Malta

Oct 16th - Oct 24th 2025

Thursday October 16th 2025

Home to Gatwick

Rubbish start to the holiday. I’d been feeling a bit “off” for a few days so called Dr Kev and our GP surgery. Great service from both and ended up with some antibiotics. To be fair it was touch and go if we were actually going to go to Malta but figured I could take my antibiotics there just as easily as at home. 

Did a couple of patients and then home for some lacklustre lunch - I had no appetite. Got packing with a plan that we could leave when I felt up to it. Was thinking that would probably be late afternoon/early evening. As it was we left home at 14:45.

As usual there were delays on the M25 around Heathrow and the M3 junction but we did OK - journey took about 2 hours in total. 

Got very confused finding the Valet Parking at the North Terminal so had to go around again. Finally figured it thanks to eagle-eye Nikki spotting the sign I’d missed. Got ourselves checked in with the car and then walked through the terminal to the Hampton by Hilton. We were in 604 on the top floor.

I’d done the check-in on the app so we were able to go directly to room 604 and open our door with my phone rather than bother the front desk. Did the unpacking and had a bit of downtime watching The Office. They’ve upgraded the TVs in the rooms from the tiny little ones they used to have.

We decided to have a mooch back in to the North Terminal to check out the lie of the land ahead of tomorrow. After that we caught the shuttle train down to the South Terminal for a Wetherspoons. Excellent meal. We both had veggie sausage and chips with egg and beans - plus a Pepsi Max. Nikki had a rose. Was convinced Ed Balls was on a neighbouring table. Had a quick wander around the South Terminal before heading back to the North.

We caught up on 2 episodes of The Celebrity Traitors before hitting the sack around 22:00.

Friday October 17th 2025

Gatwick to Malta

It was the day that started and ended with air-conditioning. Neither of us slept well. I’d set the a/c too low and we were both cold! Plus the floor in the room is SO creaky. Like walking around in a comedy haunted mansion. And it creaks every time you move in bed!

I woke up around 04:50 and then dozed until just before 06:00. Had some room coffee and then went for a walk to stretch my back. Very quiet downstairs. Wandered up the tunnel to see what was happening at EasyJet check-in. Seemed quite peaceful at this stage.

Back for breakfast. Tiny bowl of Frosties for me and some cooked for Nikki. Lingered for a while and then walked into the terminal to grab a Starbucks. Back to the hotel to sit in the downstairs lounge and watch the world go by. 

Back to the room for a shower and then I went to find SA while Nikki had a doze. Finally got ourselves roused and packed and headed off to check-in with EasyJet. Very straightforward - as was the trip through security. Had a half-hearted look for some AirPods for me and some perfume for Nikki but neither of us were too fussed. 

Went upstairs and had coffee and a doughnut. Visited Pret to get some lunch, then, as we were going from Gate 102, we went up over the big bridge. An Emirates A380 was due to land so we stayed at the top of the bridge until it arrived. Amazing to watch. 

Down to Gate 102 - we were the first there so we sat and waited. Soon filled up. We were first to board and left the wheelchair on the air bridge. We were in 4a and 4b. Bit of a delay on push back and we finally got going about 15 mins late. Quite the queue for the runway. Once up we were both starving so out came the Pret bag for a very enjoyable lunch. I’d bought some Pepsi Max and Nikki had a French rose. 

Long flight though. I maintain anything over 90 minutes on EasyJet is a trial! Got through it though by watching some TV and dozing. We flew down France much quicker than I’d expected - must have had good tail-winds. The Alps looked beautiful out of our window. We then flew down the Italian coast and over off to Sicily. We actually started our descent over Sicily. 

It was still light when we landed - just. The views coming in over Malta were superb. We waited on board for SA and marvelled at the number of ‘Jet-Bridge Jesus’ converts there were. These are the people who need a wheelchair to get on the plane first - when the overhead bins are empty - but magically get better when the plane lands. 

SA took us to the back door so we needed the aisle chair. We were taken to front of the immigration queue so it was quite amusing seeing the Jet-Bridge Jesus people queued up. It was the launch of the new EES border system but in fairness it went very quickly. We had to do our fingerprints and have our picture taken.

Out to baggage and our case appeared as we approached so that was a fluke! After grabbing our case we followed the signs for car rental and found the Hertz desk. Chap took a bit of time warning about all the road rules in Malta - so I wonder how many I’ll contravene over the next 7 days.

We drove out of the airport towards Birżebbuġa - our home for the next 7 days. We stopped at a supermarket for some bits. I parked in the wrong place which meant we had to go up in the lift and still had the cross the road. 

