Sicily and Malta

Up very early at 4:30, a taxi picked us up at 5. At the Catania Airport, we checked in and then went to the lounge for a bit. Boarded our 45-minute flight to Malta. A short cab ride took us into Valletta and the Roselli Hotel. Very nice boutique hotel in a converted villa. Had two great rooms, ours even had a staircase!

Relaxed for a bit, then went for a walk. Our first stop was the Grandmaster Palace where we saw an extensive collection of armor and weaponry. Walked around the city center and over to the Upper Barrakka Garden overlooking the port. Walked over to a café across from St. John's Co. Cathedral. Headed down to the water to catch the ferry to Sliema.

Rick headed to the St. Julien's neighborhood for some building pictures, Randy and Pam went to an Apple Store for an Apple Watch for Pam. Randy and Pam took an Uber back to the hotel to set up Pam's watch, then Pam went to her room to rest.

Rick took a ferry back around 6 and met Randy at the Rooftop Restaurant at the Embassy Hotel for a glass of wine overlooking the city, really beautiful! Walked around the corner to Wagyu Bar & Kitchen for a so-so sushi dinner (though the music was good).

Back at the hotel, we watched some TV on the iPad and then it was time for bed.

Woke up to find that Pam had been sick during the night. She would rest for the day. Rick was still feeling a bit under the weather, so we decided to just hang out in the room and watch some trash TV. Around noon, we went down to the street-side hotel restaurant for lunch. Pam joined us for some porridge and coffee. She was feeling a bit better. Decided to have a day "at leisure". Did a bit more TV in the room. For dinner, we walked around the corner to Casa Sotto for some tasty pizza. Then it was time for bed.

Woke to find that Rick and Pam were both feeling better, yay! After breakfast, we took a gondola over to Fort St. Angelo. Walked around the fort, watched a couple of very informative movies about the history of Malta and the Mediterranean.

Took a gondola over to the Senglea side, walked to Novità for lunch right along the water. It was a very leisurely time, with perfect weather. Walked up a staircase and over to an overlook. Then we went across the bridge and checked out a luxury boat show.

Took the ferry back to Valletta, then the lift up to the top, then a walk back to the hotel for a bit of rest. At 7, we went up to the roof for a glass of wine. Ended up staying until 10:30 when Rick suggested we get some food.

Went down to the lobby restaurant, and they were still serving food, so we camped there and had a great light bite. Our server, Liset, was really fun to talk to. After midnight, we went up to our room and continued to talk and laugh until about 1:30!

Breakfast at the hotel, then our driver for the day picked us up. Drove over to Mosta to see the central dome from the outside. Headed to the Dingli Cliffs along the south coast of the island. Then we made a stop in Rabat where we saw a street market and some sort of re-enactment.

Another short drive brought us to Mdina, a walled city on the top of a hill. Walked through and around the town, with a stop for smoothies along the way. Drove back to Valletta, then Rick & Randy walked over to the parliament building for some photos.

At 6:30 we met in the lobby and walked over to ION Harbour, a two Michelin star restaurant right on the water. Had a tasty 9 course meal. Walked back to the hotel, traded photos from the trip, then said goodbye to Pam as she had an early flight the next morning.

Woke up at 7, had breakfast, then packed up our luggage and took a taxi to the airport. Checked in and headed to the lounge for a bit. Boarded our 2 hour flight to Munich. Pam had left Malta 3 hours earlier and was already in Munich, met her in the lounge for a bit. Headed to the gate, then back to the lounge as our flight was slightly delayed. Took a bus out to our A350-900 and settled in to the new Allegris business class seats, very nice. Had an easy flight and got lots of sleep. Claimed our bags in SF, home by about 8pm.