1 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:11,880 SAMANTHA BOND: In the heart of the Mediterranean, 2 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:15,160 an island nation sparkles in the sun. 3 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:18,480 Malta. 4 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:22,720 We are a small little island full of wonder. 5 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:28,200 It's a haven for Brits. 6 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:30,280 Just thought, "Yeah, this is a place for me." 7 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:34,640 One million of us go every year... 8 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:37,960 ..for azure seas... 9 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:40,760 It's one of the nicest harbours in the world. 10 00:00:42,160 --> 00:00:43,840 ..sun-kissed valleys... 11 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:47,680 Fire! 12 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:49,600 ..that goes with a bang. 13 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:51,600 SPEAKS MALTESE 14 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:57,000 Come with us as we enjoy Malta's tranquil days 15 00:00:57,040 --> 00:00:58,640 and glittering nights... 16 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:01,200 Cheers. Cheers. Cin-cin. 17 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:03,120 ..feast on local delicacies... 18 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:06,240 Food, to the Maltese people, is life. 19 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:09,000 WHISTLING ..and make new friends... 20 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:13,920 ..in this jewel of the Mediterranean. 21 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:24,640 This time, we're with Malta's most skilful boat pilots 22 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:27,600 as they navigate the challenging Grand Harbour. 23 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:29,800 One whistle for the boat. 24 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:32,280 HORN BLARES 25 00:01:32,320 --> 00:01:35,800 An operation with incredible risk. 26 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:39,160 So, now is the critical time. We are very close to the jetty. 27 00:01:40,520 --> 00:01:45,160 We visit the English pub that's dedicated to the British Navy. 28 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:47,360 Every time they turn up, we get a cap tally - 29 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:50,360 either a ship they've served on or someone they knew served on, 30 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:52,440 because, ultimately, it's their pub. 31 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:58,720 We're invited to one of Malta's most luxurious hotels... 32 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,680 ..where the ballroom was frequented by royalty... 33 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:07,200 We have Princess Elizabeth's signature, 34 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:10,080 and that's her photo when she used to come and dance. 35 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:14,360 And His Royal Highness, Prince of Wales. Now King Charles. 36 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:19,480 ..and discover the historic connection 37 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:21,640 between Malta and chocolate... 38 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:25,320 Praline, salted caramel. Just one of these? Yes, sure. 39 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:28,840 ..at the country's most delicious festival. 40 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:30,960 Maltese people love chocolate. 41 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:33,840 I'm a chocolate addict, and I think most people are. 42 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:42,160 As a small island 43 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:45,320 strategically placed in the middle of the Mediterranean, 44 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:48,760 Malta has always been a seafaring nation. 45 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:52,320 Traditional fishing villages and harbours 46 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:54,680 are dotted all around its coastline. 47 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:02,040 Many ports became heavily fortified as protection from invaders. 48 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:06,920 Others grew into commercial ports, 49 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:10,360 the most important of which is Valletta's Grand Harbour, 50 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:13,920 a notoriously tricky harbour to navigate. 51 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:16,240 Situated on the east coast, 52 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:19,240 this ancient port has been a safe haven for ships 53 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:21,800 for thousands of years. 54 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,640 It's 6:20 in the morning at Valletta Port. 55 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:39,400 These days, it's huge cruise ships and cargo vessels the port welcomes. 56 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:44,680 While most of Malta sleeps, 57 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:48,280 maritime pilot Walter arrives for work. 58 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:54,480 Good morning. Good morning, Captain. Buongiorno. 