Malta

Malta's Palace of the Countess: Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates

While MTV may claim cultural ownership of Malta with its "Isle of MTV" festival staged there each July, the island that lies just south of Sicily has roots that run way deeper than Hollywood's recent interest. With some 7,000 years of history under its Mediterranean belt, Malta's megaliths, medieval dungeons and Calypso's Cave make the island positively mythic.

Reflecting that old world charm is the Il-Palazz tal-Kontessa (the palace of the countess), and a palace it is -- sans the garish and overly ornate Baroque and Rococo influences generally associated with palaces. Located in Rabat, Malta, the 19-room restored mansion has almost 11,000 square feet of living space and is on the market for 5 million Euros, or approximately $6.6 million U.S.

This palazzo lacks no modern amenity and includes domestic office spaces, private guest accommodations, servant quarters and large public areas for entertaining. The mansion has an imposing entry way, a central courtyard, two lateral office spaces each with private entry, a kitchen designed by Antonio Citterio, five bedrooms with private bathrooms, a gym, Hammam, library and wine cellar.

One of the more unusual features is the transparent glass flooring on the second floor. This roofed courtyard serves as an art gallery and has also been used by the owner-designer as a dance floor, accommodating up to 60 people. Should anyone suffer from vertigo, says the property representative Peter Rabitz, a faux turf carpet is stashed away and ready for use should the need arise to hide the glass flooring. The home is filled with natural light, diffused by the UV-filtering skylights. A green mosaic swimming pool accentuates the lush green gardens. The home has an elevator, a sauna, wine cellar, meditation room, and outdoor dining area.

Malta has recently been discovered by Hollywood -- both the industry and its A-listers. Bruce Willis vacationed here after shooting "Die Hard," drawing the world's eyes to the island. In 2004, Brad Pitt filmed his blockbuster "Troy" here. "A Different Loyalty," starring Sharon Stone was shot here the same year. Parts of "Gladiator" with Russell Crowe was filmed in Malta and Madonna shot her 2002 film, "Swept Away," here as well. Oscar-winning director Alejandro Amenabar filmed the ancient Egyptian epic, "Agora," on Malta.

Gallery: Malta's Palace of the Countess

Tags: malta, palace of the countess, palazzo, unusual homes

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Churchill Cigar Stub Found in Malta

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Winston Churchill was rarely seen without a cigar, and his trips to Malta were no exception. So, it's unsurprising that the tiny nation's history is littered with the stubs of Britain's war-time leader. Just recently, one of them was discovered, attached to the glass frame of a photo of the prime minister.

The cigar was found by Wigi Ebejer, grandson of Gabriel Ebejer, secretary of what is now the San Gabriel Band Club. During WWII, he worked for the Demolition and Clearance Department, which cleaned up around the Clock Tower in Vittoriosa shortly after the war's end. He received the cigar stub from a man remembered as Mr. Nappa, who worked as a cook at the Governor's Palace. Nappa received it from Gabriel Debono, a messenger with business for Churchill. Debono used the smoked cigar as proof of his legitimacy.

There are several of Churchill's "empties" in Malta, and there is a market for them as collectibles. Prices can run from hundreds to thousands of euros.

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Tags: cigar, cigars, collectibles, malta, Winston Churchill

Maison La Vallette

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

In Malta's ancient city of Valletta there is a new place to stay. Maison La Vallette is a classic Maltese townhouse that has been designed with wit and an eccentric design sense combining decor from Fornasetti, Alessi, Kartell, Ralph Lauren Home and Wedgewood with baroque Maltese style. For just 83 euros a night for two people this place offers a unique place to stay in one of this mystical city. Check out the photo gallery of images of the bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen from photographer Brian Grech below.

Gallery: Maison La Vallette

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Tags: accommodation, maison la vallette, MaisonLaVallette, malta, valletta

The Paloma, Where Sarkozy Celebrated

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Nicolas Sarkozy is very happy to be the newly-elected future president of France. The way he chose to celebrate, however, is causing controversy. Sarkozy took off for a three-day luxury cruise off the coast of Malta on the beautiful Paloma, a nearly 198-foot megayacht owned by billionaire investor Vincent Bollore. Many people are upset with Sarkozy' luxury junket especially since he is the man charged with reviving France's flagging economy. The yacht has seven cabins including a full beam owner's cabin and went through a total refit in 2003/2004. If you want to party like Sarkozy, the yacht charters for $220,000 during the high season.

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Tags: charter, malta, sarkozy, yacht

UnderSea Resorts Going For Malta

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing

I've written about the UnderSea Resort before and their plan to create a floating hotel in the Miami area. It turns out they have now gone European to and are in talks with the Government of Malta to take over the Marsa Shipyard in Malta. The shipyard has one of the longest dry docks in Europe. The company is planning the UnderSea resort and casino for the Qawra Bay in Malta as well as their project off Miami Beach, another in the Bahamas and other ones near New York and San Francisco. The press release from UnderSea makes the Malta negotiations sound like an almost-done deal but a Malta newspaper tells a far different story saying that what they have been shown in inconclusive and vague. I can't say I am exactly surprised, I'd be amazed if any of these ambitious projects actually gets built.

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Tags: floating hotel, malta, undersea, undersea resorts, UnderseaResorts

Ten Best International Retirement Spots

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Travel & Hotels

International Living has just compiled their Global Retirement Index for 2006, which lists the most popular overseas destinations for retirees. Their criteria are strict and take into account the following: real estate prices, special benefits for retirees, cost of living, safety and stability, health care, climate, culture & entertainment, and infrastructure. Topping the list, for the sixth year in a row, is Panama, which boasts beautiful landscapes, warm weather and a low cost of living that enables retirees to make the most of their retirement. Malta comes in second, a popular choice with a "perfect" climate and no property taxes. The rest of the top ten include: New Zealand, Uruguay, Mexico, France, Romania, Argentina, Malaysia, and Ecuador.

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Tags: estate, malta, panama, retire, retiree, travel