Love your home comforts but hankering after a fortnight in the sun? That’s where our good friend Malta comes in! Once part of the British Empire, this magical Mediterranean marvel is still crowned with some quintessentially British gems today. So, pour yourself a cuppa, rustle up a cucumber sarnie and roll out the red carpet for her majesty, Malta.
1. WHSmith
Yep, you read that right, your fave stationary supplier has taken root here in Malta. And with branches in Sliema, St Julian’s and Malta International airport, there’s no longer the need to panic buy your next holiday read – just pop into your resort’s local store… how amazing is that?
2. Marching bands
In honour of the island’s British past, marching bands are a regular occurrence at local village fiestas! Suited, booted and donning their hats, watch as they tootle their way through the cobbled streets, trumpet in hand. The marching band traditional has become so prominent, that every town and village on the isle has at least one band club!
Cappuccino, anyone? The first thing you’ll spot when you step into Malta airport is our Brit brew fave, Costa Coffee. In fact, there are no less than seven branches sprinkled along the east of the island between lively St Julian’s and laidback Marsaxlokk. Mine’s a skinny latte.
4. Driving on the left
It’s not often you can jump in your hire car abroad and be driving on the same side of the road as you do in the UK, but Malta is one of the exceptions. In fact, if you look at a map of countries that drive on the left-hand side of the road as we do, we’re actually in the minority!
5. Red phone boxes…
Ring-ring, thought red phone boxes were just a London thing? There’s not a single town or village in Malta that doesn’t have one of these bold red beauties. In fact, they were designed over 75 years ago by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, so they’ve become part of the furniture – quite literally!
6. …and post boxes too
Red post boxes are another iconic British sight that’ll catch your peepers in Malta. You’ll be wandering through the sand-coloured streets of Valletta and out of nowhere you’ll see one of these old favourites. Perfect for sending off those postcards!
7. Panto
Ever wondered if it’s just the UK that’s barmy for pantomimes? Oh no it isn’t! From The Little Mermaid to Aladdin and Rapunzel, bag yourself some front row seats and see classic shows come to life on the Maltese stage. Looking for a venue? Valletta’s Teatru Manoel’s the perfect place to start.
8. British shops
Matalan, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Marks and Spencer… the list of Brit shops in Malta is pretty much endless! Enjoy a familiar shopping spree and stock up on some wardrobe staples while your away. After all, money spent on holiday doesn’t count, right?
9. Victoria
Nope, we’re not talking about the 19th-century queen, but we are referring to a city that was named after her! Gozo’s cool capital, Victoria promises a tangle of sand-coloured buildings, enclosed within the Old Town walls. Catch the ferry from Malta to Gozo, it takes just 20 minutes.
10. Afternoon tea
Dating back to 1849 and originating in England, afternoon tea is about as British as Britain itself. So, it’ll come as no surprise that it’s available all over the magnificent island of Malta… in fact, the Maltese have scone mad for it! From dainty cakes to teeny tiny finger sandwiches, you’ll be spoilt for choice by cafés offering up these tiered-tea parties!
So, has all this talk of Malta got you in the mood for a Great British Take Off?