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Introduction
The Maltese archipelago consists
of three main Islands, namely, Malta (240 Sq.
kms), Gozo (67 Sq. kms) and Comino (2 Sq. kms).
The population in total is around 375, 000.
Malta and its sister Islands have been inhabited
for the past 7, 000 years. The Phoenicians were
the first settlers to come to Malta in the 9th
century BC and they were followed by the Carthaginians,
Romans, Arabs, Swabian & Angevin dynasties,
Aragonese, Spanish, French and finally the British
who gave Malta it's independence in 1964.
One will find out that Malta has plenty to offer
to a visitor of the Islands. Besides the crystal
clear waters and year-round sunshine, which are
two of the main reasons why Malta is a popular
vacation destination, the Islands also have various
other features that would attract someone to visit
or even reside in Malta. Malta's extraordinary
archaeological and architectural heritage acts
as an impressive backdrop and caters for all activities
that one could imagine. The legacy of the various
powers that ruled over the islands throughout
the ages can be seen, felt and savoured.
Whether one seeks action or relaxation, tranquillity
or excitement, one can find it in Malta. For lovers
of Mediterranean cuisine, nightlife, music, theatre
or arts, Malta boasts a variety of venues to go
to for entertainment. There are restaurants situated
in all areas (serving typical Maltese Cuisine
and other Mediterranean dishes), central nightlife
areas with live music (i.e. Maltese folklore,
Latin American, Mexican, Italian), discotheques,
bars, brassieres pubs, and an abundant calendar
of cultural manifestations and events. For the
sportive visitor, the islands offer golf, tennis,
sky-diving, horse-riding, and unlimited possibilities
for water-sports - from sailing to windsurfing
and the best scuba diving in the Mediterranean.
The Maltese Islands, which is one of the most
charming vacation spots in the Mediterranean,
is English speaking. Malta does have it's own
native language, however most Maltese also speak
English and Italian fluently with English considered
to be a close second.
Coming
to Malta
BY AIR
It takes about two or three hours to get to Malta
by air from most European cities. There are frequent
and direct flights to Malta from the major European
cities including London, Rome, Paris, Frankfurt,
Brussels, Geneva, Athens, Amsterdam, Madrid and
Vienna among others. There are also other regular
flights from other destinations in Europe as well
as from North Africa and the Middle East.
The scheduled flights to Malta are operated by:
Air Malta, Swissair, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa,
Transavia, Egyptair, Balkan Airlines, Aeroflot,
British Airways, Tuninter, Corsair, Condorflug and
LTU/LTU Sud.
BY SEA
A high-speed passenger-only catamaran operates
a service from Licata, Catania and Pozzallo to
Malta. The service is operated daily between June
and September, decreasing to three times weekly
between October and May. Approximate length of
journey is 3 hours to Catania and slightly less
to Pozzallo.
Malta can also be reached by sea from Syracuse,
Catania and Reggio Calabria three times a week
and a weekly crossing from Naples by Italian ferries.
PASSPORT & VISA REGULATIONS
Entry visas are not required - for stays of up
to three months for holidays or unpaid trips -
by nationals of the European Community. Nationals
of countries, which require a visa to enter Malta,
should obtain this from Maltese Embassy or Consulate.
Where neither is available, a written request
should be made to the Commissioner of Police,
Police Headquarters, Floriana. Fax: +356 2124
7777 and/or +356 21235308
CUSTOMS
Personal belongings and clothing intended for
personal use are not liable to duty. The duty-free
allowance for adults is 200 cigarettes or the
equivalent in cigars or tobacco, one bottle of
spirits and one bottle of wine and reasonable
quantity of perfume and toilet water.
General
Information
VACCINATIONS
Yellow fever and cholera essential if arriving
from an infected country
CURRENCY
Malta's currency is decimal. The Lira (LM) is
the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents;
each cent is again divided into 10 mils. There
is no limit to the amount of foreign currency
visitors may bring into Malta, providing it is
declared upon arrival. However, the maximum amount
of Maltese currency that may be brought into Malta
is LM50.
Visitors may take any unspent foreign currency
out of Malta, but no more than LM25 in Maltese
currency.
BANKS
Usually open 8.30am to 12.30pm, Mondays through
Fridays, and up to 11.30am on Saturdays. Foreign
exchange facilities are available at the Airport
on a 24 hour basis, year round and up to 4pm at
most banks. Automated Teller Machines (ATM's)
are situated in the major commercial and touristic
areas.
