Barbara Kingstone is an award-winning travel/lifestyle writer.
 
 
Keeping in mind that WWW.INDULGEDTRAVELER.COM is for Seniors/Boomers who love to travel, here's a destination to think about after the COVID 19. Boomers, it's a great place for out door activity including putting your feet up and watch the sunset and rise.
By Barbara Kingstone, bk@barbara3.com

Hop ,skip and a bathing suit, my series of famed islands.

We all know what has happened to various professions during Covid 19. Along with many others, I am thinking about those in the travel industry.

TRAVEL HAS TANKED

Seniors who, in the past, have enjoyed tripping to many destinations may just be getting ready to start planning their next getaway.

AGREED . . .

When this pandemic is over, we will travel again. We are all in this pandemic together and are now chomping at the bit, to be on the move again.

Although I've been to over 100 countries, it's never enough. But I do obey the stay-safe rules-mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing. I'm a travel addict and now recalling the high lights of my years of seeking and finding special destinations. They've all been great even those which are ugly and sad. Travelling is a mind broadening education and about all the good and bad in each country. So take those vita pills. Think ahead and let's get up and go post COVID 19, What makes Malta with 3 islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, great for Boomers/Seniors? It's so manageable. But then the choice of activities are so varied.

MALTA

This series is about destinations where I've already visited and found luxury, easy and enjoyable starting with The Republic of Malta, just 80 miles south of Sicily strategically set in the Mediterranean Sea.

Malta has a history, that dates back to 5,900 BC. Over the decades there has been a plethora of powers that wanted this strategically located island. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Normans, Crusaders, the Knights of St. John, Knights of the Order of St. John's (this description refers to the noblemen from Europe's finest families,) plus a few more invaders.

HERE ARE SOME OF MY MEMORIES

The scent of hibiscus and oleander permeated the air and the gentle breeze flowed off the Grand Harbour in this UNESCO World Heritage City. Valletta, the capital of Malta, is scenic and obviously was an inspiration to the poet, Gordon George, Lord Byron, who spent over a year on the island.

One morning in Upper Barracca Gardens, I saw a gentleman on a bench concentrating on his needlepoint. "I come here every morning unless it rains." said Leonard, a middle aged man.

I had stopped to speak with him. He didn't seem to mind the interruption. In fact, like most Maltese, he was keen to talk about this island's history and this countries 'gifts.' Weather being one.

AS FOR FOOD

I always search for local produce and keen to test specialties. First taste and you'll want to take several sour dough loafs home. Thinking about it, makes my salivate. The Maltese adore their specialties..fish pie, rabbit stew, rustic dishes and honey pastry.

Not far from my hotel, the Phoenicia Hotel, located near the Republic Gate, I queued at one of the stalls selling pastizzi, a local cheese-filled pastry And what a great breakfast that was.

TOWNS

The Republic Gate separates the town of Floriana and Valletta but there are so many villages and towns on the 16 mile (27 km) island that with a blink, you can easily miss one of them. It's a staid city and my travelling companion for those few days was another journalist from Texas. So conjure up this imagine as she descended the staircase of the hotel. In what I could only describe as a white cheer leader's mini skirt and a teeny white eyelet top, of course, with white cowboy boots. The jaw dropping outfit certainly got full attention during that day. There was no question she was the centre of attraction where ever we went. "Why, we all dress like this in Texas, honey," she said when she noticed raised eyebrows and hanging jaws.

As small as the various towns are, the driving is laughable." We don't drive on the left or right but in the shade." I was told by a local who saw my furrowed brow, as I ducked a few fenders heading toward me.

WHEN TO GO

May, June and July are considered the favoured months. August is like being placed in an oven.

CHURCHES, CATHEDRALS AND STATUES, OH MY!

With the literally 365 hundred churches and also a few dozen cathedrals, a plethora of statues and squares, fishing villages, beaches and resorts, I decided to start early each morning rubbing shoulders with the hectic local-filled market on Merchants Street.

MDINA

To miss Mdina, Malta's medieval capital, is missing a town that truly looks like a model of the best middle ages stage set. Colourful flowers, cascade down wrought iron balconies which because of the their shape, are called 'Pregnancy.' The maze-filled streets are other 'worldliness' and the silence made me want to scream. No wonder Mdina's moniker is "Silent City." No one spoke louder than a whisper, even in the cafes.

SLIEMA

The old trolleys /trams are worthy of a side trip to Sliema, one of the small, trendy and stunning town adjacent to Valletta.

GOZO

Only the 20 minute ferry ride to the second largest Maltese Island, Gozo. Is worth seeing. Beaches, honey resorts, a 2,500 year old Hager Lim Temple. The 5,000 year old Ggantija Temple, the oldest freestanding structure in the world which even pre dates Egypt's, Pyramids, certainly fills a day trip or even consider an over-nighter.

VALLETA

And back to Valletta, art lovers wouldn't want to miss Caravaggio's, "The Beheading of St. John," in the landmark, Baroque St John's Cathedral.

While there I meet actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, kind, talkative. He was in Malta to assist his German friend who was in a film, The Gladiators, being shot in Valletta. The backdrop of this island has often been used for many other films which has helped the economy for years. The startling cliffs, ancient archaeological sites, great achitecture, are perfect as backdrops for films.

SHOPPING

What does one buy? I liked the filigree jewellery and the glassware. But there are so many other fine crafted creations..

Malta has been a member of the EU since 2002 and although the population is approximately 500,000, more expats are moving there since the climate is grant and healthy benefits are very good (but know that extra insurance is needed.) Homes aren't inexpensive, in fact Malta is costly.

Since the plumbing, is often somewhat ancient with narrow pipes, do take some toilet paper for day tripping. However, if you are staying at one of the top-end hotels, there's nothing to think about. Luxury abounds.

The poet George Gordon, Lord Byron, said it all. "Malta is by far the most magnificent places I ever saw in my life."

I concur.

Having been a travel writer for more years that I want to remember, people began to come to me for advice on destinations, particularly, India. I have traveled the sub continent extensively and know about the pleasures and the pitfalls of India travel. With this in mind, I began to advise people on travel to India and established India-Concierge.Guru.

India-Concierge.Guru gets to know what each person wants and needs. My associate in Delhi makes my plans happen per the demands of the clients.

Let’s talk. India is a ‘must see’. You can reach me at bk@barbara3.com, Looking forward to hearing from you.

Let's talk. BK@BARBARA3.COM WWW.INDULGEDTRAVELER.COM

Reach me at BK@BARBARA3.COM Visit the newest India Travel website: www.indulgedtraveler.com under Asia/India.
Please help us spread the word by forwarding Indulged Traveler to your friends and family. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter (@indulgedtravel) Instagram.

Thank you to Stan Greenspan, our webmaster and IT star. Stan's newest service is Safeguard Digital. We highly recommend his services.

Stan says: "Your digital presence should not be a source of fear. We teach you how to be secure. Bravely, simply and easily. No gymnastics not required. No jumping through hoops. Lawyers? Litigators? We are experienced in helping law firms satisfy the bank's security requirements.

Security is must for any business. We provide in affordable solutions for everyone. We're willing to work with you, no matter where you are located. Our methods are easily transferred to any location around the world." SAFEGUARD

Contact us today.

Experienced, reasonable, simple and uncomplicated.

stan@safeguard-digital.com