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Experience Europride 2023 at the Cugó Gran Macina

Malta is one of the smallest countries in Europe and forms part of an archipelago between North Africa and Sicily, together with another two small islands – Gozo and Comino. Because of its position, over the years it has attracted different civilizations, all looking for the best strategic position, and therefore diversity is imprinted in the DNA of the Maltese.

For the last couple of years, Malta has been ranked as being the most LGBTIQ+ friendly country in Europe, ranking top of the ILGA Europe Rainbow Index for five years in a row! The small island in the middle of the Mediterranean sea has been appearing in Europe’s travel gaydar due to the people’s extremely liberal attitude and openness towards the LGBTIQ+ community.

Malta welcomes and recognises all forms of couples and families, irrespective of their gender, while displays of affection in public areas can be witnessed without attracting any attention. There is no gay neighbourhood, as the LGBTIQ+ community is welcomed everywhere across the islands.

This year’s Europride, with the main aim to offer the European, Middle East & North Africa LGBTIQ+ Community a safe place to discuss today’s issues based on prejudice, bias and fear, through a series of events and activities will kick off on September 7.

The Cugó Gran Macina will be joining in the 10-day non-stop party in September. Our hotel, a Maltese landmark and an icon of Senglea offers spacious suites set in a historic building, that showcase modern interior design. All rooms are generously proportioned and luxuriously furnished. High vaulted ceilings and black-painted handrails on the mezzanine floors evoke the industrial past of the old harbour building. Set against this, the finest natural materials and carefully selected design elements provide a modern and luxurious contrast.

This interplay of past and present and of design and comfort will guarantee you a unique experience. The uniqueness of the location is also represented by the Cugó Gran Macina staff, who are multilingual, always polite and on hand to help with anything that you might need.

The exclusive pool on the roof of the building promises wellness and relaxation in a sublime atmosphere above the city’s roof tops. You can relax back into one of the loungers and allow your gaze to roam across the Mediterranean setting, before or after attending the various events for Europride 2023. And what’s great about the hotel is that you can also catch a ferry to all the cultural events, parties, festivals, conferences, fashion nights and other activities culminating in Malta’s capital, Valletta.

Make your stay an unforgettable experience. And if you book with promocode CGPRIDE23 you can also take advantage of 10% discount for the duration of your stay.

The Maltese Islands, one of the most beautiful islands around the world, have time and time again attracted loads of tourists. The delectable cuisine, beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, prehistoric temples, fossil-studded cliffs, hidden coves, thrilling scuba diving and a history of remarkable intensity are what sets the islands apart from the places that are in close proximity. If you are looking for a Summer destination, Malta is quite an amazing option to look into.

We have come up with some ideas for various things to do this Summer in Malta, right from the different types of entertainment to enjoying the finger-licking cuisine that the islands have to offer.

Yachting around the islands

You haven’t really visited Malta until you’ve explored its dazzling archipelago by sea. Von der Heyden Yachting can offer you an ultra-luxurious yacht to visit the most beautiful spots around the island – being the lofty Dingli Cliffs or the magical Blue Grotto. And while you’re cruising along, and if you’re a diving enthusiast, we are sure you’ll be able to find a wide range of creeks and reefs which make it perfect for you to have some fun time in. There are a number of natural caves and rock formations which further add to the amazing beauty of the place around you.

Daytrip to Gozo

You can also plan an elaborate day trip to the sister island – Gozo. It is located just a 20-minute ferry ride away from the island of Malta and is considered a smaller version of Malta altogether. The place is known for its vivid mixture of culture and heritage and consists of a wide range of rolling hills, hidden beaches and a rich variety of coastlines as well. One of the must visit on the island is the Citadella which is located in Victoria. The place does depict the rich history and heritage of the Roman and Byzantine times and is also known for its picturesque beauty all around.

Cuisine

One of the most important things that Malta is known for is the food that it offers. If you are there and you end up swerving away from the local cuisine, trust us, you are missing out on a lot. The food is not just delicious but one of a kind, which is what absolutely sets it apart from the rest. Make sure that you try everything, from the common local pasta to the peasant homely dishes that some places are known around for. The rabbit stew is a local favourite if you aren’t a vegetarian, but there are also a number of vegetarian options to lurk around.

Beaches

Visiting the beaches is an absolute must when you are in Malta in Summer. The blue flag beaches are one of a kind and will end up taking your breath away. Some of the most popular beaches include Pretty Bay in the South and Riviera Bay and Paradise Bay in the North.

Festas

A Maltese festa is a predominantly important activity that’s held during the Summer months in every village and town around Malta. The people commemorate and celebrate their patron saint and indulge in a weeklong fiesta. The activity includes not just food and drinks but music and a wide range of entertainment as well. You can even view a wide range of parades too.

