#Malta art best art

[stone-sculpture]

[blackswaneuroparedux]

If Caravaggio were alive today today, he would have loved the cinema; his paintings take a cinematic approach. We filmmakers became aware of his work in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and he certainly was an influence on us. The best part for us was that in many cases he painted religious subject-matter but the models were obviously people from the streets; he had prostitutes playing saints. There’s something in Caravaggio that shows a real street knowledge of the sinner; his sacred paintings are profane.

Martin Scorsese on Caravaggio

Michelangelo Merisi, known to most of us as “Caravaggio,” was born on September 29, 1571 in Milan, Italy, to parents who were from the small town of Caravaggio. In the span of his 38 years long life he revolutionised painting with innovations like a unique use of chiaroscuro - with dark shadows contrasting with dramatic areas of light - and a deep sense of realism that later inspired the Baroque movement. But most of all, he developed such an iconic style that most of us can probably look at a painting and know if it’s a Caravaggio, or Caravaggio-inspired. 

Merisi spent the first few years of his life in Milan, studying painting, and later moved to Rome, where his early talent impressed Cardinal Del Monte, who introduced the young painter to other high-profile Catholic figures who became commissioners of some of Caravaggio’s best work. It seemed there was no end to the artist’s creative genius. Caravaggio, much to his patron’s delight, would pump out one masterpiece after another. It seemed the more out of control his personal life became (cheating, brawling and murder were standard fare), the more his art would become more refined, more potent.

In the long list of masterpieces he left behind, both secular and religious works stand out. But it is perhaps in his religious works that the artistic transition of the master is more evident. Caravaggio is, in fact, known to have changed his style after harsh personal life experiences led him to reassess his outlook on life.

In May of 1606 Caravaggio took part in a deadly brawl in Rome and was charged with murder. He fled to Malta, in search of asylum from the Order of Saint John, a Catholic order dedicated to helping the sick and the poor. The order commissioned some of the most important late life works of the Milanese artist.

It is in these works that we notice the shift in Caravaggio’s art, from a strong focus on aesthetics to an interest in the spirituality of his subjects, which critics believe was motivated by his own introspection.

On the streets surrounding the churches and palaces, brawls and sword fights were regular occurrences. In the course of this desperate life Caravaggio created the most dramatic paintings of his age, using ordinary men and women - often prostitutes and the very poor - to model for his depictions of classic religious scenes.

By representing biblical characters in a naturalistic fashion, typically through signs of aging and poverty, Caravaggio's populist modernisation of religious parables were little short of trailblazing. Although not without his critics within the church, by effectively humanising the divine, Caravaggio made Christianity more relevant to the ordinary viewer.

For some, though, his art was too real. Bare shoulders, plunging necklines, severed heads; this raw humanity didn’t always fly in 17th century Rome. As a result, many of his pieces were rejected as altar pieces and as church hangings. One such piece, the Madonna of Loretto (now hanging in a church in Rome) was widely criticised upon its unveiling. The people of the day were shocked to behold the Mother of God leaning nonchalantly against a wall in her bare feet while holding baby Jesus in her arms.

It is ironic that the very art that today we consider “classical” and “iconic” to the Catholic faith was considered questionable and perhaps void of modesty and virtue. Yet, the fact remains that no individual artist has made such a lasting impression on the world of modern art. Truly, many have called Caravaggio the “first modern artist”. It is no surprise, then, that his style has sparked both widespread admiration and imitation throughout the centuries.

Before Pope John Paul II refined a theology of the body beautiful, Caravaggio's paintings suggested a reverence for the inherent beauty of human form.

Troubled though he may have been, his art speaks eloquently of the dignity of the mundane. Though the original medium may be weathered and cracked, the message of beauty still echoes down the centuries. And this same beauty still fuels, escapes and reduces artists to relentless seekers as surely and as forcefully as it did in Caravaggio's life.

[natasa-pantovic]

Lecture “Knowledge in the Making” by Dr Reuben Grima, National Library Series, exploring images of the 17th Century Maltese Book written by Giovanni Francesco Abela (1582–1655). Abela cabinet of antiquities became the core of Malta's national archaeological collection.

Lecture “Knowledge in the Making” by Dr Reuben Grima, National Library Series, exploring images of the 17th Century Maltese Book written by Giovanni Francesco Abela (1582–1655).   Abela obtained the title of Doctor in Law in December 1606.  His cabinet of antiquities became the core of Malta’s national archaeological collection.

[pumpkinsy0]

fuck it, more Purly Haitian vacation thoughts:

On the first day, Ponyboy got sunburnt to all hell. Yeah he was made fun of for it, but whatever they gave him wasn't regular aloe, it was better.

Runs out of clean clothes (he didn't have much to pack anyway) so he makes due with the clothes given to him (and insisted he keep and bring to america)

Curly jokes he'd look cute in a karabela. Pony doesn't know what that is and just rolls his eyes.

Sandals! Everyone wears them. Ponyboy watches fondly as Curly's aunt weaves him a pair, asking him if he likes the color purple, which he responds "Wi Matènèl." Just like Curly taught him.

The mornings come early and while Curly would love nothing more than to lay in bed all day with Pony, he does want to wake up early and take him for scooter rides. Ponyboy holds on to him tightly as they weave around corners. Curly is in heaven.

Ponyboy is interested in the literature and art of Haiti and loves the bright colors of the homes. He loves their cheap art galleries and after dinner he's read to in Kreyole first and then English second because he wants to try and learn what stories are being told to him.

Darry has asked him to call if possible. There's only one phone avaliable and it's at "the big house." it costs a lot of money to call but The Shepards don't bat an eye giving him the coins he needs to tell his brother he's okay and what his day was like.

Curly avoids all questions asked to him about family back in America. He can't stomach the thought that his relatives think he's living it up and couldn't be further from the truth.

He hates America. Hates the racism. Hates their stupid laws. He hates how their mother left this beautiful place to chase a man that doesn't give a hang about them.

Curly needs a cigarette. On the porch, he pauses:

Ponyboy is given a pretty red and yellow choublack flower crown (cause it's still the 60s) and is out on the street with a bunch of Curly's younger cousins who ask him to draw on the sidewalks with them. Ponyboy never got the opportunity to be a big brother, so it's all fun and games with him. It's lightly raining, a sunshine shower. Ponyboy is smiling, laughing and singing along to some child's song, slightly butchering the words.

Curly is whipped at the sight.

i JUST woke up to this absolute GEM of an ask im going insane im like a dog with zoomies after a shower another BANGER anon ask about haiti omg

AND AND I WANNA ADD MORE THOUGHTS☝🏽☝🏽☝🏽☝🏽

•the shepards has family in the countryside of haiti, and they have a fucking donkey and that thing would nibble on ponys shirt everytime he came near and it was ALWAYS him and him alone like dude???fuck of?????

•pony would LOVE ti kawòl (its this ice cream in a bag thing, comes in different flavors) but he likes it when its melted so he literally WAITS till its a liquid again, pokes a hole in the bag and drinks it and curly, tim, angela, and their family think hes so WEIRD for that

•curlys aunt is always making malta ak lèt (just means malta and milk) and its curly, pony, and the younger cousins fault that its always gone within a few days like my god

•theres a good chunk of reptiles in haiti and curly used to spend his time catching the fuckers when he still used to live in haiti, and ik he took pony to the best places he would find em, however outside of that sometimes pony would find them on accident and his body would take a ss

•kite flying is pretty important, i think pony and curly should be allowed to make their own cool looking kite at least once

•tim and curly were def stealing cool looking plates from their aunts and was forcing pony to be apart of it, he was a mess trying to keep it together

•OHOH sometimes they would have to ride tap taps (just look it up im WAY to lazy to explain it) and pony was a bit nervous bc theres rlly no specific individual seats and no seatbelts, so curly would hold onto him to make him feel safer so gay

•pony def accidentally got some mannerisms from his time there, this is more of a “if u get it u get it” thing, but if yknow that look ur haitian elder gives u when they catch u doin some stupid shit and they just stand there w their hands crossed???yea pony started doing that LMAOOO

•angela made pony this bracelet w seashells, she was makin em w her fav aunt :3

•the whole family went to the beach and curly hit pony w a wet sandbl and IMMEDIATELY fell and got a cut on his knee by a seashell and i promise u, when there was a collective sound of “gade” (means look in creole) in a ‘well thats your karma’ way, i mean it

•pony and curly both have to share a place on the couch to sleep on so they r just all up on each other by the time 4am rolls around

•curly has this scarf thats used in haitian folklore dances and he is NOT using it to dance, hes using it to pull pony in by the neck or hips, i can feel it trust me on this

•one of the shepards family members is a snack vendor, like the kinds w the snack cart right outside schools, and they would always get free snacks, in return they helped w the homemade snacks they sold, but that goes as well as it can w pony and curly making food, they r NOT allowed to make fresco again

•curly would climb treats for fruits pony wanted he def would

•pony brought the gang lil souvenirs :P

[kyndaris]

A Great Detective's Beginning

I think I've said before that Sherlock Holmes is a character I greatly admire. Ever since reading about his adventures in a huge omnibus collection of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's work, I wanted to emulate the great detective in all things with a doctor companion by my side. The art of observation was something I attempted to train my younger self in by studying the fingers of a stranger or the scuffs on their shoes for just a hint of what it might tell me about their life.

