The British Short Hair cats are very popular, not only in Malta but also worldwide. This is one of the most popular breed due to their cuteness (round physical elements) along with their amazing character and temper.
British Short Hair Environment
As any other pets, it is very imporant that before you get one, you make sure you have the right environment and commited to give the kitten a loving happy life. As any other cat, the British Short Hair needs to play, cuddle, and eat healthy food in order to live a healthy happy life.
Before you get your British Short Hair kitten, make sure you prepare a loving environment, which includes a clean, safe place for your cat. You should also get a scratch pole, (preferably a tall one as these cats like to sit high!) and some other toys to keep your kitten fit and active.
British Short Hair Temper
British Short Hair’s are very calm cats. In fact, they are one of the most ideal cats if you have young children in your house due to their calmness. They can also be very loving and altough they do not always love to be picked up, they love to cuddle. If you want proof how loving this breed can be, watch this very short video below (WARNING – you could suffer from heart melting from wathcing this <3).
British Short Hair Colours
There are various BSH colours, perhaps the more common one is the ‘British Blue’ (bluish grey). There are also the Black, white, red, cream, silver, golden, cinnamon and fawn are accepted by all official standards. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) and The International Cat Association (TICA) also accept chocolate and its dilute lilac. However one of the most beautiful ones, in our opinion, is the golden colour.
British Short Hair Kittens
British short hair kittens are very adorable. Although potential owners might be impatient to get their new fur baby, its very important that the kittens spend the right amount of time with their mom, in order to grow up healthy and learn ‘house rules’. Keeping the kittens with their mother is also important for the cat, the mother will automatically start ‘abondaning’ its kittens as they grow older, if you seperate her from her kittens before, she might get depressed and can effect her health negatively. Usually it is recommended that the kittens stay with their mother for up to 12 weeks.
British Short Hair Catteries in Malta
There are quite some British Short Hair catteries in Malta, one of the most exceptional ones is El Royale. The owner, Maria, is very passionate about her cats and is very well known for the quality of cats she owns. El Royal cats are also winners of various cat shows.
Chester – The Most Romantic British Short Hair in Malta! El Royale Cattery
It is of utmost importance that before you chose a cattery, you make research on the breeder. Two of the most importance elements to look for is the knowledge on the breed of the owner, and the love and care that they show towards their cats.
Malta is blessed in having a wide variety of properties to suit all tastes, lifestyles and budgets of those lucky enough to be living on the sunny island. From Apartments and traditional Maltese townhouses to authentic farmhouses and Palazzos, Malta offers you so many different choices in the palm of your hand, depending on your lifestyle and purpose of staying in Malta.
The type of property you are seeking and which would be most practical to own or rent may depend on your stay. Are you visiting the island temporarily or are you looking to settle down permanently? This is a major consideration, which will have a great effect on your eventual decision to rent or buy, as well as in selecting the location of your future home. If you are planning to start looking for property for sale in Malta, we can assure you will be spoiled for choice.
Modern Bedroom with Sea View in Sliema
Luckily, sea and panoramic views are often enjoyed from many properties on our archipelago, since the Islands are situated right in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and are surrounded by some of the cleanest and most azure waters in the world. Particularly popular locations for homes with sea views are Sliema, St. Julians, Paceville, Valletta, Bugibba, Qawra, Marsascala, Marsaxlokk, as well as many cliff-edge towns in Gozo and other places that are renowned for being close to the water in Malta.
Our island can also provide great country views, or a combination of both sea and country views depending on the elevation and proximity to the countryside. Moreover, if you are lucky enough to have outside spaces such as gardens, patios or terraces in your property in Malta, our summer evenings are the best time to enjoy the al fresco lifestyle, kicking back with a glass of chilled wine and a delicious cheese platter with family and friends.
Which town in Malta is perfect for you?
If you are coming to Malta for a break from a hectic lifestyle or even for the winter sun from a colder climate, Gozo – the greener, more peaceful island – might be a great location for you. Here you will be able to enjoy the calm seas and greenery the island provides, while getting in touch with the Maltese traditions and culture. It won’t be surprising to see a few locals dressed up in traditional costumes or elderly women sewing on their front porch, while their men gather the fresh vegetables and produce from the land nearby (they taste absolutely fantastic, may we add!).
Students and nightlife enthusiasts may feel more at home at the heart of busy St. Julians (in the central region of Malta) or else in Bugibba (in the North of the island) since these towns are fully packed with restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars. Socializing in these areas and getting to know the locals is part of the experience and a great way to get to know the culture.
