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Malta Taylor Malishenko

 Malta is an historic nation, now in my top 10 of 157 nations.  COVID-19 protocols added to planning and completing this trip. First, trip planning.

 Italy and Malta require preregistration by completing the PLF (Personal Locator Form) before departing USA. It requires travel details including flight and seat numbers.  Print and be prepared to show before you can board a flight from US or Malta. (EU)

• COVID testing, required within 72 hours of arrival to Italy or Malta. I did at 60 hours in case of flight delays.  I ordered from EMED.COM 6 Abbott Lab “Binax NOW COVID-19 Home Test”. (com).  Cost is $200 or $36 per test.  Done at home with an on-line person monitoring.  Test takes 10 minutes, results in 15 minutes.  Print confirmation, take a photo, upload to airline.  Airline reviews form and confirms you are cleared (Travel Ready) in about 10 minutes.  United Airlines had 3 items: Negative COVID test, answer health questions, take picture of passport. Same process for return to the USA test taken within 3 days of return.  Took test in hotel room in Malta without any issues.
• COVID safety: I felt safer in Italy and Malta regarding COVID safety than in the USA. COVID vaccination card required before entry into Museum, attractions, and more formal restaurants.  Everyone was wearing masks indoors and around groups outdoors.
• Italy requires COVID vaccination in order to work so I was confident that drivers, guides, hotel and restaurant workers were vaccinated.
• 85% of the Malta population are fully vaccinated.
• There are many boutique hotels in Valletta, I stayed at Palais Le Brun at 101 Bakery St.

Malta tourism:  Mega cruise ships arrive on a regular basis.  I saw 8 British tourist flights arriving one day on Ryanair.  Small group guided travel is best, I had driver and guide.  Suggest groups no larger that 5 organize island visits.  Malta’s long history covers Europe from 400BC to today, lots to see.  Some highlights: