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Grand Life

Norbert GrixtiGeneral Manager

EDITORIAL

From moment to moment, the Grand Hotel Excelsior, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts

makes your stay a memorable one. An intimate event or a family celebration. A reunion

with old friends or a new business connection. Intuitive service, unmatchednattention to detail, and

sophisticated style provide moments thatcreate long-lasting memories.

We invite you to Live the Grand Life during your stay at the

Grand Hotel Excelsior. With this hotel as your home you are only two minutes away from Valletta, Malta’s capital and a UNESCO

World Heritage site. This is a unique opportunity to re-live Malta’s rich history whilst unwinding during a Mediterranean

Luxury Escape.

Our prime location allows for easy access to all tourist locations around the Maltese Islands. We highly recommend that you take advantage our private tours around Malta and Gozo and discover

the unique the Truly Mediterranean experience in style.

Le Grand Spa compliments our luxurious accommodation, with excellent spa and wellness facilities. Its relaxing atmosphere

is the perfect starting point for the journey toward equilibrium between your body, mind and spirit. We offer an indoor (heated)

and outdoor swimming pool and also have the only privatesandy beach in the capital city Valletta.

We wish you a pleasant stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, and

share with you the Grand Life.

THE HOTEL’S OUTLETS

Level 7Business Centre

Level 6Hotel Entrance

Our reception desk is manned and at your service round the clock and can be reached by dialing 0

Harbour View Lounge serving a selection of hot and cold beverages, wine, alcoholic and non alcoholic cocktails 24 hours, 7 days a week

Chartroom Lounge serving Traditional Afternoon Tea daily between 1500 and 1700hrs

Level 5À la Carte menu and Themed Buffet nights served in Admiral’s Landing between 1830 and 2230hrs

Level 4A lavish spread is available for Breakfast in Spice Island, level 4, between 0630 and 1030hrs

Level 1Le Grand Spa is open daily between 0900 and 1900hrs

Guest Services:Room service is available 24 hoursCheck out time is 1200hrs noon

Please do let us know whether there is anything else you require during your stay. Nothing is impossible and we will leave no stone unturned to ensure your ultimate comfort and wellbeing.

General Information about the Hotel

First among Equals

Grand Hotel Excelsior, the first local hotel to be awarded the National Equality Mark

The Grand Hotel Excelsior is proud to be the first local hotel to be awarded the Equality Mark certification by

the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE), with the support of the European Social Fund (ESF).

The National Commission awarded Grand Hotel Excelsior in recognition of the organisation’s efforts to provide the ideal work environment that is free from any type of discrimination. This achievement is another proof of the hotel’s commitment to its employees and acknowledges the its

responsibility to provide equal access to opportunities and career development based on employees’ potential, irrespective of their gender and family responsibilities.

“We value our employees as the most important resource within the organisation and we are duly bound to offer a working environment where employees work without fear of prejudice or gender discriminations,” said Norbert Grixti, General Manager of Grand Hotel Excelsior. “Since opening its doors in 2007, the Grand Hotel Excelsior has always been a pioneer in gender equality within the hospitality industry and we have always maintained this position throughout all training and other human resource programmes.”

Hon Dr. Chris Said, Minister for Justice, Dialogue and Family, presenting the National Equality Mark to Mr. Norbert Grixti, General Manager Grand Hotel Excelsior, together with Ms. Maud Muscat NCPE Commissioner and Mr. Nicholas Saliba Human Resources Manager Grand Hotel Excelsior

WELLNESS

Experience a Thai MassageExperiencing a massage that utilises techniques performed

for over 2000 years is enjoying the result of a tradition that has worked wonders on people’s bodies for as many

years. A traditional Thai massage is an experience aimed at allowing the body to achieve harmony, ease aches and pains, stretch the body and provide general wellbeing. It is surprisingly different from any Western type of massage and that adds to the allure of the treatment.

