Even in your 30s, your parents still want to know where you're going. Did you board the plane? Did you land safely? I still text my mom whenever I'm traveling to let her know everything is going smoothly. So when I texted her to say I'd booked a trip to Malta, she replied: "Without me?"
My mom isn’t the best at keeping up with me while traveling, but I figured, why not? She had been to Malta once on a cruise and loved it. She’s newly retired and has lots of free time, and the trip was near Mother’s Day so would be a nice mother-daughter vacay. I helped her through booking flights with points when available so we could both get to Malta for less money than normal, and then I proceeded to book the trip I wanted to take.
We spent the first half of our trip based in Valletta, using it as the perfect jumping-off point for day trips to Mdina, Attard, the Three Cities, and Sliema. From our base at Palais le Brun in lower Valletta, we took a very engaging walking tour, hiked the hills and stairs throughout the city, ate gelato for dinner (more than once), took in Med views from various viewpoints and ferried across the bay. When we weren't exploring Malta's stunning capital, we were unwinding by the hotel's rooftop pool—a welcome retreat in one of the sunniest countries in the Mediterranean.
After several days of racking up plenty of steps, we headed north to Mellieħa for a slower pace. We checked into the charming Lure Hotel & Spa before making our way to an intimate catamaran cruise around Comino and Gozo. We anchored for a swim in the crystal-clear water but didn’t explore the islands this time, leaving us with the perfect excuse to come back.
The next day, we visited St. Paul's Bay, a coastal town known for its modern hotels, beach clubs, and large international community. While the area has only a few sandy beaches, it's packed with stylish pool clubs, so we spent the day at Kora Beach Club.
Although Kora is affiliated with the DoubleTree across the street, it felt like its own peaceful oasis. We were among only a handful of guests that day, spending hours lounging poolside with cocktails in hand while a tropical house playlist set the mood. Visiting before peak season turned out to be the perfect choice.
My mom flew home the day before I did, which gave me one final solo day to enjoy Malta.
I treated myself to a massage at the hotel spa (absolutely worth it) before walking to nearby Għadira Bay. Construction made the walk a bit challenging, but the reward was an uncrowded beach, an overcast afternoon, and a peaceful few hours spent reading from a lounger by the sea.
After an incredible week with a premium balance of activity and relaxation, it was time to head home. The ride from Mellieħa to the airport was about 45 minutes - the airport was fairly easy to navigate and had a Priority Pass lounge. My flight home connected in Zurich, but as of July 2026, Delta Airlines launched a nonstop flight between Malta and JFK Airport (NYC). This is the only direct route from the United States! If you’re interested in exploring Malta (or anywhere else in the world), drop me a line and let’s start building your dream vacation.
