The Art of Glassblowing

Since Valletta Glass started its operation almost thirty years ago, skilled men has endured the tremendous heat to create beautiful forms from the fire using nothing more than their breath and a few simple tools. Working hard to polish their skills to uniformity and precision, each creation is as individual as the maker. A big variety of Valletta Glass unique pieces is available at this Luxury Malta Hotel’s Gift Shop, which is open daily from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Should you wish to see a master of this craft at work, please contact Josette or Chris at our Executive Chauffeur Driven Office in the Grand Hotel Excelsior Lobby and we will help you get to the Crafts Village in Ta’ Qali, limits of Rabat, which is also very close to Old Capital City of Mdina.

If you would like to experience Malta and its traditions, the dedicated team at  this leading Luxury Malta Hotel will help you  plan your holiday. So book your  Malta Accommodation in a centrally located hotel near Valletta.

Former Prime Minister of Italy stays at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta

VALLETTA, MALTA, July 2011 - Earlier this month, the Grand Hotel Excelsior was honoured to host Professor Giuliano Amato and Mrs Amato during a visit to Malta. Professor Amato is President of the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy Committee, and Vice President of the Convention of the Future of Europe. He twice served as Prime Minister of Italy and was elected to the Senate, representing Tuscany.

Professor Amato expressed his pleasure with the warm welcome extended at the Hotel. “I am impressed that all of you can speak Italian”, Professor Amato told team members as he was checking into his room. Italian tourists, who happened to be in the Hotel’s lobby upon his arrival, were surprised and very enthusiastic to see one of their leading politicians.

For an enjoyable holiday in Malta packed with events and activities stay in a centrally located Luxury Malta Hotel which is within walking distance to the capital city, Valletta.

Life is the Bubbles… Under the Sea…

Diving in Malta

Set like precious gems in a sea of purest blue, the five islands of Malta, Gozo, Comino, Comminotto and Filfla offer a diverse and captivating experience, both above and below the water. The warm clear blue Mediterranean surrounding the Maltese Islands beckons divers down to discover many hidden delights most of which are world renowned and frequented by thousands every year.

Safe tideless water offer year round accessibility with Summer presenting its own character and charm. The Islands are honeycombed with stunning caves, caverns and grottos to be explored and enjoyed by those who know where to find them.

Whether you are an absolute beginner or an experienced diver, we can help you do the right choice to immerse yourself in this splendid underwater world.

Check Out Our Malta Diving Package and for more details kindly visit Our Dive Malta Page.

Time to “Festa” - Feasts & Holidays in Malta

With nearly 60 festas in Malta on the annual calendar “mostly during the summer months and nearly 20 festa events on the smaller sister island of Gozo”, the Maltese festa, a religious celebration organized by the local parish, is a typical scene of the hot summer months on the island, and very much an iconic part of culture in Bands, processions, the ringing of church bells, firework displays and, in some instances, street parties are the focal point of these happy, religious celebrations.

Street-side stalls along the approaches of the church sell a motley assortment of cold, refreshing drinks, ice cream and food, including a sweet traditionally associated with the Maltese Festa: the qubbajt (traditional nougat) available in very hard or soft versions.

The climax of any Maltese Festa is the procession and the carrying of the heavy life-size statue of the patron saint by an eight-man team.

For Best Offers during July & August Check Availability & Book Now. Prices start from 117 Euro per night when staying 3 nights & more. Book Now as Prices will increase!!!

For details about Feasts and Things to do in Malta during your holiday please contact Josette or Chris at our Executive Chauffeur Driven Office on 00356 2319 2260 or on josette.bartolo@excelsior.com.mt.

Ġbejna - A Traditional Maltese Cheese

And if you enjoyed reading and trying out Our Head Chef's Recipe of the Month 'Fried Goat's Cheese with Gastic Tomato' below is a brief information and the making of the traditional cheeselet.

Ġbejna is a round cheeselet made in the Maltese Islands from goat’s or sheep milk, salt and rennet. Virtually all sheep milk and most goat milk produced in Malta is used for the production of these cheeselets, much of it through family-owned cottage industries.

Ġbejna is shaped in a cheese hurdle made of indigenous dried reeds, although now even plastic ones are used. They are traditionally dried in small ventilated rooms, with windows protected by a special mesh mosquito net. It is said that in the past, sea water, rather than rennet, was used as a curdling agent.

It is prepared and served in a variety of forms: fresh, sundried salt cured or peppered. The fresh ‘gbejniet’ have a smooth texture and a milky flavour and are kept in their own way in a similar manner to fresh Mozzarella. The sundried variety have a more definite, nutty almost musky, taste, and are fairly hard. The peppered ones are covered in crushed black pepper and cured, after which they may be stored in oil or pickled in vinegar. Their sharp taste becomes more piquant the more they age and they also develop a crumbly texture.

Try out our mouthwatering dishes at one of our top Malta Restaurants. For more information kindly contact our Food and Beverage Department on food.beverage@excelsior.com.mt