EUROPE 2025 : A WEEK IN MALTA

Saturday 4th to Friday 10th October

We spent a week in Malta; staying with Mylene and Coenraad. She rented us an apartment with a wonderful view in Spinosa Bay.

They know Malta well, so I was very happy not to have to plan anything! There's so much history in Malta: Ancient, Roman, Medieval and all the way through to WW2. Valetta, Mdina, Rabat, Mosta, Hagar Qim.

I swam in the chilly sea and we all did a fun boat trip to the Blue Grotto.

We enjoyed good food too.

One night in Marsaxlokk we all shared a salt baked fish at Rizzu.

The night was made more festive and hilarious because entertainment had been laid on for an Estonian tour group.

Mediocre covers of Sweet Caroline and Zorba the Greek; as well as Maltese folk tunes and exuberant dancing by the Indian waiter! The best travel times are mostly not planned and can't be curated!

EUROPE 2025 : SEVILLE

Thursday 2 and Friday 3rd October

Thursday

We have a lot to choose from in this city and our group are not all on the same page.

And it's rather hot. Setas de Sevilla. Palacio de las Duenas. Alameda Hercules.

Almost everything is closed from 4 to 8pm. Going local on tourist time? It all worked out in the end; after a few rounds of drinks and some very tasty sharing tapas. We even won the sullen waiter over eventually. 

Friday

Coffee and cake for brunch between the touristy tours of the Alkazaba and the Catherdral.

Both amazing. Both very, very crowded. 

Neil and I strolled the alleys through Alfalfa, stopping for drinks and tapas at Seville's oldest bar,  El Rinconello.

And then we wisely took our siesta back at the hotel. We were ready for dinner at 8pm at non - touristy  Restaurante 2 de Mayo as it opened. Wonderful last evening in Spain.

EUROPE 2025 : CORDOBA

Tuesday 30 September and Wednesday 1 October

One word : Olives! We have never seen such abundance of olive groves in our lives. From Granada to Cordoba.

There are also a lot of Moorish hilltop castles along the route. 

In a rush to the head, I chose one town to stop at for lunch. Up we drove on winding, ever narrower lanes until we couldn't go further. Neil and Stephen's driving skills were put to the test and we needed directions from surprised locals to get back down. The upside of this was that we got to choose a local roadside restaurant instead.  At lunchtime it filled up with farm labourers and construction workers. A choice of options for a two course lunch, a drink and bread for 9 euros. Daily menu in Spanish only and oops, lost in Google translation, some of us, not me, got beef kidneys in gravy on a bed of chips..Chalk it up, fellas! 

We loved our apartments La Alberca in Old town Cordoba.

We wandered down through the old lanes for drinks and views and ate dinner on Plaza de la Corredera.

Mesquita Cordoba is still our favourite Church in all of Europe. Something about the mix of cultural influences, the calm interior and the symmetry that is just a bit off in places.

And then what a great day...

Brunch and coffee at street cafe. 

Popping into an old synagogue. Sitting on the steps listening to a Flamenco busker in a shady courtyard.

Glasses of vino rosado in a touristy square. Empanadas.

Trying Salmonjera, the cold and refreshing Andulsian tomato and garlic soup.

More flamenco guitar wafting from a restaurant doorway, so in we go.

Heading home for a siesta. Hanging out with the locals for evening drinks.  Dinner outside on square amongst all the students at wonderful Taberna la Montillana.

Strolling home with a happy heart, a satisfied palate and a slightly fuzzy head on a balmy evening; no jacket required.