2025 Volendam, Valletta, Malta...

We arrived much earlier than expected into Malta (middle of the night) due to a medical debark which eliminated the possibility of capturing photos sailing into Malta.  I went outside just about daybreak so I could capture some shots before our tour... Ann, Cathy, our ship friend Jayme and I headed off the ship and met our driver Raymond and our guide Nigel and started our tour of Malta. We started our tour exploring the historic fortified Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua, located across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, known for their rich history, historic architecture, and significant defensive role, these fortified cities feature impressive architecture and fewer crowds than Valletta, the capital. On our way out of Valletta we stopped at the famous sea cave, the Blue Grotto for some scenic views…due to the weather the boats were not operating today. Next, we headed to Marsaxlokk a traditional Maltese fishing village with its picturesque harbor full of colorful Iuzzu fishing boats…we took a stroll along the waterfront promenade, tasted the best ever pistachio butter spread and stopped for a coffee break. Leaving Marsaxlokk we stopped at Hagar Qing Temple. The megalithic complex of Hagar Qim is located on the southern edge of the island is over 5000 years old and contains some of the world's oldest free-standing structures. Our final stop of the day was the Mdina also known as the "Silent City," this ancient, walled medieval city was the capital of Malta till the end of the medieval period. This city is a step back in time with its narrow, cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture, still confined by its walls…The tall walls of its well-preserved buildings and its narrow streets make the experience one of a kind. Mdina has 90 inhabitants today including one cloistered Benedictine nun! Leaving Mdina we headed to Mosta to visit the beautiful Rotunda of Mosta. This domed Cathedral is a prominent neoclassical Roman Catholic Church situated in the center of the town and is a major historical and architectural landmark. What’s also interesting about it, is that survived a bombing in WWII. An aerial bomb fell through the Dome during mass and failed to explode…A miracle according to the Maltese people. We had an excellent day touring this beautiful country, the weather prediction was not good, but we lucked out and only had a few drops of rain before ducking in a cafe for lunch…our guide Nigel was top notch and the company even better. I even was able to capture sail away photos before darkness set in. Another wonderful day in spectacular Malta.