Travel Photographers Unwind at La Nave San Pawl il-Bahar

If you have been following us (and thank you if you have) you will know by now that we love good food and wine at reasonable prices. 😋

And that's good enough reason to return to La Nave Triq It-trunciera, San Pawl il-Bahar.
Situated within the Malta National Aquarium and with fabulous views across the bay.

Malta National Aquarium

Yes, both directions.....you could do with eyes in the back of your head!

Us British

Of course, we haven't yet been inside the Aquarium!  Being British and a little starved of sunshine we do anything we possibly can to stay outside! 

If you have kids with you, though, I think it probably is a must do. Apparently it houses a huge collection of fish including sharks, sting rays and eels. 

For us, as we have been blessed with another sunny day, there's absolutely no way we'll stay inside (ah unless of course there's classic cars involved - watch this space!)

So we find ourselves, yet again, sat outside this lovely restaurant trying to choose what to eat.

Funny though, we never seem to have a problem choosing the drink.  I go for Rose wine and Malcolm normally goes for the local beer, Cisk.

  

On the Menu today...

Seafood pizza and pitta bread with dips.

The pizza lived up to its reputation (I do believe we had similar on our last visit)

Oh my word, this hummus was the most delicious we had ever tasted.
Even if you're not a fan of hummus you just have to taste this. Incredible.

We finish up with a coffee.

One day I may have to do a blog on 'Coffee with a Heart' :)

Cheers and thank you again to the most delicious lunch. 

We'll definitely be back for more.

If you have kids with you, La Nave is a great place for families, right next to the Aquarium and there's lots of space outside the Aquarium for the kids to run around, including a children's playground. 

And those lovely fountains coming up from the ground that the kids love to jump in!

So fun for all here, along with great food.  A must visit.

Like I said 'watch this space' for the Classic Car Museum which even I enjoyed! :)

Even on a Murky Day How Can This High Street Not Put a Smile on Your Face - Cowes IOW

Yes thank goodness!

At first I thought I wasn't going to be able to do this trip.  But at the last minute timing was right for me once again to join Malcolm on his revisit to Cowes.

Staycation?

Not far to travel for us, just across the water from Lymington.  We could easily have a staycation here.  In fact, in the past, we have, but that's a story for another day. This time, it's just a day trip.

So whilst Malcolm was busy with his client off I went to one of my favourite places of all time.

Yukky weather

It was, once again, cold, misty, wet and murky - yes very yukky weather indeed.

Follow me .....

 How cute is this ....Toby's of Cowes

 I bet he was freezing too.  Yes, looks real doesn't it! 

 The Food Hamper looks absolutely delicious.

 Ooh Healthy Indulgence - is there such a thing? :)

 And so pleased to see The Wine Therapy.  I always love their window displays.

  

Actually we do have a few corks floating around.  Have no idea where they came from?

  

This display has given me inspiration as to what to do with them.

 Ah and Sailor Ted and friends .....

 Oops have been spotted taking photos, better go in.  Be rude not to!

David Bailey? 

I have to admit these books look so cool.  I picked one up and started chatting to the chap in the shop.  He said 'I thought you were a female David Bailey?' 

'No' I said 'just Annie Liebovitz' 😃

Signed by the author

It turned out he was the author of the books and immediately offered to sign the book I was buying.  

 Sadly, now time to leave the Isle of Wight and return to the ferry.

Yes, as you can see, the weather has not improved at all but it would take more than that to dampen my spirits.

West Cowes.  Even on a murky day how can this High Street not put a smile on your face.

By the way, can you see a penguin?

Travel Photographers Lust for Good Food and Drink in Marsaxlokk

We were booking a return visit to Malta and we knew we just couldn't go back without another Sunday lunch in Marsaxlokk and Terrone.

Book ahead

Remembering just how busy it got particularly on a Sunday with the crowds at the fish market, we thought we ought to email ahead of our trip and book a table.

Last time we were there in November, the weather was beautiful and we sat outside eating, drinking and people watching.  Sounds good doesn't it?

What about the weather

With my positive head on I emailed Terrone asking for a table outside again.  Giedre  responded to my email without delay and booked a table for two.  It was only when Malcolm said 'what if it rains' that I began to doubt the weather!

Another email to Giedre with 'what if the weather is against us?'  This was no problem at all for Giedre, 'leave it to us and we'll decide on the day for you'.  Whew, thank you.

In my head I was already tasting the food .....

Suddenly it was Sunday and we were on our way to Marsaxlokk and my tastebuds were working overtime.  Wishing my life away to lunchtime!

Come on Malcolm it must be time now surely?  

'Can you remember what time you booked' Malcolm asked.  

'Oh no, I can't'  I said 'let's go and find out'

'Ah' the lovely lady said at the front desk 'we have you booked for 1pm'

it was now 12.30.  'It's ok' she said 'your table is ready anyway'

Bring me sunshine

And my prayers for sunshine were answered and once again we were able to sit outside on a beautiful warm sunny Sunday enjoying the delicious gastronomical delights at Terrone.

