FIRST EXPERIENCES OF MALTA (Malta 2023 Travel Guide)

[@nielsnolke281]

This year was my sixth time in Malta. Malta is like a live museum. I love this island and will come again in 2024.

[@highlands2hammocks]

It truly is! We love it 😁

[@nielsnolke281]

I'm glad you're excited about the Maltese Islands. By the way, a really good video from you. My plan is to create my own website where every visitor to Malta can share their experiences, photos and videos. Maybe we can connect somehow. Greetings from Niels from Berlin

[@craigross4971]

Lived in xemxija for 4 years. Brings back memories. Back in Glasgow again. Canny beat it lol

[@highlands2hammocks]

What a beautiful place to call home! We love Malta

[@pimwabeke7712]

For my internship in Malta, I actually lived in Mdina for 5 months. Such an amazing experience to live in a medieval city like that

[@highlands2hammocks]

It’s an incredible city! 😁

[@stevejessemey8428]

That was a Ftira you were eating. That paste is called Biggilla , made from beans with garlic added . It's pretty popular here in Malta. I'm actually half English and Maltese, currently living in Malta. Some advice when you go swimming, try to go to a beach where the wind happens to be blowing outwards from the beach and not inwards .

[@highlands2hammocks]

Oh it was delicious 😁 what a beautiful place to live, have you been out there long? That’s a good idea actually, hadn’t thought about that haha!

[@stevejessemey8428]

@@highlands2hammocks well to say that I have bee out here long would be an understatement. Anyway, yes I was born here in Malta, my dad is English, and to make a very long story short, I lived in Scotland, I lived in Germany, Japan and have travelled the World just like you lovely couple. And should I offer one word of advice, if I may, stay together, have fun, continue to travel the world as a team, and no Matter what , stay and remain beautiful.

[@danielpetty986]

I love Malta. absolutely best adventure of my life seeing my sister who lived over there. Looking to go again soon! Keep up the excellent vlogging guys! im in awe of what you do?

[@highlands2hammocks]

Its such a beautiful place, we always love visiting 😁

[@kylescicluna1541]

Hi, a maltese person here, in your ftira at 6:49, the paste was Biglla which is a traditional bean paste here. The cheese you described like feta is called Gbejna (meaning small cheese).

[@highlands2hammocks]

It was so tasty! Loved it 😁

[@lindao1327]

Looks like you are having a ball their! Malta is beautiful. Glad to see Gemma taking control of the bike!

[@highlands2hammocks]

We loved it 😊 haha thank you 😂

[@MT-ys6ju]

For the Jellies you need look at where the wind is blowing. Find the beach with an outward current. It's their blooming season at the moment, they vanish as the water warms up..

[@highlands2hammocks]

That's a really good idea, we hadn't thought about that, next time haha!

[@theMalteseCarnivore]

Glad you're having a fun time on my beautiful island 😊

[@highlands2hammocks]

We had an amazing time! Thank you 🥰

[@clintinoshub]

Glad you are enjoying and appreciating our little island .. cute couple .. keep it up :)

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thank you 😊 we love Malta!

[@AnnabelleJARankin]

Checking out where the jellyfish are is essential on Malta and Gozo - sometimes you see scores of them from the ferry!

[@highlands2hammocks]

Very true haha!

[@marycorcoran245]

Thanks for showing us Island and Malta, what a lovely place.really enjoyed it.

[@highlands2hammocks]

So glad you enjoyed it Mary 😊 thank you!

[@vincezammit-vzphotography3993]

That was so nice watching your vlog.I'm maltese live in scotland and it was wonderful watching places of my home country :) Hope you had somegood times in Malta :)

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thank you so much 😊 so glad you enjoyed watching the video!

