island Archives - Shared Adventures

Why Malta Should Be on Your Travel Bucket List: Europe’s Hidden Gem

July 18, 2025 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

Tucked away in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta typically flies under the radar for American travelers. But this tiny island nation is bursting with history, natural beauty, and cultural richness. If you’re looking for a destination that combines ancient wonders, crystal-clear seas, and unforgettable cuisine, without overwhelming crowds or inflated prices – Malta is your perfect hidden gem.

We recently made a much-too-short visit to Malta, basing ourselves in Valletta for a few days in June and exploring as much of the surrounding areas as we could. And just that little taste of the destination left us hungry for more. We will definitely be heading back for a longer stay in the not-too-distant future. And here’s why you should too:

1. Rich History and Stunning Architecture

The capital city, Valletta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with Baroque architecture, fortresses, and ornate churches, including St. John’s Co-Cathedral, home to a Caravaggio masterpiece. Wander through Mdina, Malta’s ancient walled city known as the “Silent City,” and you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.

Malta is one of the most historically rich countries in the world. It boasts over 7,000 years of civilization, with some of the oldest freestanding structures known to humankind — like the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples, built long before the Egyptian pyramids.

We explored Fort St Elmo, and the National War Museum, and learned how the Maltese have fought off invaders from the Ottoman Turks through the Nazis, and why the entire island was awarded the George Cross for bravery. And we stayed in a lovely little hotel (Palais Le Brun) housed in a seventeenth-century baroque palace. It was a history-lover’s dream

2. Breathtaking Natural Beauty

Despite its small size (just one-tenth the size of Rhode Island), Malta’s landscapes are dramatically diverse and visually stunning. From golden beaches to limestone cliffs and hidden coves, nature lovers will find plenty to admire.

The Blue Lagoon (Comino): With its turquoise waters, this spot is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and soaking up the sun.

Dingli Cliffs: The highest point in Malta, offering panoramic sea views and peaceful walking trails.

Ramla Bay (Gozo): Known for its reddish sand and quiet charm—ideal for a laid-back beach day.

Blue Grotto: A striking series of sea caves that glow electric blue under the midday sun.

If you’re into hiking, diving, or simply taking in the views, Malta’s natural beauty offers a rich backdrop for adventure and relaxation. We spent a full day exploring the island of Gozo by jeep, and saw beautiful little beaches, dramatic cliffs, unique salt pans, and charming local villages.

3. A Unique Cultural Blend and Flavorful Cuisine

Malta’s culture is a reflection of its complex history. Having been ruled by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Knights of St. John, and the British, the island has developed a one-of-a-kind blend of European and North African influences.

Maltese people speak both Maltese and English, making communication easy for most travelers. And their cuisine is a Mediterranean fusion with bold flavors and hearty dishes like Pastizzi (flaky pastries filled with ricotta or mushy peas, sold at nearly every corner) and Stuffat tal-Fenek (a rich rabbit stew that is Malta’s national dish.)

We dined by the sea on fresh tuna and local beer. We traipsed up and down Valletta’s steep streets for ftira (their local flatbread pizza). And, we enjoyed a full English breakfast at the hotel, complete with baked beans and tomatoes. It was a delightful mix!

When to Visit:

The shoulder seasons — April to June and September to early November — are ideal for milder weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices. Summer (July–August) is hot and popular for beachgoers, while winter offers budget-friendly sightseeing with cooler temps.

Typical Climate:
Malta enjoys a Mediterranean climate. With hot, dry summers (up to 35°C / 95°F) and mild winters (10–15°C / 50–59°F). It’s sunny almost year-round, making it one of Europe’s best destinations for winter sun.

Final Thoughts

Malta may be small in size, but it delivers big experiences. From ancient wonders and vibrant coastal scenery to flavorful dishes and a welcoming local culture, this Mediterranean island offers something special for every type of traveler.

If you’re looking for a destination that’s still relatively under the radar, rich in both heritage and heart, then Malta should be at the very top of your travel bucket list. And we would be happy to help you with those plans!

Top 6 Tips for Your Next Caribbean Adventure

March 11, 2025 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

When you think of an island getaway, the Caribbean is always one of the top places on the list. Bright sunshine, soft sand, and endless days of relaxation. What more could you want from a vacation? The Caribbean is an endlessly popular destination and here are our top 6 tips for maximizing your next Caribbean Adventure:

Don’t Forget About Hurricane Season

It’s important to consider the hurricane season when planning your Caribbean travel. The season runs from June to November, but the worst months are August – October. Should you absolutely have to travel during that period, consider going to one of the more southerly islands. Islands like Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire, just above Venezuela, are technically outside the hurricane region. They might receive some rain but aren’t likely to be hit heavily.