Thai massage therapist Artita at the Grand Hotel Excelsior’s Le Grand Spa provides first-hand information about it all. She trained at one of the leading schools of Thai massage in her country – the Chetawa Medical Massage School in Nonthaburi, Thailand. “It is believed that the traditional Thai massage could be as old as 2500 years since it is owed to the inventiveness of Bhivogamaraphajj who is considered the father doctor of this type of massage. He lived in the period of time when the Buddhist religion was founded and is credited as having been

the physician of Buddhist monks and kings of the period.”

From a regal treatment, it became known throughout Thai civilisation down to becoming a treatment practically everbody learnt how to do hands on. “Family members taught it to each other as it was excellent relief for farmers’ aches and pains. Somebody from the family could relieve the pain by a simple movement and the massage movements remained popular as they were easy to administer once the proper method was known. Moreover, no expensive oils are required – only clean bare hands.

The general feel of wellbeing provided by this massage is aided by the dimmed lights, the soothing music and the sound of water which is a key element in the room. However, those who expect to just lie down and enjoy it, possibly also dozing away, will soon realise that the therapist will require cooperation and a certain degree of flexibility. The stretching movements carried

Time to relax• Relaxing back massage • One hour facial

Price: €85 per personDuration: 75 minutes

Body boost… by one or by two• Full body salt scrub• Swedish full body massage• Jacuzzi session in a private candle lit room

Price: €100 per person or €180 per coupleDuration: 120 minutes

Neat hands and feet• Classic manicure• Classic pedicurePrice: €40 per personDuration: 60 minutes / 120 minutes

Le Grand Spa Indulgence• Basic full body massage• Basic facial• Choose from a classic manicure or a classic pedicurePrice: €100 per personDuration: 150 minutes

Glowing limbs • Le Grand Spa Manicure• Le Grand Spa Pedicure

Price: €80 per person

SPA PACKAGES

a Thai Massageout by the therapist are coupled by deep tissue treatments and other movements. The treatment is administered on a normal mattress laid out on the floor. The client is propped up when required by normal pillows and the therapist sits and squats next to the client according to the treatment movement or stretch being carried out. Lying face up, face down or on either side, the client is allowed to relax and flex muscles according to the therapist’s motions. One minute she is diligently manipulating a foot muscle, the next she is stretching the whole leg from top to bottom.

Thai massage is all about getting you back in shape as soon as possible, not getting you all soft and soppy and drowsy. The aim is to resuscitate you and your body, restoring the body to its most energetic form.

Thai massage is available at Le Grand Spa; prices are €35 for half an hour and €60 for an hour.Bookings are recommended.

EXcursions

Gozo Tour * From 09:00hrs till 17:00hrs (8 hour tour)

• Ggantija Temples*• Victoria Cittadella• Xlendi• Marsalforn• Dwejra• Ta’ Pinu Basilica• Qala Windmill*• Calypso Cave• Salt Pans, Zebbug• Nadur• Mgarr

Price 2 to 4 persons €180.00Price 5 to 6 persons €200.00

Discover the beauty of Gozowith our executive chauffeur driven service

Terms and Conditions:

• Entrance fees to Heritage Sites and n Museums are not included.• Ferry tickets to Gozo are not included• Please enquire about our freshly prepared packed lunches

www.excelsior.com.mt

Gentle laughter, like a summer breeze, floats across the warm night air.The Aroma of fresh fish and sizzling Rib Eye Steaks gently grilled while the Pastry Chef’s creations patiently await your dessert. Enjoying the diverse Cocktails or sipping on a chilled wine or champagne.

For more detailed information and bookings contact us on 2125 0520 or info@excelsior.com.mt.

