Whether you want to spend your golden years on a Caribbean beach or European village, the idea of retiring abroad sure is appealing. But how should you decide where to settle down? We suggest you check out the 2022 Retirement Index from International Living, an annual list of destinations where a retired couple can live comfortably on as little as $2,000 a month.

Now in its 31st year, the Retirement Index pulls information from hundreds of on-the-ground editors and correspondents around the world. Along with the editors’ personal accounts, the countries are quantified across 10 categories: Housing, Benefits & Discounts, Visas & Residence, Fitting In/Entertainment, Development, Climate, Healthcare, Governance, Opportunity, and Cost of Living. The goal is to find locations where retirees can spend less money, live happily and healthily, and experience a new country without straying too far from all that is familiar.

The top 10 countries for 2022 are a mix of cultural hubs in Europe and outdoor havens in Central and South America. View the full list here.

Why retire in Malta?

About 50 miles south of Sicily, Malta is the tenth smallest country in the entire world—but don’t let its lack of square milage deter you. The archipelago nation compares to the best of other countries: the beaches and ancient cities of Italy, the aromatic spices and seafood-focused cuisine of North Africa, the language and tea culture of England. It’s no wonder that 15 percent of the residents here are expats.

Much of the population is packed in the capital city of Valletta, which is a two-hour flight from most European capitals. The city is filled with museums and delicious tapas restaurants, with snorkeling spots, hiking trails, and ruins older than Stonehenge just a quick car or ferry ride away. The gloriously warm climate, abundance of activities, and aforementioned English-speaking locals make Malta a great place for retirees.

Cost of living: Malta is by no means the cheapest country in Europe, but it still offers lower prices than the U.S. and Canada. Modern, one-bedroom apartments in Valletta can reach up to $1,600 per month, but you can find options as low as $800 in smaller fishing villages. Factoring in rent, utilities, groceries, healthcare, and transportation, you can expect to spend around $2,330 per month here.

Healthcare: Unfortunately, expats cannot access Malta’s excellent public healthcare system, but the private insurance options are high-quality and inexpensive (some Maltese citizens even opt for private insurance over the free public healthcare). Premiums range from around $50-300 per month, but out-of-pocket costs are quite low—around $20 for a basic visit and $65 for a specialist, and medications at a fraction of what they cost in the U.S.

Visa requirements: The Malta permanent residence visa is the best option for non-EU nationals. To qualify, you must earn an annual income of at least $25,263, open a Maltese bank account, and either purchase a house worth at least $329,514 or pay $10,984 in annual rent. Residency permit applications can only be submitted in person at the Department for Citizenship and Expatriates Affairs in Valletta.

For more detailed information about residency requirements, click here.

Easter Sunday Processions Are As Popular As Those Of Good Friday. Easter Sunday in Malta commemorates the Resurrection of Christ reminding us that he rose from death. It is the most important feast in the Roman Catholic church calendar.

The ringing of the Church bells both in Malta and Gozo and the processions with the statue of l-Irxoxt, the Risen Christ brings back many customs that the Maltese have had for centuries. This tradition is repeated every year in a number of villages in Malta and Gozo.

For instance at Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, where a group of men run the last stretch of roads with the statue and people throw confetti from the windows to celebrate.

There are villages where the parish priest blesses the children’s figolli on Sunday morning. You will surely see many children gathering for this blessing in front of the church.

On this day many people enjoy eating the traditional figolli including a variety of Easter eggs. With regards to the figolli, today they can be bought from many confectioneries but there are still many families who prefer to buy their own ingredients and cook them for their families.

Figolli are usually baked before Easter, different sizes and shapes are done with almond paste in between, covered in chocolate or coloured icing and decorated with little Easter eggs.

Large crowds gather to see the l-Irxoxt procession as it’s one of the traditional feast people look forward to see. Children with figolli in their hands. Different shapes and sizes get to eat the delicious Easter eggs and figolli.

