Valletta Rooms

Malta Carnival 2010

vallettarooms — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:06:03 +0000

Carnival in Malta will take place between the 12th and 16th February 2010. Carnival celebrations date back to the 16th Century, since the arrival of the Knights of St. John (1535). Carnival in Malta and Gozo is celebrated mostly in Valletta (Malta) and Nadur (Gozo). The Grand Defiles of Carnival floats takes place between Valletta and Floriana. People dress up in large colourful costumes that match the theme and scheme of the Carnival floats.

Ambrosia…..chic dining in Valletta

vallettarooms — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:27:34 +0000

If you are fed up with trendy designer restaurants; it is highly possible that you would enjoy ‘Ambrosia’. This is the place where you can enjoy a meal and feel at home. Why is that, you might wonder? Well because eating at Ambrosia feels like being invited to dinner by a friendly family. This place is quaint!

Old mirrors hang from the ceiling with little lights strung around them. The warm coloured walls and the french chairs make this place unique. . It is small and intimate; and the friendly chef usually comes out to see that everything is just right!…. This is a bistro-style restaurant with a slow food approach. It serves fine Maltese, Italian and Spanish food and doubles up as a wine bar at weekends.

Ambrosia Restaurant – 137, Archbishop Street, Valletta.

Tel: (+356) 2122 5923; Mob: (+356) 9980 1348; E-mail: ambrosia@onvol.net

The Hypogeum in Malta

vallettarooms — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:14:20 +0000

The Hypogeum in Ħal-Saflieni, Paola, Malta, is a subterranean structure excavated c. 2500 B.C. Thought to be originally a sanctuary, it became an ecropolis in prehistoric times. It is the only prehistoric underground temple in the world. The Hypogeum has a UNESCO Heritage Site listing, due to its unique structure. It was discovered by accident in 1902 when workers cutting cisterns for a new housing development broke through its roof. The workers tried to hide the temple at first, but eventually it was found.

http://www.heritagemalta.org/hypogeum.html

Caffe Cordina vs Cafe Premier

vallettarooms — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:37:47 +0000

It seems that there are never enough cappuccinos and chilled confectionaries to go around and the supply of shops catering for this demand is expanding even faster. However there is one particular place in the heart of the city – Cafe Cordina which has kept its high standard and has offered tea, coffee and cakes in one of the most splendid squares in Valletta – Piazza Regina. This tea room has become an institution in itself, even more so after Cafe Premier closed its doors a few months ago. It did not do so because it lost the war of the coffee shops, but to put it quite bluntly there is the ring of the ancient rivalry, much the same as that between Quadri’s and Florian’s in Venice’s Piazza San Marco. The idea of an old established coffee shop conjures up images of the 17th and 18th century gentleman sitting in the shade and reading their newspaper, concluding deals for their imports and exports, just a few meters away from their shops in Merchant street. The modern coffee shop, however is less of a place for creative expression and more of a place where to sit for a quick break; none the less both Cafe Cordina and Cafe Premier must be on your visiting list.

We will be updating you with more information and pictures on the war of the coffee shops.

www.caffecordina.com

Cafe Palazz

vallettarooms — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:03:58 +0000

Cafe Palazz is a historic heritage at the heart of Valletta that will feel very familiar…

Housed just underneath the National Library, corner from Piazza Regina, one of the most splendid squares in Valletta, Cafe Palazz has been redesigned to evoke a sophisticated cafe. It is open from early morning until late evening, seven days a week. You will be amazed that this intimate place will cater to all appetites serving hot snacks, home-made almond pastries and a selection of teas from Firenze. This place really deserves praise both for its decor and for the quality of food and cakes. It will surely rival the established eateries as the new spot, and is bound to become the social arena in a short time. As things happen, it is becoming more fashionable to open a new shop away from Republic Street, which is the main street in Valletta and is now feeling the pressure to meet the tourist’s demands. Here you will get the exquisite taste and impeccable standards reminiscent of the old guard establishments, such as Caffe Cordina.

Discover for yourself this amazing place – meet Maria the brains behind this new cafe and you will find out why we are making such a fuss about it. Maria is not new to the catering arena. Cafe Palazz is the new addition to Trattoria Palazz right next door.

