The Valletta 2018 Cultural Program kicks off on the 20th of January 2018: a collection of over 140 projects and 400 events taking place throughout the European Capital of Culture year. Valletta 2018 has invested strongly in a program that sees the involvement of around 1000 local and international artists, curators, artist collectives, performers, workshop leaders, writers, designers, choirs and film-makers. While a number of international artists are collaborating with locals throughout the 2018 program, Maltese artists are travelling to twin European Capital of Culture Leeuwarden in the Netherlands as well as other cities in Cyprus, Japan, Poland and Greece.
The 2018 program is based on a direct investment of €10 million in the cultural sector. At the center of the 2018 program are several infrastructure projects designed to evolve and expand well beyond 2018. Among these are MU?A, the Valletta Design Cluster, Is-Suq tal-Belt and Strait Street.
Malta’s majestic Grand Harbour is one of the most spectacular ports in the world. A wide stretch of water separating the capital city of Valletta from the historic towns of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, the harbour has been a hive of activity for over two thousand years. With its imposing fortifications and vast panorama, Grand Harbour is Malta’s principal maritime gateway and a popular port-of-call for ships that are cruising the Med. The Grand Harbour makes for one of the most dramatic port calls in Europe.
There are several excellent cruise lines that feature itineraries to Malta including:
Azamara Club Cruises with a 10 Night Classic Grand Prix & Med Voyage departing May 5, 2018 from $3,399 and 10 Night Islands of the Western Med departing June 6, 2018 from $4,099.
Celebrity Cruises is offering several sailings to Malta including a 10 night Italy & Greek Islands Cruise from $2,349 ppdo with departures April 27, September 21, and October 12, 2018.
Crystal Cruises offers a 7 Day Ionian Impressions sailing May 4, 2018 from $2,570.
Seabourn offers a 21 day Mediterranean Magic & Malta sailing July 28, 2018 from $9,499 ppdo.
Tauck is offering four 11 day Treasures of the Mediterranean Southbound sailings from $7,690 on June 5, August 7, September 4, and October 2, 2018.
Malta Tourism Authority, www.visitmalta.com