[Archived] Hodilays!

[philipl]

Philip

My wife was looking at Malta too, what is the radisson blu hotel like? is malta kid friendly?

Thanks

Yes I think Malta is very child friendly in an Italianate way. The Traffic might be nuts but doesn't go too fast and there are a lot of child-safety features like all the playing grounds using soft rubber surfaces so if they whizz off the swings they don't hurt themselves too badly.

Radisson Blu is a nice hotel and I know the owner well. It doesn't have a sandy beach and it is close to a shooting range so a friend who stayed there he thought civil war had broken out one morning. Plusses are a good location within walking distance of St Julian's/Paceville yet pretty quiet and one of the few places to have a 24 hour brasserie. Being right at the end of the built up ribbon, the traffic is usually OK in that area and you can get quickly to all locations although don't try overtaking on the coast road northwards. Car hire is very reasonable- again let me know if you need a contact and there is also the 66 bus to/from Valletta (it is running round an end of route loop at that point) which goes past the hotel entrance road every 20 minutes.

[berkshireblue]

Phil

Thanks for that appreciated, if we decide to book Malta I ll come back to you

[Mike Graham]

Phil

Thanks for that appreciated, if we decide to book Malta I ll come back to you

Gozo is also lovely. Very quiet, laid back, and lovely friendly people. We went 3 years ago and loved every minute if it.

Went to the Scottish Highlands in March, was great as it was sunny all week. Plenty of snow on the summits though so couldn't do as much mountain walking as we wanted.

Not got much else planned this year; just had to shell out nearly £2k in vet's bills (should hopefully get it back on insurance) and as me and the Missus are both 40 next year we're thinking another 3 week road trip which will doubtless be expensive. Love the US and never done all of Route 66 so fancy that. Few nights in Chicago, two weeks on the Mother Road then a few nights in LA perhaps. Mustang convertible or Dodge Challenger a must ....

Having said that I fancy Yellowstone NP too, maybe Alaska, or Canada, or Australia/NZ, or Japan/Far East, even China? Need to get planning!

we are going to Chicago for 4 nights later this year, all the people I know aho have been say it is brill.

Just come back from 2 weeks in Madeira, it is the 4th time we have been....what a lovely place, very green, lovely gardens and good service from very friendly locals.

[only2garners]

Just back from 10 days on our canal boat and off tomorrow for a week in France close to the Pyrennees, mainly to catch a couple of stages of the Tour de France. Tuesday we plan to see the end of the stage in Pau and on Thursday we plan to be on the Tourmalet. Later on we are in Mallorca for a week in early October and then to Chile for 2 weeks for a trip postponed from March because of the earthquake.

[Paul]

Just returned from the Outer Hebrides. Highly recommended to those who want to get away from it all. Off to Nice in two weeks, so must get some work done in next ten days or so!

[berkshireblue]

Yes I think Malta is very child friendly in an Italianate way. The Traffic might be nuts but doesn't go too fast and there are a lot of child-safety features like all the playing grounds using soft rubber surfaces so if they whizz off the swings they don't hurt themselves too badly.

Radisson Blu is a nice hotel and I know the owner well. It doesn't have a sandy beach and it is close to a shooting range so a friend who stayed there he thought civil war had broken out one morning. Plusses are a good location within walking distance of St Julian's/Paceville yet pretty quiet and one of the few places to have a 24 hour brasserie. Being right at the end of the built up ribbon, the traffic is usually OK in that area and you can get quickly to all locations although don't try overtaking on the coast road northwards. Car hire is very reasonable- again let me know if you need a contact and there is also the 66 bus to/from Valletta (it is running round an end of route loop at that point) which goes past the hotel entrance road every 20 minutes.

Philipl

We have narrowed it down to 3 hotels;

Corinthia San Gorg - St Georges Bay

Westin Dragonara Resort - St Julians

Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz

Any views which is the best hotel or location?

Thanks

[philipl]

Philipl

We have narrowed it down to 3 hotels;

Corinthia San Gorg - St Georges Bay

Westin Dragonara Resort - St Julians

Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz

Any views which is the best hotel or location?

Thanks

Depends what you are looking for.

The Corinthia San Gorg is next door to the Radisson Blu with the added benefit of having the Radisson between you and the shooting range so it is quieter but that bit closer to the St George's Bay beach, Paceville and San Julian's.

