Malta

Jan 1-5, 2015
AC1225 FLL-YYZ, AC872 YYZ-FRA, LH1276 FRA-MLA, LH1277 MLA-FRA, AC877 FRA-YYZ, AC8113 YYZ-IAH

We always like to kick off the new year with a good trip to kickstart our milage accumulation for the year. This year we started from Florida where we had spent Christmas and added Malta to our list of places visited.

Jan 2
After overnight travel from Fort Lauderdale via Toronto and Frankfurt we arrived in Malta with the delay to explore.

Flying over the Alps on our way to warmer climates

Ruins of the Mnajdra megalithic temples from 3600-3200 BC

Looking south from the ruins, towards a small island in the Mediterranean

One of the many small forts protecting the rocky coast

Jan 3
Morning exploring Valetta’s old city and walking the coastal promenade

One of the more interesting sights in the old town, next to the WWII-destroyed Opera

Malta’s modern parliament buildings

One of the many impressive rooms in the 1578 St. John’s Co-Cathedral

Interior of the Grandmaster’s Palace

Looklng across to Kalkara and Fort Ricasoli

Siege Bell War Memorial to honour WWII deaths during the Siege of Malta

Beautiful sunny day in Lower Barrakka Gardens

One of the many charming old streets of the capital

Church of our Lady of Mount Carmel from the St. Julians Bay Promenade

Jan 4
Exploring more of Malta’s interior

Charming walled city of Mdina

One of the few habitants out, on the brisk Sunday morning

Impressive dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral

Walking Mdina’s wall after a nice lunch on a brisk, enclosed roof of a popular restaurant

Mysterious collection of cart ruts from 2000 BC at Misrah Ghar il-Kbir

Looking up the west coast from the road

Some perspective on old Mdina and its fortification

Exterior of Mosta Dome, the third largest dome in Europe

Replica of April 9, 1942 bomb that landed but did not explode in the church

Jan 5
Morning in Malta before heading back home

Hotel Casino and grounds at sunrise on an extremely windy morning

Looking northwest to the smaller island of Gozo

St Agatha’s Tower (The Red Tower)

Jan 5-6
Afternoon flight to Toronto and on to Houston the next day