August, 2009

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30
Aug 09

Valletta’s yearly cultural event





An all night fusion of arts and culture will be celebrated in Malta’s capital city Valletta on the night of October 3rd – 4th. This event draws thousands of people from all over the island and also tourist who come specially to join in the nocturnal events which include visual installations, free entrance to some of the museums, churches, theatre, exhibitions, and much more.

Pictures capture some of the atmosphere of the activities in the streets of Valletta.

www.visitmalta.com
www.nottebiancamalta.com

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15
Aug 09

Cafe Cordina vs Cafe Premier – the battle of the coffee shops






It seems that there are never enough cappuccinos and chilled confectionaries to go around and the supply of shops catering for this demand is expanding even faster. However there is one particular place in the heart of the city – Cafe Cordina which has kept its high standard and has offered tea, coffee and cakes in one of the most splendid squares in Valletta – Piazza Regina. This tea room has become an institution in itself, even more so after Cafe Priemier closed its doors a few months ago. It did not do so because it lost the war of the coffee shops, but to put it quite bluntly there is the ring of the ancient rivalry, much the same as that between Quadri’s and Florian’s in Venice’s Piazza San Marco. The idea of an old established coffee shop conjures up images of the 17th and 18th century gentleman sitting in the shade and reading their newspaper, concluding deals for their imports and exports, just a few meters away from their shops in Merchant street. The modern coffee shop, however is less of a place for creative expression and more of a place where to sit for a quick break; none the less both Cafe Cordina and Cafe Premier must be on your visiting list.

We will be updating you with more information and pictures on the war of the coffee shops.

http://www.caffecordina.com/

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4
Aug 09

Valletta City of the Knights



Of the thousands of tourists who annually make their way from London, Paris, Rome, and other European cities, for their holidays, only a small portion venture to stop at the small island in the middle of the mediterranean and stray away off the beaten track to where Lord Byron found love in the arms of Mrs Spencer Smith, and Turner painted the Grand Harbour with his romantic colours.

Yet there is no other capital in Europe where the traveler’s expectation of novelty is more than ever fulfilled with the charm and character of a Princely city. Valletta City of the Knights of Malta will surely cast a spell upon you from the moment you step inside its walled confines. While other European cities are becoming more similar as they grow larger, the tourist may at least rest assured that there still remains a place within a short distance where over-civilization has not yet quite ruined the ideals for the poet and the painter. There is no need to be advised that here is novelty at last, as you enter the city gate during the summer months.

The festive character of Valletta will surely capture your imagination and take you back to a grand entrance fit for a prince or head of a state. Rest assured that during the summer months one of the 25 churches in Valletta will be celebrating its feast, and there is no better place to capture the baroque spirit of this unique city than to walk through the colourful decorated streets, lined with statues of angels and saints all looking down on you from the high pedestals which line the streets. Enter the dimly lit churches and be amazed with the colour of the damask which hang on the walls; the huge chandeliers which are lit for the occasion and the statue of the patron saint which is taken out of its niche to be enjoyed in all its splendor.

No photographs can give you the same experience which you get when walking through these streets, and the truth is that these celebrations are not staged for tourist, but are real cultural traditions which are still alive today.

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4
Aug 09

Valletta Suites – City Life: Feast Celebrations in Valletta

Watch on youtube – http://www.youtube.com/vallettasuites

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2
Aug 09

Cafe Palazz – Tea room and home-made pastries








Cafe Palazz is a historic heritage at the heart of Valletta that will feel very familiar…


Housed just underneath the National Library, corner from Piazza Regina, one of the most splendid squares in Valletta, Cafe Palazz has been redesigned to evoke a sophisticated cafe. It is open from early morning until late evening, seven days a week. You will be amazed that this intimate place will cater to all appetites serving hot snacks, home-made almond pastries and a selection of teas from Firenze. This place really deserves praise both for its decor and for the quality of food and cakes. It will surely rival the established eateries as the new spot, and is bound to become the social arena in a short time. As things happen, it is becoming more fashionable to open a new shop away from Republic Street, which is the main street in Valletta and is now feeling the pressure to meet the tourist’s demands. Here you will get the exquisite taste and impeccable standards reminiscent of the old guard establishments, such as Caffe Cordina.

Discover for yourself this amazing place – meet Maria the brains behind this new cafe and you will find out why we are making such a fuss about it. Maria is not new to the catering arena. Cafe Palazz is the new addition to Trattoria Palazz right next door.