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Everything we've published, newest first. 57 articles and counting.

• 3 Sept 2026Learn

  Half board or self-catering? What the meal-plan upgrade at a Malta English

  Half board or self-catering at your Malta English school? It's about €50 a week more for meals. See the real delta across three schools, and who should pay.

• 3 Sept 2026Live

  'Building a triathlon or Ironman base in Malta: open-water swim spots, bike

  Planning triathlon training in Malta? Swim calm at Sliema (not Golden Bay), respect roads with 17 deaths by mid-2025; no TT or turbo trainer to rent.

• 31 Aug 2026Explore

  'When to rock climb in Malta: the real season, and where to climb once summer

  October to December is peak climbing season on Malta's limestone; the season runs Oct–May. In summer, try shady crags or deep water soloing.

• 31 Aug 2026Explore

  Learn to sail in Malta: the RYA course pathway (and is a weekend worth it on a study trip?)

  Learn to sail in Malta via the RYA ladder: a 2-day Start Yachting taster from ~€450 up to Day Skipper. Which course suits you, and is a weekend worth it?

• 31 Aug 2026Explore

  'Trail running in Malta after dark: beating the summer heat with a headlamp

  Night trail running in Malta beats the 5am heat: August lows near 22°C. Which Mellieħa paths work after dark, headlamp lumens and the hunting-hours catch.

• 31 Aug 2026Live

  'Renewing the Nomad Residence Permit after year one: the 5-month residence

  Renewing Malta's Nomad Residence Permit needs proof of 5 months' residence, a €300 fee and filing 2–3 months before expiry. The 4-year cap, explained.

• 31 Aug 2026Live

  'How to actually start rock climbing in Malta: Ġebla''s guided sessions, the

  New to rock climbing in Malta? Compare a guided Ġebla intro (from ~€55), MC Adventure sessions (€40), and club membership (€40 first year).

• 31 Aug 2026Live

  Malta apartments don't have central heating — how long-stay renters actually

  Malta flats have no central heating. Your AC in heat mode gives 2.5–4× more warmth per kWh than a plug-in heater: the cheapest option, plus the gas trap.

• 28 Aug 2026Explore

  'Vegan and gluten-free dining in Malta: the real restaurants, not just a directory

  Coeliac in Malta? NVKED and Anurakti in Qawra are 100% gluten-free kitchens; Bistro516 in Valletta runs dedicated GF prep. Vegan and GF picks by area.

• 28 Aug 2026Explore

  'What to actually wear on Malta''s trails: trail running shoes and gear for

  Malta's polished limestone and loose rubble need sticky-rubber outsoles, 4–5mm lugs and a rock plate, plus 1.5–2L of water.

• 22 Aug 2026Learn

  'Malta''s new Pre-Departure Course for work permits: what it actually adds

  Finished your English course and want to work in Malta? The Pre-Departure Course adds €250, a 42-day window and an English interview before your permit.

• 21 Aug 2026Learn

  How many weeks of English school in Malta do you actually need?

  One English level takes about 200 guided hours — so 9–13 weeks in Malta, not 3 or 6. Match the weeks you study to your goal, not the school's booking.

• 17 Aug 2026Explore

  Camping in Malta: where you can legally pitch a tent

  Wild camping in Malta means designated sites and a permit, not pitch-anywhere. The legal spots, the ~€10 Mellieħa permit, and when you can actually go.

• 17 Aug 2026Explore

  'Comino beyond the Blue Lagoon: the quiet half of the island almost nobody

  Only the Blue Lagoon beach needs a booking; the rest of Comino doesn't. A quiet half-day walk to Crystal Lagoon, St Mary's Tower and Santa Marija Bay.

• 17 Aug 2026Explore

  Malta's autumn hunting and trapping season: what hikers and trail runners should actually know

  Is it safe to hike Malta's countryside from September to January? Hunting season on the trail: the dates, the protected reserves, and what to wear.

• 15 Aug 2026Explore

  Hiking the Gozo Coastal Trail: how many days it takes, and where you actually sleep

  The Gozo Coastal Trail is a ~50km loop, usually 2–4 days. With no legal campsite on Gozo, here's where hikers sleep: Xlendi, Marsalforn or Victoria.

• 11 Aug 2026Learn

  Booking a Malta English school through an agency vs direct — what's the real cost difference?

  The price is the same either way — the school pays your agent a cut. How Malta English school commission works, and when booking direct wins.

• 11 Aug 2026Live

  Getting to Malta's best beaches by bus (no car needed)

  Which bus goes to which Malta beach, with journey times from Valletta, the summer €2.50 fare, and the one route number half the internet still gets wrong.

• 9 Aug 2026Explore

  'Why September to November is Malta''s best season: the shoulder months that

  Planning the best time to visit Malta? Autumn wins: sea still ~25°C in September, ~16% fewer visitors than August, and Notte Bianca on 3 October.