"Intelligence is something we are born with. BBQ’ing is a skill that must be learned"

- Edward de Bono

celebratingMnarja

Festivities

Mnarja, or l-Imnarja (pronounced lim-nar-ya) is one of the most important dates on the Maltese cultural calendar. Officially, it is a national festival dedicated to the feast of Saints Peter and St. Paul. In fact its roots can be traced back to the pagan Roman feast of Luminaria (literally, “the

illumination”), when the early summer night of June 29 was illuminated by torches and bonfires. A national feast since the rule of the Knights, Mnarja is a traditional Maltese festival of food, religion and music. The festivities still commence today with the reading of the “bandu”, an official governmental announcement, which has been read on this day in Malta since the 16th century. Originally, Mnarja was celebrated outside St. Paul’s Grotto, in the north of Malta; however, by 1613 the focus of the festivities had shifted to the Ca-thedral of St. Paul, in Mdina, and featured torchlight processions, the firing of 100 petards, horseraces, and races for men, boys and slaves. Modern Mnarja festivals take place in and around the woodlands of Buskett, just outside the town of Rabat.

It is said that under the Knights, this was the one day in the year when the Maltese were allowed to hunt and eat wild rabbit, which was otherwise reserved for the hunting pleasures of the Knights. The close connection between Mnarja and rabbit stew (Maltese: “fenkata”) remains strong today. In 1854 British governor William Reid launched an agricultural show at Buskett which is still being held today. The farmers’ exhibition is still a seminal part of the Mnarja festivities today.

Mnarja today is one of the few occasions when participants may hear traditional Maltese folklore songs “ghana “. Traditionally, grooms would promise to take their newly- or recently-wed brides to Mnarja during the first of year of marriage and, for luck, many of the brides would attend in their full wedding gown and veil, although this custom has long since disappeared from the Islands.

What to expect at Mnarja in Buskett The night of June 29 is characterised by general merry-making

and its sociable atmosphere, with people bringing along instru-ments and making music. Local folk and ethnic-inspired bands usually turn up to play and set the scene. Families have BBQs and picnics and kids romp around. Traditionally, people take rabbit (Fenek) stew to eat. It’s a Maltese national dish and there’s even a Maltese word for ‘going out to eat rabbit’ – Fenkata! Some families and groups of friends make a complete summer night of L’Imnarja and camp out.

The following day sees more organised rural pursuits: there is

an agricultural show, which gets larger each year (seems to be a trend in Malta recently) as well as traditional bare-back horse and donkey races on Saqqajja Hill below Mdina.

Going There We recommend that you use our private chauffer service as

parking at Buskett may be chaotic. For booking please visit our Transport desk in the lobby.

300 days of sunshine, crystal clear Mediterranean waters, 7,000 years of history, thriving local traditions and laid-back rural villages, delicious cuisine and a vibrant nightlife – Welcome to Malta!

Stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, two minutes away from Valletta, and relive the Knight’s of St. John legacy. Visit the medieval city of Mdina, one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city and extraordinary in its mix of medieval and baroque architecture. Head north to enjoy

Mediterranean sun, sand and sea. Experience Gozo where tranquillity is still a way of life. Enjoy Malta’s religious ‘festas’, adorned churches and glittering firework displays. Discover megalithic temples, rugged countryside and dramatic cliffs or submerge into a diver’s paradise. Wine and dine in stylish surroundings and party in lively evening venues. If you have only three days in Malta, do not attempt to see it all. Although the area covered by the Maltese Islands is just 316 km², there is plenty to see and do so we recommend you experience just a few of Malta’s highlights to get a feeling of the island’s character Day 1 – Valletta & SliemaWith the Grand Hotel Excelsior as your home the Capital, Valletta, is probably the most obvious place to start. With the entire city declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, walking through its streets is nothing short of walking through an open-air museum.Walk along Republic Street to St John’s Co-Cathedral, the jewel of Valletta, with its gilded interior enough to make one’s jaw drop. Look out for the Caravaggio’s only signed painting, The Beheading of St John. Exit the Catheral and dive into the open-air market in Merchants’ Street. All in all, Valletta is also a great place for shopping.Do take the time to wander through the alleyways, up and down the slopes and stairways, and to sit under the sun with a coffee watching the pigeons. In whichever order you choose to do these, try to be at the Upper Barrakka Gardens at noon for the re-enactment and shooting of the cannon, and enjoy one of the most spectacular views in Malta, that of the Grand Harbour.

