While Lucas and I stayed behind in sunny Cyprus, Michael and Henry set off on a five-day adventure to the island nation of Malta — just the two of them, ready to explore, eat, and discover everything it had to offer.
Malta is a tiny island country nestled between Sicily and North Africa. Over the centuries, it’s been ruled by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, the Knights of St. John, the French, and the British before gaining independence in 1964. Its strategic location made it a crossroads of cultures, and today you can see traces of all those influences in its architecture, language, and cuisine. Michael and Henry made their base in Floriana, a small town just outside Malta’s capital, Valletta. With its old stone buildings, leafy streets, and views of the harbor, it was the perfect home base for exploring the island.
In true explorer fashion, they decided to walk across the country from Floriana all the way to the Dingli Cliffs on the western coast. It was about 27 miles (14 km) in total. They stopped halfway in Rabat right as a giant storm rolled through. They visited St. Paul’s Catacombs, walking through tunnels that date back to Roman times. They took some time to rest and grab a bite to eat before continuing on. What could be done in 4 hours turned into an 8-hour adventure, as they couldn’t resist stopping for photos, sightseeing, and snacks along the way!
Food was definitely a theme of the trip. They joined a food tour to sample local Maltese specialties — think pastizzi, ftira, seafood, and rabbit stew — and even took a chocolate-making class at the Malta Chocolate Factory. Their creations didn’t last long once they got back! And because no trip is complete without dessert, they tried rose-shaped ice cream, both beautiful and delicious.
They visited the Mdina Fortress (Malta’s old capital, known as the “Silent City”). On another day, they took a ferry to Gozo Island and explored the Citadel, enjoying the stunning panoramic views. In true Michael fashion, they also stopped by the Malta Stock Exchange, just to see it in person. And because Michael can’t go long without a game, they even found a place to play pickleball!
One of their last big adventures was a catamaran trip to the famous Blue Lagoon. The water was so clear it looked like glass, and they snorkeled around hidden sea caves.
After five days full of sunshine, history, and gelato, Michael and Henry returned to Cyprus with lots of stories — and probably a few extra freckles.