Remember Each Island is Unique

The Caribbean boasts beautiful warm waters and lush landscapes everywhere you turn. But, with over 7,000 islands and 28 different nations, each island has its own culture, atmosphere, history, cuisine, and vibe. It’s important to consider these differences when deciding which island to visit

[ Photo Credit: Outside Hamilton’s birthplace in Nevis from Ann via Shared Adventures]

Doing more research or speaking with a travel advisor will help you find the right vibe for your travel style. Make sure you pick an island whose culture and cuisine interest you! Connecting with the local culture will make your Caribbean adventure infinitely more enjoyable.

Embrace the Local Cuisine

Some of the most diverse and delicious cuisines can be found in the Caribbean islands. Influenced by Indigenous, African, Indian, and European cultures – seek out local restaurants and street vendors. Even if you stick to the resort restaurants, branch out and try the local delicacies.

You may recognize some dishes like grilled lobster in Grenada, jerk chicken from Jamaica, or conch fritters from Turks and Caicos. And some may be completely new, but no less mouth-watering.

[Photo Credit: Grilling lobsters in Grenada from Liz via Shared Adventures]

Try an Oil Down in Grenada ( a combination of breadfruit, coconut milk, dasheen, dumplings, callaloo, spices, and salted fish). Or Keshi Yena in Aruba (made from a large hollowed-out ball of cheese; stuffed with spiced meat and raisins, olives, capers, Scottish bonnet peppers, and tangy sauces.)

Pack More Than A Swimsuit

Aside from swimwear and beach clothes, there are a few things you should pack to elevate your trip. Reef-safe sunscreen for that powerful sunshine. Water shoes for the reefs and a reusable water bottle to keep you hydrated.

And for your time off the beach, bring some casual but more conservative clothing than just a beach cover-up. This way you won’t seem out of place when shopping or dining in local restaurants.

Note: on many islands, camouflage items are strictly forbidden so make sure you DON’T pack any camo!

[Photo Credit: Ann relaxing in St Maarten via Shared Adventures]

There’s More to Do Than Just Relaxing on the Beach

While relaxing on the beach is a key part of any Caribbean vacation, there’s so much more to do on these incredible islands!

Don’t discount the Caribbean as a vacation destination if you like a bit of adrenaline. Depending on the island, you can go parasailing, ziplining, deep-sea fishing, sailing, and hiking on some of the most beautiful trails. From leisurely nature walks to challenging climbs, there is so much to do and enjoy.

[Photo Credit: Ziplining from Christina via Shared Adventures]

If Your Focus is Just Relaxing on the Beach – Go Small

If your travel style is beach day all day, every day, then we recommend picking one of the smaller islands. They will be less crowded and covered in brilliant untouched beaches. Islands like Anguilla, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Bonaire are all excellent choices. Or, if you’re on a bigger island, consider taking a taxi to a small beach on the other side of the island to escape the crowds and cruisers.

[Photo Credit: an Anguilla beach from Terry via Shared Adventures]

Starting to dream about your perfect Caribbean Adventure? Want help narrowing down which island, beach, and activities are for you? We love planning a perfectly customized adventure — get in touch to utilize our expert advice!

A Romantic Hawai’i Adventure

February 25, 2025 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

Longtime clients Alicia & Jay were so excited to go to Hawai’i. They were ready to plan their 5th anniversary to a place that offered romance, adventure and fabulous restaurants. Here’s their trip report:

We had such an amazing time in Hawai’i and we already can’t wait to go back! It is such a special place. Here are some trip highlights:

Kaua’i

The Ko’a Kea Resort was perfect! We received personalized 5 star service. We loved how small the hotel is, and that the person who checks you in escorts you to your room and gives you a tour of the resort along the way. Our room was comfortable and modern and had a huge shower. The lanai had a partial ocean view which was perfect for sitting with coffee in the morning. The pool and hot tub were amazing and we loved that they had covers and pillows for the lounge chairs. The pool bar/tiki hut was a great place for drinks and lunch.

The highlight of Kaua’i was definitely our helicopter tour. We both agreed it might be the most amazing thing we’ve ever done. We caught a windy day, but the ride was still pretty smooth even with the doors off! We got incredible photos and videos of Waimea Canyon and the Nā Pali coast.