59 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:56,040 We are heading out to you. 60 00:03:56,080 --> 00:04:01,320 It's Walter's job to help vessels navigate safely into the port. 61 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:03,400 So, there she is. 62 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:07,720 He's heading out to the huge cruise ship MSC World Europa 63 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:09,040 so he can go on board 64 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:13,080 and instruct the captain how to steer the ship into the harbour. 65 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:14,720 Its narrow entrance 66 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:18,200 makes the port one of the most difficult to manoeuvre. 67 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:19,680 We're lucky with the weather. 68 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:22,480 Part of what I do in the morning, obviously, is check the weather. 69 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:23,600 Once I'm on the bridge, 70 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:26,080 we have what we call the master pilot exchange, 71 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:30,720 and we confirm everything is fine and safe to make the approach. 72 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:35,240 The width of the entrance is around 415 metres, 73 00:04:35,280 --> 00:04:38,080 and this vessel is 333 metres. 74 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:39,800 So there's not a lot of room, 75 00:04:39,840 --> 00:04:42,680 especially once we are committed to the entrance. 76 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:46,360 At that time, all the other traffic has to stay out of the way. 77 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:50,200 They need to carefully dock alongside the cruise ship 78 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:52,360 so that Walter can board. 79 00:04:56,760 --> 00:04:59,720 It's one of the most dangerous parts of his job. 80 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:05,320 'We communicate with the bridge sometimes. 81 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:07,840 'Then we head further out to board safely.' 82 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:09,600 And sometimes, we have to abort. 83 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:13,240 SPEAKS MALTESE 84 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:22,480 Once on board, Walter joins the captain on the bridge 85 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:26,240 and instructs him how to safely steer the ship into the port. 86 00:05:27,840 --> 00:05:29,880 And guiding a wide cruise liner 87 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:33,120 through the particularly narrow entrance to the Grand Harbour 88 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:35,520 is a tight squeeze. 89 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:39,240 You have to make a very good approach. 90 00:05:39,280 --> 00:05:42,120 The entrance was built for smaller ships at the time, 91 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:44,560 so nowadays, with the bigger vessels, 92 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:46,320 it's more challenging. 93 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:49,160 Walter also communicates with his pilot boat, 94 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:54,360 which goes ahead as lookout because this is also a busy harbour. 95 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:57,000 It's a highly skilled job. 96 00:05:57,040 --> 00:05:58,640 We are local experts. 97 00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:02,560 We get intense training of the harbours and the surroundings. 98 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:06,800 I've been at sea for 20 years, since I was 16 years old. 99 00:06:06,840 --> 00:06:08,240 I love my job. I love my job. 100 00:06:08,280 --> 00:06:11,480 I always wanted to become a maritime pilot. 101 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:13,320 I wouldn't do anything else. 102 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,560 The historic city of Valletta 103 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:21,040 has grown up around the natural deep-water harbour. 104 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:25,800 So visitors are within walking distance 105 00:06:25,840 --> 00:06:28,560 of this UNESCO World Heritage City. 106 00:06:29,840 --> 00:06:35,080 I can easily say it's one of the nicest harbours in the world. 107 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:38,800 Walter oversees the ship turning in the harbour, 108 00:06:38,840 --> 00:06:40,280 ready for docking. 109 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:44,280 INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER 110 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:45,720 Perfect. Thank you, pilot. 111 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:49,400 The ship liaises with operations manager Robert, 112 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:52,440 who's overseeing the docking back on dry land. 113 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:55,640 I have just spoken with the pilot 114 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:58,520 to confirm the exact positioning of the ship. 115 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:04,680 A typical manoeuvre in good weather takes about 30 to 45 minutes. 116 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:06,400 OK, pilot, channel nine. 117 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:10,840 Now it's Robert's turn to look after the ship. 118 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:15,720 So, at the moment, we are finalising the position 119 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:18,120 so all openings have clear access. 