Posts Tagged ‘Structures’

Fascinating Historical Structures Attract Visitors to Malta

Malta, officially known as the Republic of Malta, is a small country located on an archipelago consisting of seven islands located in the Mediterranean Sea. Specifically, it lies to the north of Libya, south of Sicily, and east of Tunisia. It is considered a Southern European country and is a member of the European Union.

Although being an island country makes Malta a unique place to vacation, its history makes it fascinating. In Malta you’ll find what is believed to be the oldest freestanding structure in the entire world. It is an ancient megalithic temple called il-Ggantija, and it dates back to before 3500 BC. Another ancient temple, Hagar Qim, is located on a hilltop on the southern coast of Malta, which was built sometime between 3200 and 2500 BC.

The people who built the ancient temples either died out or moved on and the country was later colonized by the Phoenicians around 700 BC. The islands really began to develop, however, when the Romans took control of them in 218 BC. In fact, many of the old Roman structures still exist there.

Between AD 870 and 1091, Malta was ruled by the Arabs who introduced methods for growing citrus fruits and cotton as well as systems for irrigation. After the Arab rule ended, the Sicilian Normans moved in. Finally, in 1283 the County of Malta was established and so was the Maltese nobility. Many of the noble titles created at the time are still in use today.

In 1814 Malta was officially given to the British Empire as a result of the Treaty of Paris. Because of its location, it was an important port for trading ships. In World War II, Malta played such an essential role for ships that the Maltese people were awarded the George Cross by King George VI. A picture of the cross is still featured on a corner of the Flag of Malta.

Finally, on September 21, 1964 Malta was granted independence. For a time, Malta continued to recognize Queen Elizabeth II as the Queen of Malta and had a Governor-General who acted on her behalf. Then, in 1974, Malta became a republic and followed a president as head of state.

In 1980, Malta declared its policy of neutrality. Since then, it has been the location of some important political meetings, such as President George H.W. Bush’s first meeting with Soviet leader Gorbachev in 1989, which signified the end of the Cold War.

The beautiful islands of Malta and their rich history attract thousands of vacationers every year. Fortunately, Malta is equipped with several hotels and holiday apartments to accommodate its many tourists.

Examples of hotels in Malta are:

Hilton Malta: This beautiful hotel that is part of the famous Hilton hotel chain is located at the heart of the Waterfront Development Portomosa. It features a stunning view of a yacht marina and a tree-lined promenade. The hotel offers onsite jet skiing, pool, and scuba diving.

Examples of holiday apartments in Malta are:

Villa in Zurrieq, Malta: This three bedroom villa sleeps up to six people. It is located on the southwest corner of the island close to historic sites. It is also just a short distance from swimming areas and the Marsa golf course.

The island nation of Malta offers so many fascinating things to see that you just may tire yourself out visiting them all. That’s okay though-you’ll find plenty of great places to stay at the end of your busy day.

Strange Structures Turned into Hotels & Hostels

Choosing an exotic destination is sometimes the toughest part for travelers with all the options out there from sandy beaches to famous capital cities, but happens when you are also given choices of accomodation which are not your typical structures? Here are the Top Ten budget hotels and hostels around the world that make staying abroad even more of an adventure with HostelsClub!

1. Jumbo Hostel – Stockholm, Sweden

Jumbo Hostel was built inside an actual 747-200 jumbo jet from an old Swedish airline that went bankrupt and decided to make good use of the decommissioned model.

2. Santos Express Train Lodge – Mossel Bay, South Africa

“Welcome aboard!” is the way you will be greeted as you enter this exclusive train hostel. It is a real six-coach train parked right on the beach! Mossel Bay has the second mildest all-year climate in the world and it’s also known to be great for whale watching.

3. Boathotel Fortuna – Budapest, Hungary

A two-story ex-holiday ship is what you’ll find docked opposite the beautiful Margaret Island along the Danube River. They have 3-star facilities with private rooms on the upper deck and the youth hostel with single, double and triple rooms with shared baths on the lower deck.

4. Hostel Lum ‘n Abner – Amsterdam, Holland

While Amsterdam is known for its thousands of canals, why not stay with the water theme and opt for sleeping on a floating hostel? You can choose to stay in the captainsroom, one of their private rooms, or the dorm room located in the hull of the historical coaster. Since this was such a big hit, Amsterdam opened up more floating hostels such as Hotelboat Zwaan, B&B Boat Friesland and Botel Zebra to name a few.

5. Hostel Celica – Ljubljana, Slovenia

If staying in a boat or old train isn’t cool enough, this hostel wins for giving you that “secure” feeling and by secure, I mean being barred inside this former prison. They have twenty cells you can reserve which still have bars on the doors and windows.

6. The Jane -NYC, USA

This Manhattan boutique hostel was inspired by luxury train cabins and their smart design allows maximum conveniences into a minimum space. Each cabin comes with air-conditioning, an iPod dock/clock radio, a compact twin bed with built in storage space, free wireless internet and a 26-inch flat screen LCD television.

7. Travellers Cave Pension – Goreme, Turkey

This natural wonder is located just five minutes from the Goreme bus station, where you can enjoy the breathtaking surroundings and panoramic views of the rock formations from your cave room. Yes, that’s right, this lodging has single to quad dormitory rooms dug inside an above-ground Turkish fairy chimney. There is running hot water and heat, satellite TV and meals available so you can live like a modern day caveman!

8. YHA Ostello di Montagnana – Città Murata, Italy

Città Murata literally means “Walled City”. This youth hostel, originally a Middle Aged fortress, is located on the northern side, five minutes from the Medieval city centre of Montagnana, Padua. There are dorm rooms with three and four bunk beds located inside the tower dated from the XIVth century.

9. Clink Hostel – London, UK

Clink combines 200 years of history into a newly interior-designed hostel with modern facilities such as high-tech pod beds, reading lights, a brand new kitchen, and an in-house DJ bar. Guests can choose to chill in the internet lounge with a 60-inch TV, take advantage of Clink’s free walking tours, or sleep in one of their six authentic prison cell rooms.

10. Radeka Downunder Underground Backpackers Inn & Motel – Coober Pedy, South Australia

When you think of Australia’s Down Under, you finally have the option to really sleep under the Earth’s surface. This underground facility, originally an Opal Mine from the 1960s in the Aussie Desert, has four to twenty-one bed dorm rooms located literally 6.5 meters underground.

Find more cool and random accommodations at HostelsClub!