I’d always wondered about Malta, and now I don’t have to because you’ve done such an excellent job of describing it, depressing though it is. Bruges it is then! I haven’t been, and I would love to one day (despite my guilt at being yet another tourist).
Malta and Gozo certainly don't feature in our greatest hits either and having taken Sabrina there for her first visit a while back, in part because of my fond childhood memories of the islands (always a dangerous motivation for visiting anywhere) we are not clamouring for a repeat!
Thanks for that perspective, Marco. Wow, back then there were flowers and flowering trees! Sounds like things have changed a lot. I hear you about reliving childhood memories—always simultaneously wonderful and depressing, and not always in equal amounts.
I think you have been too hard on Malta... the many times Ive been there (but only day stops during luxury cruise ship gigs) I found Valletta and Mdina lovely, took the local buses and visited numerous house museums. My companion noted that the women are not very attractive to an Italian eye... ( Kotor in Montenegro has the most beautiful women, he says )
Just our opinions. Honestly, we would have left after three days if we could have. But I agree with your companion about the local fauna—I saw exactly one man I’d call bello!
I have not. I've heard good things about it, though. What I love about Wroclaw and Poznań is how untouristy they are. Beautiful, cultural cities with plenty to do and no mobs to fight (at least in September.)
Even being there off season is a good experience. I was in Wroclaw just before Christmas last year, and it was magical. Best Christmas market I've ever been to.
Too funny! Not at your expense, I apologize, and glad you had this time with your son. Forever now you will say, remember Malta? As a warning, reminder, and good laugh! SO many people talk about it these days. I’m glad to learn I’m not missing anything.
You don't have to love everywhere you go. I don't.
I actually felt kind of bad not to love it, so thank you!
Love your honesty with this.
Written with some trepidation, I must say!
I’d always wondered about Malta, and now I don’t have to because you’ve done such an excellent job of describing it, depressing though it is. Bruges it is then! I haven’t been, and I would love to one day (despite my guilt at being yet another tourist).
Like I say, many seemed to love it, so don’t write it off based on my opinion. Still, post-Italy it’s a hard sell, I think.
Funny!
Malta and Gozo certainly don't feature in our greatest hits either and having taken Sabrina there for her first visit a while back, in part because of my fond childhood memories of the islands (always a dangerous motivation for visiting anywhere) we are not clamouring for a repeat!
That said it had its moments.
Here's our take for a bit of balance:
https://open.substack.com/pub/marcoandsabrina/p/islands-of-malta-and-gozo-spring?r=10ijux&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks for that perspective, Marco. Wow, back then there were flowers and flowering trees! Sounds like things have changed a lot. I hear you about reliving childhood memories—always simultaneously wonderful and depressing, and not always in equal amounts.
I think you have been too hard on Malta... the many times Ive been there (but only day stops during luxury cruise ship gigs) I found Valletta and Mdina lovely, took the local buses and visited numerous house museums. My companion noted that the women are not very attractive to an Italian eye... ( Kotor in Montenegro has the most beautiful women, he says )
Just our opinions. Honestly, we would have left after three days if we could have. But I agree with your companion about the local fauna—I saw exactly one man I’d call bello!
Thank you for writing this, Cheryl, you've helped me edit my wish list.
Having also just returned from a week with my son, I can highly recommend both Wroclaw and Poznań if you haven't yet visited Polonia ☺️
Poland is very high on my wish list, so thank you for the recommendations! Have you been to Krakow? My son loved it there.
I have not. I've heard good things about it, though. What I love about Wroclaw and Poznań is how untouristy they are. Beautiful, cultural cities with plenty to do and no mobs to fight (at least in September.)
I hope I can get there before they become touristy!
Even being there off season is a good experience. I was in Wroclaw just before Christmas last year, and it was magical. Best Christmas market I've ever been to.
I prefer off-season!
Me too ☺️
Too funny! Not at your expense, I apologize, and glad you had this time with your son. Forever now you will say, remember Malta? As a warning, reminder, and good laugh! SO many people talk about it these days. I’m glad to learn I’m not missing anything.
Yes, we're saying, "We'll always have Malta!"