Travel Guide of Malta

Malta is an ancient country with a long civilization. Its name evolved from the "Malet" taken by the ancient Phoenicians, which means "sheltered harbor." Many beautiful buildings with a sense of history are well preserved here; Not only that, the whole of Malta is in the dark blue background of the sea, and the local natural scenery can be imagined. The Malta Islands, located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, have attracted people from all over the world since ancient times. From the brave Mariner of Finese to the elegant Knight of St. John, as well as the exquisite cultural mosaic art and the enthusiastic people of the island, few other Mediterranean tourist resorts have a scenery like Malta that has both ancient relics and modern flavor.

Best time to travel Malta has a mild climate in the Mediterranean Sea and is basically a suitable tourist island all year round. Except for the rainy season from December to February in winter, March to November is a suitable travel season. It usually starts to warm up in mid-June every year, and you can start to enjoy diving, swimming, and sunbathing on the beach. This suitable temperature drop lasts until October.

Visa Notice China citizens can apply for a Malta individual tourist visa to travel to Malta and other Schengen Area countries.

Visa type: Ordinary Schengen visa processing method: Whether a face-to-face visa is required through a designated agency: Yes Time of stay: Depending on the situation, a maximum of 90 days recommended processing time: Up to three months in advance, at least 15 days in advance Visa fee: 60 euros

Local customs More than 95% of Malta people are Catholic and devout, and there are many religious festivals and public holidays. Pay attention to religious etiquette and etiquette, oppose divorce and abortion, advocate charity, and love animals. Citizens coming to Malaysia must pay attention to respecting the religious beliefs of local people and not make arbitrary judgments. You must pay attention to your dress when entering or leaving religious places and avoid making loud noises. Don't hurt cats, dogs and other animals, let alone mention food animals in front of local people. The main etiquette and habits of Malta people are similar to those of mainland Europe, and tourists also need to pay attention to them, such as respecting the elderly and loving the young, paying attention to order, abiding by traffic rules, and not inquiring about other people's privacy.

Language Malta belongs to the Semitic language family. In the 10th century AD, Arabs from Sicily lived here, and their dialect evolved into today's Malta. Its vocabulary is also mixed with Italian, a few Spanish, French and English. Today, English and Malta are the official languages of the region. Almost all public places have signs in English. English is basically smooth and unobstructed, with a slight accent.

Traffic Maltese Airlines and major airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa lead to Malta. There are regular flights to Malta from major European cities such as Frankfurt, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam and other places. Malaysia Airlines has 14 flights a week from Terminal 4 at London Heathrow Airport in the UK, with a flight time of approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. Malaysia Airlines also has flights to the island from Dubai. The nearest capital to Malta is Rome, Italy. It takes an hour to fly from Rome to Malta. To travel from China, you have to transfer in Rome.

Currency Malta uses the monetary units of the Malaysian pound (LM) and cents (C). There are 4 types of banknotes LM20, 10, 5, and 2, and 7 types of coins LM11 pounds), 50c, 25c, 10c, 5c, 2c, and 1C. 1LM=100C= about 20 RMB.

Credit Cards: Almost all stores accept major credit cards (such as Visa , Master , American Express , Diners, etc.); in addition, U.S. dollars, euros, or traveler's checks can be used here, which is quite convenient.

Banks: Banks in Malta usually work for half a day, from 8:30 to 12:30 from Monday to Friday, and only open until 11:30 on Saturday. The airport's foreign currency exchange counter is open 24 hours a day, and bank foreign currency exchanges end at 4 p.m.

Automatic redemption: In the central area of the city, automatic redemption machines are set up, which can exchange U.S. dollars, euros and other currencies 24 hours a day. Exchange bureaux and hotels such as Thomas Cook have exchange bureaus, and you can also exchange money at major hotels. Hotels have relatively high handling fees compared with banks. Currently, domestic financial institutions do not provide Maltese currency. Passengers can bring US dollars to the local airport foreign exchange counter, 24-hour currency exchange machine, or banks, hotels and other places to exchange Maltese currency.

Prices and supply The local supply of goods is basically complete, but there are limited types of vegetables and daily necessities, and there are few seasonings and tea for Chinese food. Because it mainly relies on imports, prices are high. The local currency is the Malta lira, which is relatively high, with 1 lira being about 24 yuan. On the island of Malta, specialty snacks on the street are about 50 euros to 3 euros, drinks and beer in restaurants are about 1-3 euros, a meal is about 8-15 euros on average, a bus is 2.2 euros, and Taxi is generally more than 10 euros. The price of youth hostels is 15-20 euros per berth, and double rooms start at 20 euros.