The Westin is not my favourite hotel- it is large, a bit impersonal and has the feeling of being a business hotel despite having a fabulous location on a peninsular. Gets very busy at night because of the casino in the grounds.

The Kempinski is on the island of Gozo and is absolutely lovely (apart from looking like a barracks from the outside). If relaxation is your thing, this is the place to go. Gozo also has the best beaches and the best restaurants if you know where to go.

If you are thinking about Gozo, have a look at this one- http://www.vjborg.com/tacenc/ You won't be disturbed by Ferguson, Neville and some other characters from Man U because they are back in training now but that is where they sometimes holiday. The website does not do it justice.

Again I know the folk who run all these hotels.

[OhmiBRFC]

Me and the missus are going to see my nan on the West side of Ireland in two weeks. I'm looking forward to it.

[Hughesy]

Go away on wednesday - cant wait.....thats when all the transfer business will happen too, as it always happens when im away!!

[Wolverine]

I hope no-one here has been affected by the Goldtrail collapse.

Goldtrail must be by far the worst company I have ever dealt with. A nasty little organisation that will not be missed.

[berkshireblue]

Depends what you are looking for.

The Corinthia San Gorg is next door to the Radisson Blu with the added benefit of having the Radisson between you and the shooting range so it is quieter but that bit closer to the St George's Bay beach, Paceville and San Julian's.

The Westin is not my favourite hotel- it is large, a bit impersonal and has the feeling of being a business hotel despite having a fabulous location on a peninsular. Gets very busy at night because of the casino in the grounds.

The Kempinski is on the island of Gozo and is absolutely lovely (apart from looking like a barracks from the outside). If relaxation is your thing, this is the place to go. Gozo also has the best beaches and the best restaurants if you know where to go.

If you are thinking about Gozo, have a look at this one- http://www.vjborg.com/tacenc/ You won't be disturbed by Ferguson, Neville and some other characters from Man U because they are back in training now but that is where they sometimes holiday. The website does not do it justice.

Again I know the folk who run all these hotels.

Phil

Thanks we will revert back to you..

I presume malta to gozo is easy and no need when you fly into Malta to stay on the island one night before transferring?

[Redrose49er]

Off to Paris on Saturday for the end of the TdF, Baltic cruise in mid-August taking in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallin and Bruges, never done anything like that before, fancied a change.

[philipl]

Phil

Thanks we will revert back to you..

I presume malta to gozo is easy and no need when you fly into Malta to stay on the island one night before transferring?

Ferry timetable

If you pick up the car at the airport, allow an hour after collecting the car to get to the ferry port at Cirkewwa and lined up to get on. Saturday mornings are notorious for 90 minute queues because too much traffic is going across.

[brfc_jonesy]

I'm off to Africa for 2 months in September, including Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa.

Then Nepal and India for 2 months late November

Then Australia for a year, on a working holiday visa!

[Hughesy]

Im off on holiday at 4am - Yeah Boy!

[unluckymorton]

Im off on holiday at 4am - Yeah Boy!

I'm flying tomorrow morning at 9am!

[rog of the rovers]

Just back from 5 days in Rome.

My word, what a city. Definitely recommend it to anyone, particularly if your into history or religion (especially fellow Catholics!!)

[Al]

Im off on holiday at 4am - Yeah Boy!

No posts for two weeks. Heaven!

[Paul]

Don't bet on it - hughesy has an iPhone!!!!

[ABBEY]

sorted all inc correleco feuterntura...no idea how either is spelt lol....i love doing 90 hour week lol

[ABBEY]

DO NOT GOTO THE LOBOS BAHIA IN feuterntura !!!!

We had good break but the hotel is a dump,the bar staff nearly got my fist on his rude nose,pool unsafe, doors unsafe,scruffy ,tatty ,run down ,crap food and more

[Alex Rover]

Just back from 5 days in Rome.

My word, what a city. Definitely recommend it to anyone, particularly if your into history or religion (especially fellow Catholics!!)

Seconded. I would say say the best big cities in Europe that I've visited are in order London, Rome, Paris, Barcelona (no surprises there I think).

[Paul]

Having a great time in Nice and Eze. Sitting on David Trezeguet's couch at the moment!!

[Hannah]

I fly to Rhodes tomorrow night for a week all inclusive! Can't wait!!!

[dazmaz]

Not exactly an holiday but I'm off to Costa Rica in ocober for 10 weeks doing some voluntary work.. well if I can reach my fundraising target of £1500 (about £1200 left to go)