![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/20261031_122009-1038x576.jpg "Valletta")
After spending the last few days staying just outside the gates of Valletta and exploring the island from there, today it was finally time to dedicate a day to the Maltese capital itself. Continue reading A day (and a bit) in Valletta
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261029_161248-1038x576.jpg "View of the Three Cities from the Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta)")
Three Cities for an afternoon
I spent this afternoon in the Three Cities: three (interconnected) towns situated on two peninsulas in the Grand Harbour of Valletta (opposite the capital itself). Continue reading Three Cities for an afternoon
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261030_093502-1038x576.jpg "Bay between Taħt il-Maqjel and Ras il-Fniek")
X is for SHow
Today I explored the southeast coast of Malta: I hiked from Marsaskala to Marsaxlokk. The latter, by the way, is pronounced “Marsa-shlock” – because in Malti, the letter “X” actually represents an “SH” sound. Continue reading X is for SHow
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261029_113900-1038x576.jpg "View from Ħamrija Tower")
The unpronounceable destinations
Today I visited several destinations, none of which I know exactly how to pronounce correctly – but I can at least report on them: Wied Iż-Żurrieq, Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, and Għar Lapsi. Continue reading The unpronounceable destinations
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261028_093053-1038x576.jpg "City walls of Mdina")
The twin towns of Mdina and Rabat
After shying away from a city tour yesterday, it was time for even two towns today: Mdina and Rabat are located right next to each other, so I did a combined tour – and I even managed to fit in a bit of nature, too. Continue reading The twin towns of Mdina and Rabat
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261027_124726-1038x576.jpg "Għajn Tuffieħa")
Red Tower, green spinach, blue sea
I have now arrived in Malta. After having spent the last few days walking through various towns in Sicily, I decided to spend my first (full) day in Malta our in nature – exploring the northwest of the island. In this area, I could easily combine several appealing destinations with a moderately long hike. Continue reading Red Tower, green spinach, blue sea
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261024_120318-1038x576.jpg "Ortygia (Syracuse)")
The most beautiful and largest Greek city
There was one more city in Sicily to visit! Given its rich history, this city really should not be missing from any traveler’s itinerary for (eastern) Sicily: Syracuse. Continue reading The most beautiful and largest Greek city
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261023_135050-1038x576.jpg "Ragusa Ibla")
Old at the bottom, new at the top
Sicily truly has many lovely little towns to offer. Today, it was the turn of Ragusa, which – once again – is situated on a hill. Unlike the other Sicilian towns I have visited so far, however, the old town here is located in the lower part of the city, while the newer buildings have been constructed on the higher hill. Continue reading Old at the bottom, new at the top
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261022_142902-1038x576.jpg "View of Piazza del Duomo from the bell tower of Chiesa di San Carlo al Corso (Noto)")
Noto(rious) Baroque
Today, it was the turn of another Sicilian town – this time, Noto. Like many towns in Sicily (particularly in the southeast), it was completely destroyed in an earthquake in 1693 and subsequently rebuilt –in this case, even in a different location. When rebuilding, the city planners relied heavily on the prevailing artistic style of the time: the Baroque. Continue reading Noto(rious) Baroque
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261021_141605-1038x576.jpg "View from Chiesa della Madonna della Rocca down to Taormina")
After rain comes a viewpoint
The rain returned this morning, and with a vengeance! By the afternoon, however, I ventured back outside to explore the town of Taormina. Continue reading After rain comes a viewpoint