5 types of guests you’ll find at every single Maltese wedding

Aug 24 2022

With Malta’s wedding peak season coming to a considerable close after what has been a jam-packed summer of events, everyone will remember these special events for the celebration of love they are. But what we really remember is the characters in attendance and we can honestly that Malta is brimming with these iconic individuals. Here are 5 types of guests you’ll find at every single Maltese wedding.

1. The drunk ziju

An all-time classic; whether he’s bringing back the dance moves of yesteryear alongside your cousins or slurring rock song request to an otherwise unimpressed DJ, the drunk ziju is a classic at every single wedding. Likely downing one glass of JB Coke after the other before making his way to the cheese wheel, these uncles can be quite a handful at weddings but we still love them no matter what.

2. The wedding critic

“It was good ta’ but there weren’t any pastizzi…” No matter how jaw-droppingly good a wedding is, you’ll always find a handful of people who will nitpick on trivial items as if they were Malta’s premier wedding critic. Fault-finding like there’s no tomorrow, this person would leave Cinderella’s Midnight Ball and still find something to say about the hors d’oeuvres.

3. The groomsman on the hunt

While the groom is indeed celebrating their special day alongside their partner for life, you better bet that a number of groomsmen will be on the hunt on such a special night. As well-groomed (pun intended) as they’ll ever be, these special kind of groomsmen will start to chug one cocktail after the other before they muster the courage to chat up some unsuspecting guest at the reception.

4. The proud Nanniet

While the bride and groom are the stars of the wedding and rightfully so, no one is quite as cute as the grandparents. As Nannu sips his glass of red wine while Nanna rocks her bright turquoise fascinator like the style icon she is, they’ll slowly start looking for the youngest cousins to tell then “you’re next.” We’ll see about that, Nanna.

5. The take-away guy

Whether the catering is top-of-the-line or simply satisfactory, wedding food just hits different sometimes and after a night of chowing down, one person typically emerges from the shadows to ask the happy couple for a cardboard box or doggy bag of chicken skewers and spring rolls to take home for tomorrow morning. Who has time to cook, anyways?

How many of these do you recall spotting this summer?

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5 out-of-the-ordinary date ideas for couples in Malta

Aug 24 2022

While Malta is not absent of unique locations, amazing restaurants and exciting activities, planning a unique date night seems like one of the most daunting tasks in the world.

Finding the ideal location to entertain your partner whilst attempting to create lasting memories is already difficult enough, let alone being faced with an “Uwijja, xorta għalija” when asking for ideas beforehand. For that reason, we’ve prepared 5 super cool ideas for out-of-the-ordinary dates in Malta. Check them out and let us know what you think.

1. Play a game of Boċċi

Reliving the classics is always a good time, and going on a boċċi date with your unsuspecting partner seems like a scene out of a Maltese rom-com film. Surround yourselves with typical Maltese characters who will tirelessly attempt to show you the ropes, sip on an ice-cold beer or piping hot te’ fit-tazza and compete amongst yourselves. Trust us, you’ll love it.

2. Check out SIP and PAINT

Art & wine; the two words could not be more compatible. Explore the depths of your creativity while tickling your tastebuds with a few sips of wine at SIP and PAINT; a unique concept which invites those in attendance to unleash their inner artist at a variety of locations across Malta. To top it all off, you’ll have a cute painting to take home just in case the date is a success.

3. Go on a VanCation

For couples who are split between their love for the great outdoors and hatred of creepy crawlies & tedious weather conditions, VanCation is the way to go. The state of the art pet-friendly camper van is the perfect romantic getaway for couples who want to spend some time in nature together whilst enjoying a unique experience unlike any other.

4. Catch a movie at Kixott

Exhibitions, films, books and premium cocktails; this Mosta bar embodies culture and is potentially one of Malta’s best kept secrets. Find the right night for you and catch a screening of cinephile-curated classics ranging from Predator to The Big Lebowski, vintage Charlie Chaplin shorts and so much more; a definite hidden gem.

5. Climb the Ġebla

For dynamic duos who want to share their love for physical activity while catching up on their exercise plan, Ġebla Climbing is the perfect date. Offering and indoor bouldering gym as well as outdoor rock climbing services, if you’re not afraid of sweating it out with your significant other, this is definitely worth a try!

Do you have any other ideas? Let us know in the comments!

#MaltaDaily

5 of Malta’s most Instagrammable food spots

Aug 24 2022

Food is a substantial part of Maltese culture and anyone living here knows that Malta is jam-packed with food spots which offer dishes which look and taste absolutely incredible. Nowadays, taking a snap of your dish before eating is commonplace and restaurants seem to be much more sought after if they are ‘Instagrammable‘.

Whether that’s a good thing or not remains to be seen but nevertheless, we’ve compiled a list of five of Malta’s most Instagrammable food spots! Take a look and let us know what you think.

1. GRANO (Valletta)

Offering arguably Malta’s sexiest sandwiches, Valletta’s GRANO is a hidden gem unlike any other. Providing a range of top notch sandwiches and bagels alongside a myriad of delicious toppings such as prosciutto, pulled pork, brisket, bacon, burrata and so much more; an Instagram story featuring one of this spot’s sensational sandwiches is guaranteed to make you hungry.

2. AKI (Valletta)

Class, comfort and culinary prowess packed into one venue in centre of Malta’s capital city; AKI is a contemporary Japanese restaurant which provides a one-of-a-kind dining experience. With an incredible selection of food and cocktails and restaurant decor which is absolutely unmatched, this Valletta venue definitely deserves a spot in your stories.

3. The Black Egg (Ta’ Xbiex)

The Black Egg in Ta’ Xbiex is one of the island’s prime locations for brunch. Bring the brunch of your dreams to life with mouth-watering food, classy drink concoctions and elegant surroundings, this spot is the ideal location to catch up with friends over some food and a few drinks.

4. EAT (Mosta & Pembroke)

The pure definition of #foodporn, what started off as a quaint, unassuming food truck in Mosta become a local favourite for all things barbecue. The super-familiar beige & turquoise trucks are now based in Mosta & Pembroke and offer a delectable menu of smoked delights such as pulled pork, beef brisket, poblano sausage, pork shank buns and so much more.

5. Noble (Victoria, Gozo)

For residents, frequent visitors and occasional patrons of our sister island, Noble Café and Bistro is the food spot of your dreams. Serving up bomb burgers and a number of other food items such as salads, bagels, sandwiches, quesadillas, ice coffees and so much more, if you’re looking to spice up your stories and satisfy your stomach, Noble is the place to go.

What’s YOUR favourite food spot?

#MaltaDaily

More than 700,000 guests in Maltese hotels in first half of 2022

Aug 24 2022

According to the latest data published by the National Statistics Office (NSO), the total amount of guests who spent more than 1 night in local hotels throughout 2022’s first half was 766,214.

This is an increase of 540,515 guests when compared to the previous year. The increase also hints at a significant increase of 2,396,117 nights spent in Malta when compared to 2021.

This brings it up to a whopping total of 3,298,720 nights. Four stars were the most popular, with 46.5% of guests choosing these hotels.

The average length of stay in collective accommodation establishments went up to 4.4 nights in 2022’s second quarter. Hotels also made use of 58.4% of total bed capacity, which is up 39.7% from 2021.

Malta has 249 collective accommodation establishments with a total capacity of 43,331 beds and 18,890 bedrooms. Gozo also saw a significant increase, as the total guests and nights increased to 25,187 and 71,391 respectively.

#MaltaDaily