[@sheilajoseph9953]

It's been many years since I went to Malta and I stayed in paradise Bay as golden sands wasn't completely finished. It still pretty much looks like it did many years ago with the exception of the spa and restaurants. Looks like you are both having an awsome time relaxing and site seeing. 😎

[@xvsupremacy7190]

We went to Malta 2 - 3 times a year prior to lockdown , as I refuse to have the injections I doubt I will go again , so I miss Malta 🇲🇹 and Gozo !

[@marinavajagic2980]

@@xvsupremacy7190 from 3 days ago it is possible with just a pcr test.

[@highlands2hammocks]

It’s a beautiful place 😁

[@mrshadenoughofallthis911]

I am hungry now after seeing all that delicious food!

[@highlands2hammocks]

Haha me too, it was so good 😍

[@powell.christopher]

Glad you had fun. This year has been unusually windy and cold due to a rare weather phenomenon in northern Africa. It's usually much warmer this time of year. Also, regarding the jellyfish, they clear out as the water gets warmer in summer. Plus, if you check out the weather forecast and pick a beach where the current is moving out of the bay, then it's a non issue.

[@highlands2hammocks]

Glad to hear that haha it’s the same in Scotland to be fair!

[@simonportlock2235]

I truly love Malta. I too have been stung by the jellyfish of Malta.

[@highlands2hammocks]

Aw no! We couldn’t believe how many there were in that bay!

[@garyplaysmt]

As a fellow Maltese, where I live 5min away from Mdina, you should come back in Summer. The beaches especially in Comino along with the night life is fantastic. That is if you can handle 35-45 degree celcius of weather 😂

[@highlands2hammocks]

Aw we hope to one day, it is so beautiful 😁 yeah maybe that’s a bit too warm haha

[@samanthabusuttil1232]

You can cook an egg on head

[@joyfill1295]

Thank’s to you both for beautiful video ❤️ Love from Melbourne Australia ♥️🌹

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@travellingwithcrowsfeet]

Great vlog you two, but those jellyfish, ouch! Glad to see Gemma was able to get your permission Campbell and drive the scooter ha ha ha!

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thanks guys! And yeah of course haha just that once..

[@travellingwithcrowsfeet]

@@highlands2hammocks ha ha ha

[@peterjackson7426]

Thanks guys 👍😊❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@Shexil]

I actually went to school in Mdina. St. Dorothys school which is right next to Fontanella used to be a girls' school :)

[@highlands2hammocks]

Aww lovely! Such a beautiful place 😁

[@timjohnson67]

Another lovely video, we all wish you guys a very enjoyable time in Malta.

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thank you very much Tim 😊

[@EnglishmaninMalta]

Looked like you had fun guy's

[@highlands2hammocks]

Had a great time! Thank you 😊

[@johnritson3023]

Thanks G and C, I love all your adventures.

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thanks John! So glad you’re enjoying them 😊

[@happyhermit2022]

Another goodie thank you...enjoy your time....😉

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thank you so much 😊

[@martincalleja]

Hi, Malta is my home, I am glad you have enjoyed it. Great clip, keep it up. If you are back the next time, and you need some help about the island, I will be glad to do that. Enjoy.

[@highlands2hammocks]

Hi Martin, Aw lovely! Thank you so much for that kind offer! We love Malta so I’m sure we’ll be back 😊

[@bukolaasojo3772]

I’m so glad I was born in a beautiful country I miss so much

[@highlands2hammocks]

It sure is beautiful 😁

[@tiny_dragon3004]

I was born there iva jien

[@johnallen148]

Hi Gemma Campbell, so nice of you to take us around the places you visited on your holiday,it looks beautiful but cold I think with Gemma wearing her lovely white coat,the pool and things look fantastic how was the massage did not see who was doing it lol ,so glad you enjoyed it as much as me ,till next time take care keep safe, John 👀🌹😂🙏🫂💕👩‍⚕️🤩🌟🌟

[@highlands2hammocks]

So glad you enjoyed the video John 😁 the massage was great!