TIME
Malta follows Central European Time (CET) which
is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT),
and six hours ahead of North American Eastern
Standard Time (EST).
ELECTRICITY
Electricity runs on 240 volts, single phase, 50Hz
cycle. The square-fitting standard three pin British-style
plugs and sockets are used and visitors should
obtain conversion plugs at their local hardware,
electrical, or travel goods stores.
WATER
Tap water is perfectly safe for drinking.
RELIGION
Malta is predominantly Roman Catholic, but the
Maltese Constitution guarantees freedom of worship.
There are also churches belonging to various other
religious denominations.
LANGUAGE
The official languages of Malta are Maltese and
English. Almost all Maltese residents speak English.
Maltese is a semitic language written in the Roman
script compromising a vast element of words of
Italian, French and English origin. Italian is
also widely spoken.
Beach
Facilities
There are numerous sandy beaches, especially in
the northern part of the island, the best known
being Mellieha Bay, Golden Sands and Armier. In
the south, the best sandy beach is a Birzebbugia.
Ramla Bay in Gozo stands out for its beautiful red
sand. Rock bathing is possible at most other beach
sites.
Bathing is safe anywhere around the island as
there are no tides. Sea temperatures average 23
degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer.
Beach facilities in the high season, between March
and October, include bars, restaurants, changing
rooms, showers and umbrellas. On some beaches,
it is possible to rent speed boats, dinghies,
row boats, water skis, surfboards, etc.
Medical
Care
Malta enjoys a high standard of
medical care. The general hospital, St Luke's,
is in Guardamangia, but there are government health
clinics in various towns.
Persons who are receiving medical treatment and
who may need to carry medicines into Malta or
purchase fresh supplies locally would be well
advised to arm themselves with a letter of introduction
from their doctor.
Malta has special clinics for diabetes sufferers
and pharmacies generally stock a wide range of
diabetic products.
Shopping
Shops are usually open between the hours of 9am
and 1pm and between 4pm and 7pm The three hour break
is the Maltese siesta time. In commercial areas
frequented by tourists, however, some shops remain
open until approximately 10.00pm. Shops are not
normally open on Sundays and public holidays. There
are open-air markets, one day a week in most towns
and villages. The largest is the Valletta market
on Sunday mornings.
Major credit cards, travellers cheques and Eurocheques
are accepted at most leading shops and restaurants.
Quarantine
and Importation of Animals
Importation of healthy pets is allowed after approval
from the competent authorities. The pets may however
first be kept in quarantine for a short period.
Any dog/cat imported into Malta must have an import
permit issued by the Director of Veterinary Service
prior to import. It is advisable to apply 6 weeks
prior to import to allow for vaccination and resting
prior to import.
No Pit Bull Terriers or crosses may be imported
into Malta, otherwise a cat or dog must have a
certificate issued by the government veterinary
service, declaring that the country of origin
has been free of rabies for six months before
the departure of the pet. The certificate must
also declare that the country of origin has an
official policy for the strict control of animal
importation. Furthermore, if a cat or dog originates
from a non-free rabies country, it has to be certified
that it originates from an area free of rabies.
The animal must also have a veterinary health
certificate issued by a recognised veterinarian,
just before travelling to Malta, stating that
the cat or dog is healthy and shows no evidence
of clinical disease or parasitic infection, and
that it has been vaccinated against rabies by
an inactivated vaccine not less than 30 days and
no more than six months before export. The animal
has to be consigned to Malta directly from the
country of origin either by air or ship securely
crated as freight so that it appears on the cargo
manifest.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries'
Veterinary Service (Telephone: 21239968, 21225930)
in Malta must be notified of the exact date of
the animal's arrival at least one week before
and also whether the animal will be accompanied
or not. Call the Quarantine Station on 21244236
with flight or vessel details.
The importation of animals is only allowed during
office hours - 7.30 am to 5.00 pm. Animals will
not be accepted on Saturdays, Sundays or public
holidays.
Cats and dogs imported from the United Kingdom
are quarantined at the Small Animal Quarantine
Section at Luqa for three weeks, from other countries
the quarantine period can be up to six months.
An import licence, from the Department of Trade,
and an entry form (Number 2) from the Customs
Department must be completed before the release
of the cat or dog from quarantine.
Make sure one gets all information and that correct
papers and tests (blood) are prepared before arrival
in Malta to avoid any disappointment.
You may call the Director of Veterinary Service
for further information:
Director of Veterinary Service, Albertown, Marsa,
Tel: +356 21225638/21225930, Fax: +356 21238105. |