Tipping habits in Malta are relatively casual. Although it is an island country mainly focused on tourism, there is basically no behavior of forcibly buying and selling or asking for high tips here. Malta people are hospitable and like to introduce their customs and customs to Asians who come from afar. If you are satisfied with the service of the merchant, you can generally tip according to your actual situation. Even if you don't give 10% of the total meal cost, you can still give 2 to 5 euros as a token of your appreciation.

However, if you eat at Fine Dinning's fine restaurant, a tip of 5 to 10 euros is still essential. If it is inconvenient to tip, tourists can also choose to use online scoring to like the store. Most service-oriented stores will give certain rewards to employees who have received good reviews on the online platform. This can be your way of expressing your approval of their service.

Communications and Networks The two largest telecom operators in Malta are Vodafone and GoMobile. In addition, other local operators include Melita and Red Touch. Each family has two payment methods: recharge and monthly payment. Malta mobile phone answering including international calls) is free. For a short stay, you can buy a SIM card at any mobile phone store and get a number at the same time. Calls to EU countries are 0.25 euros per minute (roaming charges have been cancelled in the EU), calls to China are 0.3 euros per minute, and text messages are 0.1 euros per minute. Mobile phone recharge card has a face value of 5-20 euros) and can be purchased in mobile phone shops, tobacco and liquor stores, etc.

There are 4G networks in most areas of Malta. Most hotels, dining establishments and all McDonald's on the island also have free wireless Internet access, and you need to ask a waiter for a password. Wireless Internet access is available in the airport.

Accommodation

Accommodation facilities include star hotels, resort apartments and inns. Most hotels 'room rates include accommodation and breakfast, with a 10% service charge added to the room rate. The tourist information office is located at 1 Liberty Square.

Gourmet Malta is located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. There are many kinds of seafood. The mild climate of southern Europe makes it rich in products. When you come to Malta, you can not only feast on delicious seafood dishes, but also enjoy local specialties such as wines, snacks and various fruits and vegetables. Since you are in Malta, you must not miss Mdina, known as the noble city. There are two charming and hidden small restaurants on the city wall here. The environment is very good. There is a lookout platform with a wide view next to it, and you can have a panoramic view of the green plains under the city wall and the sea in the distance.

In Malta, what you eat is typical Mediterranean food. Its diet structure is very similar to that of Italy. Malta families often make pasta, and they call it Pasta. Pizza is also an important part of life.

Malta cuisine is the result of centuries of interaction in the cooking habits of islanders and outsiders who settled in Malta. This combination allows Malta cuisine to blend the dietary flavors of various places around the Mediterranean. Although many dishes are unique to the island, some popular dishes are cooked from Sicily, southern Italy and the Middle East.

Fish and meat Fish and meat are essential in the lives of Malta people. But fish is also very expensive. Although Malta is a sea center country, the development of its fisheries is limited by Italy and North Africa. So Malta even imports some fish products from Italy.

There are also many varieties of meat, and you can eat the very tender leg of lamb from New Zealand. At the meat market in the capital Valletta, you can buy 4 small legs of lamb for 1 pound. Moreover, Malta people cannot make pig's trotters and viscera, so these things have become treasures of China students. The very large pig's trotters cost only 2.5 yuan each, and the smaller ones are only 1.25 yuan. Chicken breast meat is relatively expensive, but the price of chicken wings is much cheaper than the domestic price. And this is exactly what we like to eat.

In Malta, drinks are relatively expensive. This is a typical European way of life. The main drink is wine. The degree of dry red wine ranges from 8 to 14 degrees. After joining the European Union, wine used to cost 5-6 pounds, but now you can buy it for just 1 pound. If you like beer, you can also buy beer from all over the world for about RMB 10 per hall. The beer here is all in small bottles, like you buy in the bar.

If you need high-quality wine, you can choose Scottish whisky and Russian Vodka, whose degrees are mostly between 38 and 42 degrees. But the price should be around £ 8-13. There are also small bottles of Erguotou bought by China. Domestic RMB 3.5, they buy £ 3, equivalent to RMB 75.

Nowadays, dishes made of flowers are very popular among people around the world. Many people also put flowers in wine and drinks to make the drinks unique and fragrant. In Malta, in the Mediterranean Sea, the flower soup cooked is famous all over the world. The "three-color soup" made of pear flowers, phoenix tail flowers and strawberries, as well as the "floral soup" made of chopped gourd flowers, are too numerous to mention, adding a different style to this beautiful island country.

Tax Refund Malta has introduced Premier Tax Free tax refund method since 2017, which is much more efficient than the original government tax refund. If a visitor makes a single purchase of € 100 at a blue Premier Tax Free store, he can obtain a tax refund form with the store name and VAT number from the merchant. The form is carefully translated into Chinese to make it convenient for China tourists to check and check. In addition, the collection options on this form include "Alipay" collection. Tourists can choose to collect money through Alipay and will receive RMB directly, eliminating the trouble of exchanging foreign exchange.

