I’m in my Euro Summer Era
It’s official, I’m in my Euro Summer era. We recently returned from a trip to Malta and Croatia and honestly, everything you’ve heard is true, both places are magic. So here’s your ultimate guide to where we stayed, where we ate, and, for the sake of this conversation, what I wore.
Malta
Where we Stayed: The Phoenicia Malta (Valletta)
One thing about me is that I’m choosing old-world charm over modern luxury every time I book a hotel. I want character and history – an escape from the current day into a slower, more deliberate pace of life. Our home base in Malta was the Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta and it delivers just that. This place really is a gem that transports you to a time when attention to detail and an appreciation for the finer things in life were paramount. I felt nostalgic just walking through the halls and eating dinner on the back veranda. It makes you want to dress up and drink martinis. It makes you never want to leave.
DRESS (SIMILAR)
Where to Eat in Malta
Porticello Restaurant (Valletta)
We had an amazing dinner at Porticello, right on the water. The seafood was fresh and the ambiance was ambianc-ing. My diet was heavily anchored in Vongole throughout this trip and Porticello served up my favourite one. I am also convinced that all food tastes better when you can see the sea.
TWO PIECE SET | SHOES | BAG
Where to Eat in Malta (continued):
- Beef Bar (St Paul’s Bay): This beach club/restaurant is absolutely stunning and worth the spend if you want a bougie day on the cocktails.
- Strait Street (Valletta): An adorable little street packed with various bars. It’s perfect for bar hopping and experiencing the local nightlife.
- AROY-D (Three Cities): Located on the edge of the harbor, this spot is fantastic for food and Aperols. The setting is picturesque, making it a great place to unwind after a long day of walking.
Shop My Makeup Look
What to Do in Malta:
- Wuestenwinds Beach (Valletta): My favorite beach in Valletta is Wuestenwinds on the East side of town. It’s less crowded, has a local vibe, and has a cute little cafe where you can grab a cold beer and some snacks, which is my idea of a perfect afternoon. There is no sand, you simply lay out on the flat rock and listen to the waves rolling in..
- Traditional Boat Ride from Valletta to Three Cities: Taking one of the traditional boats across to Three Cities is a must. The views are fantastic, and the boats themselves are super charming. The cost is around 4 euros each way.
Top Tip:
Blue Lagoon: While the Blue Lagoon is famously beautiful, it can be overwhelmingly busy during peak season, so it’s a hard maybe for me if you’re visiting during that time. The picture below looks serene but behind the camera was chaos.
Croatia
Where to Stay:
We stayed at the Grand Park Hotel in Rovinj, and it was seriously amazing. My only critic would be that it’s a little soulless for my liking. Super modern design and over the top luxury, so its a ridiculous critic for me to have about such an incredible property, but I was just missing the nostalgia from above. If however you are into sleek, contemporary design, you will love this place. We were only here for two nights, so it was a quick stop over but we did get to eat in the hotels two-michelin star restaurant, Agli Amici, and that was an incredible experience.
Hvar: Palace Elisabeth Heritage Hotel
In Hvar, we stayed at the iconic Palace Elisabeth and I was right back in my old-world charm. This is one of my favourite hotels that I’ve stayed in to date. It was in collaboration with Leading Hotels of the World so we did get, what can only be described as a princess suite, which certainly provided an exceptional stay, but every corner of the hotel is a stunning blend of historical grandeur and luxury. It was originally a Venetian Duke’s palace back in the 13th century and you can kind of feel this whispering through its walls (maybe that was the wine). At any rate I will one hundred percent be returning here.
Where to Eat in Hvar:
One of the highlights of our trip was dining at Val Marina Restaurant in Hvar, another beautiful restaurant situated right on the harbor in the old town. They had this cute little ‘make your own bruschetta’ moment, and I don’t know if it was the sun or the glass of prosecco they hand you when you walk in but I had one of those “bury me here” moments. Chefs kiss.
Black Pepper Restaurant – I love this place for the ambiance. The veranda is covered in flowers or you can sit in on the steps of this adorable little side street and watch the world drift by.
San Marco Restaurant – This is the restaurant in Palace Elisabeth so we had breakfast and dinner here. The food is so fresh, you’re sat outside under this beautiful
What to Do in Hvar:
Explore Rovinj’s Old Town
Rovinj’s Old Town is a maze of cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and charming squares. We spent hours wandering around, taste testing olive oil in the market, looking through local shops and happily getting lost in the tiny little streets that sporadically come to a dead end.
Beaches of Hvar
Hvar is known for its beautiful beaches, and crystal clear water which, in my opinion, will cure anything you got. We were up with the sun for our morning dip each day and surrounded by mostly locals, swimming with their pups and lounging on the rocks. It made me wish I was a local.
SHOP MY SWIMWEAR
I will be sharing the details of my next trip very soon. Make sure you’ve subscribed to my newsletter so you don’t miss out.
