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Social Profile
Food & Drink: There is a very good choice of restaurants and cafes from deluxe to fast food (hamburgers and fish & chips) including Chinese, fish and beachside bars. Table service is normal, but many bars and cafes have table and/or counter service. Local dishes include lampuki pie, bragoli and fenek (rabbit cooked in wine). Pork and fish dishes are recommended and vegetables are excellent. The best Maltese fruits are oranges and grapes; also delicious are strawberries, melons, mulberries, tangerines, pomegranates and figs.
Maltese beer is excellent, and foreign beers are also available. There is a wide variety of good and inexpensive Maltese wine and foreign wines and spirits. Licensing hours of bars, restaurants and cafes are usually 0900-0100 and beyond. Most hotel bars close between 1300 and 1600 and then reopen after 1800.
Nightlife: There are several discotheques, bars and nightclubs. Roulette, baccarat, black jack and boule can be played at the ‘Dragonara’ casino, St Julian’s or at the Casino de Venezia in Vittoriosa. The Manoel Theatre is one of the oldest in Europe. Cinemas show mainly English and American films.
Shopping: Special purchases include Malta weave, pottery, blown glass, ceramics, dolls, lace, copper and brass items. Malta is renowned for its gold and silver filigree work and handmade lace. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1300 and 1600-1900.
Special Events: The Malta Tourism Authority can supply full details of events (see Contact Addresses). The following list is a selection of events taking place in Malta in 2003:
Feb 27-Mar 4 Carnival (featuring masks, floats and dancing), Valletta. Mar 13-16 Mediterranean Food Festival, Valetta. Apr 13-Sep Festa Season (commemoration to the various saints with church services, outdoor festivities and fireworks), towns and villages throughout Malta and Gozo. Apr 21-27 Valletta History & Elegance Festival (music and theatre), Valletta. May 9-10 Fireworks Festival, Grand Harbour, Valletta. May 16-18 and 23-25 Maltese Folk Singing Festival, Argotti Gardens, Floriana. Jun 2-7 Tenth Games of the Small States of Europe (eight countries compete in this mini Olympics-style event), various venues. Jul 1-14 Victoria International Arts Festival (classical concerts, vocal ensembles, ballet, jazz and lectures), Gozo. Jul 18-20 Malta International Jazz Festival, Valletta. Sep 27-28 Malta International Air Show, Luqa Airfield. Oct 3-5 Birgu Festival (music, dance and pageantry), Birgu. Nov 10-14 15th Malta International Choir Festival, Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta. Dec 26-31 Christmas Entertainment Programme (carol singing, ethnic dance groups and the Santa fun run), Valletta.
Social Conventions: The usual European courtesies are expected, but the visitor should also bear in mind the tremendous importance of Roman Catholicism; if visiting a church, for instance, modest dress covering the shoulders and legs will be expected. Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in some public buildings, including cinemas. Tipping: Ten to 15 per cent is expected in hotels and restaurants when not included in the bill. Taxi drivers are usually tipped ten per cent of the fare.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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