I messaged our host David when we’d finished there and he said he’s meet us at the apartment. Very complex getting in though. He basically opened the garage door which meant we could access the lift up to the apartment with the wheelchair but it meant having to go around each time we wanted to go in or out and press the button and then go back again to press the button to close it!

Our host spent about 45 mins showing us around the apartment. Some of it is unnecessarily complicated - like the lock on the front door. No key but a fob you have to hold and press at the same time - and then the fob has to go into an alarm system inside that also controls the electricity. Oh well - I’m sure we’ll get used to it.

We had a small bit of tea courtesy of our supermarket trip and unpacked in one of the 4 bedrooms. I then discovered none of the sliding patio doors actually locked. I know we’re on the top floor of an apartment block but didn’t like the idea that anyone could come in from the balcony - even if they got up there! I messaged David who assured me it was a very safe area!

Time for bed around 22:00 - not in the best of moods. Then at 00:40 the air-conditioning unit above our bed starting dripping on me. Had to change bedrooms. Not happy at all.

Saturday October 18th 2025

Malta

We both woke up around 07:30 after a horrible nights sleep. Managed to make coffee in the tiny cups in the kitchen.

We decided that today would be getting ourselves sorted day. We gently came to our senses on the couch and then started putting things in the right place - mainly moving things from the room we’d unpacked in last night before the air-conditioning upset

Spent some time sitting on the sofas on the balcony and watching the planes landing into Malta Airport. Most enjoyable.

By late morning thoughts turned to lunch so we drove up to Lidl and did a medium-sized shop. Absolutely packed in there but we got most of what we wanted. 

Our afternoon was spent in the apartment as the weather turned. We had a massive lightning storm. 

Decided to order our tea via the Bolt app. Had a fabulous salad delivered right to the front door. Gorgeous. Then had a quiet night after starting to watch The Woman In Cabin 10 and scaring myself to death! 

Hit the hay around 21:40

Sunday October 19th 2025

Malta

Both had an amazing night’s sleep in a very comfortable bed. Woke up around 07:45 and snuck out to the lounge. Sat on the sofas while Nikki opened her birthday cards. Had bought some decent bread in Lidl so had that outside on the balcony with juice and coffee. 

I’d planned a lunch for Nikki at the Embassy Valletta Hotel so I ordered an Uber for 12:25. Didn’t fancy driving into Valletta itself as it’s packed and parking is a bit of a mare. Our Uber driver dropped us around the corner from the hotel but usefully pointed us in the wrong direction so we had to double back - uphill! 

Very nice hotel and the rooftop restaurant was gorgeous. The views over Valletta were breathtaking. They brought us a glass of champagne for Nikki’s birthday which was a nice touch. Our table was on the edge of the roof overlooking the city. We were in the sun so I kept praying for the clouds to come over - just a bit. After starters we moved table as I was getting sun burned on my head. I had the Creamy Burrata to start followed by an amazing Chestnut Gnocchi. Nikki had the Gourmet Truffle Egg followed by Strozzapreti Al Pistachio - sadly she didn’t love her main course as there was far too much Pesto!

After lunch we left the hotel and wandered through Valletta. It is a stunning city and as long as you are in the area at the top - really wheelchair accessible. But the steep streets either side are something else!

We came across these golf buggy rides for €5. Yes please. A very enjoyable 20 mins on a circular tour even if we felt every single speed bump!

After that called an Uber from St George’s Square back down to Birżebbuġa. When we’d arrived at the apartment our host had left a big birthday cake for Nikki so we had some of that and dozed in the couch. 

Then it was time for the hot-tub on the roof. Absolutely wonderful. We wallowed in there for a while watching the sunset and the planes landing in the distance! 

Spent the evening in the apartment with some nibbles for tea and a general relax. Hit the hay just before 22:00

Monday October 20th 2025

Malta

Not a bad night’s sleep. Woke up around 04:40 and then dozed until 07:00. Breakfast on the couch. had a mooching sort of a lazy morning. 

Today I’d booked a traditional Maltese Dgħajsa boat tour for us at 11:00. I’d done some research about where we could park in Valletta but after seeing the traffic yesterday I decided to book an Uber instead. That picked us up at 10:25 and dropped us at the dock next to the Gozo fast ferry. We were a bit early so had a look around before plonking ourselves on the dock. 

Our guide Keith turned up in his boat just after 11:00. Nikki managed the 6 steps down and then Keith helped us on to the Dgħajsa. Quite wobbly getting in as it’s so low to the water. Got ourselves positioned on either side with Keith at the back by the engine. 

First we headed down towards the mouth of the bay passing Lower Barrakka Gardens and the St Lazarus Bastion. We then headed east across the bay to the other side to see The Naval Rooms and the Science Centre. Rounding Fort St Angelo, we went into Birgu which was a very busy port. Lots of huge super-yachts alongside these tiny, traditional Maltese boats. 