During the processions the band clubs, will now also accompany this procession playing joyful and happy mood marches compared to the Good Friday sombre marches.

After the morning procession people either go out for lunch or spend time with their families and have a lovely Easter meal. The traditional lamb, vegetables and potatoes are generally cooked.

Malta offers various sites and beautiful villages to see and knowing that during Easter there is so much to see and do even if you are not religious.

You will have numerous ceremonies at church, impressive processions and decorations to fill up your time. The Maltese people through their faith and devotion and all the traditions that they have inherited from their ancestors can offer you an incredible holiday.

You can savour our traditional food, sweets and lovely warm weather for the time of the year. The evening tends still to be a bit chilly but knowing that there is so much to absurd and enjoy why not see what Malta has to offer around Easter.

Easter Sunday in Malta and all the Holy Week activities are a great time to have a taste of the Maltese culture.

Easter Sunday Processions In Malta 

• Birgu | Vittoriosa – 10:00
• Birkirkara – 18:00
• Birzebbugia – 19:00
• Bormla – 09:00
• Gharghur – 09:00
• Gzira – 09:45
• Isla | Senglea – 09:00
• Kalkara – 18:45
• Luqa – 09:30
• Mosta – 18:30
• Naxxar – 08:30
• Paola – 09:00
• Qormi – San Gorg – 09:00
• Qormi – San Bastian – 09:15
• Rabat – 09:45
• Sliema – St. Gregory – 17:30
• San Gwann – N/A
• Siggiewi – N/A
• St. Julians – 10:30
• Valletta – Tal-Gizwieti – 18:15
• Zebbug – 09:00
• Zejtun – 10:00

Easter Sunday Processions Gozo

• Fontana – 10:30
• Gharb – 18:00
• Rabat – Katidral – 10:45
• Kercem – 09:15
• Nadur – 10:00
• Qala – 11:00
• Rabat – San Gorg – 08:45
• Xaghra – 18:00
• Xewkija – 09:30
• Zebbug – 17:00

Article credits: https://www.maltainfoguide.com/

The new Michelin Guide recognises the outstanding restaurants, breadth of cuisine styles and culinary skills found in Malta, Gozo and Comino. Established in the late 19th century, Michelin has maintained its benchmark of international food for more than 120 years, recognising some of the greatest restaurants in the world.

Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta is establishing itself as a gastronomic destination which serves up a wide range of dishes influenced by the many civilisations that made these islands their home. In a bid to embrace the long standing and diverse culinary history of these islands, the Malta Tourism Authority has been championing local, sustainable gastronomy that tips its hat to traditional methods within the context of a modern and buzzing restaurant scene.

The five restaurants which have retained their one-MICHELIN Star status are: Under Grain, Valletta; Noni, Valletta; ION – The Harbour, Valletta; De Mondion, Mdina; and Bahia, Balzan, which retained its Michelin Star even after moving location from Lija.

A new Bib Gourmand joins the selection, bringing the total number of ‘Bibs’ to four. Grain Street in Valletta is from the same stable as MICHELIN-Starred restaurant Under Grain and serves great value sharing platters. The three other restaurants that retained their Bib Gourmands are: Terrone, Birgu; Rubino, Valletta; and Commando in Mellieħa. These restaurants all represent the very definition of a Bib Gourmand: good quality, good value cooking.

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, said: “Thanks to the increasing optimism surrounding Covid-19, many people are starting to think about travel and holidays once again. The beautiful islands of Malta and Gozo should be on everyone’s list. Five MICHELIN Stars, 4 Bib Gourmands and 22 recommended restaurants mean there is plenty of choice when it comes to eating out”.

Besides Grain Street, inspectors found three other restaurants worthy of a place in the MICHELIN Guide. Marea in Kalkara is a cool, contemporary restaurant with a tiered terrace overlooking the Grand Harbour, and its kitchen mixes Mediterranean food with Japanese influences. AKI in Valletta is a stylish basement restaurant with an Asian-influenced menu. As for Rebekah’s in Mellieħa, it is located in a former farmstead and specialises in hearty Mediterranean flavours.