120 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:33,000 And with almost 6,000 passengers on board who want to disembark, 121 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:35,920 organisation is key. 122 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:40,360 We'll have around 25 coaches 123 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:43,520 taking passengers on excursions this morning. 124 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:45,920 During the day, we'll have waste offload, 125 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:49,560 luggage offload, luggage loading, so it will be quite a busy one. 126 00:07:56,880 --> 00:07:58,920 The man in charge of the baggage porters 127 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:00,360 is Malta man Alfred. 128 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:02,680 OK, now you can just put these things on. 129 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:05,320 He's been in the job almost 35 years. 130 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:06,360 All right. 131 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:12,040 And it seems baggage handling is a close-knit affair. 132 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:16,400 It's like, uh, inherited. 133 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:21,720 Like, this is my son, who will take my job after. 134 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:27,000 And this is Ray, which... He's here instead of his father. 135 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:29,240 It's more like a family thing, 136 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:33,840 so that's why the job gets done even better. 137 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:35,320 THEY LAUGH 138 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:41,800 And with as many as three ships in dock at any one time, 139 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:44,400 the job can get very hectic. 140 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:47,040 People can get mixed up, 141 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:52,440 so we have to be very, very, very, very careful not to mix the luggage. 142 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:55,640 OK. 143 00:08:55,680 --> 00:08:57,680 But the job can be rewarding, too. 144 00:08:57,720 --> 00:09:01,920 We are the first people that the passenger get to meet, 145 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:05,680 and, you know, they praise our port. 146 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:07,760 It makes you feel good, isn't it? 147 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:12,080 Because I'm quite proud to be a Maltese person. 148 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:15,760 So, yeah, makes me feel good. 149 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:18,400 I like the job, 150 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:23,560 and I hope I keep doing it for as long as God gives me health. 151 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:33,480 Stop engine. 152 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:36,160 And when we're back in port later, we'll join Walter 153 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:42,320 as he helps a trainee maritime pilot learn the ropes on a massive tanker. 154 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:44,240 Hard to starboard. Hard to starboard. 155 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:46,840 The most tricky part will be the berth approach. 156 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:57,360 Just southwest of Malta's capital, Valletta, is the suburb of Hamrun... 157 00:09:59,960 --> 00:10:02,080 ..where preparations are underway 158 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:04,960 for the country's annual chocolate festival. 159 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:12,680 The event was founded 15 years ago and is organised by Mario Camilleri. 160 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:15,160 Nowadays, we have quite a big festival. 161 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:19,520 It ranges nearly one kilometre in the main road of Hamrun, 162 00:10:19,560 --> 00:10:23,320 and it is growing and growing and growing every year. 163 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:26,800 Malta's special connection to chocolate 164 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:30,360 dates back to the arrival of the Knights of St John, 165 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:32,560 the holy order of military monks 166 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:37,480 who ruled Malta for 250 years from 1530. 167 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:40,680 The Knights of St John brought hospitality, the religion 168 00:10:40,720 --> 00:10:42,160 and, most of all, chocolate. 169 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:46,640 And the Knights needed somewhere to store their cocoa beans. 170 00:10:46,680 --> 00:10:48,960 Through research, we found out that the Knights of St John 171 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,840 had stores here in Hamrun with cocoa beans. 172 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:55,480 So that's the connection between Hamrun and the chocolate. 173 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:02,640 Malta's finest chocolatiers are busy preparing for the festival. 174 00:11:02,680 --> 00:11:04,800 For Tiziano Cassar, 175 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:07,920 it's an opportunity to showcase his skills. 