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Blog Croatia Split

Klis Fortress is Amazing

Today was such a fun day! I took bus number 73 from Bus Terminal Sukoisan in Split, and went to a fort that used to be a castle. I accidentally missed the stop, don’t ask, so I had to back track down a highway with no shoulder. That was a little nerve-wracking, but I eventually …

on May 29, 2023May 18, 2023
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Carol

lyfe.abroad

✈️🖌️ Travel blog/writer @lyfeabroad.com
🪬 Travelling slowly & with grace ❤️
🇨🇦 Canadian from BC
✨DM for collabs or promotion 😁

😍 Meet Dghajsa 😍 The other day I showcased 😍 Meet Dghajsa 😍

The other day I showcased the luzzu, the traditional Maltese fishing boat with its colourful exterior and symbolic eye 👁️ 

Today I bring you Dghajsa 🥰 possibly the most romantic ferry boat ever built 😘

While I adore the luzzu, the Dghajsa sets my heart a flutter 😍

These small wooden craft have been used in Malta since the 17th century! They were used extensively to ferry passengers from various settlements to Valletta across the Grand Harbour, and to ferry people from larger ships, to shore. 🚢

Today only a few dozen of these remain in operation and they are still being used for their original purpose. 😀

Tourists can hop on one at the Birgu waterfront and ferry across to Valletta for €3. Better yet, pay the captain €10 and he will take you all around the harbour for half an hour. 

If you seek out old black and white images of the Valletta Harbour you will see just how many of these there once was.

Since the 1970’s they have been propelled by a motor. But before that, it was a single man facing forward and using two oars that moved these little craft through the water. 🌊

Malta is BIG on rowing and each year the national regatta is a major attraction. I was lucky enough to experience this the first time I came and wow, what a party! 

Incredible competition between all of the cities and it takes place right in the Grand Harbour! 

It’s a variation of these Dghajsa that are used for those competitions. Photos 13, 15-17 show the rowing versions. They are gorgeous 🤩

The long stems at either end are thought to be ornamental but they do help with keeping the boat steady as people board. 

The bright colours, sea serpents and other emblems and details came in the 18th century. Every-time I’m walking my seaside route, I have to stop and admire them. The Dghajsa are just soooo romantic 🥰 

#dghajsa #woodenboat #malta #lyfeabroad #grandharbourmalta #traditionalboat #ferryboat #malteseculture #maltese #boats #iloveboats #mediterranean #travelwriting #rowing #regattas
The beauty in Malta is unsurpassed. 🤗💙 From The beauty in Malta is unsurpassed. 🤗💙

From the crystal clear azure waters to the warm limestone buildings. Historical Malta encapsulates a rich heritage of wonders and colours. 🥰

Have you been to Malta before?🇲🇹

#malta #malta🇲🇹 #lyfeabroad #travelblog #travelphotography #mediterranean #islandlife #summerineurope #sunshine
Beautiful Birgu. 😁 Photos 1-10 are more charmi Beautiful Birgu. 😁

Photos 1-10 are more charming vistas of this historical tiny city, one of Malta’s ‘Three Cities’. 💙

Photos 11-16 are why I would not choose to stay here if you are visiting. Instead select Senglea or Cospicua if you have your heart set on residing in this area. 😁

Each of these cities is tiny, but Birgu contains the big fort and two museums which is why it draws all of the tour groups. 

Those little narrow streets become chock-a-block with people and the locals cannot even get to their homes. The noise. 🫣

Birgu is the only one of the three with souvenir shops too, which is an indicator of just how many tourists pile into that little place. 

These tour groups are the worst on the days the cruise ships are in port. There is even a small tacky tourist train that drives around too. 🫣

Birgu is best to wander through and around early in the day or late afternoon and evenings. It has a gorgeous waterfront. 

I’ll showcase the other two cities that make up this core historical area across the Grand Harbour from Valletta 😁

Keep in mind it’s only early May! Imagine what it’s like in July and August. Oh dear. I would definitely not be travelling to Malta in those months. 😬

#birgu #malta #lyfeabroad #travelblogger #traveltheworld #tourist #touristtown #touristythings #threecities #malta🇲🇹 #traveladvisor #traveltips
Walk with me through the ancient streets of Citta Walk with me through the ancient streets of Citta Vittoriosa, or Birgu in Malta 😁

She is one of the Three Cities, where the Knights of the Order of Saint John came in 1530 to make their settlement. 🤺

These narrow stone alleys, warm limestone buildings, churches and townhouses have stories to tell. Walk softly, listen, and hear the hushed whispers of times past. 