[@ilpupina]

the paste in the ftira is actually bigilla - a traditional broad bean dip - and the cheese is gbejna which is a local peppered cheeselet made from goat's cheese :) Love from Malta xx

[@anniesteele]

Thought it was tomato?

[@highlands2hammocks]

It’s so delicious 😁

[@anniemac3075]

Sparrows seem to be all over the world!! The video was so relaxing to watch, glad you're having a good time. X

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@carrieannchetcuti4061]

Mary 🇦🇺🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ thanks for video what a amazing beautiful place,💕💕🇲🇹💕💕🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️👍👍👍

[@highlands2hammocks]

So glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@pienpakvis6118]

So lovely there. You both look so relaxed and happy😊

[@highlands2hammocks]

It was such a lovley break, thank you :)

[@zoecoppinger6989]

im going to work in malta for 4 weeks starting in a few weeks! do you guys have any pro tips? maybe which beach is the best for swimming in?

[@highlands2hammocks]

We loved our visit to Gozo so would definitely recommend that 😁

[@toobydude41]

Eeek I hope you guys weren't stung too badly by those jellies. Maybe they like that crystal blue water too. lol Ahh can't have a vacation with a few hiccups to keep you on your toes right ;) But they're handled in true H2H style :) Looks lovely there. Thanks so much and oh yeah I got notified this time :)

[@highlands2hammocks]

Haha they must do, thankfully we were fine 😁 that’s good to hear!

[@MTravelVlog]

I really enjoyed your video. 🤩 Thanks for Sharing! 👍🏼💕 Greetings from Albania. 🇦🇱

[@highlands2hammocks]

Glad you enjoyed it 😊 thank you! 🥰

[@yomamabinhavin]

Loved this island ❤️

[@highlands2hammocks]

Beautiful 😍

[@annabethsarskullflower9623]

Hey Guys, you actually stayed in 'Qawra' where the aquarium is and where you had the crepes is 'Buggibba' and down the bottom of the seafront opposite end is actually 'St Paul's Bay' sorry 😅 I was the one who messaged you on insta with a few suggestions as I lived out there for 10yrs. Glad to see you had a lovely holiday xx

[@xvsupremacy7190]

Yes that is the area we always stayed. St Paul’s Bay is named after St Paul when he was shipwrecked on Malta 🇲🇹. He said even then the Maltese people were very hospitable people. Malta is predominantly Catholic !

[@annabethsarskullflower9623]

@@xvsupremacy7190 oh I know, lived out there and went to school there. It's lovely. I lived in St Paul's Bay when I did, I do love it there

[@highlands2hammocks]

That’s true! 😁

[@Courtney.editzz13]

I'm so glad I live in an island like this I was born in malta

[@highlands2hammocks]

Very lucky, it’s a beautiful island 😁

[@Courtney.editzz13]

@@highlands2hammocks Yes it is but now it has way to much cranes so that they can build buildings

[@pos1785]

Its great destination in the world

[@highlands2hammocks]

Love Malta 😁

[@kevinwhiteland904]

Those little birds are what we call house sparrows pretty rare now we have 4 on the bird table grate videos good luck take care Kev.

[@highlands2hammocks]

Aww! They were very cute ☺️ thank you!

[@bonniechops1]

😂😂I'm the same Campbell, I'm not a good passenger, I'm the driver at all times 😆💪🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@highlands2hammocks]

Haha I just have a high centre of gravity 😂 I fall easily!

[@bonniechops1]

@@highlands2hammocks 😂😂👌🏻

[@danielvella8073]

Viva Malta l-ahwa, jekk haw xi Maltin hobbuni naqa :)

[@taps2896]

Great video and insight guys! Quick question, how was it entering the country? Was it pretty easy or did you have to prep alot (e.g vaccine pass, other entry requirements/checks etc)

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thank you 😁 it was pretty easy to be honest! Filled out a passenger locator form online and had to prove we were fully vaccinated and that was it 😊

[@anniesteele]

Did you not figure out why no one else was on the beach? You missed the South of the island which is so much nicer than Blackpool with sun, which is where you stayed.