176 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:13,120 The chocolate first needs to reach a certain temperature. 177 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:15,080 We need to get it up to 52. 178 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:19,200 Initially trained as a patissier, 179 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:22,120 he started working with chocolate five years ago. 180 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:28,240 I used to work on custom cakes for kids and for birthdays. 181 00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:31,160 Then I went to a course about chocolate, which I liked, 182 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:32,560 and the tutor told me, 183 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,080 "Listen, once you're going to touch chocolate, 184 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:38,400 "you're not going to go back." And that's what I did. 185 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:43,120 Tiziano now specialises in making large showpiece structures 186 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:44,880 out of solid chocolate. 187 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:50,520 He mixes the chocolate with liquid glucose to make it pliable. 188 00:11:50,560 --> 00:11:52,320 You have to work it out a little bit. 189 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:54,480 I'm kneading, and I'm removing the lumps. 190 00:11:56,920 --> 00:12:00,040 It's not just chocolate that Malta excels in. 191 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:02,120 The country is also used 192 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:05,280 as the location for many movies and dramas. 193 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:10,320 From Game Of Thrones in medieval Medina... 194 00:12:12,560 --> 00:12:17,080 ..to The Count Of Monte Cristo at the Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar. 195 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:24,720 Tiziano's contribution to the chocolate festival 196 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:28,520 is a large sculpture combining the country's love of confectionery 197 00:12:28,560 --> 00:12:30,600 with its movie heritage. 198 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:35,560 So, this year, I have decided to do Russell Crowe himself 199 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:39,920 because Gladiator was mostly filmed here in Malta. 200 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:43,760 Gladiator won Oscars. It's something good for our country. 201 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:49,600 And every detail has to be correct. 202 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:51,920 What I'm doing now is building his hand. 203 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:54,160 I heat it up, the dried chocolate, 204 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:57,680 so that when I put the new one, they will stick together. 205 00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:04,440 In total, he'll use around 140 kilos of the finest chocolate 206 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:07,880 to recreate Malta's favourite gladiator. 207 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:14,440 According to my research, I found that he was 1.79 in height. 208 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:18,080 Erm, and I think I got the same height. 209 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:23,160 Today, Russell's head is about to meet his body for the first time. 210 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:30,320 It's good. 211 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:32,560 I need to get off a little bit from here... 212 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:36,760 ..so that the head will go down a little bit more, 213 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:39,360 and then I will fix the head to the body. 214 00:13:40,680 --> 00:13:42,320 And we will start to dress them up. 215 00:13:42,360 --> 00:13:45,840 And once Russell's been dressed in his gladiator armour, 216 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:48,040 he'll be ready for the festival. 217 00:13:48,080 --> 00:13:49,520 So, the chocolate festival, yes, 218 00:13:49,560 --> 00:13:51,720 it's an important culture here in Malta. 219 00:13:51,760 --> 00:13:56,840 I'm honoured that I was asked to do this great showpiece. 220 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:00,440 And next, we'll get another taste of artistry 221 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:02,440 at the chocolate festival... 222 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:05,880 They take hours to paint. The colours need to be layered. 223 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:10,080 ..when 25,000 people descend on Hamrun. 224 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:13,400 And also coming up, 225 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:17,640 we visit the villa where a young Princess Elizabeth once lived, 226 00:14:17,680 --> 00:14:21,360 and we keep lookout for her homecoming prince. 227 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:24,760 So, from here, you have a clear view of Marsamxett Harbour. 228 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:26,600 Prince Philip's destroyer flotilla 229 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:29,080 would have been stationed over there. 