Malta Magic

In March diplomats from 14 countries stepped back in time on a trip to Malta organised by the Young Diplomats of London.

The group travelled to the island of Gozo where they visited the Ggantija Neolithic Temples, the oldest standing manmade structures in the world. Tracing the footsteps of Odysseus, they visited the Calypso Cave where the hero of the ancient world was held as a ‘prisoner of love’ for seven years, after which they headed to the geological marvel of the Azur Window and the historic Cittadella overlooking Rabat.

In the evening, diplomats were treated to a dinner fit for the Knights of St John, prepared by acclaimed chef Claude Camilleri at Palazzo Santa Rosa in Mistra Bay.

On the second day YDL members were brought back to the present as unofficial election observers in one of Malta’s tightest election battles since independence in which the incumbent Nationalist Party won by a whisker.

While the Maltese turned out to cast their ballots, the group toured the capital, Valletta, visiting Barrakka Gardens, St John’s Cathedral and the Cathedral Museum before watching the Malta Experience (a multimedia history of Malta in 45 minutes).

The afternoon was spent relaxing in a spa or enjoying a coffee in one of the pjazzas, while the evening was crowned by a dinner of Maltese delicacies in the picturesque fishing port of St Julians at La Terrazzo.

On Sunday the group visited Malta’s old capital, the historic gem of Mdina, and a trip to the stunning Blue Grotto cave system ended a perfect weekend.

Where to next YDL?

For information on the Young Diplomats of London contact
Bernard Hamilton: bernard.hamilton@gov.mt