There’s Nowhere like Malta During Easter

Aerial-view-of-Valletta-city-capital-of-Malta

Malta is a beautiful island nation in the Mediterranean that offers a rich history, stunning natural beauty, and a vibrant culture. While there are many great times to visit Malta throughout the year, Easter is a particularly special time to experience the country’s unique traditions and festive atmosphere. In this blog, we’ll explore why tourists should consider visiting Malta during Easter.

One of the main reasons to visit Malta during Easter is to experience the country’s rich religious traditions. Malta is a predominantly Catholic country, and Easter is a major holiday that is celebrated with great pomp and ceremony. Visitors can attend Mass at one of the many beautiful churches throughout the island, witness the processions of the Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and enjoy the stunning street decorations that adorn the towns and villages.

Another reason to visit Malta during Easter is to enjoy the beautiful weather and natural beauty of the island. Easter falls during the spring season when the weather is mild and pleasant, and the countryside is lush and green. Visitors can explore the scenic countryside, take a boat trip around the island’s stunning coastline, or simply relax on one of Malta’s many beautiful beaches.

The Phoenicia Malta hotel is an excellent place to stay during an Easter visit to Malta. This luxurious hotel is located just outside Valletta’s City Gate and offers stunning views of the city and harbour. With various Malta hotel packages on offer, including accommodation, daily breakfast, dinner, and access to the hotel’s spa and wellness facilities, you’re sure to enjoy a memorable Easter holiday in Malta.

Visitors can also enjoy the festive atmosphere of Easter in Malta by attending the many cultural events and festivals that take place during the holiday. These include traditional feasts, music concerts, and street performances that showcase the country’s rich culture and heritage. Visitors can also indulge in delicious local cuisine, including traditional Easter treats like figolli, which are almond-filled cookies that are shaped like Easter eggs.

In conclusion, Malta is a wonderful destination to visit during Easter, with its rich religious traditions, beautiful natural scenery, and vibrant cultural scene. The Phoenicia Malta hotel offers various hotel packages for you to enjoy. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or just want to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine, Malta has something to offer everyone during Easter. 

Take advantage of our Offers and Packages and join us for a memorable Easter break this spring. 

view of valletta phoenicia

Why You Should Choose Valletta for Your Next City Break

Room View - Overlooking Valletta

Valletta, the capital city of Malta, is a wonderful destination for a city break. With its rich history, charming streets, and beautiful landmarks, it offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modern attractions that are sure to please any traveller. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the reasons why Valletta is a great place to enjoy a city break.

Firstly, Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to some of the most historic and beautiful landmarks in Malta. The city is a treasure trove of architectural gems, such as St. John’s Co-Cathedral, which is renowned for its stunning Baroque interior, and the Grandmaster’s Palace, which was the official residence of the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John. Visitors can also explore the Upper Barrakka Gardens, which offer stunning views of the Grand Harbour, and the National Museum of Archaeology, which displays some of Malta’s most impressive ancient artefacts.

Valletta is also home to the luxurious Phoenicia Malta hotel, which has been a landmark of the city since 1947. This elegant hotel is located just steps away from Valletta’s City Gate, and offers stunning views of the city and the harbour. It boasts of numerous amenities, including an outdoor pool, a spa, and several restaurants, all of which make it a perfect place to stay during your city break in Malta.

Another reason why Valletta is an excellent choice for a Malta city break is the city’s vibrant cultural scene. Valletta has a thriving arts and culture scene, with a number of museums, galleries, and theatres that host regular exhibitions and events. Visitors can explore the contemporary art scene at the St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, catch a play or musical at the Manoel Theatre, or learn about Maltese history and culture at the Malta Experience.

Foodies will also find Valletta a great destination, with its excellent restaurants serving a mix of Mediterranean and Maltese cuisine. Visitors can indulge in local specialties like rabbit stew, fish soup, and lampuki pie, or try international cuisine at one of the many international restaurants in the city.