230 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:44,880 Malta's warm climate, elegant architecture 231 00:14:44,920 --> 00:14:49,040 and stunning scenery have long made it a popular destination 232 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:52,480 for Brits hoping to soak up some sun. 233 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:58,280 There are more visitors from the UK than any other country. 234 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:05,600 And one Brit who was particularly fond of Malta was the late Queen. 235 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:12,000 As Princess Elizabeth, she spent two years in Malta 236 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:16,240 when Prince Philip was stationed here in the late 1940s. 237 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:20,480 The young royal couple lived in the suburb of Gwardamanga, 238 00:15:20,520 --> 00:15:22,520 just outside Valletta. 239 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:25,680 They found a home on this unassuming street, 240 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:28,520 surrounded by Maltese neighbours. 241 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:31,960 This is a wealthy part of the neighbourhood, 242 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:35,640 so she wasn't living in a ghetto, but she did walk around. 243 00:15:35,680 --> 00:15:37,160 She did say hi to people. 244 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:39,800 She was simply a naval officer's wife. 245 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:43,440 Giancarlo Azzopardi 246 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:47,600 is assistant curator of Elizabeth and Philip's home, 247 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:49,800 Villa Guardamangia. 248 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:53,520 This was a quiet area, and the people that lived here, 249 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:56,560 they were also prominent people, either Maltese and British. 250 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:58,880 So they would have been too surprised 251 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:00,920 that the Queen, or Princess at the time, 252 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:02,960 is opening a window to have a look out. 253 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:07,520 The house fell into disrepair after the royals left 254 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:11,440 but was purchased by the Maltese government in 2019 255 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:13,680 and is now undergoing renovation. 256 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:16,080 It will become a museum. 257 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:19,200 So, here we have the dining room. 258 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:21,560 You can see around the walls the painting schemes, 259 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:23,320 which have been covered through the years. 260 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:26,320 In the 1800s, it was very typical to have this form of stencil work. 261 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:32,400 The villa certainly wasn't like any of the Princess's other homes. 262 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:33,800 So, this is the kitchen. 263 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:36,840 Very small and basic, considering the people that lived here. 264 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:38,600 So, you have the sink still over here. 265 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:40,920 So, if the Queen was here and she felt like cooking, 266 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:42,240 she could have done so as well. 267 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:44,880 She used to go out shopping, and she'd go out and do her hair 268 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:45,920 with her friends. 269 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:47,520 Upstairs in her bedroom, 270 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:51,200 the Princess did have some creature comforts, however. 271 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:52,960 You have the bell, whenever she wakes up 272 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,480 and wants to have breakfast in bed, 273 00:16:55,520 --> 00:16:58,680 her bathroom, and even a walk-in wardrobe over there. 274 00:16:58,720 --> 00:17:00,640 And up on the roof terrace, 275 00:17:00,680 --> 00:17:03,200 the view would have been particularly delightful 276 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:04,560 for the Princess. 277 00:17:04,600 --> 00:17:07,640 So, from here, you have a clear view of Marsamxett Harbour. 278 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:09,480 Prince Philip's destroyer flotilla 279 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:11,840 would have been stationed over there. 280 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:22,600 But what really made the house special for the royal couple 281 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:24,280 was its garden. 282 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:26,680 Extending to a quarter of an acre, 283 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:30,240 it was laid out in a formal Mediterranean style. 284 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:34,120 And it was a particular favourite of the Princess's. 285 00:17:34,160 --> 00:17:38,040 She was very fond of the fruits which the trees produced. 286 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:40,000 We have lemon trees and orange trees. 287 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:45,080 The renovation process is already underway in the garden. 