On the other hand, if you are a family relocating to Malta or seeking a sun-filled holiday and are willing to stay in a calm but central town in Malta permanently, then towns such as San Gwann, Naxxar, Gzira, St. Paul’s Bay, Mellieha, Birgu and Siggiewi may benefit you. Only a few minutes’ drive to the major centres, you are never too far from entertainment, leisure activities and all other amenities such as restaurants, supermarkets and retail stores – all are within easy and convenient reach. Cliffs in Malta by the sea in Winter
Apartments and Penthouses
Apartments in Malta are one of the most sought-after forms of accommodation because they are convenient when it comes to space and upkeep, and a much more cost-effective purchase when compared to houses over the island. Although entry-level apartments are most commonly sought-after by first-time buyers, Malta also offers a wide choice of penthouses and upmarket apartment developments for discerning investors and savvy buyers, as well as those moving to Malta to work in the iGaming sector or simply visiting Malta to learn English.
Key Developments
Key development areas in Malta are the relaxing Portomaso, Tigne Point, Pender Gardens, Smart City, Fort Cambridge, Fort Chambray and Vista Point. These developments are designed to capture the essence of the beautiful, luxury lifestyle that can be found in the Mediterranean, and their purchase can be a great source of investment. Each development has something unique and wonderful to offer. They are also known as Special Designated Areas, and benefit from some special concessions to overseas buyers. For more detailed information on development areas in Malta click here.
Houses of Character and Villas
If larger properties interest you, compared to smaller apartments, then a spacious, lovingly restored House of Character or a substantial Villa with a pool and garden can be worth considering when relocating to Malta, or for that special self-catering holiday with family or friends.
Mellieha, Madliena and San Pawl Tat-Targa are three towns that have a number of villas with different features to suit your lifestyle, while Rabat and Siggiewi have wonderful traditional Houses of Character close to the countryside of Malta, with traditional features and gorgeous stonework that never fail to impress.
As you can see, Malta has a great number of options when it comes to a variety of properties and residential areas, and no matter what tastes and budget you have and the type of lifestyle you live, you are able to find your dream home on our Mediterranean gem.
A quaint garden in a traditional House of Character in St. Julians
Electrical and Plumbing Services
If you buy an old house of character, or a shell property, it is very imporant to spend time and money on electrical and plumbing services. Although these services are not cheap, it is very imporant to find a reliable service provider that will be able to help out both in the planning phase and also in the installation phase of your electrical and plumbing needs of the new house. A cheap service or lack of planning could lead into problems along the way. There are many electrical and plumbing service providers in Malta. Before you chose a service provider, it’s of utmost important to ask for accurate quotes, previous work photos, and if the installers hold the necessary licenses. One of the most reliable Electrical and Plumbing service providers in Malta is Vassallo Installations.
Special Designated Areas (SDA’s)
If you are looking to buy property in Malta, either for leisure purposes or else for investment purposes, then one should also look into Special Designated Areas (SDA’s). SDA’s are areas that allows both European and also non-European nationals to purchase property in Malta with the same rights as Maltese citizens, and without the need of any permits. SDA’s are mainly found in these locations:
This Christmas fulfil a dream … of someone in need! We all spend too much money on useless stuff (not just during the holiday season but all year round), on expensive presents, on plenty of lunches and dinners etc. This year, save some money to help children in need. How? There is this project, called the “Children’s Dreams”. It’s aim is to fulfil dreams of children whose families face various social difficulties, or children who are being raised in Children’s Homes, are collected and published on the project website.
The people behind this project are giving the opportunity to help the parents of these children to make their dream come true. This project is an independent initiative which is held in collaboration with the Foundation for Social Welfare Services and to which a lot of generous people have contributed; people who saw the chance to help these children to receive the Christmas gift of their dream. Without this project, these children’s dreams would probably remain only as “dreams”.
If you are interested in helping please visit Childrendreams.org. Select the dream and leave your details so you can decide how you wish to fulfill it. Your details will only be provided to the social worker who would then get in touch with you by email or telephone. Confidentiality will be respected to protect all persons concerned.
The gift is to be taken to the Children’s Dreams Office, Hal Farrug, Luqa. Then Social Workers will be passing the gift to the parents / carers of the child to be given at Christmas.
This holiday season, avoid spending money on useless stuff, and help someone in need. If you are not able to help financially, help by spreading the word or maybe suggest this to your boss – let’s improve CSR!
At a meeting held recently in Marsaxlokk, fishermen gathered information on the fishing industry as a preparation for the new period of European Fund programs for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (EMFF), which will cover the years 2014-2020. At the time being there are several laws that safeguard the sustainability of fishing in Malta. If you are interested in fishing during your stay in Malta, have a look at our Squid fishing guide.
We also suggest that you have a look at these guides – fishing for dorados and fishing with poppers. Dorado fishing has been a tradition in Malta for a long time. On the other hand fishing with poppers is something relatively new that gained popularity recently along with other spinning techniques.
