Malta
In March, I got a really good flight deal to Malta, like my tip for cheap flights – find the deal and go there! Unfortunately, it was for April school vacation, and it was only for two days, but the deal was worth it. It was a very quick trip, but still a trip!
Malta Wheelchair Taxi
I found Malta Wheelchair Taxi through a Google search and I liked that they had ‘wheelchair’ in the name. I was afraid Malta wouldn’t have any. Because they are a very ancient and small island.
I sent him my flight itinerary through Whatsapp. That way he knew when my flight landed.
Kurt was our driver, he also did Tours around Malta, ONE STOP SHOP! I’M IN! I kind of figured that Malta did not have many wheelchair accessible Tours, so when I saw this one, I jumped on it ....figuratively.
Radisson Blu Resort
Three weeks ahead I booked a hotel, which is never a good idea if you need a handicap room. DON'T WAIT to book a handicap room; they go quicker than flight deals!
I decided to stay at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands, by the time we called they had no handicap rooms available FACEPALM! I'm sorry I didn’t ask how many handicap rooms they had, but while on my stay I only saw one other person that was in a wheelchair…hmm.
I got suckered into reserving a suite for the extra space. With an ocean view. I originally picked this hotel because it was the only hotel near the golden beach. It was also on the west side of the island. I figured we would have the sun set right out our window, not even thinking that the hotel room might not be facing the side where the sun was setting. Spoiler alert - it wasn’t.
Our suite did have a lot of extra space, for two people. There were two bedrooms, two bathrooms (neither of which were wheelchair accessible), living room, dining room and kitchenette and a very long balcony ....but the railing was at my eye level, so I was unable to easily see, so much for an ocean view.
Note: I have to include that most of my photos were taken by my caregiver or the taxi driver, so not all the photos are from my eye level.
Hotel restaurant
We went for dinner. Kurt had told us Maltese people do not cook with many spices, he wasn’t lying, I ordered the Moroccan chicken kababs. Very bland.
I’m not going to link the restaurant because I don't recommend it. But it was in the main lobby.
Tour day
Our first full day was tour day. Kurt was helpful with assisting to take pictures. He was very familiar with all accessible entrances and exits for everywhere we visited.
Masta Dome
We went to the Masta Church, on the right side they had a wheelchair ramp, and small ramps over some steps.
They had a beautiful dome roof. I've seen churches all over. I find that many in Europe have a lot of gold, silver, ruby and marble in the details. But I don't think I saw any precious metal work or diamonds.
They had a circular dome and in the middle of the ceiling there was a glass window. It was very beautiful surrounded by baby blue walls.
I noticed that they had a statue of Jesus had risen when he was happy and healthy, and not being crucified.They had a room off of the main part that I had a few World War ll artifacts, I didn’t know they were affected but that is why it is called a World War. There were a few ramps for me to get in the church, but only a couple areas were accessible in the church, the whole upper level was not accessible to me.
I wasn’t able to view their World War II bomb shelter which was outside and down a flight of stairs, underground. I'm not even sure if they had wheelchairs back then.
“World War II prompted a massive evolution in wheelchair technology and disabled veterans' rights. Prior to the 1940s, patients with spinal cord injuries faced bleak survival odds, but the introduction of antibiotics boosted survival rates. This influx of returning veterans spurred the creation of folding, self-propelled wheelchairs and sparked early wheelchair sports like basketball.” Thanks AI.
Ta’ Aqil - Crafts Village
This is where they make crafts with silver. All by hand! NO MADE IN CHINA STICKERS HERE.
Inside, the shop had a permanent built-in ramp leading in one door and the other door had stairs. The only thing that was a little inconvenient was the placement of the curb cut to get to the sidewalk. We had to walk around to the other side of the building to get to a curb cut to get on the sidewalk and then go all the way back to the ramp that leads into the silver shop.
They had a TV that played a video that showed how they crafted their art. It started with little strands of silver. Then they would shape it with a tweezer and there was all the jewelry that they made by hand.
I loved that they were keeping a handmade craft, instead of a copycat machine manufactured, it was handmade with love and life. It’s my favorite piece of art, a necklace.
Valletta glass
Afterwards across the street was Valletta Glass shop where they blew glass. so again they had a ramp that up to the door so we went in and first we went into the back where they blew the glass it was very cool, where they show off their craft of blowing glass if you’ve never seen it watch this video in the link it was quite exquisite seen all these beautiful intricate items pieces of glass they melted down.
Medina Silent city
Next we went to Silent City, this was an ancient neighborhood. We went to Silent City in Malta, Medina. This is an ancient city, People still live there today. I thought this city was so beautiful.
Right outside, they had a parking lot. With a playground across the street that had an Accessible Single Swing set on a platform.
The locals were extremely friendly and accommodating for the accessible wheelchair taxi.
We walked over the bridge, under a stone entryway. They had a rack (pillory) in the corner, but it was too crowded. I also saw a tiny horse drawn carriage for rides, which were all over the city. They had bells on them, so you would hear them coming and get out of the way.
The residential neighborhood all looked the same, sand colored stone walls with brightly colored front doors and really big elaborate knockers. The ground floor had no windows. The real front doors were behind a walkway, maybe for noise?
My care giver went into one shop and there were stairs, but on the outside of the building, which I didn’t get a photo of, was a wheelchair sign with an arrow pointing to a wheelchair entrance.
They had a promenade with very big steps overlooking a city, but I couldn’t get up there.
A little fishing village with the traditional blue boats. There are no wheelchair accessible traditional boats or boat tours. What a pity! Not very inclusive!
We went to the market which was a small flea market which looked like they were closing soon. I regret not buying a coconut bowl.
Know that if you plan on going to Gozo. They do have accessible ferry boats.
Blue Grotto
We went to the Blue Grotto where you’ll find no playmates! Parking was on the street. A long ramp going down the side of the cliff that led down to the packed sand walk.
The wheelchair van’s trunk was left open and no one touched it. In NYC the car would be gone?
We parked in a handicap spot and then we walked to the entry. There was a wooden ramp. It was pretty, but the banister was almost at eye level, so I couldn’t really see the cliffs. I thought it would’ve been more like Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher.
I saw a couple standing about 3 feet from the edge to get a photo. Anything for the gram!
After we went to the men selling stuff under an awning. Selling their local Licoure and souvenirs. It reminded me of less sweet saltwater taffy.
I did see that they had bathrooms and one with a wheelchair ramp.
Crystal Palace
With a Maltese nickname of Serkin. With no doors, they are always open, to whomever. We ate the traditional Ricotta and Pea Pastizzi - like a croissant.
What We Ate
We also asked our tour guide what was the traditional meal for their culture, he said it was rabbit stew so we got some rabbit stew with potatoes and bread - not my favorite, very bony.
Pool Day
Agliolio
On our last night, we ate at Agliolio on the hotel terrace I’m sure there was, but I did not see a ramp to look at the water so my caregiver took photos of the sunset.
I drank my pina colada which was not strong at all, but being a lightweight I like that. I got zucchini fritters and the vegan Magharita pizza, which I never had. All the restaurants in the hotel had a good amount of vegan options!
Until Nexttime
On our last morning he brought us to the airport Kurt picked us up at 3:30AM to bring us to the airport for our returning flight.
