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30 Oct 21, 08:37 PM |
#1
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I am not a shopaholic
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Sights,Bites and Maltese Delights. Malta Oct 21. Day 6. Part 1. It’s even better in Valletta
Part 1 Caffe Cordina and St John’s Cathedral
Today we went sightseeing in Valletta. I took LOTS of photos So I’m splitting this into three parts. Like any good story .. The Beginning ( breakfast and a Cathedral) The Middle ( The war rooms and drinkies) The End (A very disappointing dinner) But first ... I woke up and was excited for my birthday cards. I’m still such a child and I was looking forward to sightseeing round Valletta today. I had found a quick walking guide and it looked like the city was pretty compact We were up and out by 9 and took a hotel car to the the City Gates - it cost 22 euros. Later in the trip we took a taxi which was 17 euros and even later we used the Bolt app and it was only 14 euros so a bit of research on travel options definitely worth it. I tried in vain to take some snaps on the way - miserable fail It didnt take too long to get there - we had timed it just right to beat the morning rush into the city - there were long queues going the other way though This was meant to be a pic of the golden eagle statue - what a fail The car dropped us by the city fountain Over the walkway into the city There was a protest taking place outside the civic building near the entrance . I spotted what looked like a tour group veering to the right and decided to tailgate to see where they went - which was a good plan as i dont think we would have explored these streets other wise It wasnt a long detour but some lovely buildings and we were back on the Republic Street passing this dude So many lovely side streets and ornate buildings Andy was keen to get a coffee and asked about stopping at Maccies but I wanted to have breakfast at an old cafe a bit further ahead so he was a bit hangry by the time we got there and before I could say - “its an amazing building , lets sit inside” he had plonked himself down and we had the most amazing view . You can see what’s coming .. Not the best view Yes, never let your hangry husband pick the seating Ah , this wasnt a great start . But the menu looked good. I thought the day was going to be all downhill with the rubbish view and the first thing I picked off the menu apparently wasn’t available until after 11. But determined not to get off to a bad start , I ordered a traditional Maltese cream cheese pastizzi and some crepes ( banana, fig, pistachio and fruit purée) and Andy was v happy with his full English. The van also pulled away and our view suddenly improved Very apt - some very English objects with an English breakfast. It was all very nice and a reasonable bill. I popped inside to use the loo and check out the patisserie as well as look at the lovely interior. - the loos were down some steep steps though and quite low ceilings so a bit of a tricky challenge It’s beautiful inside I showed Andy the pics when I got back and we agreed we would come back later for lunch and have a drink inside Being a seasoned Dibber - and adopting the approach of hit the big attraction first- we were aiming today to see the Cathedral, Lascaris war rooms, maybe a museum and the Gardens - in that order. I had read the Cathedral can get crowded and with needing to wear masks , I wasnt fancying it being hot and too busy. The hotel concierge had helpfully given us a map We set off for the Cathedral The first two pics are the library and the last one is the courts which seemed to be very busy. It was 15 euros each for the Cathedral and we opted to take the audio guide ( this was very good ) . You weren’t allowed bare shoulders - did see a few people covered up with the shawls that they handed out. The hotel concierge had said Andy might not get in with wearing shorts but he was fine - and plenty of people were wearing shorts in there It is a breathtaking building. Almost overwhelming with the sparkling gilt work paintings and the incredible marble flagstones over the tombs each one for one of the Knights of St John. I found the whole Knights history really interesting - the link to St John Ambulance and the history of association with the painter Caravaggio. I had expected us to be in and out but we were both fascinated and stayed longer than we expected. There were so many annexes to explore - each as intricate as the last but in different styles Sensory overload actually...so much to take in We saw the Caravaggio’s And then we split up... Andy went off to go down to the crypt. I went up to the balcony - but as I stepped out I had a bit of vertigo and couldn’t go any further ... the steps up had been super twisty and then you come out onto this narrow balcony and for a second I felt a bit dizzy so I thought I would be better off making my way back down. You can see the balcony here across the back here It was just magnificent. So much intricate sculpture We thoroughly enjoyed looking round. I had by now got a bit hot in my mask and sat down for a bit by the exit waiting for Andy . It had also got much and harder to see things so definitely a good call to go early. Our next stop was the Lascaris War Rooms which Apple maps assured me was only a few minutes away .. Hmmm, we shall see
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2022 Dom Republic /2019 New Orleans, Jekyll, Hilton Head, Charleston, Savannah, Palm Coast, Clearwater/2019 DLP /2018 Dubai /Miami,New Orleans, Orlando, Largo/2017 Dallas,New Orleans,Little Rock,Eureka Springs,Memphis,Nashville,Orlando/Mar 2017 Orlando, Clearwater, Largo /2016 NYC,Washington, Orlando /2015 Windsor Palms / 2014 Our Wedding Trip - Portofino Bay & Yacht Club / 2013 FantasyWorld Resort/ 2012 East & West Coast. Double Disney. Edited at 12:24 AM. |
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30 Oct 21, 10:59 PM |
#2
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Imagineer
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We loved Valletta! Fantastic photos. Looking forward to the next instalment.
