Malta - advice and things to do?

[Hulababy]

Katz and I have just booked a holiday to Malta last night. Well, the flights are booked so far and the accomodation reserved til payment. (I blame a night on the fizz, we always end up booking holidays, lol!)

We are flying out on 27th December for a week, to spend New Year away with friends. Going with Katz and her family, plus another friend of ours (a single bloke our age). So 8 of us in total (5 adults, 3 girls aged 8, 8 and 5).

We are hoping to book a lovely penthouse apartment we have found, which has all the right bedroom configs (2 doubles, a triple and a twin), good size inside and a hot tub on the deck. It is in an area called Marsascala.

And we will have a car for the duration - a big 8 seater minivan.

I hav never been to Malta before. Obviously it is a winter holiday, so it won't be sunbathing and swimming (not me anyway all that).

Anyone been to the area? What do you recommend to see and do?

Thank you.

Anyone?

No one been to Malta then?

Have been but mainly sunbathed and swam

However there is the original Playmobil factory/fun park on the Island. Not a day visit but will kill a half day.

Plenty of Churches on the island to visit, at least 352 I kid you not. Just remember the ladies will need to be "covered" on their legs and shoulders, poss not an issue in December. Mosta has a fantastic domed church and in Valetta there is St.Pauls the Shipwrecked which is just amazing inside, all walls are decorated top to bottom.

Not done it but people recommend a day trip over to Gozo.

There are plenty of Festa's (festivals) during the year. Worth looking in the local press once out there to find the nearest one to you. Our fireworks do not compare to the bangers they have.

It is a beautiful island just to drive around, just beware of local drivers . A law unto themselves. Local markets are good too.

Hope this helps (a little)

Thank you.

I wonder if they celebrate New Year then if they do good fireworks? Could be good if they do.

The girls may enjoy the Playmobil place for a couple of hours - will look into it.

Bit worried about the driving - DH and at least ne other will be driving. We are getting a big 8 seater van - so hopefully we willbe at least bigger than the rest!

Will look into day trips to Gozo.

Hi, I've been quite a few times but not recently (last trip was around 14 years ago!)

Valetta (capital) is a must. Grand harbour is worth a visit and they do boat trips round it. Gozo might be worth a visit too.

If it was summer I'd definitely say a trip to the blue lagoon in Comino but not sure if they run during winter months.

Mdina is lovely. It is known as the silent city as no cars allowed in it.

Mosta dome also worth a visit (just remember not to wear too short shorts but you probably won't be in December)

Driving. a bit mad. There used to be a very tacky song that said in Malta they drive in the shade! Buses are/were cheap and interesting.

We went to Malta but my DD is 2.5 and it was nice and warm. We went to Valetta, Mdina, Mellieha Bay, Popeye Village, Gozo Island, Blue Lagoon... cant think of some other names. It was lovely especially in the warm weather so no idea how it would be during winter months.

And yes the locals on the road are really dangerous. I am from SA and DH said back then we had bad drivers but he even admitted we dont come close to the Maltese. They are a law unto themselves.