Malta Harbour Cruise

vallettarooms — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:06:47 +0000

If you are planning your holiday in Malta and want to see as much as you can, what better way to see the Maltese Islands than to go in style on a cruise boat?

Join one of the Harbour cruises which will take you to some of the most beautiful and fascinating spots around the coast from the Grand Harbour to Comino and around Gozo. Some cruises will make a stop at the Blue Lagoon in Comino where you will be able to get a dip in the crystal clear blue sea. If you are interested in history you can select a cruise which goes around the two natural harbours on either of Valletta – Marsamxett Harbour and the Grand Harbour. Some cruises offer a detailed commentary which will make the bastions, forts and creeks around the harbour and the Three Cities come alive.Most cruise boats leave from what is known as the ‘ferry’ in Sliema. Each company has a small kiosk with information of the different cruise trips that they offer. If you are staying in Valletta catch a ferry from Marsamxett which crosses over to Sliema from where the cruise boats operate.

There is no better way to visit the incredible Maltese archipelago than from the deck a sailing boat; so make your homework before deciding which cruise to take….

www.captainmorgan.com.mt

www.alliancecruises.com

www.officialluzzucruises.com

La Vecchia Dogana

vallettarooms — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:10:18 +0000

The general rule used to be: the better the view, the worse the food.

And we can only appreciate the irony of that now as tasty spots like the Valletta Waterfront are starting to populate our long-ignored waterfront. Here to help the cause: La Vecchia Dogana, your new harbour-side fish restaurant formerly the old customs house dates back to the 15th century. The sleek interior design contrasts the newly restored building which retains all of its charm and excellent location. While you might have already gotten your early morning snack, you’ll want to remember the restaurant when you’re looking for a place to lunch. When the sun goes down, is when things start to get interesting. Take advantage of the open terrace at the water’s edge and enjoy the days catch of fish which is presented to you before it is cooked.

La Vecchia Dogana is located below Valletta bastions on Marsamxett side.

Caffe Luna

vallettarooms — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:56:16 +0000

Caffe Luna is the place where you meet to impress. Nothing compares to the 18th Century Palace when it comes to decor and service. The Palazzo with its gardens, fountains and terraces have been recently, and it is no wonder that Ophra Winfrey chose this venue for her sojourn on the island. Peaceful and yet with an air of grandeur which reflect times gone by. It offers a tranquil space and a peep through a bit of Maltese history. This magnificent Palace in the centre of Naxxar is still the home of the Marquis Scicluna family. Caffe Luna is chic in every sense… a table outside offers the pleasant atmosphere of a Maltese traditional garden with crisp white canopies, and charming waiters serving food on fine china. The menus are predominantly Italian with Maltese specialities adding a local flavour. All is fresh and … so try one of its best dishes …. Carpaccio di Pesce Spada, Filetto di Manzo al Pepe Rosa or a simple but tasty sandwich. If you fancy an afternoon traditional English tea… this is the place where you can have a real feast – homemade cakes, scones with strawberry jam and fresh cream not to mention the fine selection of China and India teas. This is truly a fairy tail Palace with all the ingredients that will set your imagination flying high; sit back and enjoy this wonderful place which you will remember for a long time to come.

More info http://www.palazzoparisio.com

Marsaxlokk

vallettarooms — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:17:39 +0000

Marsaxlokk is the oldest fishing village in Malta. It just takes 35 minutes by bus to get from Valletta to Marsaxlokk. The 27 bus route to Marsaxlokk costs 50 cents of a euro and is well worth the trip. If you go on a Sunday there is an open air fish market and can even get a taste of the local catch from the small restaurants in the area.

Rubino

vallettarooms — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:07:24 +0000

Rubino is one of a kind. It is a small restaurant with just three rooms and four to five tables in each of these rooms. The staff are friendly and welcoming and the food excellent. The menu changes according to what is in season, however if you are visiting Malta for the first time this is the place to taste the National dish stewed rabbit. Rubino is easy to find and situated at no 53 Old Bakery street. It still has a nineteen thirties facade with the title ‘confectionary’ of its previous owner… so do not be mislead. It is best to make a reservation as it is a favorite place for the locals and can be difficult to find a table at times.
Dinner starts at 20:00hrs.