Lastly, Valletta is a compact city, which makes it easy to explore on foot. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the city’s narrow streets, admire the historic architecture, and discover charming hidden corners. The city is also well connected to other parts of Malta, making it easy to explore the rest of the island during your stay.

In conclusion, Valletta is a great destination for a city break, with its rich history, beautiful landmarks, vibrant cultural scene, excellent restaurants, and compact size. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, food, or just want to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine, Valletta has something to offer everyone. And with The Phoenicia Malta hotel providing luxurious accommodation, a visit to Valletta is sure to be a memorable experience. Take advantage of our Offers and Packages and join us for a memorable Mediterranean break this spring. 

 

Streets of Valletta, Malta
Valletta malta winter sun

The Phoenicia Malta team impresses at Malta Kulinarja

malta kulinarja phoenicia

Recently, members of The Phoenicia Malta participated in Malta Kulinarja, and once again achieved fantastic results. Held every 2 years and organised by the Malta Chefs Society under the auspices of WACS – World Association of Chefs Society, Malta Kulinarja is a popular event where international judges are flown in to oversee the cooking mastery of local and foreign chefs.

Five team members participated in six different competitions, achieving awards in each category. We sat down and had a chat with our colleagues, to learn a little bit more about themselves and what inspired their dishes.

Christian Gilson is not new to the competition, having competed twice before. Christian, or Gilson, as he is known amongst colleagues, once again competed in the Live High Tea as well as Banquet Dessert, achieving Gold in both. The Live High Tea category is an especially special one for The Phoenicia Malta, given its British influence. In fact, Afternoon Tea is still served daily and is regarded as one of the best on the island. During our chat with Gilson, he explained how a job in the catering industry turned into a profession, after he took a fascination for pastry and decided to enrol at the Institute for Tourism Studies. It is safe to say that hard work pays off as the results speak for themselves.

malta kulinarja phoenicia
malta kulinarja phoenicia

Moving on we meet Keith Farrugia, who participated in the Underutilized Local Fish competition, achieving Silver. This was Keith’s first time participating, and he calls it a ‘learning experience’. He shares that creating the dish was a process, but found a lot of help from his colleagues who mentored him and explained the point system of the competition. He admits that there was a big sense of relief once it was over, however he immediately started contemplating where he could improve next time, as he plans on participating again and aiming higher.

Thomas Camilleri Mallia joined Christian in the Live High Tea competition, and also participated individually in the Local Pork category. Thomas went home with Gold and Silver (the latter for his pork dish). Thomas is not new to competitions either, having also competed twice before. In fact, Thomas competed with a pork dish in the Junior’s, and decided to improve on that dish and include more local flavours. Despite being more confident this time round, Thomas dedicated a lot of his personal time to prepare, even being up till 1am the previous night making sure everything was set. 

malta kulinarja phoenicia

This was also Jojo Joy’s first time participating, where he was rewarded a Silver medal for his entremet. Hailing from India, Jojo describes his creation as a fusion of modern French cuisine and traditional Indian dessert. His entremet consisted of 11 layers, which included various flavours and textures, such as the crunchiness of roasted almonds and feuilletine, and the smoothness of sponge soaked in coconut and saffron. Despite numerous training sessions, Jojo admits that he didn’t manage to complete the finishing and that it proved to be a complicated cake to create in 90 minutes. Nonetheless, Jojo is determined to compete again in two years, as he aims for gold!

Finally, we catch up with Joan Attard, our Creditor’s Ledge Controller turned Floral Sugar Craft expert. This is the third time for Joan at Malta Kulinarja, bagging a Gold medal this year for her intricate flower arrangement. Joan explains that her creation took over 100 hours to complete and required plenty of patience and perseverance. She admits that she was always fond of the pastry kitchen, and despite being with the company for 35 years, it was only in recent years that her talent came to light. Since then, Joan has given many a wedding cake or seasonal displays her beautiful finishing touches.

malta kulinarja phoenicia

Here is the complete list of awards:

