Ingredients:
• 100g blanched Almonds
• 100g plain Flour
• 125g Caster Sugar
• dash of Brandy (There are many variations, some use orange flower water)
• grated ring of 1 Orange,1 Tangerine and 1 Lemon
• 1 tablespoon Cocoa Powder
• Honey and almonds to decorate 

Method:
Toast the almonds and chop them into small pieces. 
Place in a large bowl along with the rest of the ingredients and stir. 
Add some water to turn the ingredients into a stiff dough. 
Cut the dough into strips around 2 cm thick and place the strips on well greased baking sheets. 
Bake on gas mark 5 for around 20 minutes. 
When done, remove from the oven and cover with honey and scatter some almonds on top. 
Serve when cool. 

A glimpse into the past – a fusion of baroque statues and Roman attire in the narrow streets of Valletta.
A spectacle worth experiencing.

The most popular destination for Holy Week in Malta is Valletta. Considering this fact, if you wish to feel the full force of local tradition and culture, it is worth booking your accommodation as far in advance as possible. This will give you the unique opportunity to see these Holy processions that date back to the Knights of Malta and that are still strong today. Staying in the city, within walking distance, is the best choice. During this time of year, the weather is generally mild, with temperatures ranging between 16-18C. The pictures give a glimpse of what can be experienced during street processions.

Try one of our Valletta Suites for a unique way of spending a stylish Easter in Malta.

Since opening in 2006, Valletta Suites has quickly become one of Valletta’s most sought-after boutique accommodations. Maison La Vallette and Valletta Nobile have been featured in prominent magazines and publications. Our latest addition is Lucia Nova, coined by Harper’s Bazaar January 2012 issue, as ‘the city secret’ for the best boutique accommodation in town. Described as being ‘as stunning as a film set’ with walls artistically distressed and ‘its pretty furniture picked from design hotspots around the Med.’

Probably no one celebrates the Holy Week with more ceremony and reverence than the capital city of Valletta. This 400-year-old tradition is still very much alive today as it was way back when the Knights of Malta built the city and commissioned many of the statues from some of the most prestigious bottegas in Europe.
Through the narrow streets, on Good Friday, long lines of caped figures can be seen walking in twos, behind the movable floats depicting life-like figures of Christ, the Virgin Mary and scenes of the Passion. Musicians and drummers accompany the floats, adding drama to the procession.
As they advance at a funeral pace, they stop to rest at intervals due to the heavy burden of the statues, some of which are made of solid carved wood.
Holy Week, or Il-Gimgha l-Kbira, as it is known here, has come to express not only religious devotion, but also to symbolise the very identity and culture of many Maltese, even those who are more secularly minded. For the non-religious, it is an experience worth savouring and that will be treasured for a long time.

A Cire Trudon Nazareth candle in the living room at Valletta Nobile

A touch of Christmas at Valletta Nobile, our baroque inspired suite. The decor at Valletta Nobile is already very opulent however at Christmas time we add a few touches that enhance the Holiday Spirit. Hand-cut iron Christmas Trees, wreaths and small touches that compliment the decor.

This year we introduced the option for guests to experience the unique scents of the oldest (and best) candles in the world - Cire Trudon. As seen in the picture above, the Nazareth candle compliments the decor perfectly and creates an amazing warm atmosphere!

Cire Trudon candles are available on-order at Valletta Suites.

Christmas Decorations in Valletta

Christmas in Valletta is a light-filled festive time that can provide an ideal backdrop for a romantic and enchanting holiday. Enjoy local delicacies of almond tarts, Christmas pudding and honey rings.

An exhibition of historic Baby Jesus statuettes is being held at the Auberge de Castille in Valletta. The exhibit runs till January 06, 2012.
This forms part of private and Church collection and cover 350 years of history. The statues were chosen for their different characteristics and the different ways these were produced.

Viewing:  Mondays to Fridays between 17:00 and  20:00, Saturdays and Sundays from 09:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 20:00. More information is available at opm.gov.mt/wirjabambini

Tal-Karmnu Feast in Valletta

Swimming area in Valletta - close to St Elmo / The Grand Harbour

As cities empty and people flee heat waves in search of the relief of a brisk sea breeze, here at Valletta Suites, we are happy to be minutes away from the sea. As most European cities are located miles away from the nearest beaches, Valletta, Malta’s capital city, is in fact surrounded by the sea on either side of this small peninsula that juts out into the Mediterranean blue sea. All it takes is a short walk; with towels in hand and a borsalino panama for some shade, to find a spot on the seashore where you can meet up locals who go for a swim. There are no huge beach resorts, at least for the time being, but the flat limestone shore and the clear waters  invites you for a dip. There are still no signs of chunky knitted wool in the boutiques and  Fall’s fashion season seems far away. We are still happily in the throws of the lazy, hazy days of summer. Flowing silhouettes in patterns, bright colours, and cool linens are still the order of the day. Let our Suites inspire you.