Photos courtesy of the Malta Tourism Authority

For the afternoon we recommend a Harbour Cruise which takes you to see the the Three Cities from a unique perspective and which offers an insight to the essence of Maltese History. Day 2 – GozoYou cannot really understand Maltese culture without a visit to Gozo, Malta’s more traditional and peaceful little sister. Be at Cirkewwa early to take the ferry across, so as to make the most of your day. The crossing takes only half an hour and passes by Comino island and you can catch a glimpse of the Blue Lagoon.

Victoria’s main square is home to a daily market selling all sorts of things. Check out the tiny shops around the area which sell handicrafts, and make sure you get lost in the back streets! Head up the hill to the Cittadel, the Medieval walled city, and visit the Old Prisons and some of the other interesting museums it houses. Finally walk to the bastions to get a 360 degrees bird’s eye view of the whole island!Have lunch in one of the several restaurants or cafes that offer traditional food and then head off to the village of Xaghra . Xaghra has plenty to offer, starting with Ggantija Temples, the oldest free-standing structures in the world. Not far off is Ta’ Kola Windmill which has been lovingly restored and turned into a museum, and in the heart of the village you will find Ninu’s Cave and Xerri’s Grotto with a marvel of stalactites and stalagmites.Weather-permitting, now would be the ideal time to head to Ramla Bay for a swim. Ramla Bay is remarkable for its dark orange sand. But the real must-see is Dwejra with its Azure Window being the most photographed view in the Maltese Islands. This is the location of the Fungus Rock and the Inland Sea, as well as the Blue Hole, a world-famous diving spot. It is really striking to watch the sunset from this point, and offers a myriad of photo opportunities!At the end of the day you can dine in one of many restaurants in pretty

Xlendi Bay nearby, and don’t worry about catching the ferry back... it runs regularly till late and occasionally through the night! Day 3 – Marsaxlokk & MdinaOn your third day we also recommend an early start to enjoy the most of Marsaxlokk fishing village and market. Here you can obtain fresh local produce and hand-crafted artisanship, and is therefore ideal for purchasing souvenirs. All this to a backdrop of colourful local Luzzu’s (traditional fishing boats) bobbing up and down in the sheltered Marsaxlokk harbour. Enjoy the fresh catch of the day for lunch at one of the restaurants lining the promenade.In the afternoon head to the Blue Grotto for a boat trip to the caves. Also in the area are the megaliths of Mnajdra and Hagar Qim, and further down the road still is Ghar Lapsi, a cave with two rocky beaches which offer fantastic snorkelling opportunities.Spend your last evening in Malta wandering the streets of one of its favourites with visitors and locals alike: experience the enchantment of Mdina by night. Dine in one of its fine restaurants, wine bars or cafes to conclude an evening to remember.

At the Grand Hotel Excelsior we offer tailor-made excursions with our private chauffer service. If you would like to plan your excursions in advance kindly email us on transport@excelsior.com.mt and Josette and her team will take care of your requirements. You can also book your excursions during your stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.

Flo Rida is one of the most recognizable inter-national artists today, having toured nearly every continent.

The Miami-based rapper burst onto the scene in 2007 with his record breaking hit “Low(feat. T-PAin)” from his debut album, “MAIL ON SUN-DAY.” with sales exceeding 11 million downloads worldwide, making its way into the Guiness Book of World Records in 2008 for best-selling download in the United States. Additionally, the single remained at no.1 for 10 consecutive weeks on the Billboard “Hot 100” chart in 2008.

in 2009, Flo Rida once again made history with his hit single, “Right Round,” when it became the highest-selling one-week digital single with more than 636,000 downloads sold in it’s debut week. In addition, “Right Round, “ from the rapper’s album “R.O.O.T.S.,” sold 1 million downloads in it’s first two weeks, making it one of the fastest-selling singles ever. Globally, Right Round” has sold nearly 12 million singles to date.