Poullennec went on saying: “All 31 restaurants recommended to our readers are varied and individual and reflect the very best that the islands offer. Some are traditional, others are contemporary – and thus they truly represent the two sides of Malta that make it such an appealing destination”.

“Quality needs to be the order of the day. In the past years, thanks to the perseverance and dedication of our local hospitality sector we have experienced an increase in restaurants that obtain a Michelin star status. The gastronomic sector plays a crucial role in the Government’s vision of making Malta a hub of tourism excellence in the Mediterranean. The road to achieving this goal is an ambitious one but together we can make it happen,” outlined Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Clayton Bartolo.

The Chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority, Dr Gavin Gulia, added: ‘This is once again another step forward in our continuous endeavours, whereby, as an Authority, we are continuing to give due importance to the holistic quality of our tourism product, which we are achieving through various restoration and regeneration projects, targeted marketing, and partnerships such as the one with Michelin, to mention but a few. We are proud that for the third consecutive year Malta has its very own Michelin Guide and on behalf of the Authority I would like to thank all those involved in this sector for being instrumental in making Malta’s Gastronomy stand out, as one of the things which tourists look forward to exploring, when they visit our Islands.”

The full 2022 selection for Malta is available on the MICHELIN Guide website https://guide.michelin.com/en/mt/restaurants and on the App, available for free on iOS and Android. 

Article credits: https://www.mta.com.mt/en/news-details/351

Gozo has been listed the Best European Island for: Sparkling coves

Odysseus nearly didn’t make it home to his wife, Penelope. Instead, the sparkling island of Ogygia winked at him and he was lured ashore, spending seven years under the spell of its seductive sea nymph, Calypso. That Homer’s Ogygia is widely considered to be Gozo should come as no surprise. This rugged island surrounded by cerulean waters forms the perfect backdrop for myths and legends – and for films. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie spent several months here filming By The Sea, and the island’s now crumbled Azure Window featured in the first episode of Game of Thrones. Despite such claims to fame, Malta’s smaller sister island remains unspoilt and untamed. North Africa, Arabia and Sicily meet in this sizzling and spiky stone in the sea. Spend your days swimming in sparkling coves, sipping a Kinnie – the locals’ favourite orange-flavoured fizzy drink – in the sun and feasting on plates of sea urchin spaghetti. Then join the queue for ftira (Maltese pizza) at the Mekren bakery in Nadur.

Getting to Gozo: Fly to Malta International Airport, and from there it’s one hour by road to Cirkewwa Harbour, where ferries to Gozo depart. The sea crossing takes 30 minutes.

Article credits: https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-secret-islands-europe

The Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority are pleased to announce that the 21st edition of the Malta International Fireworks Festival will be taking place on seven nights between Sunday 17th April and Saturday 30th April 2022. Each night promises to be a beautiful display of colour and coordination, and the closing night is bound to be a true spectacle.

The festival also has a competitive edge! Each year, the festival hosts a Pyromusical competition, which means that the fireworks are designed to match the rhythm of a musical number! Awards are then distributed to the most impressive displays.

There’s always something brewing.

The Brewhouse is one of Malta’s most iconic industrial buildings and exciting regeneration projects. Occupying the site of the former Farsons Brewery and designed by world renowned Ian Ritchie Architects, The Brewhouse is being transformed into an inspirational mixed-use destination which will include a variety of unique spaces, unlike anything found on the island.

Events Spaces
The Brewhouse is a standout venue for your next event. On Level 4, one finds a fully equipped and flexible 300 sqms space for small to medium sized events such as seminars, workshops, networking events or private parties. These is also The Brewhall, a breathtaking two-tiered brewing room featuring the original boiling coppers.

Meeting Facilities
Depending on your requirements, The Brewhouse has the right meeting facility for you. Take The Redler Room, a 20-person boardroom anchored around authentic industrial equipment in situ. Users of this amazing space will also enjoy private access to the adjoining terrace and have a full range of Food and Beverage packages at their fingertips.

