Even though it seems like the summer travel season is flying by, those still looking to book a European getaway have some cheap options for a last-minute trip, according to a new report.
21.07.2023 - 07:51 / roughguides.com / Renzo Piano
Valletta, the Maltese capital, has been missing from the tourist radar for years. This sixteenth-century city has remained remarkably preserved, a grid of elegant houses with a view of the sea at the end of every cobbled street. Valletta started to get noticed when it was crowned European Capital of Culture for 2018, but remains relatively under the radar — good news for travellers looking for a quieter capital city experience. Find out what to do in Valletta and how to make the most of your trip — this information in this article is taken from the Pocket Rough Guide to Malta & Gozo, your essential guide for visiting Malta.
Valletta is a beautiful place. The forget-me-not blue of the Mediterranean contrasts with the golden-butterscotch of the city's buildings. Constrained by a narrow peninsular, Malta's capital is perched up high with soul-flipping views over the sea on three sides. It sits above the aptly named Grand Harbour, the deepest natural harbour in the Mediterranean, in use at least since the Phoenician era.
Valletta is packed to the gills with splendid monuments, too. It was built as the Knights of Malta’s victorious capital after their David-and-Goliath victory at the Great Siege of 1565, where 700 knights and 8000 local troops overpowered 40,000 Ottoman Turks.
There’s a lot to take in, but the city is compact and easy to navigate. You can walk from end to end in about half an hour, so there’s plenty of time to relax in between sightseeing.
Visiting Vittoriosa Harbour is just one of the many great things to do in Valletta © snowturtle/Shutterstock
The last few years have almost as if the city has awoken from a deep sleep. Regeneration projects spruced up Valletta in preparation for its stint as European Capital of Culture next year, with fine mansions turned into boutique hotels, and new restaurants and bars reigniting the city’s spark.
Italian uber-architect Renzo Piano has revamped Valletta’s main City Gate. He built an open-air auditorium on top of the broken pillars and rubble of the WWII-bombed, nineteenth-century Opera House. The forts of St Angelo and St Elmo, both key during the siege, have also been renovated and opened to the public. The latter houses the magnificent Malta at War museum.
Most magnificent of Valletta’s older buildings is St John’s Co-Cathedral. It’s fortress-like on the outside, but its interiors are lavishly gilded. The largest of all Caravaggio’s paintings, a brutal depiction of the beheading of John the Baptist, hangs in the cathedral oratory.
The city’s other attractions include the similarly enriched Grand Master’s Palace. Meanwhile, the Casa Rocca Piccola is the lived-in house of a local aristocratic family. Go on the right day and you may be shown around by the
Even though it seems like the summer travel season is flying by, those still looking to book a European getaway have some cheap options for a last-minute trip, according to a new report.
When thinking of city breaks in Hungary, Romania and Greece, certain places will instantly spring to mind: Budapest, Bucharest and Athens, the much-admired capitals. But in 2023, it’s time to make space on your travel wish list for some up-and-coming urban hotspots in these countries: the European Capitals of Culture 2023. This year, why not get under the skin of a secret city that's rich with art, history, gastronomy and vibrant local communities? Step forward Veszprém, Timișoara, and Elefsina: it’s your time to shine.
The 2,000 year old Roman walls that encircle the city are the longest, most complete, and oldest, still standing in Britain today. A walk around the walls will take 45 minutes to an hour depending on how fast you walk and how often you stop. You can see the entire city from the walls, including the UK's oldest racecourse and the Eastgate Clock - one of the most photographed clocks in England. There’s a lovely place to stop by the river, where you can watch the boats float by while tucking into an ice cream. Take centre stage at the Roman Amphitheatre The Roma
If you haven’t heard about the U.K.’s heated debate on cutting ties with the European Union—dubbed a “Brexit”—you certainly will this week. Britons headed to the ballot box on Thursday and made the historic decision to leave the European Union.
Travel website, Trippy, has put together an awesome infographic showing prices for food, beer, taxis, and hotels in the most and least expensive countries. And the best part is that it updates daily, so you can see the average price of something when you’re planning a trip or once you’re in the destination.
Mama Doris is running late, as to be expected. She is the queen of the bingo hall, after all.
In our A Total Trip series, writers document what they spent on a recent getaway. In this edition, Stephanie Ong shows us how much a weekend of food and fun cost her and her partner in Paris.
Summer is one of the most anticipated seasons of the year, and one of the busiest for travel. It comes as no surprise the Traveler out of office calendar has been full, with editors setting off on vacations near and far: babymoons in Iceland, destination weddings in Italy, and road trips through Maine included. Along the way, we've picked up some stellar travel gear—including a few quality summer staples to help beat the sometimes unbearable heat. Below, our editors share the tried-and-true products they've used the most this season, from waterproof sandals and skincare to lightweight linens and holy grail hair products. Some items are best suited to warm-weather vacations, while others will find a home in your suitcase year-round; all, though, come highly recommended by our team. Whether you’re planning a beach trip and looking for a new swimsuit or are in need of a new weekender bag, we’ve got you covered.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Megan Batoon . The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Endless miles of scenic highways that wind coast to coast and meander around breathtaking natural wonders and ever-changing landscapes make hitting the open road second nature in the US. When it comes to the Midwest there’s often a misconception that it’s all about flyover states and repetitive countryside. But away from the big cities, industrial centers, and sprawling farmland, you can stumble upon some of the most European cities in America.
Life on two wheels is a beautiful thing, and travel on two wheels can be epic. Here are a few of the world's greatest cycle routes to consider for your next big trip.
Travel booking site Hoppa have just released a list of the most expensive cities to visit in Europe. Looking at the cost of hotels, food, drink, transport and entertainment, they've analysed the affordability of 48 European cities.