The Institute of Tourism Studies campus is currently situated in Luqa and is very close to Malta International Airport. The area surrounding the campus is full of potential accommodation. The nearest villages to the campus are Luqa and Gudja, which are approximately 20 minutes away on foot.
The Institute currently does not provide accommodation, but the current market offers various opportunities for rent. The International Department will put the students in contact with local agents who will offer multiple rental suggestions. When one looks at the current cost of lodging in the area, one can see rental opportunities that start as low as €800 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. The students usually share these apartments, and as such, the costs are halved.
Malta is the best place to enjoy Mediterranean cuisines. Local dishes show a strong influence from Italian, Spanish, French, and British cuisines. With 15 euros, one can have a meal in a local restaurant. If you are willing to spend 50 cents at a local pastry shop, you will have a chance to try different kinds of traditional Maltese pastry and sweets, such as Pastizzi, Kannoli, Qagħaq tal-għasel, and so on.
If you enjoy cooking by yourself, it is also easy to find fresh ingredients in Malta. There are a few convenience shops in every town and some big supermarkets at different locations on the island. You will also find a fruit and vegetable truck belonging to a local farmer in your village square, from where you can get the freshest ingredients. The price varies slightly from place to place, but you can always find a fixed price in a supermarket., From this link, you will have a general idea of grocery costs.
There are various transportation methods around the island, both private and public transportation. The proximity of the ITS campus to the airport means that there is a public transport hub 10 minutes on foot from the institute. One can travel by public transport, by purchasing a Tal-Linja card. The prices for the card can be found on the MPT website. One can view the schedule and routes for Maltese public transport buses on the Malta public transport website . The closest stop to the institute is the one called Avjazjoni and services the following routes 71,72,73,117,135,218,X1,X2,X3,X4. One can also download the tal linja app on his or her mobile device. This application gives real-time information on the services offered by the Malta Public transport.
Public transportation is not only limited to land as there are also ferries that can shuttle the visitor from Valletta to Sliema, as one can see from their schedule it varies according to the time of the year. Ferries can also take one to Malta’s sister island, Gozo. The schedule for the various trips can be found by clicking here.
As explained earlier there are also private modes of transport such as the private taxi cabs, hop on hop off buses, car sharing platforms and scenic ferries. In recent years, several new taxi companies have come on the market and are offering competitive rates and mobile applications that calculate the rate according to the distance that will be covered. If one wants a more picturesque tour of the Maltese Islands one can go on the hop on hop off bus. In certain parts of the island such as Valletta and Rabat there is also the opportunity to ride horse drawn carriages. There are also scenic ferries and boat trips that are available around the island such as the one in Blue Grotto or the one around the Grand Harbour, which are usually available during the summer months.
The modes of transport and the hours at which the travelling is done around Malta do affect the travelling time and may affect the fees if travelling by private transportation.
The time it takes for transportation from Malta International Airport to the Cirkewwa ferry, to cross over to Gozo, is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes by bus and 44 minutes by car.
Malta provides one of the best free public healthcare in Europe, which is available for all residents. In all the major cities there is a health centre offering free medical services to local residents. In the Ministry of Health website, you may find all the contact information and opening hours of each health centre and hospitals, as well as what types of medical services they provide.
Private healthcare system also works well with a strong network of local pharmacies and private hospitals. With proper health insurance, the costs can be reduced to a minimum It is very easy to access a local pharmacy and seek medical advice from there as almost all the pharmacies have GPs and medical specialists staying for certain hours every day.
During Covid-19 pandemic, many doctors provide online services. If one has covid-19 related symptoms, the doctors always suggest taking a swab test first, from here you can find ways to make an appointment to take a swab test for free. Currently the ITS campus is not open to students, but all the lectures and other services are still provided online, so if students need any help, we would always be here and offer help remotely.
here are various public libraries that can be found across the Islands of Malta. These range from small ones which target local communities, to regional libraries, as well as the national ones. For those who are inclined towards the reading of physical books, these can be accessed through a list of libraries accessible from www.maltalibraries.gov.mt. Others who seek digital literature can make use of the www.digivault.maltalibraries.gov.mt, or use mobile application links found on the official website of Malta Libraries
There are various social groups that one can participate in when residing in Malta. These range from scout groups, to religion, environment and arts amongst others.
A national registry for these NGOs can be accessed from the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector on https://maltacvs.org/
Public Spaces
Numerous parks can be found across the Maltese Islands, which although small in size, the majority of them carry a rich historical and cultural content.
There are a few major gardens that one must visit, these include; San Anton Gardens in H’Attard, the Barrakka gardens and Hastings Gardens in Malta’s Capital City Valletta and Sa Maison garden and other gardens in Floriana, and Buskett Gardens in Rabat (visitmalta.com, 2021)
Various other gardens exist around the Islands, some of which are themed, whereas others enjoy some of the best scenery of the Islands themselves, both in Gozo as well as in Malta. Additionally, the majority of the public gardens across the Islands enjoy free WiFi.
Being an Island in the Mediterranean, Malta has beaches for everyone. For those who seek some sea sport, as well as those who prefer a laid-back beach experience. From golden sand, red sand, rocks, blue lagoons and even inland seas, the islands can offer an array of beach fronts. Although the typical beach size is not huge, the setting is typically an immersive one. On larger beaches, you can find cafes or snack bars open during the summer season, but even through the shoulder months of Spring and Autumn.
Discover the beaches and bays by using the interactive map provided by visitmalta.com (www.visitmalta.com, 2021)
When it comes to free time, the Maltese Islands have many activities on offer, ranging from seasonal ones to others that are accessible across the year.
During the Summer season, one can spend time at water-based parks and museums, sea sports such as surfing, snorkelling and diving amongst others. Most of the sandy beaches in Malta and Gozo have rental services for water equipment, which make much of the sea-based activities possible. Boat trips around the islands are also frequent and provide another opportunity to relax and unwind during the sunny season. On the other hand, winter months also enjoy various activities such as rock-climbing, cycling, hiking and golfing. Much of these activities can be found across the western coast of the island of Malta, and to a wider extent in Gozo.
For those who are more inclined towards shopping, various shopping districts exist, in both the central as well as the southern and northern parts of the island. These are normally open all week and on public holidays. Cinemas are also located on the island, found mainly in St.Julians and in Qawra.