The lifestyle offering housed within this historical landmark will have something for everyone. Office tenants will no doubt enjoy the convenience of the several food and beverage outlets on site for working lunches and after-hours networking, while families and tourists will easily make a day out of their visit to The Brewhouse with a stop at the upcoming Farsons Brewery Visitor Experience, a browse through the flagship Brandstore and a bite to eat at the upcoming Microbrewery and beer garden.

A new apron is to be developed at Malta International Airport to handle future growth, MIA said.

The €40 million project was given the go-ahead by the board of directors of Malta International Airport on Tuesday.

The Apron X project will see the development of an area measuring around 100,000 square metres, which is roughly comparable to the size of 14 football pitches. It will significantly improve the airport’s aircraft parking capacity and its ability to better handle mixed-fleet operations, particularly during peak hours in summer.

Apron X will be able to accommodate up to seven medium-size aircraft or three larger ones.

The airport has an additional 20 stands for aircraft on Aprons 8 and 9.

At this critical juncture, we have the responsibility to start taking long-term decisions, even if they may appear to be at odds with the current aviation environment, that will determine the future of the local tourism industry. Today’s approval of the Apron X investment is Malta International Airport’s strongest statement yet about its confidence in the industry’s ability to recover to pre-pandemic levels, as well as its potential to grow further and achieve new records,” said Malta International Airport Chief Executive Officer Alan Borg.

The project will include a taxiway to the new apron, and a staging area housing facilities for ground handling operations.

The Apron X project is also envisaged to support Malta International Airport in honouring its environmental commitments through the construction of a 10,000sq metre reservoir for better rainwater harvesting and the installation of LED floodlighting systems.

Additionally, the project will provide for preparatory works for the electrification of parking stands, in line with a European Union plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project will supply parked aircraft with an electricity supply.

Works on the project are expected to commence in the coming weeks once the local Planning Authority issues a permit. While the company is eyeing the start of summer 2024 for the completion and utilisation of the first parking stands, the full project is expected to be concluded in 2026.

Article credits: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/malta-airport-to-invest-40m-in-new-apron-and-taxiway.936383

Colours of Malta is thrilled to announce that Kuoni Tumlare Meetings & Events have optimised a longstanding business partnership with their DMC and now have a Global Partnership Agreement covering future business. The Agreement establishes Malta as a key destination within Kuoni Tumlare’s extensive portfolio, with high potential for our client markets. After successful discussions between Davide Cachia, Managing Director Colours of Malta and Maxime Toldre, Head of M&E Kuoni Tumlare, we are looking forward to our partnership and expanding our growth opportunities.

The official trailer for Hollywood blockbuster film Jurassic World Dominion has been released. The blockbuster movie was partly filmed in Malta in summer 2020.

The filmmakers used various locations around the island, including the capital Valletta, where a motorbike chase around the streets of the city and St George’s Square sees raptors chasing the film’s heroes.

The film was expected to be released in cinemas in June 2021  but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The movie was filmed in locations in Malta, Vancouver, Hawaii and London’s Pinewood studios.

Jurassic World signalled a return of large budget movies to the island. In 2016, Assassin’s Creed and 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi were also partially filmed in Malta.

The move will premiere in cinemas on 10 June.

“Jurassic World: Dominion” is set in the present day, around four years after “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” Following the destruction of the Jurassic World theme park, genetically engineered dinosaurs were auctioned off by companies and released in the human world.

Cast members of the original “Jurassic Park” series will also return in the film — including Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Sattler, Sam Neill as Alan Grant and Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm.

In the trailer, there are dinosaurs wandering free in a wintery tundra and swimming in the ocean as humans look on warily.  “Human and dinosaurs can’t coexist. We created an ecological disaster,” Dern says in the trailer, which is a keen observation that should have been apparent five movies ago.

