The food
I'm not a foodie, but the standard
fare of Malta seemed bland for a country so close to Italy, where you
can find great restaurants blindfolded. I'm sure there's great food
here; I just didn't find it, with that one exception in Marsaxlokk.
The
only chichi restaurant I wanted to try was the one in Mdina seemingly
favored by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie when he was shooting a movie
here in 2011 ("World War Z," set for release in 2013). The man answering
the phone at De Mondion seemed stunned that I
thought I could make a same-day reservation. I didn't try again.
Malta's
national dishes are rabbit stew and lampuka (dolphin fish). I thought
the "stew" part meant I would not see enough rabbit shape to discern
that I was eating a bunny. It wasn't bad,
but I prefer fish. The lampuka was OK, but my serving was no big deal.
OK, the history
You could spend an eon
visiting crypts, churches, museums. For a comprehensive history lesson
in one 45-minute sitting, do it with a film, "The Malta Experience"
(themaltaexperience.com) along the Grand Harbor in Valletta. See St.
John's Co-Cathedral in central Valletta for jaw-dropping opulence. This
place is integral to Maltese history's chief players: the Knights of
Malta (the Crusades, the Maltese cross, etc.)
You should see at
least one of the prehistoric temples. Some are on the smaller island of
Gozo, requiring a ferry ride. I preferred the Hagar Qim Temple on the
southwest coast of Malta, minutes west of Zurrieq. (How did
those guys quarry and transport a 20-ton stone?)
And spend a day in Mdina. The Normans did nice work. Trust me. History can make for a relaxing vacation.
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130508adaa8f7abfb7561bd8c4b712f695623b421.wma
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