Temples

Owing to the pleasant time around the months of Summer, you can even visit the popular temples that are found around the islands. The Neolithic temples that are located in Ggantija in Xaghra Gozo are believed to be one of the oldest manmade structures around Malta. They date back to 3600 BC and are known for the kind of rich heritage that they behold.

Did we manage to tickle your fancy to book your next holiday to Malta? If we did, our hotel – the icon of Senglea harbour is a Maltese landmark that meets modern interior design. Make your stay in Malta an unforgettable experience by booking your room at the Cugó Gran Macina.

Spoil your mum for Mother’s Day

All mothers deserve to feel special every day of the year, but especially on Mother’s Day.

We often forget how important our mothers are in shaping our world, from the second we are born to the moment we leave their house for good. The values and principles they instil within us will stay with us wherever we go.

A mum is more than just a parent, she’s a role model, a support system, a teacher, a friend and the one person you can always count on no matter what. She is there when you need her, day and night, whether it be for a car ride home after a party or for emotional support after a breakup – they’ll always be by your side.

Mums are truly there 24/7 – no matter whether you’re miles away or just next door.

So why not make this Mother’s Day extra special by bringing your mother on a nice relaxing break to Malta? Whether you’re interested in culture, history, gastronomy or diving, there is something for everyone on this Mediterranean paradise.

With Cugó Gran Macina you can plan the journey of your dreams. Set withing a historical fortress, the modern interior design and bespoke luxury fittings contrast with the history of the hotel. Most of the 21 suites offer unobstructed views of the Grand Harbour and the surrounding marina, and boast high vaulted ceilings and ample natural light.

The hotel also offers a swimming pool, tucked discreetly on the rooftop of the annex building with a terrace looking out across the water to Vittoriosa and Cospicua for some well-deserved relaxation. It also includes a fully-fledged bar and a fine dining modern Mediterranean restaurant, which can tickle anyone’s taste buds.

And for this special day on May 14th, the Cugó Gran Macina is offering a Mother’s Day package including a massage for all mothers. The offer is applicable for bookings made between 17 April and 14 May ’23 for stays taking place throughout 2023.

Go on and make that booking; we know you want to!

Discover local Easter traditions in Malta

Easter in Malta is one of the most important and primary religious feasts. With a church for every day of the year – a total of 365 churches to go around, it’s no wonder you will find something happening in every town and village you visit. Here are some of the traditions you can immerse yourself into when visiting the archipelago during Easter.

Join a pilgrimage

A widespread local tradition which can get you into the Maltese Easter spirit is to visit seven churches. On Holy Thursday, Christians spend their evening in prayers as they visit seven different churches. The three cities, with one of the cities housing our hotel, are perfect for this. With several churches located close to each other, you can walk from one church to the other, stopping at each to recite prayers at the Altars of Repose. Otherwise, you can join in the adventure and experience the Maltese countryside by night by following the pilgrimage that starts in Siggiewi. Follow the candle lit trail up the steep hill to the imposing Laferla Cross, which is symbolic to the Way of the Cross.

Discover the churches

Churches in Malta are always worth a visit, but during the Easter period they become a focal point. You will find grand displays of the Altars of Repose, an overpowering incense that fills the air, walls draped with black and purple and chanting in the background. We’re sure that this background will transport you to a different world and time in history. And you can also enjoy the beautiful streets surrounding the churches, which are usually decked out in religious pavilions, crosses and holy pictures hung on several private residences as well.

Participate in a procession

If you’re in Malta on Good Friday, visiting one of the many processions is a must. The procession is a sombre but impressive display of life-size statues representing the Passion of Christ, which are paraded through the village streets, reminiscent of a funeral march with live music played by the local band club. Participants dressed as biblical characters also join in the procession.

Visit local exhibitions

Displays from the Last Supper can be seen all over the towns and villages across the Island. These are usually setup by independent enthusiasts and should not be missed. Admire the elegant statues of religious artworks in salt and rice, or the life-size or scale representations of the Last Supper, sometimes also accompanied by a presentation setting the scene and taking you back to biblical times.

Easter lunch

The festivities come to an end on Easter Sunday with the joyous ringing of church bells. There are also several processions held in different towns throughout the day with the statue of the Risen Christ. One of the day’s highlights will be lunch with family and friends, followed by a nice piece of figolla – a traditional almond-filled pastry prepared only at Easter.

If you are planning your Easter getaway to Malta, book your room at the Cugó Gran Macina and experience these beautiful traditions first hand.

The Maltese Islands are the backdrop for some of the region’s coolest arts, culture and sports events and you can find a variety of festivals and events pertaining to all kinds of art forms.

In fact, the Maltese love a good celebration and any opportunity to be merry. So if you are after a wide variety of performances, events and traditional festas to choose from, Malta can offer you the perfect location to travel to. And to top if all off, all these events are happening on a lively, sunny island that’s a real hub of entertainment in the Mediterranean.

