1 cover 20/3/08 17:04 Page 1 THE ACTIVITY AND ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE The Official Events Guide of Malta & Gozo MALTA 2 1 . o N e u s s I NATIONAL EVENTS PLACES OF INTEREST HERITAGE - SPORT RESTAURANTS & MUCH MORE... MAPS INSIDE RMF Publishing & Surveys Ltd. In collaboration with AprilApril 0808 SSSSSh... Captivating Gozo! Small and beautiful as it is, Gozo cannot be seen in just one day. As a place to relax, ‘hang out’ and live the good life the island is unsurpassed. After you set foot on Gozo, you’ll know why you need more than just a day to savour it’s leisurely charms. The more you enjoy your visit to Gozo, the more likely you are to return, and to recommend the island to others. If you are intrigued by this beautiful island’s ability to create ‘Gozo fanatics’ like ourselves, then plan a visit. We always stay for more than just a day. It’s the secret hideaway of all Maltese. Which is why we would prefer to leave it undiscovered by you. But it’s in our nature to share the best we have with visitors. 03 Contents 3/24/08 9:17 AM Page 1 MALTA MALTA ContentsTourist Information ..................4 Museums & Heritage Sites ......5 Heritage ................................6 Malta Heritage Exhibitions ......7 Exhibitions ............................10 Performances ........................12 Festivals................................14 Feasts/Sports ........................15 Theatre ................................15 Bus Routes ............................17 Gardens ..............................19 Eating Out............................20 Night Life ............................23 RMF Publishing & Surveys Ltd Maps: Publisher Sliema/St.Julian’s ....26-27 Mario Zahra Rabat/Mdina................28 Birgu ............................29 Advertising Sales Executive Bugibba/St. Paul’s Bay..30 Valerie Rausi Valletta ........................31 Compilation While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy Sandra Zahra of the information given in this magazine, no liability can be accepted by RMF Publishing and Surveys Limited for any error, omissions, or changes in the information Mapping given, or for the consequence of any reliance on the © 2008 RMF Publishing & information. Surveys ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in [email protected] a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, Contact Events Malta on: or otherwise - without the prior permission in writing from the publisher. This publication may not be resold, hired e-mail: [email protected] out, or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in any form 103, G’Mangia Hill Pieta’ of binding, or cover other than that with which it is published, without the prior consent of the publishers. MSD1313 Malta. This edition was published in April 2008. © 2008 Published & Designed: RMF Publishing & Surveys ltd. 04 Info 3/24/08 9:01 AM Page 1 Tourist Info Events Malta • In collaboration with Malta Tourism Authority Tourist Information from 15 cents to 70 cents.The and 40 kph in urban areas. longest bus journey takes about fifty minutes; the aver- Cycling age ride is between 20 and 30 Cycling became popular again minutes. since the introduction of all terrain cycles (ATBs), which Car Hire are ideally situated to Malta Fully comprehensively insured and Gozo. ATBs and bicycles (but for the first €233 may be hired from various of damages). Daily rates €13 - cycle shops throughout the €18. Petrol: 1 litre - €1.09 islands. Cyclists should (lead-free) €1.16 (normal) remember to always follow Diesel: 1 litre - €1.20.A num- the highway code and clearly Public Transport ber of internationally based hand signal their intentions. Malta’s public transport sys- car hiring firms as well as local tem offers a cheap and effi- garages offer the services of Boat Hire cient way of touring the self-driven as well as chauf- Canoes, rowing boats, sailing Island. The main bus terminus feur-driven cars. boats, pedalos and speedboats is in Valletta from where buses are available for hire from a operate to all parts of Malta, Driving number of operators in the although there are also direct, Driving is on the left. There more popular seaside resorts. point to point, services. The is a speed limit of 80 kilome- Larger vessels and yachts are cost of a bus route ranges tres per hour on arterial roads also available for charter. 