerous ports rammed with yachts.

We then chugged along, gradually up, up, and up until we reached Valletta, the current capital of the island. 

From there, we passed Malta’s old aqueduct and watched the setting become more rural as we made our way to Mdina, the former capital. 

 

In Mdina we walked around, getting lost in the small, winding streets, browsing in the specialty boutiques that lined our path, and then viewing our surroundings from atop the fort that encloses the city. We were basically alone: Mdina was a virtual ghost town (due to it being low season for tourists in Malta).
 
Before leaving Mdina, I also made a new friend. 🙂
 

After Mdina, we hopped back on the bus for what would be the second phase of our sightseeing tour. I was exhausted, but anxiously awaiting part two!


I like the idea of taking a tour when you only have a limited time to explore a place.  Tours are almost like the “Cliff Notes” version of city- you get to see the most important places in a short amount of time. 

Are you a fan of tours like me, or do you prefer to wander on your own?




Psst! Don’t forget to “like” me on Facebook if you haven’t already! Your support is much appreciated!

SHARING IS CARING

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41 Comments

  • Was that glass shop right by the main city gate in Mdina? I think I picked up my little souvenir flower vase there!!

    Oh Malta…I miss it!! 😉

  • Beautiful photos! They brought back some great memories!

  • I love taking tours so that I can go back and take a closer look at things that interest me. Also tours are the way to go.

  • AWESOME PICS MY DREAM TRIP IS TO GO TO PARIS OR ALL OF EUROPE!! REALLY LOVE YOUR BLOG PLEASE FOLLOW ME!!

  • I definitely prefer wandering around on my own, but with a book of guided walks.

  • Did you buy any of that gorgeous glass stuff? You look gorgeous in your pics. You love scarves huh? Me too!

  • Wow…those are BEAUTIFUL pics!!

    You guys looked like you had a great time. I never even heard of Malta *hangs head* until you mentioned it. lol

  • Beautiful pics. I love those colours on you too!. I prefer to wander on my own, but lately the tours I have taken were well worth it. When I was in Armenia last July, I used a very reputable tour company and it was AWESOME! Especially since I didn't speak Armenian or Russian. I will be visiting Malta (thanks to you!) and will follow this recommendation. Gracias, chica!

  • @Naomi: You have a good eye! Indeed it was! So pretty, huh?

    @Lady: Thanks!

    @Rhona: I agree. It's great for a person like myself who sucks with maps!

    @J Fizzle: Thanks! Done!

    @withinireland: That's fair! Have you ever done any of the free walking tours in Europe?

    @Andi: Aww thanks! I didn't buy any glass but sure was tempted! And yes, I am OBSESSED with scarves, it's my fashion staple, I have like 30 of them (but usually wear the same 5 all the time- the irony)!

    @Ashley: LOL! Glad you were enticed!

    @Britni: Thanks! Honestly, had I not grown up around Maltese people I never would have heard of it either! It's tiny so you never hear about it!

    @kvowels: Glad I forced you to consider Malta!! Wow, I would love to hear more about your Armenia trip. Did you blog while there?

  • Amazingly beautiful pictures. Whether or not I take a tour depends on how comfortable/safe I feel. If I feel fairly comfortable then I don't mind going it alone. If I'm not comfortable, then I tend to take tours.

  • Amazingly beautiful pictures. Whether or not I take a tour depends on how comfortable/safe I feel. If I feel fairly comfortable then I don't mind going it alone. If I'm not comfortable, then I tend to take tours.

  • Beautiful! I think the hop-on/off tour buses are a great option when you don't have much time…transportation gets included in the cost, and you see as much as possible.

  • I haven't been on that many great tours. But a hop on/off bus seems like an absolutely great idea!

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