Our language trip to Malta was a very special and exciting week that we will surely remember for a long time. It all started on the first day with our journey: we met at the airport and flew together to Malta. After our arrival, we were taken to our hotel, the Salini Resort, which is located right by the sea and offers a beautiful view. There, we first had a welcome meeting where everything important was explained to us. Afterwards, we were able to explore the hotel and enjoy our free time. The rooms were very nice, and there were many activities available, such as a pool, sports courts for padel tennis and volleyball, as well as a gaming room with arcade games. In the evening, we even watched an impressive sunset glowing in pink and orange colors.
The next day our program began with lessons in the morning. From 9:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., we had school before going on an exciting city tour of Valletta in the afternoon. There, we visited many famous sights, such as the city gate, the old opera house, the parliament building, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. From there, we had a great view of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. We also visited St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the Grandmaster’s Palace. A film about the history of Malta was especially interesting, as we learned a lot about the island.
On Friday another special excursion was on the program. After lessons, we visited the temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, which are among the oldest structures in the world. It was impressive to see how well these historical sites have been preserved. From there, we could also see the small island of Filfla and enjoyed a wonderful view of the sea.
Another highlight was the trip to Gozo on Saturday. We first traveled by double-decker bus and then took a ferry to the island. There, we went on a boat ride through caves, which was very exciting. We also visited Fungus Rock, the Inland Sea, and the Citadel in Victoria. We especially enjoyed our time at Ramla Bay, where some of us even dipped our feet into the sea.
On Sunday we mostly had free time. Some of us visited the shopping center “The Point,” where there were many shops and good food. In the afternoon, we went to the Mediterranean Marine Park. There, we were able to experience animals up close, for example birds that ate directly from our hands. We also saw otters, reptiles, and an impressive dolphin show, as well as a bird show with tropical parrots.
On Monday we visited the Blue Grotto, where we saw impressive rock formations. Even though the weather wasn’t perfect that day, the trip was still worth it. Afterwards, we went to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, which is known for its large market and colorful traditional boats, the so-called luzzu. There, we could buy many souvenirs and enjoy the special atmosphere. In the evening, we returned to Valletta, which was a special highlight because the city has a completely different, very atmospheric feeling at night. The illuminated streets and buildings looked especially beautiful and made the visit unforgettable.
On Tuesday another cultural tour was on the program. We visited St. Paul’s Church and the grotto, as well as the old city of Mdina. There, we saw many historical buildings such as the cathedral, Cathedral Square, and various palaces. In the evening, we enjoyed a group dinner where we also tried typical Maltese food, which we liked very much overall.
On Wednesday it was unfortunately time to say goodbye. Overall, the trip to Malta was a wonderful experience. We saw many interesting places, learned a lot about the history and culture of the country, and had a lot of fun together. We especially liked the hotel, the food, and the excursions. We would definitely travel to Malta again anytime!
– Nina 6A, Melanie und Julia 6C