Over 100,000 people flock to The Blue Grotto on Malta’s south westerly point each year, mainly by boat, exploring the caves and arches beneath – and as soon as you clap eyes on it, you can see why.

Both the Wied iz-Zurrieq harbour and Blue Grotto sea caves are located on the coastline opposite to the small uninhabited islet of Filfla which is a bird sanctuary.

The location of the caves lead to the seawater reflecting shades of blue on the cave walls and ceilings. Several caverns also mirror the brilliant phosphorescent colours of the underwater flora, whilst other caverns show a deep dark shade of blue. Underwater, different colors of red, mauve, green, orange and yellow give an impressive picture to visitors.

Make your way down to the tiny harbour village of Wied Iż-Żurrieq, where tours to the Blue Grotto depart. Be sure to pull over at the parking lot and take it all in.

Boat tours of the Blue Grotto in Malta run frequently from Wied Iż-Żurrieq – depending on the weather of course. Head down the boat ramp and over to the kiosk to buy a ticket. From there you’re taken on a tour of the coast including the Blue Grotto. Tours last about 20 minutes and cost roughly €8.

Scuba diving on the nearby scuttled wreck Um El Faroud, and snorkeling along the coastline, together with rock climbing, are the most popular activities practiced here. No need for a boat, you can just jump directly into the water from there.

Joseph Calleja’s 2021 concert, set for September 4, celebrates the 70th anniversary of Italy’s most iconic music festival, Sanremo.

Seven decades of history will be celebrated in the form of a musical fairy tale with Malta’s world-famous tenor Joseph Calleja, the Malta Philharmonic orchestra and the legendary rhythm section of Sanremo, conducted by Maestro Leonardo De Amicis.

Boasting numerous television collaborations and an endless repertoire with Italian talent, De Amicis will lead a Calleja edition featuring past participants Fiorella Mannoia, Michela Zarillo and NEK. X Factor Malta star Destiny will also join the headline.

“Sanremo 70 years of dreams”, produced by Eurovisione Eventi and Palco R, in collaboration with Mint Media, is a spectacle of musical theatre written by Paolo Logli, screenwriter, television author and theatre writer.

Sanremo’s immortal notes from its protagonists, including songs that have become famous classics since their debut in Sanremo, will grace the Granaries in Floriana.  Limited tickets are available exclusively and attendance will only be allowed for people in possession of a vaccination certificate. A maximum six-person bubble segmentation will be implemented in all areas. The organisers said this is a ticketed seated event in line with the latest covid regulations.

Read the full article here: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/joseph-calleja-2021-sanremo-70-anni-di-sogni.894688

Standing events are back with a limit of 100 vaccinated attendees while the roll-out of booster doses will begin next month, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne said yesterday morning.

Fearne provided the news during an MEIA meeting, more information on the specific structure will be elaborated in the coming days.

Judging by its size you’d be surprised to learn about the astounding amount of historical places in Malta and Gozo. The islands are dotted with historical sites dating back to 3000 B.C and centuries later, new, historical sites are still being unearthed.

Malta’s a melting pot of cultural histories. Its layered history begins with prehistoric settlers from Sicily who arrived around 5200BC up to the British who were the last to rule before the islands gained independence in 1974. The Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines and the Turks are amongst those who left their mark on Malta along the years. And the result? A unique culture and lifestyle that brings together aspects from Italy, North Africa and England.

Many visitors add Malta to their bucket list precisely because of its fascinating history.

Megalithic Temples
Malta’s megalithic temples are prehistoric monumental buildings that are amongst the earliest free-standing stone buildings in the world – even older than the pyramids.

1. Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples
Amongst the many megalithic sites on the main island of Malta, the most notable temples are Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra which are next to one another in Qrendi in the south. Apart from being a remarkable site in themselves, the natural surrounds and cliffside views are spectacular. You can easily understand why prehistoric settlers choose this place to call home.

2. Ggantija Temples
The most documented megalithic temple is found on the smaller island of Gozo. Ggantija temples are a world heritage site and date from around 3600 to 3200 BF. This site consists of two temples and the surrounding grounds are enclosed in a massive boundary wall.

Underground Wonders

3. Ħal-Salfieni Hypogeum
Shrouded in mystery, this UNESCO World Heritage site is an underground prehistoric sanctuary and burial site; the only one of its kind in Europe. The catacomb chambers at the Hypgoeum are remarkably well preserved, with red ochre paintings and carvings on the walls. There are many legends and theories about the existence of this site but it’s best to visit and listen to the audiotapes or join a guided tour. Due to limited daily visitors, it’s best to book this site months in advance.

4. Għar Dalam (Birżebbuġa)
A visit here during your trip to Malta will take you back to where it all began. With evidence of human habitation dating back more than 7,400 years, Għar Dalam gave evidence of the earliest human settlement on Malta. It also contained fossilised bones of extinct creatures like dwarf elephants, hippos, micro-mammals and birds. It is said that these remains are from animals that lived here back when Malta and Sicily were still connected by land.

5. Ta Bistra Catacombs (Mosta) & St. Paul’s Catacombs (Rabat)
If you’d like to discover some of the island’s underground connection, make it a point to visit these catacombs. The two sites are a complex of interconnected, underground Roman cemeteries which represent the earliest evidence of Christianity in Malta.

Forts and Towers

6. The Silent City – Mdina (Malta)
Mdina, also known as the silent city, is a fortified city perched on top of a hill. With a story that traces back to over 4000 years ago, Mdina has witnessed many different stages of history of Malta. With each colonizer came different uses of the city as well as renovations. Today it’s one of the most visited place by tourists as well as being close to the hearts of locals. Apart from the museums and craft shops, it’s known for having the best chocolate cake on the island as well as some delicious ice-cream. Plan an afternoon stroll here and stay until dusk.

7. Ċitadella (Gozo)
Citadella is an iconic landmark in Gozo. Just like Mdina, it is a fortified city on one of the highest positions of the island. And due to Gozo’s small size it’s visible from anywhere in Gozo. It’s light design make it particularly stunning during the night time. Citadella was built in 1500 BC with many additions over the years, and just like Mdina it’s passed through many of the island’s colonizers. Plan a visit here around sunset for a magical feel. Have a drink at a winebar, take in the views and enjoy the silence.

8. The Red Tower (Mellieha)
It’s official name is Saint Agatha’s Tower and it was built as a watchtower between 1647 and 1649 and manned during both wars. The fort is unique in it’s castle-like structure. The tower is open to visitors and inside you can see the original floor and walls. From on top of the tower you can see stunning views of Malta, Gozo and Comino.

The Quality Assured (QA) seal is a Malta Tourism Authority voluntary quality recognition scheme aimed at businesses offering high levels of quality, consistency and professionalism. The QA seal covers three key tourism business operations, namely restaurants, visitor attractions and destination management companies (DMCs). The participating businesses are assessed either annually or once every two years.

The QA seal was launched in 2008 for DMCs and in 2009 the first companies were awarded. In 2010 the first visitor attractions were awarded and in 2015 the first restaurants were awarded. Colours of Malta are proud to have been awarded the QA Seal since its conception.

The criteria are specific to each category and different methods of assessment are used. The seal is awarded once the QA Monitoring Committee of each category receives and approves the assessor’s report.

See more at: http://www.qualityassuredmalta.com