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What To Do….Where To Go….

When relocating to another country, financial considerations and the standard of living are the first two things that usually spring to mind. However, one does not live on business alone – especially when accompanied by a spouse or children! This is the very reason why Malta proves to be so alluring for those who are seeking to relocate. It is difficult to find a country where the financial advantages and the standard of living are both high AND the social life of the inhabitants is enviably vibrant. Malta succeeds on all counts, with attractions, amusements and a night-life that is so versatile as to offer something for everyone regardless of background, personal taste, gender or age group.

Night- life – Malta offers a typically Mediterranean night-life: relaxed and alive until the early hours. The prime spot for those who enjoy the clubbing scene, bars and pubs is Paceville. This town is literally a conglomeration of entertainment venues and is buzzing with life every day of the week. You will find clubs and discos offering various styles of music: most of them do not even require an entry fee and the only requirement is that the patron be over 18 years of age and decently dressed. Restaurants nestle side by side with bars and cinemas, making Paceville truly the town that never sleeps. The action normally starts late at night, after 23:00 and goes on until the early hours of the morning.

Eating out – In Malta, dining out (especially al fresco, since the weather is almost always favourable) is a way of life and is relatively inexpensive. One can go for a plate of pasta or a pizza and a nice glass of wine for the equivalent of 8 Euros. Of course, fine dining is also an option, with restaurants strewn all over the island from the busy towns like Sliema, St. Julians and Valletta, to quainter villages such as Marsaxlokk, Marsascala and Balzan. Most popular specialties are available – Oriental, Italian, Sushi Bars, American Diners and more – although typical Maltese restaurants are renowned for their fresh fish. Café culture is also alive in Malta and there’s always somewhere to grab a coffee or a quick snack no matter the hour of the day.

Casinos – There are three casinos available in Malta: one in Paceville, another in Bugibba and the third in Birgu. Holders of a foreign passport need only be 18 years of age to enter and try their luck, but Maltese citizens are not allowed in before the age of 25.

Theatre & Cinema – Malta boasts a thriving theatre scene, with a good number of theatre groups holding popular English language productions every week, especially during the winter months. The main theatres are found in Valletta - the Manoel Theatre (Malta’s national theatre) and St. James Cavalier. However, other smaller venues are used for theatrical productions and classical music concerts on a regular basis. There are also a good number of cinemas strewn over the island, with most Hollywood movies premiering here in conjunction with cinemas in other major cities.

Music – Malta has hosted a number of big names in concerts starting with Tina Turner, Eros Ramazzotti, Steve Hackitt, the Australian Pink Floyd and Elton John amongst others. The island also has a thriving rock band scene, with local musicians holding gigs on a regular basis (most of them with free entrance). As for lovers of classical music, such concerts are equally regular whether given by renowned Maltese musicians or by international musicians/conductors such as the renowned Riccardo Muti. Every summer a big Jazz Festival which is attended by the top international jazz musicians – and which draws audiences from as far away as the States – is held on the outskirts of the capital city.

Beach Life – One of Malta’s biggest assets is the balmy weather and the fact that it’s surrounded by the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Going to the beach is one of the biggest national pastimes between May and October, a pastime that is shared by foreigners more than happily. There are a number of sandy and rocky beaches both in Malta and the sister island of Gozo. And of course, bathing in the famed Blue Lagoon on the island of Comino is a must. Both Gozo and Comino are easily and cheaply accessible by means of a regular ferry service from Cirkewwa, on the Northern-most tip of Malta.

Culture & History – Malta boasts a wealth of heritage when it comes to history. There are temples that pre-date the Pyramids of Giza, museums depicting the various rulers through the ages, catacombs dating back to 60AD, architectural gems within the churches and the narrow streets of Valletta and Mdina, art galleries… The list is endless. Anyone who enjoys history will certainly spend hours roaming around the historic cities of Valletta (which is also the capital city) and Mdina (also called The Silent City due to the fact that it’s completely enclosed within strong fortifications and that no vehicles from outside are allowed in to this day0.

Sports – A wide range of sporting facilities are available. There is a huge golf course in Marsa which boasts excellent standards and other five-star golf resorts are in the pipeline. For most sports, the Marsa Sports Club offers some of the best facilities on the island: besides the 18-hole gold course, there are 19 tennis courts, rugby field, 5 squash courts, cricket ground, a polo field, 2 golf pistes, a gym, a swimming pool and a 4-lane AMF bowling alley. Visitors may join the club on a daily or weekly basis or else take a more permanent membership. Close to the Club there is a horse-racing track as well as soccer and rugby fields.

Scuba diving, snorkeling, water-polo and other watersports are understandable big in Malta, with various schools and instructors making it easy to take up whichever sport one prefers. Sailing schools are also numerous and cater for all ages from 5 year olds upwards. Sailing regattas are held regularly between April and November, with the biggest being the Middlesea Race in late October and drawing competitors from all over the world.

Soccer (aka ‘football’ in Malta) is probably the country’s most popular sport. League championships are held between September and May: there are dozens of football clubs and nurseries where those who want to take up the sport regularly can enroll. The National Stadium is at Ta’ Qali. Bowling, archery, athletics and other sports are also present.

Rugby has become a major sport in Malta. The Malta Rugby Union Football team has won over 11 matches and has come draw once and lost only once in 13 matches. There is a National league which has 5 senior teams and 3 junior teams. Malta also has an overseas team where players from all over the world play.

Religion- Malta is predominantly Catholic and religion plays a big part in the daily life of the locals. There are over 300 churches on the main island, most of them architecturally and artistically rich. Summer is renowned for being the Festa Season, when each town’s and village’s patron Saint is honoured and celebrated through a week-long feast that mingles the religious with the secular. These feasts are well-known for being a riotous feast of colours and fireworks, with the statue of the Patron Saint paraded round the main streets of the particular village/town more than once much to the cheers of everyone. These feasts usually reach a climax on the weekend and in the Summer months you can be sure to find the marvelous fireworks in the sky no matter in which direction you cast your eye.

Holidays - Foreigners are often surprised to learn that Malta has no less than 5 national public holidays. These fall on the 31st March (Freedom day), the 7th June (Sette Giugno uprisings), the 29th June (Feast of St Peter & St Paul), 15th August (Feast of the Assumption), the 8th September (Feast of Our Lady of Victories), 21st September (Independence Day), 8th December (Feast of the Immaculate conception) and 13th December (Republic Day). On such days most of the shops close and activities are organized across the island.