Many people around Malta have been asking what is Bitcoin and other related questions. Here are your answers:
What are bitcoins?
Bitcoin is a virtual currency born in 2009 from an inventor’s idea known under the pseudonym of Satoshi Nakamoto. The uppercase bitcoin term refers to technology and the net while the tiny bitcoin refers to the currency.
What do bitcoins serve?
Bitcoin is a virtual currency that can be used to buy real objects. With this virtual currency you can buy real goods, but you can also sell it in exchange for cash.
How bitcoins work
With an app on your smartphone or PC you can create a portfolio, that is, secret codes that will make any anonymous, but indelible, transaction in the Bitcoin network memory.
How Bitcoin Transactions Work
Bitcoins contain the public key of their owner (ie the address). When a user A transfers the coin to user B, renounces his property by adding the public key of B (his address) to the coins in question and signing them with his private key. He then sends these coins into a message, the “transaction” , through the peer-to-peer network.
What does the MFSA say about Bitcoins?
On an article published on timesofmalta.com, MFSA were reported saying that Bitcoins are not so safe due to the fact that “Unlike traditional money, acceptance of payment in virtual currency depends entirely on the voluntary consent of the recipient. Furthermore providers of services in relation to virtual currencies are currently neither regulated by law nor authorised by the MFSA,” it said. More info can be found on TOM site – https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170731/business/mfsa-warns-about-use-of-bitcoin.654576
Where can you buy bitcoins from in Malta?
You can buy bitcoins in Malta from Sliema. The machine, which has been installed outside a Sliema shop on Blanche Huber street, allows users to buy Bitcoin and check their ewallet balance using QR codes displayed on their smartphones.
Today, 8th March 2017, is the day we say goodbye to the Azure window. You can see this amazing landmark in many pages on our site (and below). This Azure window attracts thousands of tourists each year to Gozo.
The news was announced by the Prime Minister of Malta earlier today.
The funny thing is …
It’s a very sad news, but some people are giving this sad news some funny moments. For example someone just edited the Wikipedia page that explains everything about the Azure Window. Have a look below (click the image to open a larger screenshot) :
The text says “The Azure Window collapsed on the morning of 8th March 2017 after a fish named Matty muscat or ‘Blueb’ bumped into the structure whilst trying to find his son nemo.” Not to mention the hundreds of memes that are going viral on Social Media!
Why Azure Window is so Famous
The Azure Window is (was) one of the most popular attractions in the Mediterranean for it’s natural beauty. In fact it also attracted various movies, i.e. if you want to see the natural attraction again, you can watch one of the following famous movies:
1. Clash of the Titans (1981)
2. The Odyssey (1997)
3. The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
4. Game of Thrones (2011)
Azure Window Alternatives
So now what? Where will all the tourists go? There is one potential alternative which can be found in “Wied il-Mielah”. Have a look below!
Altough what happened to the Azure Window was a natural ‘phenomenon’ we do hope that we take care of the Maltese heritage, both locals and tourists, to preserve our nature and leave as little footprint as possible.
And the best Instagram account for the month of February is – Mic Photography! Feel free to follow him on Social Media. If you want to participate for the month of February 2017, simply hashtag wheresmalta and wheresmalta.com on your instagram pictures. Good Luck!
Have you been wanting to start exercising since the new year started? Will you be in Malta or Gozo on the 31t of March 2017? Then we have the ideal event for you: A walk from Gharb Gozo to Birżebbuġa Malta, a total of 45km!
If you don’t want to walk 45km, walk less! The best thing about this activity is that it will be organised in aid of “id-Dar tal-Providenza” which is a home with a warm and family-like environment for persons with disabilities who for some reason or another cannot stay living with their family.
The participants from Malta will meet up at Ċirkewwa near the Ferry at 7.00am to board on the 7.30am trip. At their arrival in Mġarr transport will be available to take them near the San Dimitri Chapel in Għarb from where the walk starts at 8.30am. The participants from Gozo will gather at 8.00am near the parish church of Għarb. From there the participants will walk 13km to the Mġarr harbour in time for the 11.15am ferry trip to Malta. Once at Ċirkewwa they will set on the 32Km walk to Birżebbuġa parish church. Anyone who for some reason or another cannot do the whole challenge may just do part of it.
If you want to learn more about this event watch the video below. It’s in Maltese but basically it’s just saying what we said above. We suggest you still watch it so you can admire the scenery of the Maltese islands.
If you want to read more about this event click here. Have fun, be active, and help those in need!
