• Home
  • Post a press-release
  • Visibility packages
  • Subscribe email updates
  • Event Calendar
  • Contact

For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

Where press releases are breaking news

  • Home
  • Post a press-release
  • Visibility packages
  • Subscribe email updates
  • Event Calendar
  • Contact

Malta’s Flourishing Wine Scene

September 23, 2020 by PressEditor

Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta has established itself as a flourishing wine scene. Maltese vintages are not as renowned for wine production as its Mediterranean neighbors but are more than holding their own at international competitions, winning several accolades in France, Italy, and further afield. 

International grape varieties grown in Malta include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Carignan, Chenin Blanc, and Moscato. Indigenous varieties include: Gellewza (a red-skinned variety for reds and rosés) and Girgentina (for white wine production), are producing some excellent wines of distinct body and flavor.

Malta and its sister island of  Gozo, an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea with year-round sunshine, make it the perfect climate for producing exceptional wines. The lack of rain-fall in the Maltese Islands is counterbalanced by a system of irrigation. The grapes are grown with exceptional tannins and a firm acid structure due to the soil’s high PH level. This results in white and red wines that both have high aging potential.  

History of the Indigenous Maltese White Olives

From 1530 to 1798, when the Knights of the Order of St. John held control of Malta, these white olives were known as perlina Maltese (Maltese pearls) all across Europe. Bajada trees enhanced the gardens of wealthy knights and their fruit was used in one of the country’s signature recipes – rabbit stew. They have historically been valued ornamentally and even religiously.

Varieties of Maltese olives, like the bajada and bidni, had nearly disappeared after thriving for several thousand years on the islands. In 2010, the number of trees was down to just three. A batch of 120 new olive trees was planted in Malta as part of an initiative by the Mediterranean Culinary Academy to produce olive oil from olives purely native to the Maltese Islands.  The ‘Bidni’ olive, which also lends its name to the resulting olive oil, is found only in Malta.

Researchers who have studied the white olive say that its unique pale color is simply a quirk of nature. Oil from white olives is similar to that of black and green olives, yet it has a short shelf life due to low levels of bitter-tasting antioxidants that also makes for a natural preservative. Hence, the sweeter taste of white olives. 

Tours and Tasting

Tours and tastings can be arranged at select wineries. Depending on the season, tours cover the entire production from the initial fermentation through to the aging process. They also include wine history museums and opportunities to taste and buy a variety of vintages. Wine-tasting and vineyard tours are also organized by specialized local agents such as Merill Eco Tours. 

Hidden Gems of Malta
Wine Cellars in Malta © Malta Tourism Authority

Must-See Wineries 

Meridiana

  • Meridiana is located in central Malta, and their wine cellars are four meters below sea level. 
  • They produce internationally acclaimed wines made from wine-grapes exclusively grown in Maltese soil.
  • Winery Tours followed by a wine tasting on one of the scenic terraces are organized by appointment either via e-mail [email protected]  or by calling the Estate at 356 21415301.

Marsovin

  • The wine cellars are situated in a building dating to the Order of St. John, home to over 220 oak barrels used for premium red wine aging. The Marsovin estates and cellars are a testimony to Marsovin’s commitment to the culture of wine. 
  • The Marsovin cellars represent four generations of wine-makers and expertise of 90 years. 
  • The wine is aged in imported barrels of French or American oak, which imparts specific qualities to the nature of the wine and its aroma.

Delicata 

  • For over 100 years, Delicata has remained family-owned in the Delicata family.  
  • Delicata’s portfolio of wines has scored with over a century of international awards including Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in Bordeaux, Burgundy, and London. 
  • Tasting sessions are held only by appointment for members of the wine trade and food and wine journalists.
  • Their Vines for Wine Project launched in 1994 to encourage landowners to grow quality grapes for the winery. Delicata’s team of viticultural experts has helped the farming community to plant hundreds of vineyards throughout Malta and Gozo with this project. 

