Five budget-friendly travel tips for your summer family holiday

Jun 20 2022

A trip to Sicily is always a good shout if you’re looking for a family-friendly, budget holiday which still packs a punch and with Virtu Ferries, the timing couldn’t be better! Everyone deserves a vacation, and if planned well, a quick Sicily holiday may be enjoyed by all the family without breaking the bank. That being said, here are five budget-friendly travel tips for you summer family holiday!

Plan wisely

One of the most upsetting surprises when travelling is the unnecessary costs brought about by lack of planning; which is why you should think wisely and plan ahead. From historical locations like the city of Agrigento to astounding natural beauties like the Isola Bella, planning a stop-by-stop trip which includes food stops will save your family time & money whilst allowing them to relax & enjoy the sights.

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Visit the beaches

With these temperatures, a trip to the beach whilst on summer vacation is an absolute must and Sicily’s bombardment of beautiful bays & beaches make such visits an absolute no-brainer. Notable beachside landmarks are the enchanting town of Cefalù, the wondrous Scala dei Turchi and the awe-inspiring Vendicari Nature Reserve! So pack a budget-friendly lunch, have your caps and sunblock at the ready and enjoy your day!

Enjoy the street food

One of the best things about Sicily (and Italy in general) is the fact that it has arguably the best food culture in the world and with Sicilian food outlets aplenty & a select number of super cheap & tasty street food vendors, your tastebuds are in for the ride of their life. Taormina in particular is known the world over for its mouth-watering street food specialities such as pizza, panini, arancini and much more!

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Travel by ferry

Travelling to Sicily by Ferry is not only quick and easy but also cost effective and with Virtu Ferries, you’ll definitely get a bang for your buck with their June – July Offer! The brand’s summer offer puts return tickets at €39 when travelling in June & July. The offer is available on selected number of trips and not applicable with any other offers.

Kids travel free

The absolute cherry on the cake when it comes to planning family trips. With Virtu Ferries, one child travels free with every paying adult, giving parents and guardians the opportunity to spend their now-saved €39 on some more Sicilian street food, an ice cold drink to beat the heat or even a well-deserved glass of wine; they are in Italy after all! So benefit from this offer now and secure your family a trip to Sicily ASAP.

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Around 1000 Ukrainians received temporary protection in Malta

Jun 20 2022

According to the National Statistics Office, over 1,000 Ukrainians benefitted from temporary protection in Malta.

76% of these Ukrainians were women and 4% were unaccompanied minors. Malta granted temporary asylum to 191 refugees in March.

The number increased to 395 in April, and to 416 in May for a total of 1,002 people in those three months. Many men who were able to fight were prevented from leaving Ukraine, which is why a majority of refugees were women.

The data was sourced from the International Protection Agency and was released in connection with World Refugee Day. The EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive on March 4th.

The war, which began at the end of February, displaced almost 10 million people as the country continues to face bombardment. 29% of Ukrainians with temporary protection are under 14 years of age, and 9% are aged over 65.

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Scientists recommend eating jellyfish to stop their invasion

Jun 20 2022

Scientists have recommended turning jellyfish into one of our main dishes in order to combat the ever increasing amount of stinging creatures in the Mediterranean.

Scientists, accompanied by even Michelin-star chefs, have come up with ways to insert the marine animals into soup, pasta and salad dishes.

The presence of jellyfish has skyrocketed due to overfishing and climate change, and many establishments have managed to whip up some classy appetisers and main courses using them. Even a cookbook filled with recipes for European Jellyfish has just published.

Times of Malta spoke to local marine biologist and university professor Alan Deidun, who said that, despite sounding ridiculous, it is in no way different to eating other fish. They are already a delicacy in Southeast Asia, but never caught on in Europe.

As the Mediterranean sees an influx of the creatures, the Blue Growth Strategy program is funding research into the benefits of jellyfish to humans. Deidun even quoted a study wherein Europeans were given jellyfish as food without informing them. 90% loved the dish, thinking it was cuttlefish.

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Malta’s abortion ban covered by international news site The Guardian

Jun 20 2022

‘Women are treated like walking incubators’ – The Guardian quoted a local Maltese person who became a single parent. In an investigative journal by international news portal ‘The Guardian’, the case of abortion in Malta was highlighted to point out Malta’s current position on the issue.

‘The island nation is the only country in the EU in which termination is still illegal under any circumstances, forcing women to have the procedure abroad or else risk prosecution. But women’s rights groups are pushing for change’ wrote journalist Rachel Cooke.

Professor Isabel Stabile and Women’s Right Foundation chair Dr Andreana Dibben were also interviewed by the news portal, as it took a deep dive into the island’s stance on the matter.

‘Malta, which joined the EU in 2004, likes to boast of its liberal credentials’ reads the article, which you can read on the Guardian’s official website.

Read full article here.

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