Unfortunately, it's not every day one stumbles on a murder. Second, it's not like many a policeman would allow a random civilian to take part in their investigations. Life, it seems, is unlike the world of my many stories. A shame, really. I feel like I would have been an excellent sidekick to the great Sherlock Holmes.

Since my childhood dream is but an impossibility, playing as Sherlock Holmes in a series of video games has become the next best thing for someone like me.

Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One released in 2021 and was developed by Frogwares, a video game developer headquartered in Ukraine. Over the years, I've played many a game that they've churned out. While the quality is middling at best - given the studio straddles the line of indie developer and triple-A studio - there is something endearing about their games that keep me coming back for more. Jankiness be damned!

Chapter One is set in Sherlock's younger years before he meets his erstwhile companion, Dr John Watson. While the game demonstrates that Sherlock has always had a special talent for deduction, there is an uncertainty to the character that we meet as he ponders the best way to utilise the truth. For example, one of the latter cases involved handing over incriminating evidence of a leading political leader of Cordona to better the lives of all African refugees. True, Sherlock could publish the information and see another corrupt politician fall, but doing so would not serve to benefit many an individual. Nor would it see restitution to the victim.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Chapter One centres on Sherlock visitng the island of Cordona, a fictional island that feels like it borrows elements from Cyprus and Malta's history. Our not-quite-great detective arrives to visit his mother's, Violet Holmes, grave. Upon immediately disembarking, he is embroiled in one mystery of another sparked by a challenge from his companion, Jon.

The Jon that stars in Chapter One is no doctor, however. Rather, he is Sherlock's imaginary friend. Because of this, Frogwares is able to incorporate their janky gameplay for narrative purposes, such as the teleporting John Watson from the good old days, the vanishing and clipping of Jon as he fades in and out of existence, or the fact that he is able to walk up walls.

He's not real to the people of Cordona and is a figment of Sherlock's imagination.

This plays into the story of the game as well, culminating in a showdown as Sherlock reckons with a traumatic event from the past. While I didn't like the choices that eventuated - agreeing with many people on Reddit that the logic Sherlock incorporated in his assessment of what had happened to his mother when he was ten was a little harsh - I did very much being given the opportunity to take a peek at a Sherlock before the one many of us fans see in his first novel appearance: A Study in Scarlet.

From a gameplay perspective, Chapter One incorporated many elements from the previous games including the mind palace and the connecting of clues to make deductions. Though 221b Baker Street didn't exist, Sherlock was able to make use of the archives in the city of Cordona and seemingly carried a box of chemicals with him to deduce whatever strange fluid he stumbled upon. This streamlined a lot of the gameplay from older games and also made sense from a story narrative.

My main issue, of course, was failing to take into consideration elements of the environment or character writing/ behaviour when making my deductions to certain cases and allowing my own biases to shine through. For example, the very first case. I very much wanted it to be the prone-to-anger partner, who acted like a rich entitled arsehole.

Alas, it was the poor spirit medium.

The other cases didn't have such clear cut culprits, with many open to interpretation. Fortunately, there were three major side quests that were able to fill the void left open by the need to have a very obvious antagonist - leading up to Sherlock wowing them with his deductive prowess before breaking down.

This added additional flavour to the island of Cordona, even as it worried me that so many murders or accidental manslaughter could be happening in and around the island.

Still, as a mystery nut, I very much appreciated how much of these cases Frogwares scattered throughout the game and probably would have preferred some more if I'm being perfectly honest.

Then, of course, there were the combat elements Frogwares included in their game. While previous titles didn't have as much action sequences beyond a few quick-time action button presses, here, Sherlock was facing off against various thugs. Most of these involved stunning them by shooting at weakpoints (such as their hat or a molotov cocktail strapped to their back) before rushing forward to knock them out.

While these encounters added a little spice to the usual 'go here' and 'search for clues' aspect of the game, these elements did also become quite repetitive due to how little these elements changed from encounter to encounter.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Chapter One much more than I did Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong solely because of how open the game world was and how much it tickled the itch I had to deduct the events of what happened. While I appreciated Jon's commentary of my greatness, I was also aggrieved when certain things I did, which felt logical at the time, were gated by how the game wished for Sherlock to proceed with a certain clue or piece of information.

In the end, though Chapter One still made me feel like I knew what I was doing. And honestly, that's probably the only real way to make a consulting detective of a modern-day 30 year-old woman who grew up reading tales of Victorian England and obsessing over the BBC version of Sherlock in the year of 2010, starring the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.

[liminalmemories21]

Fanfic Friday

tagged by @three-drink-amy. Thank you!

Rule: share a fic you wrote that you’re proud of!

Did I spend the last 40 minutes of my work day illicitly creating a board of most of the art mentioned int the knave-verse stories . . . .possibly?

Knave of Hearts - Pt 2 is definitely the best thing I think I've ever written, and I'm really proud of it. Which honestly, is I think part of why I keep stalling on Pt 3, because I want it to be as good and I'm trying to recapture the magic.

Through the Looking Glass series

The knave of Hearts, he stole the tarts

The knave of Hearts . . . he said he'd steal no more

"Tyler Kennedy Strand?" Agent Tulson asks, and if Carlos didn't know better he'd say the guy sounds a little breathless at the idea.

He squints at his phone, "Yes?"

"The TK Strand?"

He pulls the phone away from his ear and mouths 'what the fuck?’ at Mitchell. "I guess? A TK Strand anyway. Why?"

Tulson's voice gets marginally more professional and a little less like a fan boy at a concert, "TK Strand is presumed to be responsible for a string of high end art thefts over the last seven years. He's considered a person of interest in at least eight states, and three countries. We lost track of him a few months ago, and this is the first we've learned that he's relocated to Austin."

Carlos thinks about the guy he'd seen earlier that day who'd seemed shaken by the robbery at gunpoint, but more concerned for the cashier who'd gotten grazed by a stray bullet than he had been for himself. "Art thief? Are you sure?"

Tulson's voice is dry, "Am I sure that he stole the Caravaggio from the cathedral in Malta? Yes. Can I prove it? No. If I could, it'd make my career."

no pressure tagging @freneticfloetry, @iboatedhere, @ravens-words, and @irispurpurea

[icebluecyanide]

Alex Rider S03E08 Reaction

The last episode already!!! *screaming*

Liveblog

Oh Mrs Jones was John’s handler?? No Ash :(( 

Omg Alex finding out about the nanoparticles!! 👀 Love the moment of realisation

“I went in myself, undercover” oh they really don’t like committing to Alex joining Scorpia of his own free (misguided) will huh. Like not to keep comparing to the book but in the book it’s Blunt who lies to say that Alex was working for MI6 all along when Alex is still feeling bad about being with Scorpia and wonders if Blunt will tell the whole Cobra meeting what he did

Why did Jack even think Alex would be safe going back to Scorpia ahsldfhs

Love Alex not telling people he’s going to die, keep those secrets, Alex <33

Lmao they’re not even staging a breakout?

I feel like it really should not be that big a leap to work out that Julia Rothman wants Alex dead

Why does it sound like Alex is just improvising here ashdlfhs did they not come up with a cover story for how he escaped?? Did they not have budget to shoot the car crash ahsldfhs

I think Nile should have stayed to watch Alex get changed like in the books 😔

“We can get him out the moment I get there, get him clear” I mean I love Alex but like… if he’s dying there is also a whole city dying so is this really your top priority?

Alex’s Scorpia uniform lmao

Wowwww Alex is really not good at this undercover thing huh

No Yassen around anywhere :((( 

Lmao that was so easy unplugging that thing

Damn Nile, that’s some good whump

Oh, she’s running :(((( This show did Julia Rothman dirty tbh

To lose another child 👀👀

Ayyyy Nile escape!! Good on you, Nile

Ahsldfhs Julia Rothman’s poor info security leading to all the other Scorpia members

“I think it’s best all round if we put our differences behind us” ahsldfhslh

“That’s your resignation letter” lmaooooo love it

Ahsldfhs is Blunt gonna resign instead and let Mrs Jones lead the department? Because that would be wild 

Omg he did leave?? Ahsldfhds that’s really funny because Blunt was the only one I liked & this was actually the story he came out looking best imo

Awww Alex getting his dad’s medals 🥺🥺

Love the job offer after university 👀👀 Great set up for post-canon fics haha

Omg Yassen saving Alex from being shot!!!!! They’re both alive at the end!!! Yassen nodding at Alex!!!

Overall

Some nice emotional beats with Alex learning about how he’s going to die, and I like the parallel with Alex shooting past Nile the way John shot past Yassen. Also I really liked the way they wrapped it all up, love the idea that was set up of Alex working as a spy after university and of course the bit where Yassen saves him. Some really great set up for post-canon fics there and everyone I cared about is alive so loved it!