4 Events Malta - April 08 05 Museums & Heritage Sites 3/24/08 9:00 AM Page 1 Events Malta • In collaboration with Malta Tourism Authority Heritage Museums & Heritage Sites Malta’s maritime history with- Ghar Dalam Cave & in a Mediterranean context. It Museum, Birzebbuga also illustrates the global The site is the earliest evi- nature of seafaring and its dence of human settlement impact on society. on Malta round 7,400 years u Ex-Naval Bakery, Vitt- ago. The cave was formed oriosa by an overlaying river making º Mon – Sun: 9am – 5pm. it become 144m deep. last admission 4.30pm. Only the first 50m are open Tickets: Adults: €4.66, to visitors. Children 6–12: €1.16, u Zejtun Road, Birzebbuga Students & Senior Citizens: º Monday – Sunday: 9am €2.33, Infants: Free. – 5pm. Last admission v 6 4.30pm. Tickets: Adults: ¤ 21660052 €3.49, Children from 6 – 11: Hal Saflieni Hypogeum €1.16, Students 12 - 17 & This UNESCO World Inquisitor’s Palace Senior Citizens: €1.75, Heritage monument consists Vittoriosa Infants: Free. of halls, chambers and pas- The Palace was built as civil v 11, 12, 12 sages cut in rock. The com- law courts for the Order of ¤ 21657419 plex is grouped in 3 levels St John and remained so dating from different periods, until 1571. It was made an Rabat/Mdina Multi Site the deepest room being official residence when then Ticket: Domus Romana, St 10.6m under road surface. first general inquisitor Mgr Paul's Catacombs & u Burial Street, Paola Pietro Dusina came to Malta. National Museum of Natural u Main Gate Street, Vitt- º 9am–11am, 1pm – 4pm, History - €11.65, Infants: guided tours on the hour. oriosa Free Tickets: Adults: €9.32, º Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm. Last admission 4.30pm. St. Paul's Catacombs Children, Students & Senior The underground Roman Citizens: €4.66, Infants under Tickets: Adults: €4.66, Children 6 – 12: €1.16, cemetries, the earliest 6: no admittance. Tickets can and largest archaeological evi- be purchased from Hal Students & Senior Citizens: €2.33, Infants: Free dence of Christianity in Malta, Saflieni Hypogeum, Paola and were used till 4th century AD. National Museum of v 6 ¤ 21827006 Though smaller in size than Archaeology, Valletta from those of Italy and North Africa, Malta and Ggantija Temples, they are richer in architecture. Xaghra and Museum of The Bir Mula u Archaeology, Citadel from Exhibition St Agatha Street, Rabat Gozo or booked online from The exhibition includes a º Monday – Sunday: 9am www.heritagemaltashop.com. read-through narrative on the – 5pm. Last admission v 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 history of Cospicua. 4.30pm. ¤ 21805018/9 u 79, St Margerita Str, Tickets: Adults: €4.66, Cospicua Children from 6 – 12: €1.16, Malta Maritime Museum, º Saturdays & Sundays from Students & Senior Citizens: Vittoriosa 10am - 12pm. €2.3), Infants: Free. A former British Naval v 3 v 65, 80, 81, 84, 86 Bakery, the museum shows ¤ 21661000, 21826427 ¤ 21454562 Events Malta - April 08 5 06 heritage 3/24/08 9:02 AM Page 1 Heritage Events Malta • In collaboration with Malta Tourism Authority Cultural Tour A visit to our sister island Gozo. A tour not to be missed. Transport leaves Sliema (Jesus of Nazareth Church) and Floriana (near Independence monument). Call for early booking. Knights Spectacular Palazzo Parisio & º 20 April. 8.45am. Tickets: 1565 Dinner Show Gardens Children aged 5 - 12 & Senior An action packed musical spec- 19th century Maltese Palace, Citizens €8.15; Adults €10.48. tacle with 50 talented perform- home of the Marquis Scicluna v All Buses (Floriana) ers and 8 trained horses. Patrons family, with a history, architecture ¤v 61, 62, 63, 65 (Sliema) are served a 3 course dinner and interior unique in Malta. A 21245168, 21232515 with free flowing wine and bev- glorious showcase of Maltese erages as the Knights of St. John and Italian craftsmanship with an in shining armour, vanquish the ornate gilded, mirrored ball- The lavishly dressed warriors of uroom reminiscent of Versailles. Limestone Suleiman the Magnificent in the Palazzo Parisio, Naxxar Heritage epic siege of 1565. NXR 1700 Monday -Saturday 9am - Malta with its u The Arena, Montekristo º renowned her- Estates, Hal Farrug, l/o Siggiewi. 6pm(except public hols). Last admission 4.30pm. Tickets: itage in stone is º Every Thursday at visually celebrat- 7.30pm. Tickets: Adults €48, Adults €9, Student €6, Children €4.50. ed at Limestone Heritage Park Children under 12: €24. and Gardens. Embark upon a v Free transport available v 54, 55, 56, 65 ¤ ¤ 21412461 journey of discovery with an 8- 21228065, 99991565 minute audio-visual presenta- tion then, get an in-depth guid- ed tour in any one of the 12 George Cross Medal languages, where history and Presentation Ceremony nature work in balance ‘To honour the brave people I to offer you an awesome award the George Cross to the and unique experience. Island Fortress of Malta to bear wit- Complimenting all this is a ness to a heroism and devotion that modern visitors’ centre housing will long be famous in history’. a gift shop with authentic These words were part of the cita- Maltese souvenirs and a cafete- tion issued by King George V on April 15, 1942 to honour the ria. A unique landscape where Maltese people who, at the time were enduring incessant every path and trail invites you bombing raids.These same words will also be uttered during a to explore Malta’s rich heritage re-enactment of the presentation ceremony of the George in stone.