AboutMichelle Grech Expertise Can answer travel related questions about the beautiful islands of malta & gozo. where to go and what to do off the beaten track. can also answer diving related questions.
I live in California with my best friend who is 100% Maltese. We spent a week in Malta in 2002 and loved every minute and meeting all her long lost relatives, about 35 cousins.
We are trying to start to plan our return trip from May - June of 2009. We are thinking about a 3 week trip.
Here's the questions/concerns where we need your help.
1. We want to ride the rail from Amsterdam (Open to our starting point) through to - ???. We are thinking about spending 9 days on the rail and perhaps stay in a few of the countries we're passing, for a night or two.
2. How far would we get from Amsterdam if we travel the rail as I mentioned above?
3. Then should we fly or take water to get to Malta?
4. Also, which rail offers the best deal for older ladies 46 and up - comfort if we sleep is important.
5. Is it cheaper to start from Malta and end on the rail, or the other way around?
5. So we open to a different starting point, but we need to know what is the best cost effective way to setup this trip.
Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer all these questions. Feel free to ask me anything to help you be able to figure this mess out. I realize it will take more than one email.
Sincerely,
Lori
Answer Hi Lori
I'm not much of an expert with European Rail journeys since my area is Malta but this is what I think:
1.& 2. I imagine that you will be able to get the train all the way to Catania in Sicily (www.raileurope.com).
3. from Catania you have the option of a 20 minute flight to Malta or a 3 hour Catamaran ride. (go to www.virtuferries.com and/or www.airmalta.com for schedules)
4.Have no idea about rail companies however usually special deals are for 60+ not 46 year olds!
5. I'd imagine there's not much difference in whichever way you do it.
6. I would suggest railing to Rome and flying from there. Flights are regular to Malta but there is no ferry service.
What I can suggest is that you have a look at Ryanair Trips which arrive into Malta from the following Cities. You can combine a railway trip with a flight from there:
Girona - Spain / Bari/Pisa/Treviso - Italy / Stockholm - Sweden / Trapani - Sicily.
