So we decided to go on an adventure and we jumped on a Virtu Ferry to Malta. How cool is that? I went on-line and bought tickets and then I had to find a relative that actually had a printer where I could print the tickets out. All of these things we take for granted in the United States. i am so happy I did screen grabs of my tickets and put them on a flash drive or else I would have never gotten my tickets printed out. And I am glad I did because they used our screen grab tickets as our official tickets to get on the Ferry. Talk about being Green! We were told to get to the dock an hour before departure and we got to see this massive ferry pull into the port. This was not your Uncle's Ferry...this thing was massive...it was like a small cruise ship. I stood there watching cars and semi trucks coming off of the boat. Wow!!! The boat was not very crowded...we bought 2nd class tickets which were not Titanic 2nd class...the seats were nice leather and there was air conditioning. The Ferry had food, drinks and a casino. Really a Casino? A couple of guys were trying to hit it rich. As we left the Port of Pozzallo (Sicily) we were on our way across the water to the island of Malta. It took about 90 minutes to get there and the water was so calm. We could not feel any movement on the boat at all. The trip was fun...we had some food packed and I started reading a Malta Newspaper that a previous traveler had left at my seat. Malta rocks because they speak english...I had no idea that they did...this is going to be easy. As we pulled into Valletta, Malta we were greeted by massive forts, boats and ships all around. It was an amazing sight to see. Then as I was standing on the front of the boat a sea plane flew right over my head and then landed in front of us. I felt like I was in an Indian Jones movie and that I was after some lost treasure and Indy was on that plane. I wanted to pump my fist in the air and say, "I will get you Indy!" but decided not too because my fellow foreign travelers might find that weird. Once we were docked it was now time to find our taxi...we had arranged for a car to pick us up at the dock but with no cell phone we had no idea if anyone would be there for us. And then there was this great guy George holding a sign with my name on it. We were the last ones off the ship...traveling with kids will teach you not to rush out with the crowds. I am so glad we had a car because there was nothing around here but industry. If this was the Amazing Race someone would have stolen our taxi. Words of Warning: On our return trip to Pozzallo, the Ferry left 30 minutes early...we got to the boat 2 hours early because we were worried about traffic on a Friday...note to self...there is no traffic here on a Friday! We got there in about 15 minutes. I was so happy to be sitting on the boat as it left early and thinking about those sad souls who were cursing at the Ferry as it pulled away from the dock. I think I heard someone say, "I'll get you Indiana Jones!" Hey guy on the dock that was my line!!! read more

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Took a ferry from Pozzallo to Malta and back. Very smooth crossing (90 minutes), friendly staff. Why didn't I give five stars? 1. The schedule is pretty inconvenient (you will depart around 5:30 / 6:30 in the morning (check in at 4:30 / 5:30) or arrive around midnight). Too early or too late. 2. You have to check in your bags before you board Carry-ons that are allowed on a plane are not allowed on Virtu ferries. After you check in your bags, they won't give your a receipt. After the boat arrives, all bags are loaded on the ground. It is up to you to find your bag and take it quickly - before someone else leaves with it... read more