Thoughts

It’s funny how Alex’s age is glossed over in scenes like the art gallery on Malta, but then the Home Secretary is immediately like ‘how old are you’ because he’s visibly a teenager. In general it was kind of wild how she tried to shut the Department down, although I did enjoy the brief moment where Alex was arrested again. Loved Blunt handing her her letter of resignation letter at the end.

I think this show and I disagree on what’s important for a department like The Department, but I don’t think Blunt should have had to resign at the end there. I guess they wanted a nice resolution there and Blunt stepping aside made it easier, but everyone in the Department aside from Blunt was annoying me by how emotional and attached to Alex they got, so I was sad to see him go lol. Like, I remember there was a line in the book about how the SAS team attacking the church had been told by Blunt that the transmitter was their first priority and their second was Alex Rider and honestly he wasn’t wrong for that?? It was kind of wild with the way the team was talking about getting Alex out safely like they weren’t bursting in trying to stop a whole city from getting killed.

I wish Yassen had been in more of this episode, and I was expecting him to actually be around for Invisible Sword, but I guess he had nothing to do with it. Maybe he even went looking for Alex after all? But I love how he shot Nile at the end there, and I’m glad there was no last minute reveal that he knew about John all along. I love how it ended with him nodding at Alex and walking off (into the sunset) and I can totally imagine them meeting again down the line.

Not a fan of Mrs Jones being the one in charge of the stuff with Alex’s parents when in the books it was Blunt who seemed to have run John (with Ash as the point of contact). In general I guess it plays into the way they made Mrs Jones softer and warmer than in the books. For all that this show had them blackmail Alex, and it seems like a grittier take than the books, they actually lose a lot of the book’s edge, also when it comes to stuff like Alex actually joining Scorpia. Like, with the way Alex mentioned it and Jack mentioned it, I’m starting to think Alex really was just pretending to join Scorpia from the start, which I guess is a nice parallel to John, but it’s also vastly less interesting than him actually being manipulated into joining them.

Speaking of John though, I find it a bit hard to believe that no one went ‘oh okay Scorpia are still out there and they want revenge against the department and also remember that time John and his wife’s plane got blown up? In retrospect maybe that was them like Alex said’ and then they could follow that up with ‘if Julia knows about John and all of this is revenge, maybe she wants to kill Alex’. And even if they don’t know that, it’s still pretty dangerous for him to go back if Scorpia assume he has been turned and is working for MI6 now. Especially given how long he was arrested for. I can’t believe they didn’t even try to fake the escape but just had Alex walk out and call them.

Also Alex’s undercover stuff was so bad?? Like Alex I know you know that Julia Rothman wants to kill you but if you play along you could have had your hands free at least?? Though I suppose in fairness to Alex he was trying to distract her to delay things.

This show did Julia Rothman dirty tbh. They made it all about a personal revenge because she loved/was seduced by John and apparently gave up tons of Scorpia secrets and she had multiple male Scorpia members calling her mad for it, plus she didn’t even get to shoot the guard for trying to run away? I hate to say it but Mrs Rothman and Nile were both more fun in the book, though I do love the Nile casting. I really wanted Scorpia to have more of that ‘oh we’re all friendly but if you betray us we will kill you’ vibe.

Okay so enough complaining, here are some positives: Just about anything John and Yassen was very good, loved the Yassen and Alex scenes, and really that was what I was here for so I’m happy. Really good ending and I’m glad they seemed to know they weren’t going to do another season and actually wrapped the story up well. On the whole this season was so much better than I dared hope for, and I think it probably holds up pretty well if you are less into the book like I am. The show’s clearly not telling the same story and that’s fine, and I think it probably told the story it wanted to tell quite well. And I got my John and Yassen and Alex scenes and John/Yassen flashbacks so I’m happy.

[mobscene-london]

THE DATES SO FAR:

Travel to Costa Brava in Spain and explore the historical Tossa de Mar before having dinner aboard a catamaran ride around the coast at sunset.

A day in Heraklion, Crete, to explore the beaches, local architecture, and museums.

A visit to San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily, to embrace the beautiful beaches. An afternoon spent climbing the face of Monte Monaco, before winding down with a relaxing dinner in the town, with plenty of local wine to share.

Head to Tromsø, Norway, to go ice swimming in the Norwegian Sea. Warm up in a wood fire sauna, before heading into the city for a cosy dinner, and a night of great cocktails at the Magic Ice Bar.

Edinburgh, Scotland. A trip to the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, filled with optical wonders and playful illusions, followed by a walking tour to the historic Edinburgh Castle. The trip will conclude with a night in a cosy log cabin surrounded by the beauty of the Scottish landscape.

A trip to Amsterdam to visit the art museums on the Museumplein, followed by dinner and live music.

A night out in Moscow. Italian food and French Champagne at Mario's, followed by a ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre. Finish things off with a late-night stroll to St. Basil's to take in the architectural beauty of the city.

Brunch date along the beaches of Tenerife, before joining the festivities of Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

A weekend getaway to the small island of Malta, where they can submerge themselves in the culture, food, and scenery, far away from the busy life of London and all its drama.

An apartment in Central Paris, overlooking the Eiffel Tower, with prosecco upon arrival. A day of leisure, followed by dinner at the Sphére, located on Rue La Boétie.

Spend some time exploring Wine Factory N1 in Tbilisi. After plenty of wine tasting and bar hopping, an evening dining at the opulent Biltmore Hotel awaits; beautiful views over the city as the perfect accompaniment.

A pamper filled day at the luxurious Blue Lagoon Spa in Iceland, before toning it down with a beer and brewery crawl through the country's capital. End the night camping in one of Reykjavik's Geodomes.

The night consists of great food and live music. A chance to dress up and step into another world. Dinner at the Story Restaurant in London, followed by Abel Selaocoe and Britten Sinfonia at the Barbican Centre.

A trip to New York to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Empire State Building, Central Park, and do a food tour of the city together.

Private Island Living off the coast of Greece. A small Island villa just for two. Peace, quiet, and no nosey neighbours.

ADDED THURSDAY:

Enjoy a long-weekend away to Ibiza where you will experience both sides of the Island; nights out in the best clubs with the greatest DJs and the nights in watching sunsets by the beach, most luxurious dinners. A date with the best of both worlds.

Get tipsy together on a weekend away at Amalfi Coast. Stay in five-star Hotel Santa Caterina, with its far-reaching views along the coast, a luxurious beach club and two restaurants, for a four-day ‘Luxury Amalfi Coast Wine Experience’.

Arrive in San Sebastián just when the locals get started for the night, around 9pm. Choose from a number of Michelin star restaurants and spend the rest of the night drinking and enjoying the company. Wake up the next day for a walk along the golden beaches and explore more of the food the city has to offer.

Take a hike around the Isle of Skye and maybe a dip in the small water ways if you're brave enough. See the beauty that Scotland has to offer. The night will end at a cottage for 2 with a chef catered meal and an overnight stay.

During the day, enjoy a walking tour of Haga Old Town in Gothenburg, Sweden and a small boat tour of some of the archipelago. End the night with dinner at family owned Familjen where the mood is cosy and the food is all local.

A long weekend in Monaco. Enjoy the comfort of the iconic Café de Paris, spending the afternoon pampered in its spa before heading to an opera. Michelin restaurants, beach sunsets, and ultimate luxury mark a perfect weekend.

Austria. Visit the lakeside alpine village of Hallstatt in the Alps and enjoy a picnic lunch via boat ride. Attend an Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class in the afternoon before venturing to Salzburg to tour Hohensalzburg Fortress. Dine at the restaurant atop and attend a night-time concert there while taking in the balcony view of the historic town of Salzach below, including the river and mountains.

A weekend in Positano, along Italy's soaring Amalfi Coast. This includes a private boat tour to the island of Capri.

Sunset watching on a private yacht off the Greek Islands in quiet and private location, followed by luxurious but relaxed dinner and champagne. (edited to be in-keeping with geographical constrictions. Send a follow up date acknowledging this if you wish to change it. ♥)

Jetset to Finland, spend the morning exploring the snowy forest on horseback, try your hand at ice fishing before enjoying lunch prepared over an open fire. Experience the excitement of an overnight husky or reindeer safari to chase down the northern lights and return to the lodge the next afternoon to wind down in one of the glass house igloos of Kakslauttanen resort and enjoy the spectacular sights with a warm hot chocolate and a decadent five course dessert degustation.

[eurovision-revisited]

Eurovision 2003 - Number 17 - Eivør Pálsdóttir - "Í nótt"

If you want to know what's going to win my national final of the year, I'll spoil it now. Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2003 is seriously strong. Like Malta in 2002, Iceland and RÚV decided to just go for it in a big way. There's one act in the competition who hasn't made my top 48, who I think would have made the top 20 if she hadn't come up against two other Icelandic entries earlier in the bracket...

