Avalon Goes to the Lower Barrakka Gardens. There’s a quietly majestic charm to Valletta’s Lower Barrakka Gardens. Nestled on the eastern bastions, just a short walk from Avalon Boutique Hotel, this peaceful corner of the city feels like a gentle secret waiting to be discovered, rewarding those who take the time to explore and relax. I arrived early one morning, just as it opened from 7 am and closed at 10 pm, before the cruise ships arrived and the lively city energy began. The air felt fresh and crisp, with a soft golden glow from the morning light, and the view was simply stunning. From the terrace, the Grand Harbour stretched out like a beautiful, lively painting, with Fort St. Angelo, Fort Ricasoli, and the Three Cities shining brightly in the early dawn. But it wasn’t just the view that held me. It was the story...

Avalon Goes to the Feast of Santa Marija. There’s a particular kind of evening in Valletta when the August heat finally breaks, and the whole city seems to exhale. From Avalon Boutique Hotel, it takes only a few steps to wander down to Lower Barrakka Gardens, one of the best viewpoints in Valletta and that’s where my Santa Marija story began...