• 9 Aug 2026Explore

  Farmers markets in Malta: where to shop like a local (Ta' Qali & the others)

  Malta has two approved farmers markets: Ta' Qali (Tue & Sat) and Cottonera (Sat). When to go, what you'll find, and proof they beat the supermarkets.

• 9 Aug 2026Live

  'Basing yourself in Gozo instead of Malta for a long stay: the ferry math and

  Gozo runs 10–25% cheaper than Malta and the resident ferry fare is €1.15, not €4.65. But 94.9% of jobs sit on the main island. See who a Gozo base suits.

• 9 Aug 2026Live

  Why St Paul's Bay is popular with expats — and who should (and shouldn't) live

  St Paul's Bay is Malta's biggest town and 63% non-Maltese, with two-bed flats from €1,000 — well under Sliema. Who should live here, and who shouldn't.

• 9 Aug 2026Explore

  'Loggerhead turtles are nesting on Malta''s beaches: where, when, and how to

  Loggerhead turtles nest on Malta's beaches from June, hatching about 50 days later. Where to look, how to watch responsibly, and the €500+ per-egg rule.

• 8 Aug 2026Explore

  'Malta''s record July 2026 heatwave: is an August trip still worth it, and

  Malta's record 43.3°C July heatwave has eased. The honest August 2026 picture: is it too hot to visit, will power cuts hit hotels, and how to cope.

• 8 Aug 2026Live

  Where to find Japanese and Asian groceries in Malta during a long stay

  No dedicated Japanese supermarket in Malta, but four real ways to buy Asian food — miso, rice, matcha — plus j-okini online, free delivery over €35.

• 8 Aug 2026Explore

  'Malta''s 2026 Michelin Guide: is fine dining worth building a trip around,

  Malta's 2026 Michelin Guide kept all seven stars, but two-star ION Harbour shuts 10–27 August. Which starred table to book, by occasion, and the real costs.

• 8 Aug 2026Live

  Spotting a fake long-let listing in Malta before you wire a deposit

  Malta rental scams share a pattern: stolen photos, a suspiciously low price, and pressure to pay before viewing. Plus the one real legal protection.

• 8 Aug 2026Live

  'Parking in Malta during a long stay: getting (or living without) a resident

  A 1–3 month stay can't get a Malta resident parking permit — you need 186 days a year. Sliema has almost none; see the real fines and what a space costs.

• 8 Aug 2026Explore

  'Trail running the coast from Xemxija to Għajn Tuffieħa and Golden Bay: a first-person

  A first-person Malta coastal trail run: 15.72km and 340m of climb from Xemxija's Roman road to the Golden Bay ridge, with no water tap the whole way.

• 1 Aug 2026Explore

  Malta's best coastal walks: the Dingli Cliffs and the Victoria Lines

  Two Malta coastal walks done properly: the Dingli Cliffs (253m, Malta's highest point) and the Victoria Lines, with bus routes and why to skip July.

• 1 Aug 2026Explore

  Majjistral Nature Park: Malta's only nature reserve, and the coastal walk from Golden Bay to Għajn Tuffieħa

  Walk Malta's only nature park: Golden Bay to Għajn Tuffieħa through Majjistral, about 30 minutes one way, past 1637 watchtowers and endemic wildlife.

• 1 Aug 2026Learn

  'Paying a Malta English school from Japan: SWIFT fees, Wise/Flywire, and what

  Wiring school fees from a Japanese bank? Expect ¥3,000–¥8,500 in fees plus a 1–3% exchange-rate spread. Four of five Malta schools accept Flywire instead. *(154

• 1 Aug 2026Explore

  'Trail running in Malta: routes, the heat, and the races worth planning a trip

  Trail running in Malta means treeless, shadeless coast — so run October to May, carry 2.5–3L of water, and time a trip to XTERRA Gozo on 8 May 2027.

• 31 Jul 2026Learn

  'Malta vs New Zealand for studying English: the cost gap, and the native-speaker

  Malta's tuition starts lower and entry is visa-free, but New Zealand flies nonstop from Tokyo and immerses you in native English. Honest 2026 comparison.

• 17 Jul 2026Live

  Bolt, eCabs and white taxis in Malta: which app, what it costs, and the airport-pickup trap

  Book a Bolt, eCabs or Uber at Malta airport and you walk to the car park — only white taxis meet you at arrivals. What each costs, and the pickup rule.

• 17 Jul 2026Live

  Bringing your dog or cat to Malta for a long stay: the pet passport process, and the timing traps

  Work back from your flight: microchip first, then the rabies jab, then 21 days. Dogs need tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before landing — cats do not.

• 17 Jul 2026Explore

  Bugibba Square, Malta: the new square and the sea out front

  Bugibba's main square reopened in 2026, brighter and greener, with the sea right out front. A resident on the swim, the 5pm-to-sunset hour, and where to sit.

• 17 Jul 2026Explore

  Dwejra salt pans, Gozo: the sea salt and the wild coast

  At Dwejra on Gozo's protected coast, sea salt forms in old rock pans by the Blue Hole. See the pans, the story, and where to buy real Maltese salt.