One of those who has made it through is Eivør Pálsdóttir. In the grand tradition of Icelandic female singers (including Björk) she was already the lead singer in a band at the age of 15. In Eivør's case, she was the singer of Clickhaze. In 2002 she was recruited to be the singer in Yggdrasil, a Faroese art-collective/folk super-group (Eivør is Faroese). 2002 also saw her move to Reykjavik to study music. When RÚV came calling, how she could refuse the opportunity to sing at Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins?

Í nótt (Tonight) is Icelandic bossa nova done just right. Far from the Nordic folk music, this is slow, chill and the whammy bar on the guitar is getting a good twanging throughout. Eivør seduces us with the most relaxed way possible. Her voices glides alongside the guitar in a haze of promises. The mood is languid.

Isn't this just absolutely everything you could want from a national final song? And it's only 18th in my list - craziness.

Unfortunately unlike nearly every other Eivør song, I can't find the lyrics - and that's despite this very song winning several song-writing prizes throughout 2003 and 2004. Given the praise this song has earned, it's only write to credit Fridrik Erlingsson and Ingvi Þór Kormáksson the song-writers. Ingvi has also written four other Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins entries, but this was his first.

Eivør has gone on to have huge success in a variety of musical genres. As well as winning Faroese of the year in 2004, she has a grand total of 18 albums, huge numbers of performances and concerts across Europe and perhaps best know outside her devoted following as the singer and co-composer of the Gods of War soundtrack. Many of her songs on YouTube have more than a million views, and her Faroese throat singing is a viral hit with voice coaches and reaction channels . Her Icelandic language cover of Den Vilda also made the Icelandic Chart

Eurovision missed out on this voice. Here's something from a live performance at the Town Hall in Torshavn - Falling Free.

[wakemeupinmay]

My thoughts on the Eurovision songs this year

1. 🇦🇱 Albania - Duje - Albina & Familja Kelmendi

VERY dramatic, but I could shake my ass to the part in which she isn’t singing

2. 🇦🇲 Armenia - Future Lover - Brunette

„I just wanna make art, read books, be loved and called a good girl“ okay ma'am that’s everyone ur not special

3. 🇦🇺 Australia - Promise - Voyager

Do we know why they are headbanging this much? It couldn’t be bc of this song right?

4. 🇦🇹 Austria - Who the hell is Edgar? - Teya & Salena

Not often is a song made spicier by adding some church singing

5. 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan - Tell me more - TuralTuranX

I have just watched the video for the third time and I start to suspect that there is more than one guy singing, I could be wrong tho

6. 🇧🇪 Belgium - Because of you - Gustaph

He looks like a gay musketeer + weirdly enough this song doesn’t make me want to dance, it makes me want to walk???

7. 🇭🇷 Croatia - Mama ŠČ - Let 3

Thankfully for them I love chaos and not knowing what is going on, BUT I did get scared for a second when they undressed

8. 🇨🇾 Cyprus - Break a broken heart - Andrew Lambrou

I am mesmerized but that won’t get me to like the song :/

9. 🇨🇿 Czechia - My sister‘s crown - Vesna

Idk guys, is this a good song or does it just have a good message? It doesn’t bop for me, I’m so sorry I tried

10. 🇩🇰 Denmark - Breaking my heart - Reiley

Okay, do we also have a version in which we can hear his voice in the chorus better? Thanks, the distorted one playing over his singing is a no no. I dig the outfit tho 10/10 very cute

11. 🇪🇪 Estonia - Bridges - Alika

Don’t worry guys, Estonia is bringing the compulsory piano to the contest this year

12. 🇫🇮 Finland - Cha Cha Cha - Käärijä

Very entertaining and very eurovision by the hulk goblin king, very appreciated by me :)

13. 🇫🇷 France - Évidemment - La Zarra

This. woman. has. the. most. snatched. waist. I. have. ever. seen. Other than that, once again France does what it does best, which is being french

14. 🇬🇪 Georgia - Echo - Iru

Did she get turned into a white worm halfway through? + They surely get the award of „lyrics that make the least sense“ this year. „THIS FEELING IS LORD“

15. 🇩🇪 Germany - Blood & Glitter - Lord of the lost

So happy for Germany leaving its shell for once but maybe reconsider the red latex suit. Otherwise they are really cute and make me smile

16. 🇬🇷 Greece - What they say - Victor Vernicos

How did Greece get Tom Shelby’s son dressed like a school boy from the 1940ies to sing about his hurt feelings?

17. 🇮🇸 Iceland - Power - Diljá

So sad Iceland couldn’t keep up the streak of rly good entries. Unfortunately this song holds no PPPPower over me

18. 🇮🇪 Ireland - We are one - Wild Youth

Don’t worry guys, our knights in shining masks are here to save us. Not rly tho, the song is not that much fun :/

19. 🇮🇱 Israel - Unicorn - Noa Kirel

A song called Unicorn has no business being this serious

20. 🇮🇹 Italy - Due vite - Marco Mengoni

What can I tell u…. It’s definitely Italys entry + Does he sound like an italian Michael Jackson???

21. 🇱🇻 Latvia - Aijā - Sudden Lights

The last time I saw lights like these on stage Germany got 0 points, be careful Latvia

22. 🇱🇹 Lithuania - Stay - Monika Linkytė

What does Čiūto tūto mean?

23. 🇲🇹 Malta - Dance (our own party) - The Busker

I see you Malta, trying to have your own little epic sax moment

24. 🇲🇩 Moldova - Soarele si Luna - Pasha Parfeni

This felt like a spiritual fever dream + gotta love the nuns in the crowd

25. 🇳🇱 Netherlands - Burning Daylight - Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper

This song is all the stages of grief I go through once my favourite does not win eurovision

26. 🇳🇴 Norway - Queen of Kings - Alessandra

Aye aye captain we stan! BUT I would have looooved if the show (costumes, dance,…) were a cringey eurovisiony pirate thing

27. 🇵🇱 Poland - Solo - Blanka

Why is it giving parody of rich spoiled brat that thinks she can sing bc daddy said so?

28. 🇵🇹 Portugal - Ai Coração - Mimicat

I like it, it’s not a ballad and fun also she looks exactly how I would imagine a Mimicat

29. 🇷🇴 Romania - D.G.T. (Off and On) - Theodor Andrei

I didn’t expect to be going to an underage bondage strip club tonight.

30. 🇸🇲 San Marino - Like an animal - Piqued Jacks

He is giving me mixed signals. Am I sexy Aphrodite or do I stink and am poisonous? Why is he chasing me? Is that good or bad? I’m worried

31. 🇷🇸 Serbia - Samo mi she spava - Luke Black

He is very much Melovin coded but I do connect with the message an awful lot

32. 🇸🇮 Slovenia - Carpe Diem - Joker Out

It’s good, I get the hype, curious what they’ll do on stage tho

33. 🇪🇸 Spain - Eaea - Blanca Paloma

Is it allowed to perform religious rituals on stage?

34. 🇸🇪 Sweden - Tattoo - Loreen

After that huge TV fell on that one kpop performers head this performance makes me extra nervous

35. 🇨🇭 Switzerland - Watergun - Remo Forrer

Don’t worry Remo, Switzerland is one of the safest countries on earth

36. 🇺🇦 Ukraine - Heart of Steel - Tvorchi

I think I have never been more surprised by a country sending a generic pop song. Or maybe it was to be expected the most rn. It’s not bad by any means but also def not a winner and everyone knows that

37. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom - I wrote a song - Mae Muller

If I don’t see the name Mae Muller on the writing credits to this song I will absolutely throw a fit

(List of videos I watched)

[hopeonmyphone]

11 J-Hope Fashion Moments I Think We Need to Talk About More

It was on this day in 1994 that the world became (a lot) brighter. Today, we celebrate the sunshine of BTS, the one-man, party-starting pride of Gwangju, your hope, my hope: J-Hope.

We have all sorts of important business to attend to today, in honor of Hobi's birthday. First: let's acknowledge the endless joy that Jung Hoseok has brought us over the years. His talent is endless and his optimism is contagious — as enveloping as a warm hug at the end of a really bad day. He possesses a smile that could provide Earth with energy for the next 1,000 years. And what better time to gush over my favorite J-Hope outfits (and there are a lot of them, so pace yourself, ARMY) then on his birthday? It's no surprise that the man who named Snoopy as one of his biggest style influences has fun with fashion, landing somewhere at the intersection of "hypebeast" and "cutie pie" aesthetic. Let's raise a can of Sprite in his honor, stream Hope World all damn day, and worship the heart of BTS, our Hobitonin.

Proof Purple Velvet Can Cause Global Panic

Congrats to Hobi for inventing purple velvet!

In all seriousness, can you recall such exquisite use of purple since Prince?

For the 2020 Melon Music Awards, BTS performed "Black Swan," "On," and #1 Billboard hits "Life Goes On" and "Dynamite." The entire performance might have been the best seventeen minutes I've experienced since the pandemic started, and no moment was more gasp-worthy as when J-Hope appeared in a velvet jumpsuit. How widespread was the sartorially-induced meltdown that followed? All three of his names — J-Hope, Hobi, and Hoseok — immediately began trending on Twitter.

