March 2025

After a fantastic trip to France with my college friends and their partners in 2022, we knew we had to get the next trip on the books ASAP. We wanted a destination that was completely new to everyone in the group but still packed with enough to explore for a full week. Somehow, Malta made its way onto our radar and it turned out to be the perfect choice! The March weather was so pleasant, the architecture was amazing, and the sights were absolutely stunning. We had an incredible week and are already gearing up for our next group getaway!

Accommodations:

• We stayed at this eight bedroom AirBnB in Sliema for the full week. While Sliema was not as quaint as some of the other towns we visited, the house could not have been better for a group this size. Each bedroom had its own bathroom, there was a rooftop terrace, outdoor pool, and multiple laundry units throughout the townhouse. It was walking distance to plenty of restaurants and the ferries and buses to get around the island.

Tours and Activities:

We balanced our itinerary with a mix of planned group activities and plenty of free time for everyone to explore at their own pace. It turned out to be the perfect approach, giving us plenty to do while still keeping the trip relaxing and enjoyable.

• Exploring Valletta – We took the 2€ ferry from Sliema to Valletta to explore the historical city. Highlights for me included the Upper Barrakka Gardens, National War Museum at Fort St. Elmo, and lunch on the steps at 1522.
• Maggie’s Restaurant – We had several group dinners during our trip, but Maggie’s was exceptional. The owner pretty much shut down the restaurant to cater to our group, and the food, wine, and service were phenomenal.
• Hop-on hop-off bus – We took the south route of the hop-on hop-off bus to visit Marsaxlokk fishing village, the Blue Grotto, and the Hagar Qim temples. While it was an affordable and educational way to get around, it was a little hectic trying to explore all that we wanted in the limited window the bus was running.
• Carisma Spa at Hugo’s Boutique Hotel – A group of us booked a spa party package that included all-day access to the spa facilities and an 85 minute massage. It was a much needed (and very affordable) day of relaxation midway through the trip.
• Day trip to Gozo and the Blue Lagoon – This tour took us by boat to Gozo island with a quick stop at the Blue Lagoon on our return home. Both locations were truly stunning and I wish we could have had a full day at each. If I were to return to Malta for a second trip, I’d make Gozo my home-base to get to further explore the island and surrounding turquoise waters.
• Exploring Mdina – on our last day, we wandered the streets of the fortified city of Mdina and had a delightful lunch at Fontanella’s with amazing views of the island.