As we were heading back to the Valletta side Keith was telling us about the Midday Cannon that’s fired from The Saluting Battery next to Upper Barrakka so he went back out into the bay so we could watch and hear it from there. Excellent trip. Was only supposed to be 35 mins but was well over an hour. Gave Keith a €20 tip for his troubles. 

Getting off the boat was a bit easier and we got ourselves sorted - reclaiming our wheelchair we’d had to leave on the dockside. We then walked through the road tunnel and found the Barrakka Lift. Amazing. Gets you right up to the top level of Valletta for just €1 each. Worth every cent when you consider how steep the streets are! 

We went for a look at The Saluting Battery where we’d seen the cannon being fired and also Upper Barrakka Gardens before walking down towards the Queen Victoria statue outside the St John’s Co-Cathedral for some lunch. Was feeling very grubby and thirsty at this point! I had a number of Pepsis Max and a pizza with mozzarella while Nikki went for a local larger called Cisk and an Eggs Florentine. 

By that time we were wilting so ordered an Uber back to Birżebbuġa from the corner of St George’s Square next to the HSBC. Both flaked out on the couch with the a/c cranked up for a while before moving to the hot tub. 

Veggie Burgers via Bolt for our tea and we were in bed by 21:40

Tuesday October 21st 2025

Malta

Another cracking night’s sleep. I love this bed. Maybe I can take it home with me. Sat on the balcony watching the planes land before getting ourselves ready for the day. 

Plan today was to go and see the beautiful town of Mdina. Brought the car around and got ourselves loaded. Roads very busy on the way there. Took about 40 mins with the roads around Valletta unsurprisingly the busiest. 

When we arrived we luckily found a Blue Badge space in the car park right next to the gate into Mdina. It’s a stunning walled city with lots of narrow streets - many films and tv shows have been set there - Gladiator, Game of Thrones etc. Wandered around and we were surprised how compact it really was. We thought we were missing a turning and there was more to see. Nope. 

We were in St Paul’s Square looking at a map when a horse drawn carriage came by. He was free so we figured - why not?! Didn’t know what to do with the wheelchair so the driver called his brother who came and took it up to the main gate where our tour would end. He took us around the whole town. Just stunning. A picture at every turn. 

At the end he said we should also see the neighbouring town of Rabat and offered to take us there - so off we clopped. Another lovely town. Spotted a place we thought it would be worth doubling back to for lunch later. We were dropped back at the main gate of Mdina and he pulled the horse in next to a high kerb so Nikki could get down easier. And the brother was there with the wheelchair too. 

Walked around into the park and got ourselves a drink and an ice cream. I had a traditional Maltese one which had raisins in. Not bad at all. We then walked through the backstreets of Rabat. As we were wandering we bumped into a local lady who was pottering around outside her house. She invited us in to see her walled garden. Gorgeous. 

We then found the lunch spot we’d seen earlier. I had a gnocchi and Nikki had a beetroot salad with goats cheese. After lunch we went back to the car and drove down to St George’s Bay and stopped off at Lidl for a few bits.

The drive back down to Birżebbuġa was seriously congested and we were glad to get back to the apartment. More dozing on the couch before a bit more hot tub action. No plan for going out for tea so it was a sandwich and crisps on the sofa and in bed by 21:30 

Wednesday October 22nd 2025

Malta

Another great nights sleep. Got up around 07:00 and chilled on the balcony before breakfast.

Decided today we’d check out Marsxakklox. It’s mainly a fishing town but has a beautiful harbour full of traditional Maltese fishing boats.

Got there around 10:40 and found a Blue Badge space in a street right off the front. Realised there was a market going on so we browsed our way through that. It’s set right on the harbour so a lovely setting. Lots of tat and tourist stuff but still very charming.

When we got down to the bottom end of the bay we stopped for coffee at the Cafe de Paris. Time was getting on by this time so we figured an early lunch would be in order. We walked back up to the top of the bay and I bought a hat and Nikki bought a scarf.

We decided to lunch in Pisces on the front. Lovely lunch - shouldn’t have had a starter as the main course was a very substantial Beetroot Risotto. As the place filled up service got slower and slower so frustration when it came to pay!

Decided an afternoon of hot tub action was in order so went back via a little shop to get some ice-cream which turned out to be horrible! Beautiful afternoon in and out of the hot tub. We stayed out there until gone 18:00.

Ordered food from Bolt for tea. I had a falafel wrap and Nikki had a mini-pizza - so mini there was enough for Thursday’s breakfast. Relaxing evening and bed.

