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

1.) Dive to see the fallen Azure Window, Gozo
Sadly, one of Gozo’s most famous natural sites, the Azure Window collapsed in 2017, when a storm on the island, causing the huge arch to drop into the sea. If you’re an avid diver, you can visit the magnificent Azure window arch that crashed into the ocean. It’s one of the best places in Malta to go for this. Make sure to only go on an organised dive and listen to local advice, this underwater landscape is new and still forming.

2.) St Joseph’s Church, Msida, Malta
Not too far from the centre of Valletta, St Joseph’s Church is a gorgeous Roman Catholic church to visit in the small harbour town of Msida. If you’re visiting in July, make sure to coincide it with the town’s feast of St. Joseph. It’s one of the best places in Malta to see during the feast.

3.) Popeye Village, Malta
You can’t visit Malta without seeing the original Popeye Village. It’s a quirky and a tiny bit tacky little village that was built for Popeye the film and has stayed on the island ever since.

4.) Hike across Malta or Gozo
Now, this sounds more strenuous than it actually is. Near Popeye Village is Għadira Natural Reserve (this is where the island of Malta actually narrows to about 500 metres in width and) where you can walk from one side of the island to the other, in literally 30 minutes!
However if you want a proper hike, the Girgenti Walk is beautiful and takes in lots of historical sites. It really is one of the best places in Malta if you love a good ramble.

5.) See Ta’ Pinu Basilica, Gozo
Located a good 35-minute walk from Għarb on Gozo, Ta’ Pinu Basilica is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine. The church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu. The basilica is located in open countryside which allows visitors to enjoy beautiful views of the area and is of great national importance to Gozitans everywhere.

6.) The Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta
Probably the most iconic Basilica’s in the country, The Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a Roman Catholic church in the capital Valletta. It is one of the most famous churches and main tourist attractions of Valletta, and it forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site which includes the entire city.
It’s perfect to explore on your day in the capital. Keep your eyes peeled for the painting of Our Lady of Mount Carmel that’s inside, too.

7.) See the sunset at Senglea harbour, Malta
Take a bus or watertaxi to Senglea centre and walk north to the fort at the penn’s tip from where there is a great view of the Grand Harbour and Valletta. Make sure to visit the Senglea Harbour area around sunset, when the sun lights up the cobbled buildings with its beautiful orange glow.

8.) Visit the Upper & Lower Barrakka Gardens, Malta
The Upper Barrakka Gardens are one of the best places in Malta to get a view across the Grand Natural Harbour. As the highest point of the historic walls, you’ll get to peek out across the harbour from a completely different perspective. The Lower Barrakka Gardens house a picturesque monument to Sir Alexander Ball, which is a prominent feature in the form of a neoclassical temple located at the centre of the garden.

9.) Visit the Blue Grotto, Malta
The Blue Grotto is perched on the southern end of Malta and easily reached by boat or seen from above. It’s quite easy to arrange a boat from most hotels and from Valletta itself. The Blue Grotto actually refers to a number of sea caverns on the south east coast of Malta, a short distance off the fishermen’s harbour of Wied iż-Żurrieq limits of Qrendi, Malta. The location of the caves, combined with the rays of sunlight, lead to the seawater mirroring and showing numerous shades of blue on the cave walls and ceilings. Due to the caves location and the morning light, this time of day (morning) showcases a unique mix of incredible blues and underwater scenery that’s transformed with the morning sunlight. After about 1 pm the effect is not quite the same, so make sure to plan your time well.

10.) Go inside the Rotunda of Mosta, Malta
If you haven’t made it to Rome, you should definitely visit the Rotunda of Mosta as it was designed and modelled after the Pantheon itself. What most people don’t know is that the Rotunda is actually the third largest unsupported dome in the whole world and well worth seeing in person.

11.) Explore Valletta, Malta
The whole city of Valletta has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status and it’s easy to see why.
Valletta’s 16th-century buildings were constructed by the Knights Hospitaller. The city was named after Jean Parisot de Valette, who succeeded in defending the island from an Ottoman invasion during the Great Siege of Malta. The city is noted for its fortifications, consisting of bastions, curtains and cavaliers, along with the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens and churches. Take a walk around the cobbled streets and wander through this architecturally stunning capital that looks like it’s out of a movie set.

12.) Find Ħaġar Qim, Malta
The Megalithic temples of Ħaġar Qim are one of the oldest and most precious historical sites on earth, dating as far back as 3,600BC. That’s well over 5,000 years old! Make sure to visit the Northern Temple, the Women’s Temple and the Main Temple itself. Although the site isn’t Machu Picchu with its awe-inspiring vistas, it really does have a history that dates back much further than most other pre-historic temples and is a great UNESCO site to experience.

13.) Go inside The Grandmaster’s Palace, Malta
When wandering the streets of Valletta head inside The Grandmaster’s Palace. This gorgeous palace has been at the centre of governing Malta for well over 300 years. Best of all, you can head inside and explore the State Apartments and the Islamic and Ottoman histories they house here.

14.) Gardjola Gardens, Malta
Located at the tip of Isla, the Gardjola Gardens have unobstructed views of the harbour and Valletta and are a must-visit instragram photo spot! Make sure to keep a lookout for the sculpted ears and eyes that are carved on the tower that watch over the island.

15.) Hike the shores of Dingli Cliffs, Malta
One of the highest points in Malta with over 250 metres above sea level, the Dingli Cliffs are well worth the stroll, especially around sunset. Get ready to enjoy scenic, towering cliffs featuring panoramic views and a chapel, which marks the area’s highest point.

16.) Explore Rabat and Mdina, Malta
With well over 4,000 years of history, head to the sleepy streets of Mdina and Rabat for a wander around one of the oldest settlements on the island. Mdina is in fact, one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city and extraordinary in its mix of medieval and baroque architecture.

17.) Swim in the Blue Hole, Gozo
The Blue Hole is right next to the fallen Azure Window in Gozo and well worth taking a dip in whilst in the area. If you’re a keen diver, you can book yourself on a tour underwater, deep down this amazing geological formation. It’s totally stunning to see from both above and below, so choose whatever takes your fancy.

18.) Go inside Fort Manoel, Malta
Built in the 1800s, Fort Manoel is one of the best places in Malta to see the fortified history of the country. Perched overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, this historic place was also one of the filming sites for Game of Thrones. Once you enter, don’t forget to visit the piazza and chapel inside the fort, too.

The past year and a half have impacted airlines, hotels and the tourism industry in general. But whilst the world went quiet, we held on tight and pushed through, to ensure we returned even better and stronger than ever before, by bringing you the best-in-class events on the Maltese Islands.

We Are Ready!

Corinthia Palace has announced its exciting partnership with gastronomic award-winner, Bahia, as it continues to set standards for luxury hospitality in Malta.

As part of that partnership, the popular Michelin-starred restaurant will move from its historic, converted townhouse in Lija to a new home on the upper floors of the renowned Villa Corinthia within Corinthia Palace later this year.

“The addition of Bahia to our portfolio ensures that the Corinthia Palace remains the quintessential address for travellers looking to experience the real Malta,” General Manager, Adrian Attard, said.

Over the past five years, Bahia formed its identity through its creative food, eye for detail and professional and warm service. The chic bistro is known for pushing the boundaries of the dining experience and for the adventurous way it communicates to the market.

Article credits: https://newsbook.com.mt/en/michelin-starred-restaurant-bahia-to-move-into-corinthia-palace/