This is Citta Vittoriosa, Maltas capital city for a brief period in the 16th century. 🤗

 #birgu #cittavittoriosa #malta #lyfeabroad #travelwriter #traveldestination #traveleurope #capitalcities #maltese #beauty #inlovewiththisplace #malta❤️
Visit the city of Birgu with me 😁 She is one o Visit the city of Birgu with me 😁

She is one of Malta’s Three Cities, and lies across the Grand Harbour from the capital Valletta. 

Birgu like the other 2 of the Three Cities, has two names. It’s also called Citta Vittoriosa and was Malta’s capital between the years of 1530-1571. 

Birgu is on a peninsula and at the tip is the imposing Fort Saint Angelo. 

When the Order of Saint John arrived in Malta in 1530, the knights took this land and created the Three Cities with which to live and govern the island nation. 

They fought fiercely against the Ottoman Empire to maintain control. As you wander through these narrow stone streets you will see many references to the Maltese cross, the knights symbol. 

Birgu is full of historical sights that include not only the fort, but the Inquisitors Palace, War Museum, 13th century Norman House and so much more. 

I’ll cover things not to miss while here, the first of which is Photo 5. See those two axes with an eye in the middle? That is above one window of the house where the executioner lived. 🗡️😬 The only marking on the facade of that stone dwelling. 

When I was here two years ago, Birgu seemed sleepy and quiet. Not so much anymore I’m afraid. 

#birgu #birgumalta #cittavirtuosa #malta #lyfeabroad #travelwriting #maltese #oldcities #oldcitiesofeurope #traveldeeper #executioner
What a dreamy destination 🤗 For such a small c What a dreamy destination 🤗

For such a small country, there are countless things to see, experience, and be immersed in. 

It’s a place one can let themselves drift, daydream and melt under that warm Mediterranean sunshine. ☀️ 

Oh Malta, you have my heart 🥰

#malta #malta🇲🇹 #maltese #lyfeabroad #traveldestination #travelmore #livingoverseas #travelblogger #travelinfluencer #midlifetravels #midlifeadventure #marsaxlokk #birgu #seaside #islandlife #mediterranean
These are luzzu! 😁 There are three main types These are luzzu! 😁

There are three main types of traditional wooden boats in Malta and I’ve become obsessed with each one. 🤩

Today we start with Luzzu 🚣

The luzzu (pronounced luttsu) was developed in the early 1900’s. They closely resemble the guzzu, boats that visited from Sicily in the 1880’s.

Originally these were created for transport, to move people from harbour to harbour and island to island. They held more than 20 people! 

Back then, the luzzu were equipped with sails and oars. Later a motor was attached and is was at this time that they became a popular fishing vessel. 🎣

Of all of the traditional Maltese boats, these number in the largest, even though no more are being made today. 

The bright colours represent which harbour the owner hails from. Most have a magenta bottom that is underwater. 

Almost all have those eyes! These date from Phoenician times and protects the fisherman while at sea. 👀

The luzzu is often considered the symbol of Malta 🇲🇹 

Best place to see these? Marsaxlokk or Marsascala harbours. 😁

#luzzu #luzzuboat #traditionalboats #lyfeabroad #travelwriter #travelblogger #malta #maltese #malteseboats #fishingboat #fishermen #valletta #harbour #colours #osiris
Enjoy a little bit of Birgu in Malta 🤗 I manag Enjoy a little bit of Birgu in Malta 🤗

I managed to dodge the large tours filling these narrow streets and capture the essence of this enchanting city. 💙

Birgu is one of Malta’s Three Cities and was even the capital for about 40 years in the 1500’s. 😁

The Knights of the Order of Saint John made it their stronghold when they came to the island in 1530. 

Birgu was heavily bombed during WWII and much of it destroyed, especially around the town square. 

The reason for all of the tourists these days are the significant sites that remain. Fort Saint Angelo, the War Museum, Inquisitors Palace and more. 🇲🇹

I go there to wander these old stone streets and get lost in the sunlight cascading down through bougainvillea. 

The colourful balconies and doors, wrought iron railings and hidden historical gems are what I find utterly charming. 🥰

#birgu #birgumalta #malta #lyfeabroad #travelbloggers #traveldeeper #travelforlife #traveleurope #europetravels #mediterranean #summervibes #europesummer #maltese #malta🇲🇹
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