Just returned from my first JY holiday (and my first solo holiday) to Malta (Historical Malta – Palaces, Folklore and WWII). Overall a very good holiday but let's get the negatives out of the way first. There was no airport rep in the UK, not a problem for me as I am an experienced traveller, but may stress some out. Arriving at Malta we were met by a coach driver with a Just You card and loaded onto a coach with another group on a different tour (Walking). We all arrived at the hotel together (again no rep) and the hotel gave out wrist bands and key cards. The wrist bands determine the meal package and unfortunately our group were given the wrong ones. One lady was so confused that the next day she actually turned up on the tour with our group when she should have been on the walking tour. We met with the tour guide at 6.0 pm that evening who sorted most of the issues BUT I thought that was the job of the non existent JY rep. We didn't get a walking tour of the local area as advertised and there was no set area or table in the restaurant that evening so we all had to sit in small groups around the very large restaurant.
The Hotel (JD San Antonio) was great and I will cover the positives later, however, one lady complained of a bad smell of drains in her room, 2 ladies were overlooking a building site and the crane started working every morning at 0700hrs, my apartment was on floor zero and I was overlooking a small gas power plant. The hotel was full and unable to change anyones room. I didn't ask for a change as the advantage of my room was that it was very quiet.
Two of the tours advertised the evening meal as a Maltese buffet, but both were set meals with soup and a choice of rabbit or fish (although our tour guide went out of her way to get alternatives where necessary).
The tour is advertised as Palaces, but should include churches as we visited one and sometimes two every day, which in effect is part of the history of the Island. We did visit one palace and had a wonderful cream tea and we saw several Palaces from the outside.
The first full day tour of Valetta tried to pack too much into 3 and a half hours, consequently it felt very rushed, there was no `break' for a coffee and we arrived too late to see or hear the firing of the guns at the upper barraka gardens. There was a lot of walking and a few people struggled and the crowds were unbelievable.
More on the hotel later but one observation is the main bar, you have to buy drink vouchers at reception at 10€ a time to pay for drinks at the bar, it all felt a bit 'holiday camp'.
OK, let's get onto the positives. The hotel room was huge and had all the facilities needed, a good hairdrier, a fridge (no freezer element), the shower was powerful and ALWAYS had hot water even at peak times. It was cleaned every day and there was an ironing room on the 4th floor (get a key card cut at reception).
The main restaurant in the hotel is huge and self service, lots of choices, chefs continually cooking fresh, plenty of staff to clear tables and dinner had free beer, wine and soft drinks on tap. Refill your water bottles at various points around the hotel.
The tours are varied and because the island isn't huge you don't spend ages on the coach. Gozo day trip was fantastic starting with a short ferry trip to the island, salt flats, road train, craft centres and ending with a lovely meal in a fabulous setting. Our tour Manager Marthese was passionate about the history of her island and continually gave us information and facts. Her knowledge was amazing and she tweaked the itinerary on occasion to take us to additional sites and areas.
The M`dina by night was beautiful and the coach stopped outside the walled city for a photo opportunity. The boat trip around the blue grotto is an extra 8€ but worth it, weather permitting. Botanical gardens are peaceful and well kept and the aviation museum is brilliant with a great tour by an experienced tour guide.
Our coach driver, Victor, was a very able driver and stopped as close as possible to all our locations.
Although solo travellers there were 2 sisters, a brother and a sister and 3 friends who travel together so some people knew each other already but the everyone got on well from day 1. Some formed smaller groups but everyone mixed throughout the week.
Malta is a fascinating island with a varied and ancient history. I would definately visit again and I hope this long review has been helpful.
Jacquie