Smell the freshly baked bread in the village of Ħal-Qormi

Freshly baked bread - Photo: Jeanette Borg

As part of my daily routine, I walked through the village of Ħal-Qormi this morning, to buy freshly baked bread. Early in the morning, most of the villagers go shopping, others do their daily chores, while some enjoy a coffee while chatting with their neighbours. The smell of the freshly baked bread is simply amazing here. As the sun rises, the day gets busier when the market stalls are set up around the Parish church of St. Sebastian. The village gets increasingly busy by midday as shoppers from other villages come along to the market to buy fresh produce and other groceries.

Ħal-Qormi is also known as the Bread Making village. It is still to date, the village that has the largest number of traditional bakers operating bakeries that are several centuries old. So what's so special about this bread? Maltese traditional bread is characterised by a crispy outer crust and a spongy inside. The taste is particular given that sour dough is kneaded and let to rise. A loaf of bread can easily be turned into a delicious lunch by just adding olive oil, tomatoes, olives, capers, salt and pepper.

Traditional cheescakes (Pastizzi) in front of St. Sebastian Parish Church - Photo: Christian Borg

Tourists often ask me, "So how did these traditional bakeries survive in this industrial age?". Well, we're lucky about that and it's thanks to the Maltese people who choose to buy fresh bread daily, thus supporting this local traditions.

After visiting Ħal Qormi and other villages around the Maltese Islands, you'll realise that it's not just about sun and sea, resorts and nightlife. There is much more to discover! Whether you choose to stay at a hotel in St. Julian's or rent a village house away from the sea side areas, these core villages are no more than 20 minutes away (by car). 

Should you make up your mind to experience all this, drop us a line on info@merillecotours.com or visit our website for more details. One of our local guides can pick you up from where you're staying and guide you through these hidden treasured of Malta and Gozo. We offer a range of private tours for couples and families as well as group tours, so feel free to contact us :)

Saħħa għalikem (Good health to all of you)

Jeanette Borg

Merill Eco Tours

Horses, carts, karozzini and much more!

Uncle Nenu Showing me photos of his work

Today I had a chat with my uncle Nenu, a craftsman who still practices the tradition learnt at a young age. Carmelo Farrugia (a.k.a Nenu), from Qormi, owns a small workshop where he constructs, repairs and paints mounting equipment for racing horses.

The traditional "karozzini" or horse cabs, associated with Valletta tours, and sulkies or "srieken" in Maltese are still sought for by locals who share the passion for horses.

In olden times, everything was carried on horse driven carts; vegetables, construction material, flour and much more. Nowadays, they are collection items featured in agrarian fairs organised all over Malta.

My Nannu (left) and Uncle Nenu around 40 years ago

To raise awareness about this tradition, we are organising workshops and experiences for those who are keen in learning about Malta and it's crafts. Call us on 00356 21411388 or email us on info@merillecotours.com. We'd love to hear from you!

Ready for the track!

Our Daily Bread at Casal Fornaro

The old streets of the bread making village, Qormi, have been once again turned into one big feast to celebrate traditional bread. Qormi is also known as Citta Pinto, named after Grandmaster Emanuel Pinto de Fonseca who granted this village the level of a "city" in 1743. The roots of the old city are still well ingrained in traditions, architecture and local dialect. In order to promote the traditional bread of Malta, two whole evenings of activities are underway.

Today has been fantastic. The streets were well lit and full of aromas coming from stalls of bread, biscuits and traditional nougat. A 230-foot-long baguette was prepared and sold in aid of Puttinu cares, a charity organisation. 

Tomorrow will be the second and last evening of Casal Fornaro. Live bands and traditional music will fill the streets with pleasant sounds. More delicious foods and sweets will be freshly prepared for the large crowds expected to visit this amazing village. 

Photos by Christian Borg

Qormi - Citta Pinto - Malta

Summer is here...it's the time when village feasts make Malta look brighter and absolutely more fun. This week it's Qormi's turn, also referred to as Citta Pinto. A whole week of celebrations dedicated to one of the two major feasts in Qomri, St. George. I have to admit that since I grew up in this area and speak about Qormi with a passion! The core of the village is pretty all year round. Wooden balconies, enormous flags, bells ringing, fireworks and village gossip are characteristics that make Qormi a typical Mediterranean village. 

The other feast celebrated in Qormi is the feast of St. Sebastian, which is celebrated three weeks after that of St. George. Local band clubs compete against each other and rivalry can become an issue. Policeman usually have a tough time during village feasts controlling the cheerful crowds walking behind the patron saint.  If you're planning to come to Malta in summer, you must not miss going to a village festas. There's one or more occurring each and every week. It's the best way to meet the locals and don't forget...taste local foods such as Kinnie and Twistees :) 

Hidden treasures in Malta and Gozo

Romeo Romano Garden - Santa Venera

Today I happened to visit a garden that is right in the middle of Santa Venera, an urban area in Malta. This locality together with Hamrun, Qormi and Birkirkara are villages that have merged into one big city. Traffic is quite chaotic in main roads, from early morning till late afternoon.

To breath some fresh air and enjoy the chirping of birds...I strongly recommend you visit one of the many gardens around Malta and Gozo. Most of them are pretty landscaped patches in the heart of villages, while others are unfortunately quite abandoned.

Our eco tours often feature gardens depending on the nature of the tour. Guests might have a particular interest in botany, and therefore gardens with a wide variety of endemic species are chosen.

Others might be interested in gardens for their intrinsic historical background and architecture. That is where we're spoiled for choice since the most important gardens have been established by the Knights of St. John. We're so lucky  to  have such treasures that we feel obliged to give them due importance during our tours. 

Qormi the bread making village Malta will be entering the Guinness book of Records very soon!

Proud to be from Qormi!

Qormi bakers preparing world's biggest loaf - Times of Malta

Maltese Bread - European Cuisines

Breaking Bread - Malta Inside Out

A loaf affair in Qormi - Times of Malta