[@highlands2hammocks]

Haha we didn’t think of that 😂 it was cold so that’s why we thought it was quiet! We spent a lot of time in the south, last time we went to Malta we stayed in Sliema for 3 weeks, beautiful area 😁

[@DavidBrown-iy3sy]

Great video , I like you Campbell , top man .

[@highlands2hammocks]

Cheers mate 😁

[@yaminthegrey]

Hari OM Aye, yer wee feathered freends were common sparrows. Chancers at every open cafe! Still fun though - as was this entire video. I actually dropped my shoulders and breathed more deeply as you entered the spa... YAM xx

[@highlands2hammocks]

Ahh they were so cute 🥰 glad you also felt relaxed at the spa haha! I would love another one, it was great 😊

[@suzybeetravels]

It's been a very long time since I've been to Malta. It still looks just as beautiful 😍 Great video 😎

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thank you very much guys 😁

[@SuperMaltese1]

Welcome to Malta :)

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thank you 😁

[@rogerzarb4735]

Malta is stunning .proud to b maltese.

[@highlands2hammocks]

It is a very beautiful country 😁

[@mannydcbianco]

So awesome seeing you in some nice, dry, sunny weather for once, lol. Scotland is absolutely beautiful but sometimes you just need some sun and nice weather too, haha.

[@highlands2hammocks]

Haha I know 😂 it was so nice to see some sunshine and we managed to return just in time for some great weather in Scotland too ☀️

[@tracycassar1830]

hi guys i live in malta sliema but from the uk hope you have a great time 😍

[@highlands2hammocks]

Hey Tracy! Awww lovely, what a beautiful place to live 😀

[@jamminjami103]

Love love this video!!! I think, if you shop andcant carry home....why not package it and mail home? Love the coat Gemma is wearing :D

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thank you 😊 we managed, just had to wear lots of layers in the airport haha!

[@mchristiansen137]

Too bad there is not a "Three Thumbs up" button!! The end with the sun setting was absolutely beautiful! I was wondering about the name of the curry dish you had? Would enjoy researching the recipe and making some, it look fabulous. Enjoy your holiday!! (P.S. Clean your room! 🤣)

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thank you haha! There was no name it was just an Indonesian curry. Delicious though 😁

[@angelikadegabriele2635]

Actually a lot of jellyfish came to Malta I hope you guys had fun ❤️

[@highlands2hammocks]

Yeah it was crazy haha heard that the winds have an effect on the numbers at this time of year 😁 thanks for watching!

[@pleaseenteraname9596]

Malta the European pearl ✨ I was in October now I want to go again and again and again ...

[@highlands2hammocks]

We feel the same, love it there!

[@rockjock1965]

Did you ever find Rosie’s tea room in buggiba

[@highlands2hammocks]

No we didn’t unfortunately! Kept an eye out but never saw it

[@jeffbureau473]

I'm in Malta right now ;)

[@highlands2hammocks]

have fun 😀

[@danielpetty986]

btw, my profile pic was taken in Malta to!

[@highlands2hammocks]

love it!

[@johnjecdevera4092]

Watching from Gozo

[@highlands2hammocks]

Loved our time in Gozo 😁

[@Icheb82]