We’re about to give you a small list of what’s happening where and how on the Maltese Islands.

VILLAGE FESTA (all year round, especially June – September)

There are over forty village feasts pertaining to the parishes of different localities around Malta and Gozo. An integral part of Maltese culture, these traditional events are a celebration of the patron saint of the local parish. Fireworks are a huge feature of the ‘festa‘, as are brass bands and food stalls serving Maltese food and drink.

 FIREWORKS FESTIVAL (April)

The crème de la crème of international fireworks enthusiasts comes together under one sky against a unique Maltese backdrop. To this effect, the Malta international fireworks festival competition is set across three days in different locations and the Cugó Gran Macina is right in the middle of all the action.

VALLETTA JAZZ FESTIVAL (July)

Few events have a setting as spectacular as the Malta Jazz Festival. An open-air stage on the water’s edge at the Grand Harbour, shimmering with the warm reflections of lit-up fortifications, hosts jazz music by internationally acclaimed musicians. Most certainly, this is one of the most prestigious music events in Malta and a definite must if you’re on the island in July.

EUROPRIDE (September)

Experience the largest gathering of love & diversity Malta has ever seen. The Europride in Valletta, a 10-day event featuring world class concerts, parties and more will take place in September. Over the last decades, Malta has proudly achieved the status of LGBTIQ+ friendly place, ranking top of the ILGA Europe Rainbow Index for five years in a row. Malta welcomes and recognises all forms of couples and families, irrespective of their gender, while displays of affection in public areas can be witnessed without attracting any attention. There is no gay neighbourhood, as the LGBTIQ+ community is welcomed everywhere across the islands.

MIDDLE SEA RACE (October)

If you’re into yachting, then the Middle Sea Race is definitely for you. The racecourse sees over 100 yachts from all over the world negotiate winds through 606 nautical miles. Starting from the Grand Harbour, Valletta, beneath Fort St Angelo and the Saluting Battery in Valletta, the fleet heads North along the Eastern coasts of Sicily up towards the Straits of Messina. The setting Is simply wonderful and the race can be watched from any of Valletta’s fortifications, which create a sight worth waiting for.

As you can see, there is plenty to choose from when it comes to events in Malta. And few places in the world can boast such impressive locations as those in the Maltese Islands. To book your room for one of the above events visit https://bit.ly/3xxXBCS.

Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days of the year. Stores put out chocolates and romantic cards, while restaurants and hotels offer romantic packages for couples looking for a special way to spend the day. And in case you were wondering, you don’t need to be in a relationship to celebrate this special day.

A popular and conventional way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is by giving your loved ones or family and friends an assortment of gifts, including cards, chocolates and flowers. Whilst some others opt to spend the day together, enjoying each other’s company and showcasing their love to one other.

This year, we have come up with some ideas how you could spend your Valentine’s Day in our hotel:

1. Take a leisurely stroll around the Grand Harbour Marina right across the Cugó Grand Macina and stop for a cup of coffee or a bottle of wine in the array of cafes and restaurants nearby.
2. Scroll through your photos on your iCloud or Facebook account. It will be fun to see how you’ve changed over time. This is an especially good one if you’ve been together for a while. Finish the night with a new photo to add to the mix.
3. Enjoy a ferry ride to Valletta and visit one of the wonderful museums or exhibits in the capital. This way, if you’re more of the ‘quiet romantic day’ type, you will be escaping the restaurant madness. You can also grab a hot chocolate on the way back to the hotel for a sweet treat.
4. Take a bubble bath for two. Our beautiful soaking tubs can be so inviting, especially if you sprinkle some rose petals on top of your bubbles.
5. Dance together, Try out some new moves in your room, in a dance lesson, or even at a salsa club. Valentine’s Day is all about getting close, and this is a great way to do so.

If we’ve got you intrigued with these ideas on how to spend your Valentine’s Day, Cugó Gran Macina will offer guests booking their Valentine’s getaway a free bottle of wine and a room setup with rose petals, including a roof top experience with petit fours and a glass of prosecco.

You can book your room by visiting https://cugogranmacina.com/.

Find out what our Collection has planned for the coming year

The IBB Hotel Collection brand has always looked for excellence, where quality, sustainability and top destinations are the core of our hospitality group, and this year is no different. We have big ambitions for 2023 – our main aim is to accomplish a series of sustainability goals across the group’s hotels.

We have always taken our corporate social responsibility seriously, and 2023 is our most ambitious year to date. Our world is at risk, and every action has consequences. The world is our treasure, and we are committed to continuously improving and setting a good example to our peers, colleagues and guests. We aim to contribute to sustainability efforts through measurable actions and have set up an internal structure to make this happen.