Restaurants in Kaua’i were also spectacular – Red Salt at our hotel (breakfast and dinner) was amazing. We also loved Eating House 1849 and The Beach House. We went to Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt, but didn’t love the food or atmosphere (it was crowded and didn’t feel authentic and reminded us of Disney World or Atlantis lol).

Maui

The Andaz Maui is fabulous! It’s so modern with lots of wood detailing, and they have an artist in residence so there was colorful art displayed all over the hotel. Our room here had a beautiful view of the ocean and we saw some incredible sunsets.

We spent a lot of our time by the pool, and went to the beach one day. We loved the different levels of infinity pools. The lowest level is where all the kids seemed to go, so we stuck to the upper levels and didn’t even take advantage of the adults-only pool. Food and drink service by the pools was great, and we definitely frequented the pool bar/lounge!

We attended the Andaz Luau, which was awesome! We took the Jeep on part of the Hana Highway, drove through the village of Paia, stopped at Twin Falls for a very leisurely hike, and went to lunch at Mama’s Fish House – one of our favorite meals in Hawai’i.

Our Ocean Spirit sunset cruise was also amazing – we caught a good night and had a great sail and a beautiful sunset.

The restaurants in Maui were also amazing – we went to Morimoto at our hotel twice, for lunch and dinner and did a sake tasting. That was probably our favorite! We also went to the Lobby Lounge at the Four Seasons (had to see it – cue White Lotus music), and Humumunukunuku ā pu’a at the Grand Wailea.

A Special Anniversary Activity

We booked an anniversary photo shoot with Flytographer on Po’Olenalena Beach in Maui. Our photographer Sara was amazing and so much fun to work with and the photos came out perfect! I would absolutely use Flytographer again – it was such an easy process and so worth it when you want nice photos together!

Benefits of Booking Hawai’i With A Travel Advisor

By the end of the trip, we were confident that we had chosen the right hotels in Hawai’i – we really liked the small boutique feel of Koa Kea and loved the smaller feel of the Andaz in Maui better than the larger hotels that we visited. Also, every hotel and restaurant we went to acknowledged our anniversary with a gift, bottle of wine, or dessert!

Hawai’i Overall

We LOVED Hawai’i so much. We loved how small the islands were and that it didn’t take us very long to get where we needed to go. The vegetation in Kaua’i was so beautiful. We loved the Wailea area of Maui. The ocean and beaches are breathtaking. It’s such a special place – exotic but friendly, comfortable, and laid back.

We loved having a car on both islands. The Jeep in Kaua’i was definitely the lowest/basic trim, but in Maui we got to choose one from a lineup and picked a cool green one that had every bell and whistle.

Aside from the scenery, our favorite parts of Hawai’i were definitely the food and the people. Almost every meal we ate was like the best thing we’ve ever had (mahi mahi and tuna were highlights). The long flight from Boston to Honolulu was well worth it and it went by fast! We both agreed that we will definitely return to both islands – I can’t pick which one is my favorite!

Another favorite part was the people. Every single person we encountered was SO friendly and SO helpful and could not do more for us. We made friends with the bartenders at both hotels (not surprising) and ended our trip on a first name basis with them. I don’t think we met anyone who wasn’t smiling and happy to be there. It made our trip that much more special.

Thank you again for planning this amazing 5th anniversary trip for us! Before you know it, I will be reaching out for next year’s trip!

-Alicia & Jay

Spotlight On: Aruba

January 13, 2025 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

The “A” of the ABC islands just above Venezuela, Aruba is known for gorgeous turquoise waters and white sand beaches. It’s tourism slogan is “One Happy Island” and it does its best to live up to that moniker. Here’s our little intro guide to this beautiful paradise.

General Information

Aruba is only 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela which means it’s outside of the usual hurricane path. Because Aruba hasn’t had to rebuild after hurricane devastation, it’s proudly one of the most developed islands in the Caribbean. And you can visit it year-round with peace of mind.

Far from the lush tropical paradise one usually associates with island life, Aruba has a much drier climate. It has constant trade winds which keep it from becoming sweltering and you don’t have to worry about being drenched by humidity in the warmer months. The landscape is arid, with brittle shrubs, cacti, and divi divi trees. Large rocks and cliffs dominate the inland landscape while soft sand beaches line its shores.

Aruban culture is very cosmopolitan and creates a fusion of Indigenous, Dutch, Caribbean, and Latin American influences. In the cities, you’ll find a huge range of international cuisine. From sushi to poke bowls, fresh prawns and seafood, and local savory pastries. Resorts, restaurants, and street food markets all have something delicious to try.