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30 Oct 21, 11:08 PM |
#3
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VIP Dibber
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Bringing back memories of many happy holidays there. It's a lovely city to explore - so much to see in a small area.
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DISNEY HOLS: WDW - Y&BC x 8, AKL x 2, POFQ x 1, villas x 5, GF x 1, Dolphin x 2 DLP - Sequoia x 4, Newport Bay x 1, Cheyenne x 5, Santa Fe x1 DCL Magic, DCL Wish BOOKED - Beach Club Villas Sept '24, Disney Treasure & POR Sept '25 TRIP REPORT INDEX www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=835984 |
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31 Oct 21, 09:14 AM |
#4
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Thread Starter
I am not a shopaholic
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Thank you I did like looking back on these yesterday . It was such a nice day and so sunny . Hoping to get the rest done today.
Ah that’s nice loved Valletta. We went back a couple of times. Still lots we didn’t see - a few things closed because of COVID but we loved the feel of it.
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2022 Dom Republic /2019 New Orleans, Jekyll, Hilton Head, Charleston, Savannah, Palm Coast, Clearwater/2019 DLP /2018 Dubai /Miami,New Orleans, Orlando, Largo/2017 Dallas,New Orleans,Little Rock,Eureka Springs,Memphis,Nashville,Orlando/Mar 2017 Orlando, Clearwater, Largo /2016 NYC,Washington, Orlando /2015 Windsor Palms / 2014 Our Wedding Trip - Portofino Bay & Yacht Club / 2013 FantasyWorld Resort/ 2012 East & West Coast. Double Disney. |
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6 Nov 21, 10:44 AM |
#5
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VIP Dibber
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Such a beautiful cathedral. Valetta has some lovely winding streets and pretty buildings.
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Abby New pre trip report - Summer 2024 Link to all my completed trip reports 2017: NYC and Orlando. Salzburg. Boston. 2018: Orlando. Berlin. 2019: DLP. Orlando. Washington DC. 2020: DLP. 2021: Jamaica. Rome. 2022: Orlando. 2023: Orlando. Niagara and Toronto. |
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9 Nov 21, 08:38 PM |
#6
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Thread Starter
I am not a shopaholic
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2022 Dom Republic /2019 New Orleans, Jekyll, Hilton Head, Charleston, Savannah, Palm Coast, Clearwater/2019 DLP /2018 Dubai /Miami,New Orleans, Orlando, Largo/2017 Dallas,New Orleans,Little Rock,Eureka Springs,Memphis,Nashville,Orlando/Mar 2017 Orlando, Clearwater, Largo /2016 NYC,Washington, Orlando /2015 Windsor Palms / 2014 Our Wedding Trip - Portofino Bay & Yacht Club / 2013 FantasyWorld Resort/ 2012 East & West Coast. Double Disney. |
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11 Nov 21, 10:11 AM |
#7
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VIP Dibber
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My god Andy and Jim are like two peas in a pod with their hangryness! Jim would have done EXACTLY the same. Men!
Valletta looks absolutely stunning though, that Cathedral 😍 |
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14 Nov 21, 01:25 PM |
#8
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Thread Starter
I am not a shopaholic
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I really couldn’t believe it - and over breakfast he then said .. that building looks like it’s really nice inside . At least we got in later and could have a laugh about it
Loved Valletta. Beautiful, so reminiscent of Italy.
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2022 Dom Republic /2019 New Orleans, Jekyll, Hilton Head, Charleston, Savannah, Palm Coast, Clearwater/2019 DLP /2018 Dubai /Miami,New Orleans, Orlando, Largo/2017 Dallas,New Orleans,Little Rock,Eureka Springs,Memphis,Nashville,Orlando/Mar 2017 Orlando, Clearwater, Largo /2016 NYC,Washington, Orlando /2015 Windsor Palms / 2014 Our Wedding Trip - Portofino Bay & Yacht Club / 2013 FantasyWorld Resort/ 2012 East & West Coast. Double Disney. |
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28 Nov 21, 07:09 PM |
#9
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VIP Dibber
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Some great sightseeing today - Valletta looks beautiful. Good plan with tailgating the tour group. I like to hang about near tour guides too if I can, with one ear listening carefully. 😂
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NYC and Boston - Sept 2014 Toronto and Niagara Falls - May 2015 Road Trip to California - July/August 2017 Vancouver and the Rockies - July/August 2018 Five Days in Washington DC - October 2019 Norwegian Fjords Cruise - August 2023 Universal Orlando - October 2023 Cruising the Caribbean - March 2024 - complete |
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