• 17 Jul 2026Live

  Getting home internet in Malta for a month or two: the 24-month contract trap and what to do instead

  Malta's standard broadband deal is 24 months. Here's the no-contract plug-and-play route from Epic, Melita and GO — real prices, deposits and fees.

• 17 Jul 2026Explore

  Malta has wineries? Marsovin, Meridiana and whether a vineyard tour is worth an afternoon

  Three Malta wineries take visitors: Marsovin at €60, Delicata at €25, Meridiana by phone only. What each buys you — and whether it's worth an afternoon. *(152 c

• 13 Jul 2026Explore

  Comino Blue Lagoon Visitor Cap 2026: The Rules That Actually Apply to Your Trip

  The Blue Lagoon cap is still 4,000 per slot — the 2,000 halving is only a proposal. What is in force, what is not, and how to book. Checked 11 Jul 2026.

• 11 Jul 2026Live

  Do They Speak English in Malta? Yes — And Here's the Proof

  English is official in Malta and 96% of people speak it. Travel, study and handle paperwork in English — zero Maltese needed. See the real numbers.

• 11 Jul 2026Learn

  Malta Student Visa Over 90 Days: The Long-Stay (D) Visa, Explained

  The real 105-day rule, correct 2026 funds (€18–26/day) and fees for Malta's long-stay student D-visa — before you book your course.

• 11 Jul 2026Learn

  Malta vs Ireland for Studying English: Cost, Weather and Which One Suits You

  Malta vs Ireland for studying English: which is cheaper, sunnier and easier for Japanese students? Real numbers on cost, weather, visa and work rights

• 11 Jul 2026Learn

  Can You Work While Studying English in Malta? The 20-Hour Rule, the 90-Day Wait and the Employment Licence

  Can non-EU students work while studying English in Malta? The 90-day bar, 20-hour cap, €230 licence and whether the maths really adds up.

• 10 Jul 2026Explore

  Beginner Wreck Diving in Malta: Your First Three Wrecks

  Which Malta wrecks can Open Water divers dive? Compare P31, Tug 2 and HMS Maori by depth, plus course costs and the best months to go.

• 10 Jul 2026Live

  Driving on the left in Malta: the roundabouts, the IDP rule, and the reality

  Malta drives on the left like Japan and the UK. Who needs an IDP, the roundabout rules, speed limits and where you can't drive — an honest guide.

• 10 Jul 2026Live

  Flights from Japan to Malta: How to Book the Trip (There's No Direct Flight)

  No direct flights link Japan and Malta. Compare the Istanbul, Rome and Doha routes — times, costs and baggage — and book the smart connection.

• 10 Jul 2026Live

  Malta to Gozo ferry: car ferry vs fast ferry (and why you only pay leaving Gozo)

  Car ferry or fast ferry to Gozo? Compare fares, times and schedules — plus why you only pay leaving Gozo, and how to skip the summer car queue.

• 10 Jul 2026Explore

  Hypogeum Malta tickets: how to book Ħal Saflieni before it sells out (and the last-minute back door)

  Hypogeum Malta tickets sell out months ahead. How to book Ħal Saflieni online, the €50 last-minute trick, and why Fort St Elmo at 09:00 wins.

• 10 Jul 2026Explore

  Authentic Maltese Food: Where Locals Actually Eat

  Skip the €3 tourist pastizzi. Where locals really eat pastizzi, ftira and fenkata in Malta — with dishes, venues and honest prices.

• 10 Jul 2026Learn

  Studying English in Malta as a Non-EU Citizen: Do You Actually Need a Visa? (The 90-Day Line)

  Japanese and other visa-exempt students: no visa for English courses of 90 days or less. See the exact 90/105-day line and what to pack before you book.

• 10 Jul 2026Explore

  Malta to Sicily Day Trip by Ferry: Is It Really Worth It?

  Can you day-trip to Sicily from Malta? Ferry times, real 2026 fares, what you can actually see in a day, and an honest worth-it verdict.

• 10 Jul 2026Learn

  Unaccompanied Minor in Malta: The Junior Course Rules Every Parent Needs

  Sending a teen to Malta alone for an English course? Real airline and school unaccompanied-minor rules, fees and the checklist to book safely.

• 9 Jul 2026Live

  Do you need a car in Malta? Buses vs rental, by trip type

  Buses or a hire car? A neutral, by-trip-type guide with real 2026 costs — €25 weekly bus card vs seasonal car hire, plus the Gozo ferry facts

• 9 Jul 2026Learn

  Malta vs the UK for studying English: cost, the visa reality, and who should still choose Britain

  Real 2026 costs, the post-Brexit visa truth (Malta isn't always visa-free), and where the UK still wins. An honest Malta vs UK English-study guide

• 8 Jul 2026Learn

  Host family vs student apartment in Malta: which one actually improves your English?

  Host family, student apartment or Stay with a Teacher? Real 2026 Malta prices, plus what the research says about which one improves your English.