  • Christian Gilson – Banquet Dessert – GOLD AND BEST IN CLASS
  • Christian Gilson & Thomas Camilleri Mallia – Live High Tea – GOLD AND BEST IN CLASS
  • Joan Attard – Floral Sugar Craft – GOLD AND BEST IN CLASS
  • Thomas Camilleri Mallia – Local Pork – SILVER
  • Jojo Joy – Entremets – SILVER
  • Keith Farrugia – Underutilized Local Fish – BRONZE

Once again, we would like to wish our team members a big well done. The determination to succeed is evident, and we are happy to be able to support and have you as part of The Phoenicia Malta family. We look forward to the next edition of Malta Kulinarja!  

Dine with the Stars – Michelin Dinner

dine with the stars phoenicia

The month of February came to a close with a unique culinary event at The Phoenicia Malta, in collaboration with Charles Grech & Co. Ltd. For the first time ever, the island’s five Michelin-starred restaurants got together in the name of charity, with each restaurant presenting one course to the 80 food aficionados in attendance, including the acting President of Malta, H.E. Professor Frank Bezzina.

Guests were escorted through the magnificent art deco doors of the Phoenix Restaurant, and the night kicked off with the silky freshness of Barons de Rothschild Blanc de Blancs NV Champagne and delightful canapes carefully prepared by the Phoenicia Malta’s kitchen team.

dine with the stars phoenicia

As diners were invited to take their seats, the service team, comprising of servers from each participating restaurant, gracefully placed baskets of freshly baked bread on each table. The first dish, an amuse bouche created by Noni’s Jonathan Brincat, featured an original and fun presentation whilst delivering equally impressive flavours. The tasty course was washed down with a second wine, an elegant and fragrant white from Tuscany.

While guests chatted away, Ion’s Eoin Smith was making the final touches to his course, a delicately presented plate featuring King Crab and Tzarsky Caviar. Moments later, the plates were served in perfect unison, as Ion’s Restaurant Manager instructed guests to scoop down through all the layers to fully enjoy the combination of elegant flavours. The sweetness of the crab and saltiness of the caviar were paired with a Chianti Classico, a full-bodied red with rounded tannins and a structured finale.  

dine with the stars phoenicia

Next up was Under Grain’s dish: Roasted Monkfish, ‘Textures & Temperatures’ of Cauliflower and Curry Caper Sauce. The beautifully tender monkfish was surrounded by a cauliflower foam, which proved to be a perfect match for the curry caper sauce. Chef Victor Borg’s creation was paired with another Sangiovese wine, Artisti per Frescobaldi Montesodi, fragrant on the nose and rich on the palate with a riveting acidity and robust tannins.

The main course was presented by Bahia and featured slow-cooked pork belly. Despite the tender pork and no crackling, Chef Tyrone Mizzi ensured some crunch by including ‘puffed skin’, together with pak choy ‘kimchi’ and white onion. And since a main course deserves a king of wines, it came paired with a 15-year-old Brunello di Montalcino… its mouthfeel generous and full, with a thick, velvety texture.

Finally, dessert was created by the long-established de Mondion Restaurant, producing an elegant and classic-looking sweet, with flavours of cherries, chocolate and bitter almond. Making this dessert complete was Pomino Vinsanto, a wine with a very intense array of aromas. On the palate, its freshness and sweet taste balance out beautifully, complementing Chef Clint Grech’s course perfectly.

They say time flies when you’re having fun, and this is exactly what happened on the night. An evening of superb food and wine quickly came to an end, which meant it was time for the chefs to make an appearance and say a few words. For most, this marked the end of the evening. For others, there was still more to go, as they moved on to The Club Bar with the chefs.

The Phoenicia Malta is proud to have been part of such an exclusive event and we look forward to creating more unique experiences for locals and visitors alike. Thank you to Charles Grech for the collaboration, as well as for providing the fantastic wines enjoyed on the night. Needless to say, a big shout out also goes to all restaurants and respective staff members for making this night possible.

Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund.

dine with the stars phoenicia
dine with the stars - phoenicia