The environment constitutes everything – life as we know it – and we suffer with it. Billions of people depend on the environment for their livelihood, food, shelter, and medicine. Nature affects the food on our plates, the air we breathe, our physical and mental health, and the lives we are used to living. Let us work together to stop the further degradation of our world and protect all the wonders that nature gives us.

Our goals for 2023

Our aims are to reduce our:

• Energy consumption
• Water consumption
• Use of single-use plastic
• Carbon footprint
• Food waste

And increase:

• Recycling practices
• Sustainable & ecological sources of food
• Ecological guest amenities
• Energy from renewable sources
• Employee satisfaction

Our ESG and its importance

Environmental Social Governance (ESG) is an approach to evaluate the extent to which a corporation works on behalf of environmental and social goals that go beyond the maximising of profits. This is important because of increasing concern about the environmental and social impacts of businesses.

As a Group that contributes to real estate, construction, and tourism greenhouse gas emissions, IBB Hotel Collection believe there should be a collective responsibility from all involved to work on the decarbonisation of their activities. We are pledging to do our utmost to reduce our impact in these sectors, including the social impact of adversely affecting local communities and contributing to labour and human rights risks. We are working towards sourcing local, sustainable alternatives to products and material used throughout our establishments.

Monthly throughout 2023 we will be collecting our ESG data on the below topics and using it to track our progress and analyse where improvements can be made:

• Electricity, gas and water consumption
• Labour practices
• Food management
• Waste management
• Food safety

Eco-Actions for 2023

Every month throughout the year our Group will be promoting one eco-action, both internally and publicly. Each month we will be going further in depth into the below topics and sharing more details about our actions via social media, newsletters and blog posts.

Each of these eco-actions is aimed at making the world a better place, be it by advocating for human rights or by reducing the consumption of water, non-renewable energy sources, animal products, plastic, and more. Additionally, throughout the year donations will be made to various charities, and awareness will be raised for a variety of causes.

We hope to keep improving as we grow and evolve, and we encourage everyone to make small changes that can help to protect our planet. We are enthusiastic about what the new year will bring, and we hope you will follow us on this journey. Stay tuned!

Did you know that the Maltese love Christmas and the festive season? Read more to find out what you can expect to experience whilst in Malta over the holidays.

What is the festive season like in Malta?

Although Malta is best known for its hot summers and beautiful beaches, its mild winter months offer just as much activity – with less crowds. The Maltese love Christmas festivities, and you can expect to see ornately decorated streets as early as the end of November.

The capital city of Valletta, which is a short ferry ride away from the Cugó Gran Macina Malta hotel, is one of the most beautifully dressed cities on the island, with intricate decorations, dazzling lights and street music.

The square in front of Valletta’s entrance, Pjazza Tritoni, home to the iconic Triton Fountain, is transformed into Fairyland, a seasonal Santa’s City that offers fun activities for people of all ages. Featuring a seasonal Ferris wheel, this gives visitors the best bird’s eye view of Valletta. There is also an ice-skating rink, carousel, small Christmas market and other rides. Fairyland opens on 8 December and runs until the 6 January 2023.

Other notable events taking place are Santa’s World, a unique Christmas experience located in the central part of Malta, taking place between 7 December and 1 January 2023. There is also The Illuminated Trail, a magical after-dark adventure for all the family, taking place at the mesmerising Verdala Palace gardens, happening between 25 November and 7 January 2023.

Other festive entertainment on the island includes various plays, pantomimes, and concerts, as well as traditional handmade nativity exhibitions (or presepji in Maltese) that capture the scene of the birth of Jesus. Malta, being a Catholic country, is very proud of these exhibitions, and crib building in Malta is said to have started as early as the seventeenth century. If you are visiting over the Christmas period, a trip to one of the hundreds of exhibitions is highly recommended.

We cannot talk about Christmas without mentioning food! Roasted chestnuts are a commonly found street food, and the local drink Imbuljuta Tal-Qastan, which is comparable to hot cocoa, is made of chestnut puree, chocolate, and spices, and is a great way to warm up. For those with a sweet tooth, local Qagħaq Tal-Għasel are baked pastries in the form of a ring that are filled with a soft mix of treacle, semolina and spices, as well as traditional British mince pies, Christmas cakes, chocolate logs and mulled wine, which have stuck firmly in local tradition. After all, Malta was under British rule for over 150 years.

If you will be in Malta over New Year’s, the annual open-air celebration on New Year’s Eve in Valletta is fun for all. The city is transformed into one big party, with beautiful lights, live music & performances, food & drinks, and a wonderful fireworks display over the majestic Grand Harbour. Various private events, exclusive parties and dinner experiences happen all over the island. There is truly something for all tastes.

Should you wish to experience the festive season in Malta, let us help make it memorable. Visit the Cugó Gran Macina Malta website to book your stay now.