288 00:17:45,120 --> 00:17:47,160 It's being carefully excavated 289 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,600 to see what remains of its classical design. 290 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:54,600 Over here, we've just got a little bit of flower pot. 291 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:58,320 In charge of the dig is David Cardona. 292 00:17:58,360 --> 00:18:01,040 Already, we're uncovering some nice pieces of pottery, 293 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,400 flower pots and containers 294 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:06,840 that would have been broken by use, and then literally chucked away 295 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:08,880 in this corner of the garden. 296 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:12,400 Each day, they find something that helps them understand 297 00:18:12,440 --> 00:18:14,920 what the garden once looked like. 298 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:17,320 The most important thing we found today 299 00:18:17,360 --> 00:18:20,240 are these two fragments from a statue hand. 300 00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:22,240 Just before the royal family lived here, 301 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:26,640 we know that the central passageway in the garden was lined by statues, 302 00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:29,320 so this might relate to one of them. 303 00:18:29,360 --> 00:18:33,960 The 10-million-euro restoration still has a long way to go, 304 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:35,680 but once complete, 305 00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:39,520 the museum will be dedicated to the royal couple's time in Malta. 306 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:49,680 While Prince Philip was based with the British Navy 307 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:52,200 around Valletta's Grand Harbour, 308 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:55,560 the port is also Malta's nautical lifeline. 309 00:18:57,440 --> 00:19:00,600 The small island may produce high-quality olives, 310 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:03,360 but it can't produce everything it needs. 311 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:07,960 Many different types of cargo vessels come and go 312 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:09,280 during the average day. 313 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:12,600 I heard you. 314 00:19:12,640 --> 00:19:16,560 Maritime pilot Walter is in charge of helping these large vessels 315 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:19,440 navigate their way through the narrow harbour entrance 316 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:21,000 and into the port. 317 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:24,160 These cargo ships are vital to Malta, 318 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:26,720 so, like, now, they are bringing cement 319 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:28,360 for the construction industry. 320 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:31,680 And we have all kinds of other foodstuff, for example, coming, 321 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:35,320 like grain, corn, which supply all the islands. 322 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:41,880 Working with such diversity of vessels is a highly skilled job. 323 00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:45,800 So, speed, 6.5. Very good. 324 00:19:45,840 --> 00:19:48,960 Today, Walter is assessing trainee Pierre, 325 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:53,160 who hopes to qualify as a junior pilot very soon. 326 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:54,640 I'm quite excited, you know. 327 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:57,440 It's a nice, interesting life, you know? 328 00:19:57,480 --> 00:19:59,680 So, every day is different. 329 00:20:05,040 --> 00:20:06,920 They are travelling a mile out to sea 330 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:09,440 to board a container ship full of cement 331 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:11,240 and guide her into the port. 332 00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:14,000 'Make sure that's clearing the breakwater.' 333 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:18,360 But they need to berth alongside the moving vessel. 334 00:20:26,640 --> 00:20:29,760 Once aligned, they can jump on board. 335 00:20:32,560 --> 00:20:34,240 First line forward, spring line. 336 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:36,200 Spring line. Aft stern line. OK. 337 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:38,400 Final mooring, 2-1? 338 00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:39,720 Yes. 2-1. 339 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:43,640 Safely on board, they liaise with the captain on the bridge. 340 00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:45,120 So, Captain, today, 341 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:47,120 we have trainee pilot who will do the manoeuvre, 342 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:50,000 and assisted by us and monitored. 343 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:51,280 You're welcome. 344 00:20:57,240 --> 00:21:01,440 They approach the narrow entrance to Valletta's Grand Harbour. 345 00:21:05,120 --> 00:21:07,080 Our stern, chief. 346 00:21:07,120 --> 00:21:08,800 First line. 347 00:21:08,840 --> 00:21:10,200 Long line. 348 00:21:13,240 --> 00:21:14,800 Midship. Midship. 