The window for airport tax refund stamps is in front of Gate 11~Gate 15 where departure occurs. This is also the gate for leaving the EU.

It is worth noting that Premier Tax Free is a commercial tax refund method that includes certain procedures and requirements. The normal value-added tax rate in Malta is 18% of the purchased goods, but through Premier Tax Free tax refunds, after removing the handling fee, the actual tax refund is about 11%. However, Premier Tax Free's tax refund advantages are high efficiency and accuracy. Generally, tourists can receive tax refunds about 10 days after departure. Government tax refunds are inefficient, generally lasting more than 30 working days, and require tourists to provide credit cards that support multiple currencies.

Tips * Malta is a miniature island country in the Central Mediterranean Sea with a dense population, stable political situation, simple folk customs, good social security, and a very low incidence of vicious crimes. However, safety common sense must still be available and beware of theft and deception. There were no crimes against China on the island.

※ Malta is usually spoken among Malta, but since English is the official language, almost everyone can speak English, so there is no need to worry about language barriers.

※ There are few buses between cities in Malta. In addition to driving by yourself, taking a taxi is also a good choice. Most of the taxis here are privately owned and have no starting fee or per-kilometer charges. Please negotiate the price with the driver before boarding the bus.

※ The terrain of Malta is mainly hilly, with large ups and downs. Some roads are narrow and crowded, and driving is right-hand rudder and left-hand. Please consider the above factors and drive carefully when choosing to travel by car in Malta.

※ Travelers who choose to visit Malta in winter should note that some ferries to Comino Island are suspended from November to March of the following year. Secondly, there are fewer public buses in Malta in winter, sometimes delayed by 5 to 20 minutes than the time on the station timetable. Christmas Day, December 25), from 12:00 to 15:00, all buses will be suspended.

※ In addition to the capital, the main tourist accommodation places in Malta are mainly in Sliema and St. Julie districts, where there are many restaurants and bars. Fast food restaurants open late, such as KFC opening at 11 a.m.

※ Except for places where tourists gather, shops in Malta are closed from 13:00 to 16:00.

※ Common diseases and medical conditions: Malta has a pleasant climate, a clean environment, and no infectious and endemic diseases. Due to eating habits, people on the island have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. In summer, it is necessary to prevent mosquito bites. There is a very small mosquito on the island that can cause allergies after biting. In addition, prevent jellyfish when swimming in summer. Malta has a complete social medical security system, and local residents and foreign citizens holding work cards can enjoy free medical care. Local medicines mainly rely on imports and are expensive, and there is no traditional Chinese medicine available.

* There are no local epidemics in Malta, a complete medical security system and a high level, and its people enjoy free medical care. Citizens of EU countries can achieve mutual exemptions based on bilateral agreements. Citizens of non-EU countries must pay a diagnosis and treatment fee for medical treatment. Normal medical treatment is generally 35 euros and emergency medical treatment is 70 euros. Examination and medical expenses are calculated separately. Appointments in public hospitals take a long time, which can last several months; private hospitals take a relatively short time, but the cost is higher.

※ You can purchase various medical insurances based on your needs and actual conditions while staying in Malta. Drugstores with green crosses are found all over the island. If you encounter a common cold, you can consult a pharmacist for dispensing. The business hours of pharmacies are the same as those of regular stores, Monday to Saturday). Every Sunday, a certain pharmacy on the island will open on duty, and the opening hours are 09:00-12:30 (Main Island) and 07:00-11:00 (Gozo Island).

※ List of recommended items: The local summer is hot and dry, with strong sunshine. It is recommended to wear sunglasses, sun hats, sunscreen and medicine to prevent mosquito bites. Winter is humid and windy, with a lot of rain, and the outdoor temperature is not low. It is recommended to prepare windbreakers that are windproof and warm. It is best to bring your own medicines for personal use and general medicines. In addition, if you stay for a long time, it is best to bring all the seasonings, tableware, etc. of Chinese food, but not too much, to avoid trouble when entering the customs.​

※ Contact information of China Embassy in Malta and telephone, fax and website of local government and relevant agencies:

Embassy address: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Malta Karmnu Court, Lapsi Street, St. Julian's, STJ09

Tel:00356-21384695, 21384889 Fax: 00356-21464730

Email: ceim@keyworld.net Website: www.Chinaembassy.org.mt

Police station: 21224001; alarm number: 191

Immigration Bureau: 22942114/5; Fax: 21235467; Airport Immigration Bureau: 21249600 ext. 2;

Malta Tourism Board: 22915000; Fax: 22915893; Website: www.visitmalta.com;

Traffic management department: Malta Driving Licences Authority (ADT): 21231681/2, Driving Licences Department Tel: 21231686

Malta Customs: 25685185, fax: 25685300;email: malta. gov.mt

Malta Airlines: Tel: 21690890;22990000; Fax: 21673241; Website: www.airmalta.com