Tal-Massar 

  • A small winery in Gharb on the Maltese islands, yet the only one that produces high-quality wines made from grapes grown without the use of herbicides. 
  • Events are organized on request by booking and limited to groups of between 8 people and up to 18 people. All meals are cooked on-site by a private chef and during the meal, the winemaker presents every wine and explains how best to appreciate them. For more information, email  [email protected] 

Ta’ Mena Estate

  • The Estate is situated in the picturesque Marsalforn Valley between Victoria and Marsalforn Bay. It includes a fruit garden, an olive grove with about 1500 olive trees, an orange grove, and over 10 hectares of vineyards. It enjoys the panoramic views of the Gozo Citadel and the surrounding hills and villages.
  •  At Ta’ Mena Estate they organize different activities such as guided tours around the estate followed by wine and food tasting, lunches and dinners, barbecues, snacks, cooking sessions, full/half day activities, etc. Also, they offer agricultural experiences including fruit picking, wine-making, olive-oil pressing, and more. 
Hidden Gems of Malta
Vineyard in Malta © Malta Tourism Authority

About Malta

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere.  Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sights and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious, and military architecture from the ancient, medieval, and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife, and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. For more information on Malta, visit www.visitmalta.com.

More news about Malta

#rebuildingtravel

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Malta Tourism Authority – North America 

Michelle Buttigieg

P 212 213 0944

F 212 213 0938

E-mail: [email protected]

MTA US/Canada Editorial Contact:

The Bradford Group

Karen Hoffman/Gabriela Reyes

Tel: (212) 447-0027

Fax: (212) 725 8253

E-mail: [email protected]

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Filed Under: Travel & Tourism Tagged With: Caribbean, cooking, Malta, Malta Tourism Authority, minister, nbsp, sandals

Malta, where Game of Thrones all began, plays host to the 5th Annual Valletta Film Festival

April 17, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

Malta, the first location for Season One of  Game of Thrones, plays host to the annual  Valletta Film Festival (VFF), June 14-23, presented by the Film Grain Foundation. This year will mark the Fifth Anniversary of this exciting film lovers’ event. During the ten-day event, Valletta will be transformed into a live cinema with screenings and events taking place in historic buildings and outdoor venues including Pjazza Teatru Rjal and Pjazza San Ġorġ. Over the years, the streets of Valletta hosted various international productions like World War Z, Assassin’s Creed, The Count of Monte Cristo, Game of Thrones and Murder on the Orient Express.

Pjazza Teatru Rjal/Photo courtesy of Film Grain Foundation – Ali Tollervey

The VFF attracts more than 10,000 visitors and is the largest cinematic event in Malta. “What makes Malta a unique setting for a film festival is that the Maltese Islands themselves are world famous for film production,” said Oliver Mallia, Co-Founder and Co-Director with Slavko Vukanovic, both film producers in their own right. “Movie buffs can visit locations used for the sets of such headliners as the Game of Thrones, and blockbuster films including Gladiator and Troy.”

Malta offers Valletta Film Festival goers a transformative experience, witnessing where major blockbusters have been filmed while at the same time watching a number of Europe’s newest films. The festival will screen over forty feature films, twenty-four short films, and organizes many different master classes and workshops.

Pjazza San Ġorġ/Photo courtesy of Film Grain Foundation – Ali Tollervey

VFF 2019 will introduce the first Cinema of Small Nations Competition open to feature-length and short films from small countries in Europe and the Middle East. This competition will put a spotlight on the reality of cinema in small nations, and will highlight the abundance of talent and creativity that is often seen in films produced by filmmakers in these countries.

Michelle Buttigieg, Malta Tourism Authority representative in North America, noted “Film Tourism is trending and very popular with American and Canadian tourists who love to travel for film festivals as well as visit the locations of their favorite movies or TV Series. Malta’s movie sets include the iconic Popeye’s Village which is still one the Islands’ most popular tourist attractions, to the hottest HBO show, Game of Thrones, which started in Malta.”