In 2010, the rapper once more made worldwide noise with his party anthem “Club Can’t Handle Me (feat. David Guetta)

With a combined viewing of over 200 million views on YouTube, the single’s ‘Good Feeling’ and ‘Wild Ones’ will feature on the upcoming album - ‘Title TBC ‘ to be released June 2012.

Canadian singer Nelly Furtando is a

renowned singer-songwriter and record

producer. First gaining fame with her debut

album ‘Whoa, Nelly!’ the first single ‘I’m

Like Bird’ won her a 2002 Grammy Award

for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

anbd reached the top 10 in seven countries.

The album produced two more international

singles; ‘Turm off the light ‘ and ‘Shit on the

Radio (Remember the Days)’.

Furtado followed up with two further albums

‘Folklore’ and ‘Loose’, her biggest success

to date with singles such as ‘MAneater’ and

‘Say it Right’ both reaching the top 10 in

over fifteen countries.

With her fifth album ‘The Spirit Indestruc-

tible’ set for release in June 2012 and the

album’s lead single, ‘Big Hoops (Bigger

the Better)’ releasing in April 2012, Nelly

Furtado is one again set to storm the charts

worldwide.

SUMMER’S BEATS

American recording artist, model, dancer and

actress Cassie has been working hard on the

music scene since 2006 alongsinde producer

Ryan Leslie and his music-media company

NextSelection LifeStyle Group. Leslie convinced

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to partner his Bad Boy

Records label for the release of her debut self

titled album ‘Cassie’. With this exciting collabora-

tion Cassie had the chance to work in the studio

alongside superproducers Kanye West and

Pharell Williams.

Cassie’s second album is due for release in Sep-

tember 2012 with the debut album single ‘King of

Hearts’ already out for release.

will.i.am, a multi-faceted entertainer and creative innovator, seven -time Grammy Award winner and frontman and founder of the Black Eyed Peas works with some of the industry’s biggest names including Rihanna, Usher, Nicki Minaj, David Guetta, Britney Spears and film composer Hans Zimmer

With his latest album willpower released in 2012, the first single from the album titled “T.H.E (The Hardest Ever) features Mick Jagger and Jennifer Lobez.

His song and imagery have entertained and inspired millions and the power of his words resonated deeply in his song “Yes We Can” that mobilised an entire generation to action during the 2008 presidential campaign. Demonstrating that music, brand and causes can be intertwined to entertain and inform.

SUMMER’S BEATS

This year’s Isle of MTV - Malta Special has a

whole host of talent to guarantee that this year’s

event will be as good as ever!

Check out our artist biographies below to see who’s graced the

epic Isle of MTV stage in the past.

WHAT’s on01/06/2012 BRIDGEBARJAZZSESSIONSCool jazz on the steps of St. Ursola The Bridge Bar - Valletta

03/06/2012 FEASTOFST.AUGUSTINETraditional religious festivity. Valletta

03/06/2012 FEASTOFSTANTHONYTraditional religious festivity. Ghajnsielem (Gozo)

03/06/2012 FEASTOFSTJOSEPHTraditional religious festivity. Ghaxaq

03/06/2012 FEASTOFTHEHOLYTRINITYTraditional religious festivity. Marsa

03/06/2012 INGUARDIAPARADERe-enactment. Fort St Elmo - Valletta

06/06/2012 TRANIAContemporary Maltese ethnic music Palazzo De Piro Mdina

06/06/2012 LAPSIFEASTA feast of history and folklore. Lapsi - St. Julian’s

07/06/2012 SETTEGIUGNOPublic Holiday commemorating the riots of 1919. Malta & Gozo

08/06/2012 CHANGINGOFTHEGUARDA formal military ceremony. St. George’s Square - Valletta

08/06/2012 BRIDGEBARJAZZSESSIONSCool jazz on the steps of St. Ursola The Bridge Bar - Valletta

08/06/2012-10/06/2012GHANAFESTMalta Mediterranean Folk Music Festival Argotti Botanical Gardens - Floriana