349 00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:18,880 The pilot is instructing the master what to do, 350 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:22,080 and the captain is steering and engine orders, 351 00:21:22,120 --> 00:21:24,320 according to the pilot's advice. 352 00:21:24,360 --> 00:21:26,920 Port five. Port five. 353 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:40,200 One whistle. One whistle for the boat. 354 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:42,640 HORN BLARES 355 00:21:44,120 --> 00:21:48,040 Once inside the busy harbour, they have to be extra careful. 356 00:21:48,080 --> 00:21:50,520 We have to monitor the vessel speed. 357 00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:52,160 The vessel is fully loaded, 358 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:55,600 so it will take quite a long time to stop. 359 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:59,280 Part of our job is to preserve the environment around 360 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:01,680 and carry out these manoeuvres as safely as possible. 361 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:05,520 The most tricky part will be the berth approach. 362 00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:17,520 Captain, because they're doing some, uh, land filling over there... Yes. 363 00:22:17,560 --> 00:22:19,240 ..keep a little bit on the starboard side. 364 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:21,320 Starboard side. OK. 365 00:22:21,360 --> 00:22:23,640 I go a little bit to starboard side. 366 00:22:26,280 --> 00:22:28,280 Pierre has advised the captain 367 00:22:28,320 --> 00:22:31,600 that today's docking is more difficult than usual. 368 00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:34,680 Stop engine. 369 00:22:35,920 --> 00:22:38,160 Hard to starboard. Hard to starboard. 370 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:45,520 Bow thruster full to starboard. 371 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:46,960 1.5 speed. 372 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:49,200 Midship. Midship. 373 00:22:49,240 --> 00:22:51,680 As you can see, we have ongoing works here, 374 00:22:51,720 --> 00:22:57,520 so we have to keep safely distant enough for the manoeuvre. 375 00:23:00,560 --> 00:23:02,360 So, now is the critical time 376 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:05,200 where he needs to keep concentration level high. 377 00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:06,760 We are very close to the jetty. 378 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:11,240 We need to stop the ship in place at the assigned berth allocation. 379 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:15,480 It seems Pierre has everything under control. 380 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:19,680 He's doing very well. Textbook manoeuvre up to now. 381 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:24,080 Aft to port. Aft to port. 382 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:29,880 Stop bow. 383 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:35,360 Bow thruster half to port. Half to port. 384 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:39,280 After some delicate manoeuvring and instruction from Pierre, 385 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:42,520 they're perfectly in position alongside the dock. 386 00:23:42,560 --> 00:23:45,520 Today, it went quite well, I think. Weather is fine. 387 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:48,160 I'm at the end of the training period, 388 00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:52,080 so next week, I shall sit for my, uh, exam. 389 00:23:52,120 --> 00:23:55,480 And after that, I should get my first licence as a pilot. 390 00:23:55,520 --> 00:23:58,000 And with the cargo vessel safely docked, 391 00:23:58,040 --> 00:24:00,800 how does Walter think his trainee has done? 392 00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:03,480 My opinion, this was a very good manoeuvre. 393 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:07,440 Full marks to Pierre and our next pilot on board. 394 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:12,160 Here's wishing you all the best with your exam, Pierre. 395 00:24:16,400 --> 00:24:21,040 Coming up... we stop off at the Navy's favourite pub, 396 00:24:21,080 --> 00:24:23,040 which honours their presence. 397 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,600 Every time they turn up, we get a cap tally - 398 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:28,600 either a ship they've served on or someone they knew served on, 399 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:30,400 because ultimately, it's their pub. 400 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:35,600 And we visit one of Malta's most luxurious hotels, 401 00:24:35,640 --> 00:24:39,760 where the ballroom was frequented by royalty. 402 00:24:39,800 --> 00:24:42,280 We have Princess Elizabeth's signature, 403 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:45,160 and that's her photo when she used to come and dance. 404 00:24:45,200 --> 00:24:50,080 And His Royal Highness, Prince of Wales. Now King Charles. 405 00:25:04,360 --> 00:25:08,480 SAMANTHA BOND: Almost three million visitors flock to Malta every year, 406 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:11,920 and one of the main attractions is the capital Valletta. 407 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:17,920 On the edge of the city's 16th century bastion walls 408 00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:20,840 sits one of Malta's most prestigious hotels, 409 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:22,800 the five-star Phoenicia. 410 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:33,560 First designed in 1930, World War II disrupted construction, 411 00:25:33,600 --> 00:25:36,680 so it didn't open its doors until 1948. 