Felicity Long
I was hoping to bring you a good news story this week about travel to Malta, hands-down one of my favorite destinations in Europe -- and very possibly one your clients have yet to visit.
Malta had planned to open its international airport to all flight destinations on July 15, putting the country within reach for travel-starved Europe-lovers from the U.S.
Unfortunately, those plans have since changed, and in accordance with the EU's approved list, our status is still in the "don't call us, we'll call you" category.
But just because we can't go now doesn't mean we can't plan ahead, and with that in mind, the Maltese government has put together protocols for hotels, bars, restaurants, clubs and beaches to follow, based on social distancing, testing and other safety measures.
The idea is to reassure those of us who might still be skittish about international travel, even when we finally get the green light.
The Malta, Sunny & Safe site touts the country's relative success in controlling the virus, outlines the measures the tourism industry is taking to keep it that way and, most helpfully, specifies exactly how and where visitors must wear masks. (In light of the lack of unity across the Continent on this issue, I would love to see all European tourist offices do the same.)
Although we've learned the hard way that even destinations here and abroad that have tamped down the worst of the virus can experience spikes and second waves, Malta has done well enough to prompt its prime minister Robert Abela to lift the public health emergency that had been declared during the worst of the pandemic. Abela has revoked, among other restrictions, the ban on gatherings of more than 75 people, for example, although social distancing, personal hygiene and masks remain recommended.
Evidently, Hollywood is comfortable enough with the destination's virus-fighting success to start filming "Jurassic World 3" there at the end of this month. Filming was originally scheduled so start in May but was delayed by the pandemic shutdown.
But if the opinions of actors like Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern -- both set to reprise their roles in the blockbuster franchise -- don't factor into your travel decision-making strategies, you can do what I'm doing and reflect on the reasons to put this Mediterranean destination on your wish list.
For one thing, Malta, located just under 120 miles from Sicily, features three stunning Unesco World Heritage Sites: Megalithic Temples (there are seven in all); the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum; and Valletta, Malta's capital and a European Capital of Culture in 2018.
Even nonhistory buffs are likely to be wowed by the temples, some of which predate the Egyptian pyramids by a thousand years and are so ancient that an archeologist guide told me they don't even know what civilization built them.
Love churches? There are a whopping 365 on Malta, one of which, St. John's Co-Cathedral, houses "The Beheading of St. John the Baptist" by Italian artist Caravaggio.
Also on my must-see list is Mdina, a beautiful walled town that retains its medieval charm and is especially pretty when illuminated at night.
There are three main islands that comprise the Maltese archipelago, the island of Malta, where Valletta is located; the smaller, bucolic Gozo, with its Ggantija temples, another Unesco World Heritage Site; and Comino, virtually undeveloped and especially appealing to divers and snorkelers for its Blue Lagoon.
The islands are accessible via ferry as well as by private yacht -- in fact there are multiple private yacht charter companies and marinas to choose from throughout the destination.
It's also worth mentioning that although Malta has its own distinct language, English is widely spoken as a result of more than a century of British rule.
Updates on the EU green-light list are posted on Malta's Covid-19 website.