Not to mention that J-Hope and/or the genius stylist who was involved in this fit could have easily included a tuxedo shirt, a clavicle-grazing tank, a cool Gucci shirt — anything really. But they did not. Hobi woke up that day and chose chaos in the form of a purple velvet jumpsuit with no shirt.

I'm into that. I'm good to go.

Actually, the Entire "Dynamite" Era

A hill I will gladly die on: The entire "Dynamite" era is actually J-Hope's era. Sure, every member looked amazing, but the visuals Hobi was serving were downright deranged. The undercut and exposed forehead, the '70s-style Gucci suits, pumpkin spice J-Hope as seen on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert — I couldn't sleep for weeks with the never-ending onslaught of serves.

Malta Boyfriend Aesthetic

Be honest: Did you gasp the first time you saw this picture, fellow ARMY? I did.

For the third season of Bon Voyage in 2018, BTS traveled to Malta where fellow idol Jungkook snapped what might be the most ethereally beautiful picture of J-Hope ever. Seated by the water while a Malta sunset bathes him in golden honey light, J-Hope smolders in a crisp white button-down. This image is burned in my brain as peak "POV: Your rich boyfriend Hoseok takes you out to dinner'' fanfic material.

"Ego" Era

When the world locked down and BTS had to cancel their 2020 global stadium tour, ARMY feared we might never get to see a performance of J-Hope's MOTS7 solo song "Outro:Ego."Luckily for us, Bangtan never lets down their fans and pivoted to produce a virtual Map of the Soul ON:E concert this past October.

In total, almost a million viewers from 191 countries logged in to swoon over our Hobitonin and a performance as sparkly as his rhinestone encrusted Louis Vuitton denim (accessorized with two of the hottest, of-the-moment brands right now: Gentle Monster sunglasses and DiorxAir Jordan 1 Low sneakers).

MOTS7 Concept

How did this J-Hope escape? Shouldn't he be in the Louvre with all the other works of art?

These Map of the Soul: 7 concept pictures are the modern day equivalent of renaissance paintings. They're aching in their perfection — Hoseok's in particular. His glowing skin, his mythically beautiful face, his Dionysus-equse pose — you're telling me this is the same man who will wear a cartoon puppy hat and scream out of pure (somehow adorable) terror on amusement park rides? The duality this man possesses …

Hobicore

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A post shared by FREE VOLT (@freevolt2019)

This fit checks every J-Hope aesthetic box possible. Bucket hat? Yes, in the form of a fuzzy Kangol one. Layers of insanely luxurious designer jewelry? Yup, Chanel dog tags! Cool, oversized street style shirt? Check!

For BTS's 2021 Season's Greeting package, J-Hope modeled this FreeVOLT shirt, a hip Korean street style line. As soon as J-Hope's pics hit the internet, the brand announced they would be donating the sales from this particular soon-to-be-sold-out T-shirt to charities that help underprivileged kids from all over the world. Add it to the (extremely long) list of charitable good deeds BTS has inspired.

Global Influencer J-Hope

Please direct your attention away from J-Hope's hot-enough-to-melt-the-ice-caps gaze (I know, it's tough) and to his fit. This is one of my personal favorites because of the cultural juxtaposition: a Korean gat (a traditional hat from the Joseon period) worn with the ultra modern and iconically American Nike Air Jordan 1s. The cross-global combination feels symbolic of J-Hope's worldwide, generation-spanning appeal and influence.

Let's Get It: "Chicken Noodle Soup"

Want to make any J-Hope bias weak? Four words: Chicken. Noodle. Soup. Hobi. During a BTS break, J-Hope flew to Los Angeles to film an instantly iconic music video for his collaboration with Becky G. The whole project is an amalgamation of everything we love about J-Hope: a high-octane, stays-in-your-head-forever song performed in the bright, sun-soaked locale with all those signature popping, rocking, hopping, tutting, dougie, flexing, swaggin' Gwangju moves. His neon-bright hypebeast fashion in the music video was briefly eclipsed by another "CNS" era fit though …

"CNS," Part 2

J-Hope returned to Seoul from L.A. in an airport outfit that caused an international meltdown. The idol, who rarely shows a sliver of skin, wore a barely buttoned star-printed denim jacket from Chemist with no shirt underneath. ARMYs everywhere had no choice but to collapse into the fetal position until they could figure out how to function again.

'90s Baby

Yes, the outfit is so great — a subtle nod to two '90s fashion icons: the return of the Hawaiian shirt thanks to Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet and Kurt Cobain's signature retro white sunglasses — but, more importantly, how perfectly "J-Hope'' is this picture? He is sunshine in human form — gleefully out of his chair and dancing to make his members smile (even Suga can't help grin!). Here's the video of the SiriusXM interview, for context. BTS was asked who is "most likely to brighten someone's day" and, well, of course it's you, J-Hope.

Winter Prince Hoseok

No. Not Hobi wearing a tuxedo like it's not the hottest thing ever.

I am, admittedly, a sucker for the whole 2019 Jingle Ball performance. It's the white tuxes. How can you resist Bangtan in the dapperest, crispest, most beautiful crystal-snow-white tuxedos? J-Hope in particular looks like a dazzling fairytale prince. Models everywhere should be forever-grateful that Jung Hoseok chose music for a career.

Source: InStyle

[sakhshimandal]

Bars in St. Julian's Offering Exotic and Unique Cocktails

St. Julian’s, Malta, is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and exceptional bar culture. It’s a hotspot where locals and tourists alike come to unwind, socialize, and experience the art of mixology. If you’re on the hunt for exotic and unique cocktails, this seaside town has plenty to offer. From inventive blends to tropical fusions, the best bars in St Julians craft drinks that delight both the palate and the senses.

Why St. Julian’s is a Cocktail Lover’s Paradise

The charm of St. Julian’s lies in its ability to combine traditional Maltese hospitality with a cosmopolitan flair. The bartenders in the area are not just drink makers; they are artisans who craft each cocktail with passion and precision. Many bars in St. Julian’s are committed to innovation, constantly experimenting with fresh ingredients, unusual flavors, and creative presentation.

Whether you’re seeking a refreshing drink to enjoy by the sea or a bold concoction to ignite your evening, St. Julian’s is the place to be. The best bars in St Julians specialize in using locally sourced ingredients like citrus fruits, herbs, and even Maltese honey to create signature cocktails that stand out.

What to Expect from Exotic and Unique Cocktails

When it comes to exotic cocktails, the bars in St. Julian’s aim to push boundaries. Expect vibrant colors, bold flavor combinations, and striking garnishes that elevate your drinking experience. Unique cocktails often blend unexpected ingredients, such as:

Tropical Fruits: Think mango, passion fruit, guava, or pineapple, which transport you to a tropical paradise with every sip.

Herbal Infusions: Basil, rosemary, and lavender add an aromatic depth to classic drinks.

Spices: Cinnamon, chili, and ginger are used to create spicy undertones or a warm finish.

Edible Flowers: These not only enhance the aesthetics but also introduce subtle, floral flavors.

Unusual Liquors: Rare liqueurs like elderflower, absinthe, or sake provide an exotic twist.

The Experience of Drinking Unique Cocktails in St. Julian’s

The best bars in St Julians offer more than just a drink—they provide a complete sensory experience. Imagine sipping a cocktail with an edible flower garnish while seated on a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. Many bars enhance the drinking experience with ambient lighting, live music, and artistic presentations that make every visit unforgettable.

Some bars even allow you to customize your cocktail, giving you the freedom to choose flavors, ingredients, or alcohol levels. This personalized touch ensures that you get a drink that suits your preferences while still offering an adventurous twist.

Popular Themes in Exotic Cocktails

Themed cocktails are another highlight of the best bars in St Julians. These often draw inspiration from global trends or local Maltese culture. For example:

Tiki-Inspired Cocktails: Featuring rum, coconut, and tropical fruits, these drinks bring a taste of the Caribbean to Malta.

Mediterranean Flavors: Using olives, citrus, and herbs, these drinks pay homage to the region's culinary heritage.

Futuristic Cocktails: Smoke effects, LED-lit glasses, and molecular gastronomy techniques make these drinks truly extraordinary.

Tips for Enjoying the Cocktail Scene in St. Julian’s

To make the most of your experience, consider these tips:

Try Seasonal Specials: Many bars rotate their cocktail menus based on the season, offering fresh and innovative drinks.

Engage with the Bartenders: Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations or share your flavor preferences.

Visit During Happy Hours: You can often find exotic cocktails at discounted prices.

Pair Cocktails with Food: Some bars offer curated snack menus to complement their unique drinks.

Conclusion

St. Julian’s is undoubtedly a haven for cocktail enthusiasts. Its lively atmosphere, skilled mixologists, and innovative cocktail offerings make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a memorable drinking experience. Whether you’re drawn to the allure of tropical blends, herbal infusions, or daring flavor combinations, the best bars in St Julians will exceed your expectations.

