BC Tour de France: Malta

To kick off the first of our many school holidays this year, The BC family headed off to Malta, a small island, just south of Sicily. Our primary motivation in choosing Malta was that Rupert’s great grandfather, General Sir Charles Bonham-Carter, was governor of Malta before WWII. With the country’s location being only a two hour flight from Paris, now seemed like the perfect time to go and uncover some BC history.

Not much bigger than Amherst Island, Malta is jammed packed with forts, stunning churches, ancient ruins, medieval towns and friendly people. As well as hitting the island's top attractions, we had fun playing detective and tracking down where Great Grandfather BC lived, worked and entertained.

Coincidentally, P’s best friend in Paris, also has a family connection in Malta and they (the Kingston family) were also visiting while we were there. We had a great time together, and Mike's knowledge and enthusiasm of Maltese history was a big bonus and very helpful.

We spent our Sunday morning with the Kingston’s at the local market at Marsaxlokk. The market itself hugs the shoreline of a beautiful bay, filled with the traditional multicoloured Maltese boats called luzzus. Absolutely the most beautiful location for a market I have ever seen!

P, happy as a clam to be sitting with her BFF and enjoying the bay full of boats in Marsaxlokk.

D & P with P's BFF in front of a Luzzu near the market

Rupert, P&D walking in the footsteps of Sir Charles in front on St.John's Co-Cathedral.

Inside St.John's

Rupert finds Great Grandad's name in the list of British Govenors, at the Grand Masters Palace, Malta's house of government located in Valetta.

Rupert and the girls in front of Hagar Qim, one of the ancient temples of Malta. The Maltese temples are the oldest standing stone structures which remain to us from ancient times. The temples date from 4000 - 2500 BC. They are older than Stonehenge, and the Pyramids.