Malta Hotels: A Creative Country Full Of Crafts For Everyone
October 1st, 2011 |The beautiful holiday destinations of Crete and Malta are known for their vast and varied craft markets. If you fancy some new artwork for your house, or perhaps you’d like to take some intricate pieces of lace back home, Maltese markets are the place to go. What you save on Malta hotels, you can splurge on these beautiful holiday reminders that will last a lifetime.
Despite becoming a fading business, the interest from tourists has since revived the traditional lace craft in Malta. Lace is available to buy at most shops but a great place to shop is Ta’ Qali Crafts Village. The Knights of St John introduced lace to the island and the traditional version is called bizilla. Collars and ruffles used to be made from the lace, also known as bobbin, back in the 16th and 17th Centuries.The beautiful lace not only makes perfect gifts but is important to the locals because of its artistic and cultural values.
Those who enjoy early morning jaunts to the market should choose one of the Crete hotels located nearby. One of Crete’s most popular crafts are the gorgeous Frutti-di-mare clay sculptures, which are found in most of the markets here. Another well known craft are traditional Cretan knives – pop to O Armenis, where you can watch how the handles are matched to the blades. The Women’s Cooperative, on the main square, is another great shopping destination to visit, especially for rare pieces of locally produced lace.
Tarxien Temple, The National Museum of Archaeology and Saflieni Hypogeum are a must-see for those interested in ceramics and pottery. A more traditional Maltese market is the fish market of Marsaxlokk. Whilst here, you can also pick up souvenirs, crafts and locally produced vegetables. Pottery is the oldest craft on the island, dating back to the prehistoric age. Make sure you book one of the available hotels nearby to the main markets, making them easy to visit. Among the top Sunday markets include the one in Valletta, which sells everything from daily essentials, household necessities to clothes and crafts.
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Very good points made here. I agree totally on where the go...