<p>My high school sophomore son is on a year abroad in Provence. We have family trips planned to visit with him in Jan and Feb. His high school (lycee) is apparently having a trip to Malta during spring break. His French “sister” is going. Is there anything I should know about Malta before I say yes? </p>
<p>His program is going to pay for the trip – so there is no big out-of-pocket expense to us except for normal vacation out-of-pocket stuff.</p>
<p>I was all set to say yes … and then I thought I would ask my world traveler sounding board – you guys! – just in case there’s something that my quick google didn’t turn up.</p>
<p>I did some googling. Sign me up to go there! I usually try to seek out the “negatives” in travel recommendations–on the Lonely Planet site, there was a link on the “tips” that was titled Warnings and Dangers. When I saw things like “public busses don’t have doors” and “the stores close early and it gets too quiet”… It looks like an awesome destination. I’m anxious to hear from some CC’ers with real experience there. Having his program pay for the trip makes it sound pretty darned tempting.</p>
<p>I found the US State Dept website which essentially said it was a safe destination. His program traditionally takes the kids on some vacations during the school year – but as he’s the only one in France this year the Venice trip isn’t going to happen. The US director suggested that his host family keep an eye out for spring break trips and this one popped up.</p>
<p>BTW … don’t oooh and aaah too much over who’s buying on this vacation. His year abroad is just about as expensive as boarding school. In other words, the vacation is in the program’s budget – it’s just not the Venice trip that was originally planned!</p>
<p>Malta would be a great destination for this purpose. It is 100% English speaking, has spectacular beaches, although they aren’t large, and amazing history. Although, if they are doing the beach it may be a little hard to get to Valetta and to the prehistoric ruins. Many of the beaches are in Gozo?sp, on a another part of the island.
Suggest he read a new novel, “The Religion”, I don’t remember the author, but it was published this summer, if there is any way to get it. Or google the history of Malta, it is something. He should the church of St. John in Valetta if at all possible. It might be the most startling church I have ever seen in Europe.</p>
<p>A piece of trivia, in the movie of a few years ago of The Count of Monte Cristo, there is a scene in the evil customs officer’s office where an outdoor background is visible through a window behind the actor. The background is the Grand Harbor in Valetta. It is so distinctive that you can recognize it in that sliver of a scene.</p>
<p>The only thing I know even remotely negative about Malta is that they are having a small problem with illegal immigration from Africa. It’s not anything a kid visiting is probably going to have a problem with. My mother has been on a cruise and was only there for a day but was completely impressed with the people, the island, and the beauty. (And she don’t impress easy!)</p>
<p>I researched it a lot when we were playing with the idea of finding an island somewhere on which to retire. It’s a peaceful place with a fascinating history and twisty streets that promise mystery. Utterly different from anything we have in the States. I wanna go!</p>