As you explore the cocktail scene in this dynamic town, you’ll discover that each bar has its own unique take on mixology, ensuring that every visit is as exciting as the last. So, raise your glass to St. Julian’s and toast to an unforgettable adventure in exotic cocktails!

[immigrationhotnewsmore]

India's Best Malta Visa Consultants In Hyderabad

Malta has become a preferred location for foreign investors and businesses searching for new opportunities in recent years. Apply for a Malta invester visa from India through the foremost popular Malta consultancy in Hyderabad well- referred to as VJC Overseas and experience the state-of-the-art infrastructure, a positive business climate, and avail exceptional tax benefits. The country offers excellent incentives. Despite its tiny size, many investors prefer it thanks to the full package it provides in terms of a secure environment and a definite seaside lifestyle. it’s strategically located and has strong connectivity to the remainder of Europe By applying for a Malta invester visa from India through the Malta consultancy in Hyderabad, applicants can possess the membership to the EU Union, Eurozone, Schengen Area, Brits Commonwealth, Malta enjoys the advantages of international cooperation. With the advantage of an English teaching environment, also as close ties with British and American colleges and universities. Malta is proud to produce a wonderful education to students who wish to attain academic excellence and gain a global mindset. Studying in Malta gives the scholars quick access to elite universities. within the meantime, along with her long history of the health service since 1372 and her continuing effort in health care improvement, Malta is ranked fifth by WHO’ s Measuring Overall Health System Performance among 191 Countries. Respect is given to the medical staffs, and therefore the local hospitals provide high-quality service within the finest of facilities..VJC Overseas immigration consultant in Hyderabad

[mijoblo]

Sizilien und Malta 🍕🇲🇹 (Scroll down for English)

Unser erster gemeinsamer Urlaub in Sizilien steht unter viel Druck, haben wir doch so früh gebucht, das ganze 6 Monate Vorfreude unsere Erwartungshaltung hochpushen. Hinzu kommt das Verlangen, ja der unbändige Drang die beste Pizza der Welt zu finden - und das nicht ausschließlich aus privatem Interesse!

Denn zu Beginn des Jahres hatten Nolwenn und ich den genialen Einfall Pizza-Influencer zu werden, wobei sich das bisher schwieriger gestaltet als erwartet... Dabei sollte man eigentlich meinen, dass es sich bei Pizza nun wirklich nicht um ein Nischenprodukt handelt. Fall ihr Wissen wollt, wo es die beste Pizza gibt - hier gehts lang -> Burrater

Glücklicherweise ist Sizilien schon seit Jahrtausenden bei allen Möglichkeiten Hochkulturen beliebtes Eroberungsziel und das, bestimmt nicht zuletzt wegen der Kulinarik. So starten wir voller Zuversicht gemeinsam mit unzähligen Touristen den Urlaub zu Ferragosto in Trapani. Tatsächlich scheint die Insel ein sehr beliebtes Ziel der Festlanditaliener zu sein doch unser erklärtes Ziel sind die Orte, die Sizilianer selbst für ihre Vacanza auserkiesen. (Hab nachgeschlagen - ist tatsächlich das korrekte Präsens zu auserkoren, vielleicht funktionierts ja als Vokabelinfluencer) Doch dazu später mehr!

Retrospektiv bietet Trapani direkt eine ordentliche Ladung "typisch sizilianisch". Das bedeutet Omis die Ihren Müll aus dem Fenster werfen genauso wie wunderschönes blaues Wasser, gefühlte 40° im Schatten aber Aperol Spritz standardmäßig für 5€, Fisch Mock hinter jedem 2. Restaurant aber köstliche Arancini, die selbst den schwäbischsten Geldbeutel begeistern.

Ein wunderbarer Start, wäre da nicht meine notorische Marotte ständig Handys im Urlaub zu zerstören. Die 2 iPhones, die ich in Capo de San Vito im Meer versenkt habe, heben den Count auf lächerliche 6 Geräte, die in unmittelbarem Zusammenhang mit Reisen unbrauchbar wurden. Fürs Protokoll: der Spritzwasserschutz bezieht sich nicht auf Salzwasser, in dem Fall muss man sofort ausschalten, mit Süßwasser abwaschen und so lange wie es irgend geht trocknen!!!

Aber gut - hinterher ist man immer schlauer. Die Navigation nach Palermo gestaltete sich mit Kamerafotos der Infos vom Laptop auf jeden Fall abenteuerlich, aber man muss wirklich die Öffis vor Ort für ihre einfache Handhabung lohnen. Man braucht keine App und keinen Busfahrplan - alle paar Minuten kommt ein Bus und manchmal eben erst ein bisschen später, aber Hektik ist besonders im sizilianischen Hochsommer ungesund.

Am ersten Abend in Palermo kriegen wir tatsächlich einen kleinen Kulturschock, von den randüberfüllten Piazzas, mit zerberstend lauter Musik, die 14- bis 74-Jährige zum Line Dance und alkoholischer Ekstase motiviert. Doch nur wenige 100 Meter weiter finden wie die erwünschte Italo-Hollywood-Romantik in den Laternen beleuchteten Statuen und verwinkelten Monumenten der Stadt. Ansonsten begeistert uns die Hauptstadt Siziliens als Ausgangspunkt für eine Vielzahl an Tagetrips. Dazu gehören der Badeort Mondello und das normannisch geprägte Cefalu, dass uns für heimtückische ebenso wie besonders spaßige Wellen in Erinnerung bleibt. Eins der großen Highlights des Urlaubs war aber sicherlich der Ausflug nach Ustica. Im Internet hochgelobt als die schwarze Perle des Mittelmeers, liegt die kleine Vulkaninsel etwa 1,5h Bootsfahrt nördlich von Palermo. Die isolierte Lage und das Vulkangestein sorgen für ausgezeichnete Sichtverhältnisse Unterwasser, die wir zum Schnorcheln nutzen. Als wäre es geplant gewesen, arbeiten in der Tauchschule, die uns auf dem Boot mitnimmt, quasi ausschließlich Franzosen. Dennoch würde ich behaupten Nolwenns Begeisterung ist eher auf die beeindruckende Anzahl Fische und die von Lava geschaffenen Höhlen zurückzuführen. Des Weiteren lässt sich Ustica super mit einem Motorroller erkunden und trotz dieser sehr italienischen Art der Fortbewegung vergisst man wenig später in der Bucht neben dem alten Leuchtturm nicht nur auf welchem Kontinent man sich gerader sonnt, sondern beinahe in welchem Jahrzehnt man lebt. - Danke dafür auch an Radio Swiss Jazz.

Kurz vor unserer Abreise rutschen wir dann noch in ein Inselfest rein - bei dem die meisten Teilnehmer hingegen ausrutschen (siehe Video) und quatschen mit Lorenzo, dessen Running Club „Aruncina" wirklich einen Preis für seinen Namen verdient hätte.

Zurück in Palermo vergeht unsere Zeit viel zu schnell. Der Abendliche Apéro (oder doch Aperitivo) auf unserem kleinen grünen Balkon und die vielen kleinen Ausflüge zum Espresso trinken, Brioche voller Eiscreme im realsten Ghetto essen (Waffeln sind auf Sizilien verpönt) oder zum Testen der örtlichen Kirchenglocken lassen die Zeit im Flug vergehen. So sehr, dass wir leider unsere Chance auf den Sonnenaufgang auf dem Sankt Pellegrino verpassen. Den Ausflug hatten wir nach und nach aufgeschoben, bis uns schließlich nur noch der letzte Abend blieb. Ausgerechnet das zuvor gelobte Bussystem fährt diesen von Goethe höchstpersönlich gelobten Aussichtspunkt nämlich nur alle 90 Minuten an, sodass sich bei mir recht große Enttäuschung breitgemacht hat, als wir die ehrenlose Nummer 726 vor unserer Nase wegfahren sehen.

Jetzt mag einer sagen „Heul nicht Goethe ist auch selbst hochgelaufen“, doch in Anbetracht der fortgeschrittenen Stunde, fällt Wandern als Option aus. Hätte der große deutsche Poet allerdings eine ähnlich liebreizende französiche Freundin gehabt, die Ihn aufmuntert und kurzerhand in den Hafen lotst, um den Sonnenuntergang dort anzusehen so bin ich sicher, dass dieser statt des Berggipfels Eingang in seinen Reisebericht erhalten hätte.

So bleibt uns bisher bloß zu bemängeln, dass wir unserem Ziel gute Pizza zu essen, nur bedingt nähergekommen sind. Die eine Pizza, die wir im Restaurant gegessen haben, war eher mau (hatten kein Handy um Reviews zu checken) und ansonsten gab es Pizza zwar oft als leckeren Snack an der Bäckerei doch erfüllt ein Snack unsere Pizzadate Gütekriterien leider bei Weitem nicht! Also machen wir uns auf nach Catania!

Mit Catania verhält es sich umgekehrt wie mit dem restlichen Urlaub. Während von nahezu jedem Winkel auf Sizilien geschwärmt wird – bleiben Empfehlungen für die Stadt am Fuße des Ätna vorsichtig bis zurückhaltend. Das dürfte in erster Linie am sehr grauen Stadtbild liegen.