To me Malta was a little bit of a let down. Maybe because my expectations of the island were quite high. While Valletta is a Mediterranean gem, Mdina has a wow factor, Marsaxlokk is a cute little fishing village...the rest of the island seem quite unimpressive to me. On top of that Malta is basically a desert island with very little vegetation. There are very few parks in urban areas and trees and bushes are neglected. The island clearly abandoned the idea of sustainable development. There are construction sites everywhere, it seems there are no plans for urban development it's more like an urban sprawl. It feels claustrophobic and dense. Next thing - the amount of traffic for such a small island is insane. There are cars absolutely everywhere - even in the streets of Mdina which is tiny yet they allow cars there. Traffic congestion is very high which causes air pollution (mainly diesel fumes). Pedestrians and cyclists are outcasts here. Also public transport is completely unreliable. You never know when (and if)the bus will arrive, drivers skip bus stops, buses are very overcrowded. To get from one side of the island it takes 2-3 buses and approx 2h. You can easily get stuck on a bus stop for an hour or so. There also seems to be a problem with trash in many places. I was really excited about the Maltese cuisine and tried a couple of dishes yet I have to admit my best experiences were with Sicilian/Italian restaurants. Keep in mind the island is small and there are lots of tourists coming in. So expect the most popular beaches (Golden bay) to be packed with people even in April. I don't want to come across as someone who is all negative. For example Maltese people are very kind and helpful but it's just not enough for a memorable vacation. Sorry don't mean to offend anyone.

[@susanashcroft2674]

You look so relaxed and happy. Sometimes a little sunshine is all we need. By the way if you don't mind me asking what happened to Roxy when you left Australia? Hope Ellie behaved herself while you were away too!

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thanks Susan 🥰 I think it is definitely what we needed, felt very refreshed from it! Unfortunately we had to sell her last October. We didn’t know when we would get back over and she was deteriorating not being used. Hopefully we’ll be back over in Australia one day soon 😊

[@maltesephil]

Fontanella? did you score big on a scratch card? The paste is probably Bigilla, made from beans

[@highlands2hammocks]

Haha I wish we had 😂 pretty pricy but it was nice 😊

[@MalteseKat]

There's a buck in d bauum of de bake. Oh my.

[@theowebb9372]

Hahahaha I saw my school bus in the background of one of the clips

[@highlands2hammocks]

Haha small island! 😁

[@andrewberkkis8912]

👍👍👍😉

[@highlands2hammocks]

Thanks 😊

[@keeplove8400]

I want to came malta

[@highlands2hammocks]

you will love it!

[@PhuongHoang-ut7fq]

May I have the name of your hotel please ☺️☺️ I’m going next week and finding a place to stay

[@highlands2hammocks]

We stayed at the mayflower hotel in St. Paul’s bay! Loved it 😊

[@PhuongHoang-ut7fq]

Thanks a lot!!

[@leilasp11]

@@highlands2hammocks hello! Thanks for the video. I have just saw that you stayed at the same hotel we have booked. Hope you enjoyed the location. Should you advise us if the location was great? Also, please, would be possible to have the name of the bike company? Was this an electrical one? We are planning to rent a car or bike. Actually, we read a lot the bikes would be not really good, but on the videos, it seems you had no problem going out with that. If you can give us some tips, it will be great. Really thanks and congratulations for the channel. Regards.

[@janegrieve]

Lucky folk looks braw

[@highlands2hammocks]

Colder than expected 😂

[@ivaissaxitrid]

Very normal for beaches to be infested with jellyfish in spring. After June it is much better, but more people in beaches then.

[@highlands2hammocks]

Didn’t realise that, think we were just unlucky that the wind must have been blowing them in that day haha!

[@aldonallbani354]

Come to Galeas Kitchen to try out authentic maltese food and much more. Wish You the best Guys.

[@highlands2hammocks]

Sounds great! Will keep it in mind for next time 😁

[@smallislandfishing3494]

Ftira is made from goats cheese and a bean paste

[@highlands2hammocks]

Oh lovely! It was so tasty 😁

[@highlands2hammocks]

It’s delicious 😁

[@smallislandfishing3494]

Jellyfish bloom right now guys

[@highlands2hammocks]

They definitely were haha

[@highlands2hammocks]

Yeah they were everywhere haha

[@christineludlam4170]

Next time,could we see more of Malta,and less of you ,please ?

[@highlands2hammocks]

You are aware of the channel name? 😂