“We not only lack dominion over nature, we’re subordinate to it,” says Goldblum.

“Jurassic World: Dominion” stars Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, DeWanda Wise, Omar Sy, Daniella Pineda and more.

Colin Trevorrow and Emily Carmichael co-write from a story by Derek Connolly and Trevorrow, who also directs. The film is from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. Trevorrow, Steven Spielberg and Alexandra Derbyshire executive produce, with Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley as producers.

Article credits: https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/arts/film/114888/watch_dinos_in_valletta_spotted_trailer_for_jurassic_world_3_is_out#.YgzjC9_MLIU

VisitMalta and Carter Entertainment are proud to announce an exciting collaboration to bring the first-ever LIVE show of the L.O.L Surprise! Dolls to the UK and to Malta!

Introducing L.O.L. Surprise! LIVE VIP Party in collaboration with VisitMalta – the multi-city UK national and Malta tour is set to remix the vibes of a club, feature the best ever beats & latest songs from the upcoming L.O.L. Surprise! movie, never-before-seen dance moves and the ultimate instagrammable sets.

After kicking off in Sheffield last week, everyone’s favourite L.O.L. Dolls arrived in London, as a host of famous faces descended to The SSE Arena, Wembley, for a night of glitz and glamour. Ferne McCann, Fearne Cotton, and more attended London’s opening night of the highly anticipated L.O.L. Surprise! LIVE VIP Party in collaboration with VisitMalta hosted by Lady Diva, Royal Bee, Swag, Neonlicious and many more.

Speaking at a press event before the first Wembley Show, via a video message, Malta’s Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection, Clayton Bartolo said “Having VisitMalta as an official destination partner with LOL Surprise, one of the biggest worldwide brands when it comes to children’s entertainment is an exciting journey that we shall embark on together. This partnership shall be an opportunity to promote the Maltese islands as a family tourism destination directly with the target audience itself – as the show will be watched by hundreds of thousands of families across the United Kingdom. Moreover, this will make our country appealing to tourists will who be choosing Malta to travel alongside their families over the Easter holidays.”

Mr Johann Buttigieg, VisitMalta CEO, said that “we are really looking forward to seeing this partnership come to fruition, as it forms an intrinsic part of VisitMalta’s commitment to ensure that Malta cements itself as the safe family destination where families with children of all ages can enjoy great weather, beautiful beaches, an abundance of history, and some of the best food, with this exciting show by the L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls being the ultimate cherry on the cake. We are also proud to be supporting the UK tour of this show, which for us makes perfect sense, with the UK being our biggest and most important tourist market.”

L.O.L. Surprise! LIVE VIP Party in collaboration with VisitMalta will perform at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, from the 5th to 17th April 2022, and tickets are available at www.visitmalta.com. Show times and days vary.

Samantha Wilson, Marketing Director for L.O.L. Surprise! UK^TM said: “We’re delighted to be bringing our L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls to the stage for the first time in the UK and in Malta. It’s such an exciting moment for us. We always love an opportunity to surprise fans, so the opportunity to work with Carter Entertainment on this brand-new show was one we couldn’t turn down. It’s going to be a show like no other, with bubbles, projections, confetti and even holograms. We can’t wait to see our fans interacting and dancing with their favourite dolls. We have no doubt it will be a moment they’ll never forget!”

Tony Worgan and Adam Carr, Co-Founders of Carter Entertainment said: We can’t wait for the UK and Malta to experience L.O.L. Surprise! LIVE VIP Party, and we’re delighted to have VisitMalta as the official destination sponsor. The show is so much more than a family experience, it’s a concert and dance party all rolled into one. Throughout the 90-minute show there will be creative sets, brand new choreography and everything from projections to confetti blasts. We knew we wanted to take the show to the next level and surprise fans, which is why it’s exciting to be the first UK family show to include holograms. We look forward to UK families coming together to see the show for the first time in November. The same goes for all the families in Malta next April!”

Read the full article here: https://www.mta.com.mt/en/news-details/347