Trip to celebrate Tom’s birthday, this was an especially important trip as we hadn’t been able to see him over Christmas due to covid restrictions, this was also our first trip since he started his new job at Gracy’s Brasserie in Valletta.

In this trip were myself, Gilly, Phil, Gaby, Skylar (5 months ish), Chris, Ali. Covid restrictions eased slightly with a pre booked lateral flow test on return. Flights with EasyJet from Gatwick.

28th January 2022 – birthday

Travelled with Ali & Chris to Gatwick bright and early where we met Phil, Gaby & Skylar. 

Flight bang on time and arrived in Malta approximately 11:45. Phil had hired a car and this took along time to sort out, Tom had arrived at the airport in an electric car and took Ali and Chris to the hotel.

I had booked us into the Waterfront Hotel which looked very nice, quick turnaround and a taxi into Valletta for a late lunch at Gracey’s where Tom is the new Head Chef/Executive Chef.

Caviar and blinis to start. Mega bottle of champagne from Tom & Tuva. The restaurant is stunning and Toms new menu was superb, the fish wellington was lovely. Got the ferry back to Sliema, beer in Phil & Gaby’s presidential suite which was nice end to our first day. Bed early as we were very tired.

Saturday 29th

Nice breakfast, walk into Sliema and the majority piled into Zara ( yes, Zara!) while I locked after Skylar in a small square outside. Walk to the rocky beach via Next, coffee and then back to the hotel. Quick change as we were meeting Tom in Valletta, no ferry running so caught the bus in. Met Tom for coffee in the coldest street on the island and then got a taxi back to the hotel.

Quick swim an then popped out for wine and noodles which we eat back at Phil’s.

Sunday

Walked up to Toms house which was a 6 minute walk from the hotel.

Lovely townhouse with terrace.

Lunch in the Luna aqua bar opposite the hotel, bright and sunny, DJ supplying some tunes.

Swim with Skylar.

Fish and chips back in our room in the evening.

Monday 

Went for a walk around Sliema, met Tom at the shopping centre, carried on the walk to Balluta Bay for ice cream. Mix of sunshine and cold shade.

Back to Aqua Luna for lunch in the sunshine.

Swim with Skylar.

Food back at Phil’s room.

A very long but pleasant walk for ice cream!

Tuesday 

Travel back today, checked out and then popped over to Valletta, mix of weather today, lots of heavy showers. Coffee and Gracey’s before Tom got busy. Met the owner Greg

as well as the CEO Danny again. Lunch in Valletta.

Highlights:

  • The weather was generally very nice and tee-shirt weather in the sunshine, but cold in the shade.
  • Tom’s rental house is lovely on 3 floors and a very old classical feel to it, tiled floors and a maltese balcony, the roof terrace is superb.
  • Skylar, it’s brilliant spending a lot of time with her, she’s very happy and smiley! Myself and Gilly have the dingly dangly scarecrow song off to a tee!
  • Very pleasant to spend with family and see Tom.

Many more pictures on my flickr account – go here >>