Secret coves and stunning cities: How Adele Roberts and Kate Holderness fell in love with magical Malta
Ad Feature by Jet2holidays and Visit Malta
The first time broadcaster and DJ Adele Roberts visited Malta, it was by accident.
She was on a cruise with her partner, actress Kate Holderness, and the ship rerouted to the capital, Valletta, due to choppy seas.
'We got to spend about an hour in Valletta and loved it, got a picture with a statue of Sophia Loren and thought that was Malta,' laughs Kate.
Broadcaster and television personality Adele Roberts loved every minute of her trip to Malta
This time, they decided to go back and do it properly, exploring more of the stunning Baroque capital, seeking out hidden coves and spending time in nature.
Malta was only Adele's second holiday abroad since she had her stoma bag fitted, following a battle with bowel cancer, which was diagnosed in 2021. The couple had remained staunchly positive during treatment and Adele had shown that Audrey – the name she has given her stoma – wasn't going to hold her back.
In the last 18 months, she has run the London Marathon, taken part in ITV's Dancing on Ice, and written an autobiography. It was time to relax.
A romantic escape
'We had time to really chill out,' says Adele. 'Kate and I could enjoy time together on our own in beautiful settings. When you're living somewhere like London or when you're constantly on the hamster wheel, you don't find yourself ever alone.
'We'd watch the sunset every night from Pembroke Nature Reserve, just near our hotel. Sometimes there were other couples, sometimes groups of mates, all watching the sun go down, it was one of those really mindful places.'
Adele and Kate knew that travelling with Jet2holidays meant everything would be looked after
The couple travelled with Jet2holidays and stayed at Corinthia St George's Bay, set right on the coast in St Julians, just outside Valletta. Their ATOL and ABTA-protected package meant they could enjoy the four-star-plus hotel, return flights and transfers~, and 22kg of baggage, all included in one seamless experience.
'It was very nice, just down a hill by the bay, there were loads of pools and if you stay half-board, they have a dine-around concept so you pick from any restaurant and enjoy different cuisine every night,' says Adele.
Kate, pictured, and Adele really enjoyed their four-star-plus hotel, Corinthia St George's Bay
A favourite dining experience was the hotel's gourmet restaurant Caviar and Bull. But while they enjoyed some pool time and relaxation, this couple doesn't stand still for long!
Cultural immersion
Both Adele and Kate experienced 'wow' moments, where they found themselves in awe of their surroundings.
'I had that moment when we took a water taxi, this really beautiful gondola-style boat that only costs €2, across the harbour from Valletta to the Three Cities, and it really did feel like we were in a movie,' says Adele.
'It was really amazing because that wasn't even an attraction,' adds Kate. 'It was just a mode of transport to get across the water. It was so beautiful.
Way to go: Getting a water taxi across the harbour was a treat, and only cost a couple of euros
'For me, our horse-riding experience was one of my standout moments. It was a really lovely family business where the dad checks you in and puts you on your horse and the son takes you out. And they do it at sunset as well, which was fully booked when we were there so we need to go back do that one.'
The cities themselves were like open-air museums, with Valletta famed for its honeyed stone and Baroque architecture, built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century.
'When you're in Valletta, you're walking through a timeline of history,' explains Kate. 'The co-cathedral is nice from the outside but I'm so glad we went in – it must be the most stunning cathedral or church we've ever been in.'
Adele said St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta was the most beautiful she had ever seen
Fine food and outdoor adventure
Adele managed to get some runs in, enjoying amazing sea views as she made her way along the coast.
The couple also headed out together to enjoy hikes and soak up some of those 300 days of sunshine Malta enjoys each year – the perfect antidote to indulgent foodie experiences.
'The food was fantastic,' says Kate. 'I feel like every time we ate, I said to Adele in some form or other "This is the best whatever-I'm-eating that I've ever had". It was the best cake I've ever had, the best cannoli I've ever had.'
Fresh air: Malta enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year, and Adele and Kate made the most of it
Adele adds: 'I think with countries like Malta, because they're very proud of their culture, they make things from scratch. A lot of the time the businesses have been passed through the generations, and it really felt like everything had been made with care.'
The couple tried Pastizzi – pasties stuffed with ricotta cheese at a spot recommended by a local, just one of the tips they picked up.
Local foodie treat: Pastizzi are flaky savoury pastries with delicious fillings
'They told us about the secret beach that we went to,' says Kate. 'It's called Għajn Tuffieħa Bay and it's right next to Golden Bay Beach. If you just walk over the cliff from there, you go down some steps and it's got a really nice beach club called Singita Miracle Beach.'
Travel made easy
Adele and Kate had previously travelled with Jet2holidays for their first trip abroad after stoma bag Audrey came into their lives. The friendly in-resort Customer Helpers and VIP service meant they both looked forward to booking with the UK's largest tour operator again.
It was a positive experience that extended throughout the holiday.
Romantic dinner: The couple particularly loved the hotel's gourmet restaurant, Caviar & Bull
'I could find anything I wanted to eat,' says Adele. 'I think because all the food is handmade and there is lots of fresh produce, I could easily eat and navigate it. There were lots of facilities, even at the beaches and even when we went on hikes, which was great, and everything was well serviced.'
In fact, the couple had such a great time, they're already listing the things they missed and what to see the next time around – from the sunset horse ride to a boat trip to sister island Gozo.
~Unless otherwise stated
*On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. Full payment required by balance due date.
^See www.jet2holidays.com/part-payment for full details.