For the VFF 2019 #VFF5 program visit https://www.vallettafilmfestival.com/

To purchase VFF 2019 passes visit https://www.vallettafilmfestival.com/2019-festival-pass-tickets/

About Malta

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere.  Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sites and was the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

MTA US Editorial Contact:

The Bradford Group

Karen Hoffman/ Bianca Pappas

Tel: (212) 447-0027

Fax: (212) 725 8253

E-mail: [email protected]

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Filed Under: Press Release, Travel & Tourism Tagged With: and, anniversary, annual, attractions, authority, blockbuster, Breaking Travel News, buildings, Canadian, Canadian tourists, cinema, classes, co-founder, competition, countries, creativity, Cultural Travel News, day, different, director, East, Europe, event, Events, experience, express, famous, favorite, Feature, Festival, festivals, fifth anniversary, film, film festival, film production, films, films including, first, For immediate Release, foundation, founder, free, game, Government Affairs, HBO, headliners, highlight, historic, Hospitality News, host, iconic, in, including, International, International Travel News, introduce, islands, June, largest, like, live, location, locations, love, lovers, major, Malta, Malta The, Malta Tourism, Malta Tourism Authority, Malta travel news, Maltese, Maltese Islands, Master, MICE Industry News, Michelle, Middle, Middle East, Monte Cristo, most, most popular, movie, movies, murder, nations, nbsp, News articles, North, North America, number, offers, Oliver, open, outdoor, over, pass, Passes, Place, popular, presented, production, program, purchase, reality, representative, right, s, said, season, series, sets, setting, short, show, small, started, taking, talent, Thrones, tickets, time, to, tourism, tourism authority, tourist, tourist attractions, tourists, Travel, Travel & Tourism Organizations News, Travel Destination News, Travelwire News, TV, TV series, UNESCO, unique, used, Valletta, venues, VFF, village, visit, visitors, war, WHO, workshops, World, World News, world war, year, years

IGLTA Foundation’s new NYC think tank to address key issues in LGBTQ+ Tourism

March 21, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Foundation (IGLTAF) inaugural Leadership Think Tank will unite top executives from LGBTQ+ welcoming destinations around the globe at Google during IGLTA’s 36th Annual Global Convention in New York City this April. The invitation-only discussion will focus on responsible tourism through the lens of LGBTQ+ welcoming travel and is presented with support from Miles Partnership and Google.

“IGLTA strives to continuously drive the conversations around LGBTQ+ travel to reflect our ever-evolving industry,” said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella. “We’re proud that IGLTAF has assembled for this important dialogue such an influential group of industry veterans from destinations and organizations that value our LGBTQ+ travel community.”

The Leadership Think Tank, organized in collaboration with NYC & Company and NYU’s Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, will include leaders from Destination Canada, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Cape Town Tourism, Destination DC, Italy National Tourist Board, Visit Dallas, Destination Niagara USA, Bermuda Tourism Authority, Discover Puerto Rico, Embratur (Brazil), Visit California, Milano Smart City Association, Greater Boston CVB, Destinations International, Tourism Madrid, Guam Visitors Bureau, U.S. Travel Association, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, Barcelona Tourism, Visit Salt Lake City, Thailand Tourism, and Greater Miami CVB.

“Accepting a seat at the leadership table during this invitation-only roundtable is important to affirm Bermuda’s position as a welcoming destination to all travelers, including the LGBTQ+ visitors,” said Kevin Dallas, CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority. “We applaud the IGLTA Foundation’s role in convening such diverse destinations to discuss critical issues facing the industry.”

A white paper from the session will be provided to the trade press and IGLTA’s global membership that focuses on five topics:
• Addressing issues of destination overcrowding as it impacts LGBTQ + travelers
• Analyzing the differences between LGBTQ+ travel niches and integration of LGBTQ+ travelers into the “mainstream”
• Diversifying LGBTQ+ products and services
• Examining cultural perspectives that impact LGBTQ+ tourism
• Discussing the challenges facing LGBTQ+ business owners in emerging destinations

“It’s a privilege to work with IGLTAF and to be a part of this special event, which is pondering some of the key forward-looking issues facing travel and tourism,” said U.S. Travel Association President/CEO Roger Dow. “This will be a terrific lineup engaging one of the most valuable practices we can undertake as an industry: anticipating and planning for challenges, which will better enable us to sustain our strength as an economic engine and job creator.”

Daniela Wagner, Group Business Development Director, Jacobs Media Group & Director EMEA, Pacific Asia Travel Association, and Fred Mayo, MBA, PhD, CHE, CHT, Founder, Mayo Consulting Services and Clinical Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, NYU, will co-moderate the Leadership Think Tank.

