Day 1: Arrival in Valletta
We landed in Malta around noon after an early morning flight from Boston. The kids were surprisingly energetic despite the long journey. The drive from the airport to Valletta gave us our first glimpse of the honey-colored limestone buildings that Malta is famous for.
Our Airbnb is in the heart of Valletta's old town, tucked into a narrow street with balconies overhead. The landlord, Mario, met us with keys and recommendations for dinner. He insisted we try the rabbit stew at his cousin's restaurant.
Evening in the City
After settling in, we wandered through the quiet streets. November is off-season here, which means fewer tourists and a more authentic feel. The kids loved exploring the fortification walls, and we caught a spectacular sunset over the Grand Harbor.
Dinner at Ta' Kris lived up to Mario's recommendation. The rabbit stew was rich and flavorful, and Sarah tried the pastizzi (flaky pastries filled with ricotta) which she declared amazing. The kids stuck to pasta but even they tried the local bread with olive oil.