Drones are very popular especially among those who love a good combination of outdoor activities and technology. Malta is an ideal place to fly drones due to weather conditions, although it can be a bit windy sometimes. Having said that, most drones from 2017 are very stable even in strong winds.
Drones for Sale in Malta
Buying a drone or a camera drone is not cheap. However it will result in lots of fun. Prices ranges between €300 to €3,000. Obviously, the cheap ones are ideal for those who are new to flying drones, while the most expensive ones are ideal for those who wants to use drones for business purposes or else if they want to use high-end product and they have the budget to buy these drones.
If you are interested in buying a drone check out the best camera drones for 2017 here. In that link you will also find reviews of the most popular drones along with other useful drone tips.
Drone Events in Malta
If you are not interested in buying a drone, but you’re still a fan of them, we’ve got good news for you. Malta will be hosting the first European Drone Racing Championship qualifier of its 2017 season on the 24th and 25th of March!
Done racing has seen a rapid increase in popularity over the last couple of years. Participants wear virtual reality googles to be able to have a first person view of their own drones as they navigate around a racetrack filled with stunt modules. Have a look at the video below to understand better.
The event will be hosted at the Ta’ Qali Race Track, right next to the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre (MFCC), and the racetrack looks amazing (refer to the video above). Malta Drone Nationals has already shared the full list of rules and regulations for any pilot entering the race. You can find these rules here.
Drone Laws in Malta
Before buying and flying your drone it’s important to know the laws and legislation of the country in question. There are currently no laws on drone use in Malta, and permits of operation have to be issued on a case-by-case basis by the Civil Aviation Directorate (CAD). The CAD does not allow drone operations over members of the public, vehicles or vessels, property, towns or villages, important buildings such as hospitals or power stations, or close to runway and airport approaches.
Here are the list of laws in Malta affecting drone use:
1. If you want to read Maltese aerial legislation, click here.
2. If you want an application for temporary approval to conduct specialised operation aerial work over Malta click here.
It’s that time of the year when we all start looking for a gym to start burning some calories that we ate during the holiday season. This time of the year is the most famous time when people start searching for gyms in Malta. Here we will list the top gyms in Malta, their location and also their websites so it will be easier for you to find the right gym.
Ta’ Qali Fitness Centre
One of the best gyms in Malta is ‘Ta’ Qali Health & Fitness Centre’. This gym is famous for two main reasons. The first one is because it opens 24 hours a day, and also because it is quite big when compared with other gyms on the Island. Members of this gym can also use their membership at 24/7 Fitness Club in Mellieha, 24/7 Fitness Club in San Gwann and also S. Fitness Studio in Bugibba. Website: www.taqaligym.com.
Sky Spirit Malta
Another famous one is the Skyparks Gym; ‘Sky Spirit Fitness Lounge’. This is relatively a new gym and is located at the Malta International Airport. It opens from Monday to Friday between 6am to 10pm. Weekend hours are as follows: Saturday from 6am to 6pm and Sunday from 8am to 2pm. Website: www.skyspiritmalta.com.
Livingwell Health Club
If you love to exercise in luxurious gyms, then you can visit one of the many 5 Star Hotels fitness centres. For example Hilton hotel have their own fully air-conditioned ‘LivingWell Health Club’ and is located in St. Julians.
Reflex Gym
Another gym in this area is the ‘Reflex Gym’ at Radisson Blu – St. Julians. This gym is ideal for those who are looking for a complete health centre, from a gym to a spa.
Challenger Gym
The ‘Challenger Gym’ is also quite popular especially with the local community. There are 4 Challenger gyms in Malta; one in Qormi, one in Valletta, one in Cottenera and another one in Paceville. Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Challenger-Fitness-Centres.
Corinthia Gym (Attard)
This gym in the centre of Malta, Attard, is another famous fitness centre. Usually you have to pay a bit more when going to a 5 star hotel fitness centre, however you will also get more; such as the use of Spa, tennis courts, and also luxurious facilities. So it’s all worth it in the end. Website: Corinthia Gym (Attard).
Other gyms that you should take note of are ‘ActiveZone Fitness Club’, ‘Gymnasia’, ‘Fitness Holistic’, and ‘Bertu’s Gym’.
Gyms in Gozo
If you are looking for gyms in Gozo than you can visit ‘The BodyForge’ and ‘Shape Up Fitness Centre’. These are both located in Victoria/Rabat Gozo. Spending some time at the gym is one of the activities you should consider especially if you visit Malta during winter. Good luck burning the Christmas calories!
Going to a gym will not only help you look and feel better, but will also serve as a social activity. If you are a foreigner, a gym is an ideal place where you can meet some new friendly people from the local community. Most gyms also offer classes that ranges from circuit training to yoga. These classes will also help you feel better and an ideal opportunity to exercise with some of your friends.