The 36th Annual IGLTA Global Convention would not be possible without the generous support of our convention sponsors: Presenting Level – NYC & Company, Delta Air Lines, Disney Destinations©, Italian National Tourist Board; Official Level – AIG Travel, Inc., Airbnb, Guam Visitors Bureau, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Italian National Tourist Board, Malta Tourism Authority, Visit Philadelphia®; Conference Level – Inprotur Argentina, Visit Britain, VisitDallas, International Experience Canada/Government of Canada, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Miles Partnership, Q.Digital, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, Visit West Hollywood.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Filed Under: Press Release Tagged With: and, Angeles, annual, applaud, April, Argentina, around the globe, Asia, asia travel, association, Association President, authority, Barcelona, Bermuda, Bermuda tourism, better, board, Boston, Brazil, Breaking Travel News, Britain, bureau, Business, Business Development, business owners, California, Canada, Cape, Cape Town, Cape Town Tourism, center, CEO, challenges, city, Clearwater, collaboration, community, company, conference, consulting, convention, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Convention and Visitors Authority, conversations, critical, cultural, CVB, D.C., Dallas, Delta, Delta Air Lines, Destination, Destination Niagara, Destinations, development, dialogue, differences, digital, director, Discuss, discussion, Disney, drive, economic, Educational Travel News, EMBRATUR, emerging, engine, event, executives, experience, Fort Lauderdale, Forward, foundation, founder, free, generous, Global, Global Convention, Globe, Google, government, greater, Greater Fort Lauderdale, Group, Guam, guam visitors, guam visitors bureau, hollywood, hospitality, Human Rights news, IGLTA, IGLTAF, impact, impacts, important, in, inaugural, Inc, including, Industry, integration, International, International Travel News, invitation, issues, IT, Italian, Italy, job, John, Jonathan M. Tisch, Lake City, las, Las Vegas, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, leaders, leadership, Leadership Think Tank, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ tourism, lines, lineup, looking, Los Angeles, M, Madrid, Mainstream, Malta, Malta Tourism, Malta Tourism Authority, management, MBA, media, media group, membership, Miami, Milano, miles, most, national, New, new york, New York City, News articles, Niagara, NYC, NYC & Company, NYU, official, only, organizations, owners, Pacific, Pacific Asia, Pacific Asia Travel Association, partnership, People in Travel, Philadelphia, planning, position, practices, presenting, president, Press, products, Professor, proud, Puerto, Puerto Rico, responsible, responsible tourism, RICO, Roger Dow, role, roundtable, s, said, salt, Salt lake City, seat, services, Special, St, strength, support, sustain, thailand, thailand tourism, think, think tank, through, tisch center, to, TO BE, top, tourism, tourism authority, tourism management, tourist, tourist board, town, Trade, Travel, Travel & Tourism Organizations News, travel and tourism, travel association, travelers, Travelwire News, U.S. travel, U.S. Travel Association, Unite, US, USA, value, Vegas, veterans, visit, Visit Britain, Visit California, visitors, Visitors Bureau, We, welcoming, West, West Hollywood, white, white paper, work, World News, York, York City

Discover religious heart of Maltese culture with new Pilgrimage Trail

March 21, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

The Malta Tourism Authority’s series of themed maps has a new addition – the Pilgrimage Trail, which showcases the most beautiful churches and religious spots across the archipelago.

With more than 360 churches and chapels scattered across Malta and Gozo, the religious sites highlighted in the map form an integral part of the country’s history, landscape and skyline – they are at the heart of Maltese social and cultural life.

Malta is believed to be the first country to be converted to Christianity, when St Paul was shipwrecked on the Islands in AD 60 and his grotto is still visited by thousands of tourists each year. Between the 16th and 18th centuries Malta was ruled by the Knight’s of St.John and still today remains one of the most devoutly Catholic countries in the world.

The Pilgrimage Trail firmly plants the capital, Valletta, and the islands as one of Europe’s top pilgrimage hot spots and a must-visit religious destination for 2019.

