"Malta by Knight" Malta by CliffClaven

Malta Travel Guide: 12 reviews and 13 photos

It's not often you bump into a Prince and Grand Master.

Old Cliffie was at the headquarters in Rome of the Order of Malta - or to give the Order its full title, the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta. He was there for a meeting but got out of the lift on the wrong floor. As he wandered along dimly lit corridors, poking his head hopefully into dark, book-lined rooms, a small, elderly figure in an impeccable dark suit asked in equally impeccable Italian if he could be of assistance. Old Cliffie thought he was dealing with a particularly polite usher and asked about his meeting, but as he listened to the explanation he suddenly realised that he recognised the elderly figure in front of him. He just hadn't recognised him at first, because in photographs he usually wore the full uniform of the Grand Master. Switching to English, old Cliffie mumbled his apology but the Grand Master merely chuckled and asked where old Cliffie had learned his Italian. The Grand Master chuckled even more when he heard old Cliffie's answer: in the back streets of Naples.

Last visit to Malta: Nov 2005
Intro Updated Dec 12, 2005
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Reviews (12)

Malta, Latvia Favorites (1)

And why is this page under Latvia? Well, old Cliffie didn't want to put it under the island republic in the... more travel advice

SMOM in the world Things to Do (5)

As a sovereign entity, the SMOM appoints representatives to many international organisations. It has Permanent Observer... more travel advice

Helping the world Off The Beaten Path (2)

If you are in one of the world’s hotspots, you can be fairly certain to find the Order of Malta providing medical care... more travel advice

Krak des Chevaliers Off The Beaten Path (2)

Go back to the early days of the Knights of St John, and this is where you would certainly have met them. The Krak des... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (1)
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Comments (11)

craic Jan 14, 2008 at 5:57 AM Report Abuse

time for a cliffie page - full of fascination as always - i strolled down Via Condotti several times and never knew i could buy a stamp there to send a postcard to someone in San Marino - if I knew anyone in San marino.
marcbrazil Oct 16, 2007 at 7:40 AM Report Abuse

Malta seems to be a great summer place to visit in Europe, eh? Very interesting tips that you wrote!;)
hunterV Apr 10, 2007 at 1:22 PM Report Abuse

Thanks form your enlightening us on that subject!
uglyscot Jan 20, 2007 at 9:19 AM Report Abuse

You live and learn. I think I came across the place in Rome , but backtracked as didn't know what it was.
unravelau Oct 30, 2006 at 2:17 PM Report Abuse

Wonderful, full of humour, interesting information and your beautiful perspective. Thank you. Carole.
jungles May 29, 2006 at 10:30 AM Report Abuse

Love your page about SMOM, but why didn't you post it under Rome? A symbolic stance on its status as an independent nation perhaps?
Sininen Dec 28, 2005 at 10:45 PM Report Abuse

Hello Michael! HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes from Finland! Very informative page on Malta, where I'd like to travel in 2006. I'll check more carefully later. Cheers, Sini
daarth Dec 12, 2005 at 12:56 AM Report Abuse

This was all new to me!
pigletsmom Feb 8, 2005 at 11:20 PM Report Abuse

All I can say is, you must have some delivery route. Very entertaining writing.
Darby2 Dec 25, 2004 at 12:20 PM Report Abuse

Q. How do you make a Maltese cross? A. Stick a lighted match in his ear.