Better start with a drink. :)

And watch the world go by ....whilst we order our food

I already know what I want and can't wait ....this is a Terrone special

sprinkled with a little lemon .... this seafood is so good

whilst Malcolm started with ....

Oysters.  He said they were delicious.  I took his word for it.  Not my thing.

And the plate of seafood was a sharing platter so plenty for the two of us.

And anyway I had something else in mind for afters!

Local cheeses, grapes and honey.

Yes, just as I remembered it from last time.  Can't wait to get stuck in to this.

A coffee to finish ... with a little love too!

Life is good here

Travel photographers with a lust for good food and drink and that's just what you get here.

Great service, friendly staff, great food, ice cold beer and rose wine. Now what more could you ask for?

If you want to sample the delights of Terrone, remember to book ahead, especially if it's a Sunday lunch.

Terrone Marsaxlokk  A warm welcome, great service and delicious food.

We'll be back ....

 

Travel Photographers. Return Visit. Really? Unbelievable - Corinthia Palace Hotel and Spa

They say never go back.  We rarely do.

It all began here ... 

We had barely returned home in November 2016 and the next thing I know ....

Malcolm: 'd'you fancy going back to Malta in February?'
Me:  'really, but we always say we won't do a return visit anywhere?  And we're travel photographers, remember?'
Malcolm: 'got a good deal on flights and we loved the place, think of it as a holiday'

Well, of course, it didn't take much persuasion ... we did love the place.  We loved Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa and loved Malta too and there was so much more to see!

Malta here we come....

We flew British Airways, as we always had in the past.  And to be perfectly honest this flight was a total disappointment.  You always pay a little more for BA for some preferential treatment.  

Well, not any more!  Sadly their standards have dropped.  It was a shambles.  But I'm not going to spoil this 'feel good' blog with a bad experience.

Mount Etna

Wow!  As you know I'm not a fan of flying and definitely not looking out of the window, but when Malcolm pointed this out I made the exception to the rule and opened 1 eye. 😉
Now that's definitely a need for 2 eyes! Awesome as my grandson would say.

Anyway, always glad to get my feet back on the ground once more... we pick up the hire car and make our way to what has become a favourite place to stay.

Blue skies with fluffy white clouds welcome us and .....

a very happy smiling welcome from the concierge ..

Kevin met us at the door.  Before we knew it our luggage had been taken from the car and the car parked.

Just a minute ..... had we actually been home at all?  This all seemed so familiar.

Ah .... looks like one of us was a little thirsty and couldn't wait for the picture to be taken 😊
Who could that be I wonder?

Yes, me a very happy person .... and I didn't remain in long sleeves for long either.  It was much warmer than I had ever imagined it would be.

Rewind back to the blog about What to Wear in Winter in Malta pack similar clothes in February!

and that'll be my magazine for later - yes getting settled in now ....after all Malcolm did say the word 'holiday' didn't he?

Apparently no time to read yet ... a stroll round the grounds.

  

The pool is not on the 'to do' list this time as don't think it opens until later in the year.  

Is Malcolm looking at it in the hope of a swim or maybe glad it's closed? It does look inviting though doesn't it?

However, the Spa is definitely on the list!

a quick peek in to familiarise ourselves ..... we visited several times and can recommend it for sure.

We love the Caprice lounge too.  

Warm and soothing colours and luxurious deep sofas and chairs just right for relaxing with a drink.

This takes you through to the Rickshaw Restaurant, a favourite of ours and we, of course, ate there once again.

Once again a delicious meal.  The lovely Eliena remembered us and as always ensured we were well looked after.

Two evenings we ate in The Villa.  Wow.  An amazing room (would so like to take more photos of this room) and, of course, only what you'd expect, delicious food.

We both had a flambe experience.  Trust me this is an experience. Tyron and Dillon cooked for us at the table in complete harmony.
Both meals delivered to the table exactly the same time.  These two are quite something to watch and for me, The Villa Restaurant wouldn't have been the same without them. 😊

We had a bit of a chill out day on the Saturday ... went for a stroll through the Palace Gardens and back to the Hotel for a light snack ...

Oi!  Not yet Malcolm!  Picture first 😉  Yummy sweet potato chips .. ah and you noticed a drink, well we were a little dehydrated after the walk.

And a stroll through the hotel back to our suite.  

I always seem to take photos of these lights.  They are beautiful, I love them.

Home from home ....

Well not really.  Our house is nowhere near as grand, of course, but the staff here give you such a warm welcome it makes you feel like you are going home. 

And it's not just one member of staff it's all of them, it makes you want to mention them all.

And actually I wanted to know why this Hotel makes us want to go back for more.  Why is it they make you feel so special?  Well, I think from reading this article The Corinthia Hotels ensure they take on very special people.  

Believe me, at Corinthia Palace Hotel and Spa the people are very special.

And, yes, I know this was a holiday but how can we not take photos? We are, after all travel photographers and doubt we'll ever go anywhere without taking photos, especially when we stay in such beautiful surroundings.  It would be rude not to! :)

Will we go back for a third time?  Return visit, really?

Now ..... you'll have to wait and see :)

Thanks for visiting ... coming soon more of our favourite eating places in Malta, Classic Car Museum and more .....