09/06/2012-10/06/2012TRIPLEBILLA contemporary ballet. City Theatre - Valletta

09/06/2012LEONEGOESPOPThe 5th edition of the pop/rock concert in Gozo. It- Tokk - Victoria (Gozo)

09/06/2012GLADIATORSFIGHTNIGHTThe argest combat sports event held in the Maltese Islands MFCC - Ta’ Qali

10/06/2012FEASTOFSTPHILIPTraditional religious festivity. Zebbug (Malta)

10/06/2012 FEASTOFCORPUSCHRISTITraditional religious festivity. Ghasri (Gozo)

10/06/2012 FEASTOFCORPUSCHRISTITraditional religious festivity. Rabat

10/06/2012 INGUARDIAPARADERe-enactment. Fort St Elmo - Valletta

15/06/2012 BRIDGEBARJAZZSESSIONSCool jazz on the steps of St. Ursola The Bridge Bar - Valletta

16/06/2012REFLEX80’SPARTYThe Biggest 80’s Party in Europe Gianpula Fields - Limits of Rabat

17/06/2012INGUARDIAPARADERe-enactment. Fort St Elmo - Valletta

17/06/2012FEASTOFTHESACREDHEARTOFJESUSTraditional religious festivity. Fontana (Gozo)

17/06/2012FEASTOFOURLADYOFTHELILYTraditional religious festivity. Mqabba

17/06/2012FEASTOFSTCATHERINETraditional religious festivity. Zejtun

22/06/2012BRIDGEBARJAZZSESSIONSCool jazz on the steps of St. Ursola The Bridge Bar - Valletta

22/06/2012AFMBANDDISPLAY&CHANGINGOFTHEGUARDMilitary band display and ceremony. Valletta

22/06/2012FEASTOFOURLADYOFPINUTraditional religious festivity. Ta’ Pinu - Limits of Gharb (Gozo)

24/06/2012INGUARDIAPARADERe-enactment. Fort St Elmo - Valletta

24/06/2012-08/07/2012VIOLINANDFRIENDSINTERNATIONALMUSICFESTIVALBaroque, Classical, Romantic, Jazz, Folk and New Music Valletta

24/06/2012FEASTOFSTJOHNTHEBAPTISTTraditional religious festivity. Xewkija (Gozo)

24/06/2012FEASTOFSTNICHOLASTraditional religious festivity. Siggiewi

24/06/2012FEASTOFSTGEORGETraditional religious festivity. Qormi

24/06/2012FEASTOFTHESACREDHEARTOFMARYTraditional religious festivity. Burmarrad

24/06/2012-04/07/2012VFIMFMASTERCLASSESCoaching, learning and wider discovering world of music Malta

26/06/2012ISLEOFMTVThe largest European free open air concert. The Granaries - Floriana

27/06/2012-08/07/2012THEMALTATRADEFAIRMalta’s largest commercial showcase MFCC - Ta’ Qali

27/06/2012BERNSTEINANDMORECelebrating Bernstein’s music and West Side Story Palazzo De Piro - Mdina

29/06/2012MALTAPHILHARMONICORCHESTRA&THEMALTAYOUTHORCHESTRAA concert in a spectacular open-air venue Pjazza San Gorg - Valletta

29/06/2012BRIDGEBARJAZZSESSIONSCool jazz on the steps of St. Ursola The Bridge Bar - Valletta

29/06/2012L-IMNARJATraditional harvest festival Rabat

29/06/2012FEASTOFSTPETERANDSTPAULA religious holiday as well as a harvest and festival. Mdina

30/06/2012OPENAIRARTVarious crafts and artists along the Mar-saskala promenade Marsaskala

01/07/2012-18/07/2012MALTAARTSFESTIVALAn extensive programme of excellent artistic events Malta

Grand Hotel Excelsior MaltaGreat Siege Road, Floriana FRN 1810, Malta.

Phone +356 2125 0520 Fax +356 2125 0522Email info@excelsior.com.mt Web www.excelsior.com.mt

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