The best time to visit is January – September with January – March peak season and April – September shoulder season. October- December is the “rainy season”, though even then precipitation is light.

Popular Sites

Shopping, gambling and enjoying a vibrant nightlife are all top activities in the colorful capital city of Oranjestad. There are some lovely malls and high-end luxury shopping to enjoy during the day and plenty of bars and clubs open in the evening. Gambling is legal on the island and there are plenty of casinos.

Ayo Rock Formation – an imposing but easily accessible site. You can walk between the massive boulders and find rock paintings or climb to the top for stunning views of the island.

Aloe Factory and Farm – Aruba is home to one of the world’s only Aloe companies that follow the process from start to finish growing and manufacturing the plant themselves. You can visit the factory and museum.

Beaches

Aruba has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. With surprising variety! All the beaches here are great for snorkeling and it’s a must to take a yacht out to sea for a day.

On the western coast, you can relax on classic soft sands next to stunning turquoise waters. Because the beaches are a main feature of the island, you’ll find big resorts and boutique hotels right on the sand. These beaches aren’t just for sunbathing and floating in the waters; there is a plethora of watersports available. You can enjoy kitesurfing, windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

In contrast, the East side has dirt roads and a rocky, volcanic coastline. it’s much more secluded and perfect for those who prefer a wilder beach experience. You can even swim in a natural pool formed by the rugged coast.

Eagle Beach – One of Aruba’s most famous beaches, while Palm Beach is the more built-up area, boasting water sports, cafes, and huge hotels.

Baby Beach is one of the best soft-sand beaches. The waters are beautiful and calm. On the southern coast of the island, it is a shallow lagoon with gentle waters. The perfect spot for snorkeling or just relaxing for the day.

If you’re looking for something small and secluded head to Boca Catalina. The best beaches for snorkeling are Malmok, Boca Catalina, Arashi, and Mangel Halto.

Off-The-Beaten-Path

If you don’t want to spend every single day at the beach there are still plenty of things to enjoy in Aruba. You can explore the street art murals in the San Nicolas area. The small area is full of over 40 beautiful murals and new ones are added each year.

Animal lovers can consider visiting the Donkey Sanctuary. Until cars were brought to the island, donkeys were used as the main mode of transportation. Now there are over 100 donkeys at the sanctuary and you can get up close and personal with their fuzzy faces.

For a bigger adventure than the rock formations, head to the Arashi Dunes. Located on the northern coast of the island, these sand dunes feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet.

If you’re interested in history, you can check out the Bushiribana Ruins, which are relics from the historic gold rush. Or visit the archaeological museum to learn more about the indigenous history of the island.

Preparing to Visit

Pack for the beach and not much else. You want a few swimsuits and cover-ups and then just a few casual cool clothes to wear in the evening. You certainly want to pack less than you think.

Bring long skirts or shorts as it can get quite windy on the island. Packing for the beach includes water shoes, snorkeling equipment, and floats for all your water adventures.

Bring reef-safe SPF. Sunscreens containing oxybenzone have been banned on the island. The sun is very strong so cover-ups and wide-brimmed hats are a must.

Driving is a great way to explore all the island has to offer. Driving on the island is fairly easy as the road system is well maintained and they drive on the right. And multiple rental car companies operate on the island.

Make sure you bring some small bills for taxi fare and tips.

Don’t forget to relax and do nothing. The island is small, but don’t run around trying to do it all. The best thing to do on the island is chill.

To really get the most out of Aruba, plan to spend at least 5 days there.

You’ll need to fill out your ED ( embarkation and disembarkation) card up to a week before your arrival date and pay a $20 sustainability fee.

Little Details

The currency in Aruba is the Dutch Florin but USD and credit cards are widely accepted and you can get both from ATMs.

You can drink the tap water. There are no naturally occurring freshwater sources so the tap water is all desalinated seawater making it some of the best tap water in the Caribbean.

The main language is Papiamento, but Dutch and English are also widely spoken.

The outlets are the same as the US and Canada and you’ll need a valid passport.

Single-use plastic bags are banned on the island so make sure you bring a reusable shopping bag if you plan to do any shopping.

Tipping around 20% is customary for most services.

Most taxis are cash only and the rate is fixed by the government. Tip around 10% of the total fare.

The island’s bus system is pretty good with a major line running up and down the main beaches. You won’t find Uber but it’s fairly easy to flag a cab.