Wie so oft mit geringer Erwartungshaltung werden wir jedoch positiv überrascht, denn zum einen bekommen wir endlich unsere langersehente gute italienische Pizza und außerdem geht Nolwenns Wunsch Mützen im Partnerlook zu erstehen hier endlich in Erfüllung.

Im Wissen, dass die Gebäude ringsum allesamt aus Asche und Lavagestein gebaut sind, bietet auch die düstere Atmosphäre der Stadt einen gewissen Reiz. Beinahe apokalyptisch mutet die Stimmung eines Abends an, als ein Sturm den dunklen Staub und Sand vom Vulkan durch die Straßen direkt in unser Gesicht fegt. Vermutlich ist es genau diese Faszination, der gleiche Masochismus oder Mut der Menschen in die Nähe feuerspeiender Berge zieht. Unser Ausflug zum Gipfel wurde zwar leider durch einen besonders entspannen Mitarbeiter im Reisebüro (Sternzeichen Relaxo) vereitelt, doch bereits bei den tiefergelegenen Seitenkratern wird die unbändige Energie dieses Berges klar. Unser engagierter Guide erläutert das ironischerweise ausgerechnet der Vulkan für einige Jahrhunderte als Kühlschrank gedient hat, da die erkalteten Lavahöhlen in Höhenlage den Schnee selbst im Sommer fresh halten.

Ansonsten gilt auch für Catania die Lage ist strategisch geschickt. Mit dem Zug fährt man an der Küste in weniger als 1er Stunde in die historischen Städte Taormina und Syracus. Erstere überzeugt mit einem uralten Amphitheater und einer beeindruckenden Aussicht, letztere mit einer ähnlich alten Altstadt und grandiosem Seafood an der Hafenpromenade.

Aus Inselmanie und jahrelanger Sehnsucht schließen wir den Urlaub auf Malta ab. Ähnlich wie Sizilien ist Malta seit über einem Jahrtausend Trophäe allermöglichen Großmächte und ein Konglomerat unterschiedlicher Kulturen. Insbesondere im direkten Vergleich fällt der starke britische Einfluss auf. Gemeint sind damit nicht nur die mit Selbstbräuner glasierten Halbwüchsigen im Partyviertel von St. Julian (pardon San Ġiljan).

Englisch ist Hauptverkehrssprache, britische Franchises prägen das Straßenbild und der Verkehr fährt auf der linken Seite. Sieht man die Uralten Steinhäuser auf dem Land oder die Festungsstadt Mdina (das maltesische Äquivalent zu Carcassonne), stellt man sich durchaus die Frage, wie sich wohl ein weniger fremdbestimmtes Malta entwickelt hätte. Und gleichzeitig ist es eigentlich genau dieser ambivalente Mix, der sich als typisch maltesisch beschreiben lässt. Maltesisch hat sich aus dem arabischen entwickelt und wird dennoch mit lateinischen Buchstaben geschrieben (zugegeben es gibt ein paar extra „G“ und „H“), das Essen ist mediterran bis orientalisch, die Bevölkerung größtenteils katholisch. Wir haben mitunter die Jungfrau Maria als Hintergrundbild auf Handys erspäht & es gibt’s eins der strengsten Abtreibungsgesetze weltweit (seit 2023 darf bei akuter Lebensgefahr der Mutter abgetrieben werden).

Der Urlaubsalltag für Touristen bleibt hingegen wenig vom Katholizismus berührt.

San Ġiljan erweist sich als idealer Standort um die Insel zu erkunden und wir wohnen im Ausgehviertel voller junger Menschen, die das Leben genießen – in den JGA-Großdiskos und Stripclubs wohl mitunter ein bisschen zu intensiv. Unser Hotel "Spinola Stays" überrascht mit unangekündigtem Frühstück und einem Whirlpool auf der Dachterrasse – in direkter Nachbarschaft liegt der Club „Tigullio“ in dem Techno auf Vinyl aufgelegt wird.

Trotz der wirklich hohen Bevölkerungsdichte finden wir bei unserem Rollerausflug schöne Flecken Natur und über die geringe Größe der Insel freut man sich spätestens, wenn man am Ende des Tagesausflugs in den tiefen Süden trotzdem nur 20 Minuten nach Hause fährt.

Ob es nun die Aussicht auf Tiefsttemperaturen von 13° im Winter waren oder die Vision eines Lebens mit unbegrenzt Bigilla (maltesische Bohnenpaste) – ich muss gestehen nach wenigen Tagen war ich so begeistert von der Insel, dass ich mir erste Gedanken übers Auswandern gemacht habe. Dem Geisteszustand unseres Kapitäns der sich selbst als „Crazy Captain“ vorgestellt hat zu Folge, scheint der dauerhafte Aufenthalt vor Ort durchaus der Freude zuträglich, der stetige Umgang mit Touristen jedoch nicht eben der mentalen Stabilität. Es scheint beinahe unmöglich, dass man der Natur einmal überdrüssig wird – die strahlend gelben „Fried Egg Jellyfish“ im tiefblauen Wasser vor Gozo dürften als letzter Stopp des Bootsauflugs dürften eine echte Corememory werden und obwohl die Küstenlinie von Chamäleons nur so wimmeln soll, kann ich mir nicht vorstellen, dass es irgendwann langweilig werden würde umherzuwandern, die Reptilien zu beobachten und immer mal wieder ins Wasser zu springen(Wir haben bei unserem Ausflug leider keine gesehen, doch ich bin großer Fan) . Aber wer weiß vielleicht behandele ich eines Tages dort unten junge Briten und zeige denen dann auch mein Merry X-Mas Tattoo auf dem Steiß…

Vorerst gibt’s allerdings gute Nachrichten aus Süddeutschland, denn direkt nach dem Urlaub kam die Bestätigung für einen Praktikumsplatz in Offenburg, sodass dem Auswandern nach Straßburg nicht mehr viel im Wege steht.

English

Sicily and Malta

Our first holiday together in Sicily is under a lot of pressure, as we booked so early that a whole 6 months of anticipation is pushing up our expectations. Added to this is the desire, indeed the irrepressible urge, to find the best pizza in the world - and not just for personal reasons!

Because at the beginning of the year, Nolwenn and I had the brilliant idea of becoming pizza influencers, which has so far proved more difficult than expected... You would think that pizza is not really a niche product. If you want to know where to get the best pizza - go here -> Burrater

Fortunately, Sicily has been a favourite destination for conquering civilisations for thousands of years, not least because of its cuisine. So, we confidently start our Ferragosto holiday in Trapani together with countless tourists. The island does indeed seem to be a very popular destination for mainland Italians, but our declared ambition is to find the places that Sicilians themselves choose for their holidays.

In retrospect, Trapani offers a good dose of ‘typical Sicilian’. That means grannies throwing their rubbish out of the window as well as beautiful blue water. It’s 40° in the shade but also Aperol Spritz for €5 as standard, fish smell behind every second restaurant but delicious arancini that will delight even the most Swabian of wallets.

A wonderful start, if it weren't for my notorious tendency to constantly destroy mobile phones on holiday. The 2 iPhones that I sank in the sea in San Vito Lo Capo bring the count to a ridiculous 6 devices that became unusable in direct connection with travelling. For the record: the splash protection does not apply to salt water, in which case you must switch off immediately, rinse with fresh water and dry for as long as possible!

Retrospectively the festival right at the beach that was sponsored by a tuna can producer and was playing horrific music should have been a warning...

But well - you're always smarter afterwards. The navigation to Palermo was adventurous with camera photos of the information from the laptop, but you really have to praise the local public transport for its ease of use. You don't need an app or a bus timetable - a bus arrives every few minutes and sometimes a little later, but rushing is unhealthy, especially in the height of summer in Sicily.

On our first evening in Palermo, we even get a bit of a culture shock from the crowded piazzas, with bursting music that motivates 14- to 74-year-olds to line dance and drink ecstatically. Just a few hundred metres further on, we find the desired Italo-Hollywood romance in the city's lantern-lit statues and winding monuments. Otherwise, the capital of Sicily inspires us as a starting point for a variety of day trips. These include the Beachtown of Mondello and the Norman-influenced Cefalu, which we remember for both its treacherous and its fun waves. One of the big highlights of the holiday was definitely the trip to Ustica. Highly praised on the internet as the black pearl of the Mediterranean, the small volcanic island is located around 1.5 hours by boat north of Palermo. The isolated location and the volcanic rock ensure excellent underwater visibility, which we use for snorkelling. As if it had been planned, the diving centre that takes us on the boat is staffed almost exclusively by French people. Nevertheless, I would say that Nolwenn's enthusiasm is more due to the impressive number of fish and the caves created by lava. Ustica is also great to explore on a scooter and despite this very Italian way of getting around, just a little later in the bay next to the old lighthouse you forget not only which continent you're sunbathing on, but almost which decade you're living in, thanks also to Radio Swiss Jazz..

