To Malta or to Florida, that is the question.
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
May 1, 2016 6:39am CST
I have a couple of months yet before I attend my next appointment at the eye hospital, so I have been contemplating taking a holiday. Of course I am uncertain as to which destination to choose.
So far I appear to be torn between Malta and Florida. This may seem a rather strange pair of choices, but there are reasons for this. I have a friend that has moved to Malta, who I intend to visit at some time. As for Florida, I have never been across the Atlantic and Florida is the easiest part to reach.
I keep checking the online holiday sites to see if either destination is offered at a reduced price, but very little appears to be available below the usual costs.
26 people like this
25 responses
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
1 May 16
@Asylum We have so few countries nearby, and ours is so vast, that many Americans have gone no where else. That has always been a big part of our attitude problem. Ignorance is not bliss.
5 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
1 May 16
@ElizabethWallace This is true because the USA is the size of Europe.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29293)
• Eugene, Oregon
1 May 16
Personally, I would rather go to Malta. It might cost a lot less than Florida and maybe be less crowded.
4 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29293)
• Eugene, Oregon
1 May 16
@LadyDuck I think that would be very difficult and traffic is pretty bad too.
2 people like this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
1 May 16
Have you taken a look at skypicker.com or kayak.com for the flight costs to Malta? If you have a contact there, you can surely get a good deal on accommodation through that person, making the flight cost your major worry.
Comparing Florida and Malta, I'd feel safer going to Malta as the buses are cheap, the place is small and everyone is friendly... Florida typically means a car, unless you are going to a resort. Horses for courses.
Here's a little snippet I wrote about Malta along time ago:
Rocking around the Nature Reserve - Malta-style - Review of Maltese Islands compare prices for Malta Experience . Read 7 reviews about Maltese Islands and find good travel tips.
3 people like this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
1 May 16
@Asylum I have always found the meals to be very similar in cost in Malta to the UK, plus you'll be using Euros there, so exchange rate you know also.
Meals in Florida are usually cheape and plentifulr, but the Dollar exchange-rate to Sterling is not as favourable currently as it was last time I was in the US. Never been to Florida, so cannot comment - DianneN here is from there I believe, perhaps she can give clearer guidance, depending on where you are planning to stay.
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 May 16
Malta is nearer and the weather will be nice now. Florida is quite a distance at least 8 hours from Manchester and won't be so compact as Malta.
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 May 16
I would think you should plan a trip to Florida in fall as then I do believe the prices will drop. So Malta is where you should go lol, just sayin
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 May 16
@fishtiger58 There seems to be no self catering options available, which would certainly be a worthwhile choice.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
2 May 16
@Asylum No they sure wouldn't but maybe you could get a hotel with a kitchen and save some money by cooking now and then.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6129)
• United Kingdom
1 May 16
Malta is nice and very much home from home. Prices are comparable to the UK for eating out.
It depends what type of experience you are looking for. Florida will be very new in many aspects, Malta less so.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 May 16
@garymarsh6 A cruise is something that I have never even considered.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 May 16
@Asylum Looks like it is Malta for you then young man! I do not think Florida is for you. Why not go on a cruise? 12 days and counting for me! 
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
2 May 16
@Asylum If I were you I would choose Malta.There is so much to see,plus your friend is there.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
4 May 16
@silvermist I have already booked the flights and hotel now, so it is too late to check.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
4 May 16
@Asylum I thought you had made sure of that.Then find out that first.First things first as they say.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
1 May 16
There are hotels in Orlando with a van that would take you to the areas that you want to visit you would not need a car. Orlando is not my favorite area personally but if you want to visit Disney it is nearby in Kissimmee. The same is true of other areas such as Fort Lauderdale, Naples and Miami.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
1 May 16
@BelleStarr That sounds like a tempting choice.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
1 May 16
@Asylum Disney has it own transportation inside the park and it makes getting around easy. But there is van transport to Universal as well and a cab would probably work for old town Kissimmee.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
1 May 16
@Asylum Yes it is a big tourism area. We usually stay in Disney itself but have stayed in Kissimmee as well.
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
1 May 16
I'd choose Malta, if 'twere me. In Florida, everything is spread out and not necessarily pedestrian-friendly either. Not sure if Florida has mass transit, but I'm going to hazard a guess not.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
1 May 16
@Asylum Everywhere in the USA is room only. Very very few exceptions. But food was pretty cheap when I was in Key West in December. But, I don't eat in the lower priced places, because the food is usually too exotic for my tummy.
3 people like this
@DianneN (247219)
• United States
1 May 16
Florida is quiet this time of year and could be hot and humid, depending when you go. I live there during the winter. New York City is awesome and probably closer. I've never been to Malta, so that would be my choice. Where in Florida would you go???
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
1 May 16
@Asylum There are hotels in Bugibba too, and walking is a regular pastime at this time of year. It gets much hotter from mid-June to September, making walking possible only in the morning or early evening. May is cooler, and there is,still some greenery in evidence in May too.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
2 May 16
Well I hope you enjoy which ever destination you decide on! =)
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
2 May 16
@Asylum I hope someday to be able to travel to different places. Sounds like a lot of fun!
1 person likes this
I'm impressed, you're deciding between two very long distance destinations this time! 
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
1 May 16
Do you get allergies? The Florida Keys would be great, but the northern part of Florida is torture for people who are allergic to mold or pollen. I loved Florida, but it sure didn't love me back.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
1 May 16
@Asylum Orlando hit 85 F/ 29 C today with 57% humidity. But you should really do a little more research about the place. It is really spread out and not what you seem to visit.