Highlights include:

• Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta – the silhouette of the buildings 42-metre high oval dome dominates the skyline and is home to a painting of Our Lady of Mount Carmel dating back to the 17th century.

• St John’s Co Cathedral, Valletta – The jaw dropping interior, elaborately created by Mattia Preti is widely considered to be the best example of baroque style in Europe. The magnificent cathedral is also home to the only signed Caravaggio painting in the world.

• St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina – Founded in the 17th century, the cathedral is widely believed to be a Lorenzo Gafa masterpiece. The cathedral stands tall in the middle of ‘the silent city’ and it’s façade impresses visitors as they emerge from Mdina’s narrow streets.

• Cathedral of Assumption, Gozo – Dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, the impressive structure is situated in Cittadella of Victoria in Gozo. The church is more than 300 years old, completed 1711, and boasts a beautiful baroque exterior.

• Our Lady on Ta’Pinu, Gozo – In 1883 a woman from the village of Għarb, Karmni Grima, heard the voice of Our Lady at the small chapel that then occupied this site. It rapidly became a center of pilgrimage and the number of visitors soon overwhelmed the little church. Today’s monumental shrine to Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu was built between 1920 and 1931 and is heralded as an architectural masterpiece. The sanctuary was constructed in front of the original chapel.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Filed Under: Press Release Tagged With: and, Archipelago, architectural, authority, Basilica, beautiful, best, Breaking Travel News, buildings, built, capital, Catholic, center, Century, Christianity, church, churches, city, completed, countries, country, created, cultural, Cultural Travel News, culture, Destination, Educational Travel News, Europe, first, free, Government Affairs, Gozo, Grotto, high, history, home, Hot, impressive, in, interior, International Travel News, islands, IT, John, lady, landscape, life, Malta, Malta and Gozo, Malta Tourism, Malta Tourism Authority, Malta travel news, Maltese, map, maps, Middle, most, most beautiful, narrow, New, new addition, News articles, number, only, Our Lady, painting, Paul, Pilgrimage, Pilgrimage Trail, plants, religious, religious destination, remains, s, sanctuary, series, signed, Silhouette, site, sites, skyline, small, social, spots, St, stands, structure, Style, TA, The World, thousands, to, TO BE, today, top, tourism, tourism authority, tourists, trail, Travel & Tourism Organizations News, Travel Destination News, Travelwire News, Valletta, Victoria, village, visit, visited, visitors, woman, World, World News, year, years

Search




Recent Articles

  • Seychelles brings its warmth to Salon Tourissima in France
  • What’s new in The Bahamas in February 2023
  • Introducing the Masquerade Suite at The St. Regis Venice in conjunction with Venice Carnival 2023
  • Malta, in the Heart of the Mediterranean, Offers a Jam-Packed Schedule of Musical Events and Festivals in 2023 Starting with Il-Karnival ta’ Malta in February   
  • Keeping Seychelles as the top choice of holiday destination for Nordic travelers
  • Sandals Resorts delivers authentic vacations
  • Seychelles makes remarkable presence at Spain’s FITUR 2023
  • The St. Regis Venice celebrates romance
  • Luxury romantic Valentine’s Day package from Blossom Hotel Houston
  • Ministry of Tourism and Hidden Worlds launch student art contest

Subscribe to daily email update

RSS eTN Articles

  • First LGBTQ+ Travel Symposium set for India
  • 3 Themed Holidays To Organise To Focus Your Trip To Italy
  • Uganda and the media supporting conservation
  • India tourism budget mention disappointing
  • US Travel and Hilton executives launch conference discussion
  • 4,601,142 visitors: International travel to US up 61.3 percent
  • Travel & Tourism Industry’s Basic Principles: Part 2
  • New CEO at San Antonio Hotel Emma at Pearl
  • What’s new in The Bahamas in February 2023
  • Booking Kuwait Airways flights from Budapest Airport

Archives

  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • August 2016

Content

and Breaking Travel News Business CEO experience first free hotel Hotels in including Industry International International Travel News IT minister most New News articles only over People s said sandals The World through time to TO BE tourism Tours Transportation News Travel Travel & Tourism Organizations News Travel Destination News Travelwire News up We were WHO World World News year years

Copyright © 2023 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in