Brief information about the country
The Maltese archipelago consists of three main islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino; and also from the many uninhabited – Cominotto, Filfla, St. Paul’s and others.
Malta and its islands are located about 93 km south of Sicily and 230 km north of the coast of North Africa.
The total area of the archipelago is 316 sq. km (Malta – 246 sq. km, Gozo – 67 sq. km and Comino – 2.7 sq. km). The length of Malta is about 27 km (from the southeast to the northwest point), the greatest length from east to west is 14.5 km, from north to south – 7.2 km. There are no rivers or mountains.
The population of the country is about 400,500 people.
The official name is the Republic of Malta.
The capital is Valletta.
CLIMATE
The average temperature in spring is +15 +17 С 0, from May to October the average air temperature is +27 +31С 0. The total amount of precipitation during the short winter rainy period is approximately 585 mm per year.
TIME
Behind Moscow by 2 hours in summer and 3 hours in winter.
LANGUAGES – The official languages are Maltese and English, with Italian being widely spoken.
MONEY: The main currency is the EURO
RELIGION:
State religion: Catholic Christianity.
FLIGHT: Malta Airlines, Moscow – Valletta – travel time 4 hours 10 minutes, Valletta-Moscow 4 hours 05 minutes
TIME: minus 3 hours from Moscow time and
Customs regulations
Allowed to import 200 cigarettes, or 25 cigars or tobacco 250 g, spirits – 0.75 liters. The import of food, plants, animals is prohibited. The import and export of drugs, weapons, ammunition is prohibited. The export of items of cultural or historical value is prohibited.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: By booking a tour, you become the owner of an insurance policy.
Be sure to read the instructions in your policy and follow them if necessary.
MAINS VOLTAGE:
Triple-plug 13-amp rectangular sockets are used. The mains voltage is 220/240 V, 50 Hz, while in hotels it is usually indicated on special signs. There are both two- and three-pole sockets. The adapter can be obtained from the hotel reception.
SOUVENIRS
As a souvenir in Malta, you can buy weaving and pottery, glass, ceramics, dolls, copper and brass products. Malta is famous for its gold and silver filigree and handmade lace. Usually shops are open from 9 am to 7 pm, on Saturdays until 8 pm (lunch break 3-4 hours). In tourist centers, most shops are open until 22:00. Shops are closed on Sundays.
TIPS
Tipping is usually given in the amount of 10% of the cost of services. In this case, the waiter, as a rule, warns whether service is included in the bill.
EXCURSIONS: we recommend booking individual excursions with an English-speaking guide in advance.
KITCHEN
Maltese cuisine is an amazing blend of local and European culinary traditions.
Pie with lampuk – a fish that tastes like tuna
Spaghetti with octopus ink sauce.
Pastizzi – Maltese puff pastry with ricotta and dates.
Rabbit Dishes. Maltese wine. Olive oil.
Dishes of vegetables, cheese, fish, meat baked in dough.
Spaghetti or “pasta”, pizza and other traditional Italian dishes.
Helpful Hints
Visiting monasteries and churches in shorts and deep-necked clothing is prohibited. Appearance on public beaches without a swimsuit top or no swimwear at all is not allowed. Crime in the Maltese Islands is practically non-existent. Nevertheless, we ask you not to leave money or valuables in the hotel room. The hotel administration is only responsible for the things you left in the individual safe. You can not leave things in rented cars parked on the roadway. It is recommended that you keep your passport and air ticket at the hotel. It is recommended to use bottled water for drinking.
Important phone numbers and addresses
Telephone code – +356
112 – Police
196 – Ambulance
199 – Fire Department
Russian Embassy: Antony Schembri Street San Gwann, Tel: 21-37-19-05, 21-37-19-06
The Consular Section. Tel: 21-37-19-06.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
Passport and travel documents should preferably be kept separately from money; if they are lost, the costs associated with obtaining duplicates are paid independently.