Thursday October 23rd 2025

Malta

More great sleep. Up just after 07:30. Plan for today was a general mooch around the island as we’d seen the major tourist places.

Once we were ready we headed for Pretty Bay which is part of Birżebbuġa. I mean I’ve seen prettier. It’s dominated by the cranes of the port and the gigantic cargo ships there. We lingered for a €2 coffee in a cafe on the front before grabbing some Pepsi Max from the shop and dropping it back to the apartment. 

Next up I’d thought we could try and get close to Birgu so we could see Valletta from the other side of the harbour. I randomly selected a restaurant on the front in Birgu on Google Maps and off we drove. Only took 15 mins or so. 

Managed to find a disabled space right on the waterfront. Superb. We walked down the front admiring all the yachts. Stopped at a place called Date Art Cafe and had a 0% Cisk beer and a prickly pear spritz! Nikki had been wondering what they used the prickly pears for - so now we know. Sat outside in a beautiful little side street. 

After a comfort break we walked across the metal bridge and up to the Birgu-Valletta ferry stop. It was getting very warm at this point so we meandered back to the car. 

On our way down the front we’d spotted a restaurant overlooking the water called Novita which looked like it had some decent veggie options. Yes they did. Probably the best meal we had in Malta by quite some distance. And the setting was incredible. We spent a good 90 mins in the shade of a huge umbrella watching all the boats bobbing and darting around. I also had a tiramisu. 

Decided to check our route to the airport for tomorrow. Sat Nav was hopeless so we just followed the signs. Easy enough. 

On the way back I stopped and grabbed us a couple of Pastizzis which are a Maltese thing - kind of like a pasty but with flaky pastry. Back to the apartment for nap and then hot tub. 

Annoyingly our pre-paid electricity thing for the hot tub with the AirBnB host ran out so we ended with no bubbles but still a lovely pool! The evening was spent watching The Celebrity Traitors before hitting the hay around 22:00. 

Friday October 24th 2025

Malta to Home

Both of us had an appalling night’s sleep. Never good when you know you have to get up and the alarm is set for 06:30.

Nikki gave up and got up around 06:0 to put the kettle on. We’d had trouble with the kettle for a couple of days - unless it’s in exactly the right position, it won’t boil! Did our packing and took the bins out before setting off to the airport at 08:40.

Simple drive and we were there in under 15 minutes. I dropped Nikki and the case off outside departures and then went back around to the garage to drop off the car with Hertz. I walked back and rescued Nikki from the last of the Maltese sun.

When we got into the terminal we were immediately spotted by a man from Special Assistance. He took over and got us checked in with EasyJet before taking us upstairs and through security.

Once we were through it became very apparent that Malta airport is far too small. Air-side it’s basically one area with a couple of restaurants and shops with the gates right there. We were taken to the information desk and told to come back in 10 minutes so we went off to grab a sandwich for the flight.

When we got back we were then picked up again and this time taken through passport control. The non-Schengen part of the airport was a little quieter - though not much. We were basically at the gate 90 minutes before our departure. Our plane was still up over Italy! We stayed put though apart from me going to grab a coffee from Costa.

There were 7 wheelchairs on the flight so when SA came for us it was a bit chaotic to say the least. Eventually got loaded on to the ambu-lift and taken out to the plane.

We were in 5e and 5f on the return. Took off with some beautiful views of Valletta. Flew up over Sicily where we could see Mt Etna in the distance. Up the Rome side of Italy and then over the Alps in to France.

It was a 3’15” flight time and we were both feeling it with about an hour to go. We’d had our disgusting sandwich and watched some shows on our phones. Went for a comfort break - more to just be able to stand up for a bit.

Seemed to hold around Gatwick for a while before landing at 12:50. As we were on a jet-bridge we waited at the front for SA to come. Eventually we were told they’d be coming in an ambu-lift but then Nikki spotted our wheelchair on the jet-bridge so we decided to head off under our own steam.

No queues at all at immigration so sailed through there and our bag was delivered within 5 minutes. Headed out to the valet parking and picked up the car. Really annoys me with valet parking when their driver doesn’t just adjust the mirrors but buggers around with the seat height, seat recline, steering wheel height. Basically everything. Grrrrrrr.

Set the sat nav for home and got a shock - it was showing nearly 3’30” for a journey that normally takes under 2 hours. We had what can only be decided as a very stressful journey home.

We ended up avoiding the M25 until we got to Heathrow but it seemed whichever road we were sent down had a massive queue on it as well.

Stopped in Thame for some milk and nibbles and eventually got home at 18:20. Basically it took 20 mins short of ELEVEN HOURS to get home door-to-door. That’s bonkers.

I would definitely go back to Malta but maybe we need to avoid Gatwick and perhaps go for a full-service airline.