Shortly before our departure, we slid into an island festival - where most of the participants wear bright slips and slip often (see video) and chat with Lorenzo, whose running club ‘Aruncina’ really deserves an award for its name.

Back in Palermo, our time passes far too quickly. The evening Apéro (or is it Aperitivo) on our little green balcony and the many excursions to drink espresso, eat brioche full of ice cream in the real ghetto (waffles are frowned upon in Sicily) or to test the local church bells make the time fly by. So much so that we unfortunately miss our chance to see the sunset on St Pellegrino. We gradually postponed the excursion until we finally only had the last evening left. The previously praised bus system only runs to this viewpoint, which Goethe himself praised, every 90 minutes, so I was very disappointed when we saw the dishonourable number 726 driving away right under our noses.

Someone might say ‘Don't cry, Goethe walked up there himself’, but given the late hour, hiking is not an option. However, if the great German poet had had a similarly charming French girlfriend to cheer him up and direct him to the harbour to watch the sunset, I am sure that this would have been included in his travelogue instead of the mountain peak.

So far, our only criticism is that we have only made limited progress towards our goal of eating good pizza. The one pizza we ate in the restaurant was rather poor (we didn't have a mobile phone to check reviews) and otherwise, although pizza was often available as a tasty snack at the bakery, a snack unfortunately does not meet our pizza rating criteria.

For Catania our expectations are really different than they were the rest of the holiday. While people praise about almost every corner of Sicily, recommendations for the city at the foot of Mount Etna remain cautious to reserved. This is probably primarily due to the very grey cityscape.

As is so often the case with low expectations, however, we are pleasantly surprised because, firstly, we finally get our long-awaited good Italian pizza and, secondly, Nolwenn's wish to buy caps in a partner look finally comes true here.

Knowing that the buildings around us are all made of ash and lava rock, the gloomy atmosphere of the city also has a certain charm. One evening, the mood is almost apocalyptic as a storm sweeps the dark dust and sand from the volcano through the streets straight into our faces. It is probably this very fascination, the same masochism or courage that draws people to the vicinity of fire-breathing mountains. Our trip to the summit was unfortunately thwarted by a particularly relaxed member of staff at the travel agency (star sign Relaxo), but the irrepressible energy of this mountain becomes clear as soon as we reach the lower-lying side craters. Our dedicated guide explains that, ironically, the volcano has served as a giant refrigerator for several centuries as the cooled lava caves at high altitude keep the snow fresh even in summer.

Otherwise, Catania's location is also strategically skilful. The historic cities of Taormina and Syracuse are less than an hour away by train along the coast. The former boasts an ancient amphitheatre and impressive views, while the latter has a similarly old historical town center and great seafood on the harbour promenade.

Out of island mania and years of longing, we conclude our holiday in Malta. Like Sicily, Malta has been a trophy to all kinds of great powers and a conglomerate of different cultures for over a millennium. The strong British influence is particularly noticeable in direct comparison. This doesn't just refer to the teenagers coated in self-tanner in the party district of St Julian's (sorry, San Ġiljan).

English is the main language of communication; British franchises characterise the streetscape and traffic drives on the left-hand side. When you see the ancient stone houses in the countryside or the fortified town of Mdina (the Maltese equivalent of Carcassonne), you may well wonder how a less foreign-dominated Malta would have developed. And at the same time, it is precisely this ambivalent mix that can be described as typically Maltese. Maltese developed from an arabic dialect and is still written using latin letters (admittedly there are a few extra “G“s and ”H”s), the food is Mediterranean to Oriental and the population is largely Catholic. We sometimes have the Virgin Mary spotted as Background image on mobile phones & there is one of the strictest abortion laws in the world (since 2023, abortion has been permitted if the mother's life is in acute danger).

Everyday holiday life for tourists, on the other hand, remains largely untouched by Catholicism.

San Ġiljan proves to be an ideal location for exploring the island and we stay in the nightlife district full of young people enjoying life - probably a little too much at times in the large Bachelorpartydiscos and strip clubs. Our hotel, Spinola Stays, surprises us with an unannounced breakfast and a Jacuzzi on the roof terrace - in the immediate neighbourhood is the club Tigullio, which plays techno on vinyl.

Despite the really high population density, we find beautiful spots of nature on our scooter trip, and we were really delighted about the small size of the island when we still only drive 20 minutes home at the end of our day trip to the deep south.

Whether it was the prospect of minimum temperatures of 13° C in winter or the vision of a life with unlimited Bigilla (Maltese bean paste) - I must admit that after a few days I was so enthusiastic about the island that I started thinking about emigrating. Judging by the state of mind of our captain, who introduced himself as the ‘Crazy Captain’, the permanent stay on the island certainly seems to be conducive to happiness, but the constant contact with tourists is not exactly leading to mental stability. For me it seems almost impossible to get tired of this nature - the bright yellow ‘Fried Egg Jellyfish’ in the deep blue waters off Gozo should be a real core memory as the last stop of our boat trip and although the coastline is said to be teeming with chameleons, I can't imagine that it would get boring at some point to wander around, watch the reptiles and jump into the water every now and then (unfortunately we didn't see any on our trip, but I'm a big fan). Who knows, maybe one day I'll be down there treating young Brits and showing them my Merry X-Mas tattoo on my rump as well...

For now, though, there's good news from southern Germany, because straight after the holiday I received confirmation of an internship in Offenburg, meaning there's not much standing in the way of us emigrating to Strasbourg.

[mynextholiday]

🎨✨ Discover Malta's Hidden Artisan Paradise: Ta' Qali Crafts Village 🇲🇹🖼️

Hey art lovers and wanderlusters! 👋Ever dreamed of watching master craftsmen at work, scoring unique handmade souvenirs, and diving into a country's cultural heart? Well, pack your bags (and leave some room) because Ta' Qali Crafts Village in Malta is calling your name!

Nestled in the heart of this Mediterranean gem, Ta' Qali is where Malta's artistic soul comes alive. It's like stepping into a living, breathing art gallery where you can watch creativity unfold before your eyes!

Our latest article spills the tea on: • The village's fascinating history (from wartime airfield to artisan haven!) • Must-visit workshops and galleries (glass-blowing, anyone?) • One-of-a-kind souvenirs you won't find anywhere else • How to get there and when to visit for the best experience • Insider tips on scoring the best deals (your wallet will thank us later)

Plus, we've got the scoop on the best local cafes to refuel your creativity and some hidden spots that'll make your Instagram followers green with envy.

So, if you're ready to trade mass-produced trinkets for authentic Maltese treasures and add a splash of artisanal magic to your travels, click the link.

Trust me, your home decor (and your memories) are about to get a major upgrade! 🏺🖼️

P.S. Don't forget to reblog and share with your art-obsessed and travel-loving friends. They'll be booking flights to Malta before you can say "filigree"! 😉🛫

[aquamarine-matersports]

Comprehensive Guide to Jet Ski Rentals in Malta

Malta is a paradise for watersports enthusiasts, offering an abundance of thrilling activities that make the most of its stunning coastlines and crystal-clear waters. One of the most popular water activities in Malta is jet skiing, providing an exhilarating way to explore the island’s hidden coves and beaches. At Aquamarine Watersports, we specialize in offering the best jetski rental Malta experience to ensure you have an unforgettable adventure.

Why Choose Jet Ski Rentals in Malta?

1. Adventure at Your Own Pace

Renting a jet ski gives you the freedom to explore Malta's scenic coastline at your own pace. You can visit hidden spots and admire the stunning views while enjoying the thrill of riding a powerful watercraft.

2. Easy and Convenient

Our jetski rental Malta service offers state-of-the-art Sea-Doo GTX 2023 models, fully equipped with safety gear and accessories to ensure your ride is safe and enjoyable. No need to worry about maintenance or storage—just arrive, hop on, and start your adventure.

3. Explore Unique Locations

Jet skis allow you to access remote beaches, caves, and bays that are otherwise unreachable by land. This makes your jet ski experience not just about the ride but also about discovering the hidden gems of Malta’s coastline.

Tips for a Safe and Fun Jet Ski Experience

1. Check the Weather Conditions

Before heading out, always check the weather forecast. While jet skiing in calm waters is a joy, rough seas can make the experience difficult for beginners and even hazardous.

2. Follow Safety Guidelines

At Aquamarine Watersports, we prioritize your safety. Always wear the provided life jacket, and listen to the safety instructions given before your ride.

3. Start Slow

If you’re new to jet skiing, start slow and gradually build your confidence. Take some time to get comfortable with the controls before accelerating.

Why Aquamarine Watersports?

As the leading provider of water activities in Malta, Aquamarine Watersports ensures that your jet ski experience is both exciting and safe. We pride ourselves on our top-notch service, high-quality equipment, and knowledgeable staff who are here to make your adventure perfect.

Contact Us

Ready for an unforgettable jet ski adventure? Contact Aquamarine Watersports today to book your jet ski rental and experience the thrill of exploring Malta’s beautiful coastline!