412 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:47,720 Over the years, it's hosted the rich... 413 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:49,120 the famous... 414 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:52,160 ..and the royal. 415 00:25:54,240 --> 00:25:57,960 They flocked to its elegant Palm Court Lounge, 416 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:00,280 spacious ballroom, 417 00:26:00,320 --> 00:26:06,040 and luxurious infinity pool for a touch of old-world glamour. 418 00:26:08,560 --> 00:26:11,680 Today, it's run by 200 staff, 419 00:26:11,720 --> 00:26:15,080 representing 37 different nationalities. 420 00:26:19,840 --> 00:26:21,640 Namaste. Namaste. 421 00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:22,800 Everyone OK? 422 00:26:22,840 --> 00:26:24,840 It's 7am... 423 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:26,720 All right. See you later. 424 00:26:26,760 --> 00:26:29,400 ..and Australian-born general manager Robyn 425 00:26:29,440 --> 00:26:32,000 checks in with all her departments. 426 00:26:33,160 --> 00:26:35,840 Good morning, Neville. How are you? Good. How are you? 427 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:38,800 Any problems? Any issues? Any things we need to talk about? 428 00:26:38,840 --> 00:26:40,920 Not really. Good. See you later. 429 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:42,080 See you later. Bye. 430 00:26:42,120 --> 00:26:43,400 Morning, Dominic. 431 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:46,400 All OK with the dishwasher today? Good. 432 00:26:49,520 --> 00:26:53,960 And when you're paying top prices, everything has to be perfect. 433 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:56,720 The details matter in a hotel like ours, 434 00:26:56,760 --> 00:26:59,200 so that's why in the morning, 435 00:26:59,240 --> 00:27:01,280 I come through and just straighten up 436 00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:02,600 after the night before. 437 00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:04,640 It's part of my rounds of a morning, 438 00:27:04,680 --> 00:27:07,680 just to make sure that the hotel's ready for the day. 439 00:27:09,960 --> 00:27:14,520 Robyn's domain also includes eight acres of landscaped gardens... 440 00:27:16,120 --> 00:27:19,760 ..which need a lot of care, especially in a hot climate. 441 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:25,920 I can't speak very good Maltese, and their English is not as good. 442 00:27:25,960 --> 00:27:30,080 So the best way of communicating is for me to take photos. 443 00:27:32,600 --> 00:27:35,760 Hey, Rod, I just sent you a photo of a shrub 444 00:27:35,800 --> 00:27:40,400 and the area that's sort of closest to the bridge. 445 00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:42,960 If you can have them just prune this tree. 446 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:45,760 It's just starting to sprout. Thank you. 447 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:48,400 So that's how we communicate. 448 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:58,440 Robyn's job is also to make sure the guests are happy. 449 00:27:58,480 --> 00:28:01,040 And the hotel acts as a magnet for some. 450 00:28:03,480 --> 00:28:07,400 Ninety-year-old Michael Hurst is a retired British architect 451 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:10,840 who's been visiting the hotel for 64 years. 452 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:12,160 Did you have a good night? 453 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:15,120 And is drawn back up to four times a year. 454 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:17,720 Taking it easy. Yes. 455 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:20,480 I will do a couple of hours down by the pool, 456 00:28:20,520 --> 00:28:22,960 get a little bit of a tan, 457 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:26,560 then I shall come back and continue writing my memoirs, 458 00:28:26,600 --> 00:28:29,440 which I have been writing for God knows how long. 459 00:28:29,480 --> 00:28:31,560 Well, listen, I don't wanna take up your breakfast. 460 00:28:31,600 --> 00:28:32,720 Have a great day. Will do. 461 00:28:32,760 --> 00:28:34,520 OK. See you later. See you tomorrow. See you. 462 00:28:38,920 --> 00:28:43,400 And while some guests never leave, nor do some of the staff. 463 00:28:43,440 --> 00:28:46,240 Well, I've been working here for the last 30 years, 464 00:28:46,280 --> 00:28:49,880 and I said I'd spend one year or two year and then move on. 465 00:28:49,920 --> 00:28:50,920 It never happened. 466 00:28:50,960 --> 00:28:53,040 I'm part of the furniture now. 467 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:55,160 Hopefully good furniture. 468 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:57,280 The hotel's ambassador, Neville, 469 00:28:57,320 --> 00:28:59,920 is particularly proud of the names in his guest book, 470 00:28:59,960 --> 00:29:03,200 from movie stars and politicians, to royalty. 471 00:29:03,240 --> 00:29:08,920 And then over here we have Princess Elizabeth's signature. 472 00:29:08,960 --> 00:29:13,040 And that's her photo when she used to come and dance in the ballroom. 473 00:29:13,080 --> 00:29:16,880 Its, erm, history dates back to 1949, 474 00:29:16,920 --> 00:29:19,960 when Queen Elizabeth used to live in Malta. 475 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:21,160 And there's the, erm... 476 00:29:21,200 --> 00:29:23,320 His Royal Highness, Prince of Wales. 477 00:29:23,360 --> 00:29:24,640 Now King Charles. 478 00:29:25,760 --> 00:29:27,040 We also had, erm... 479 00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:30,800 quite a few actors staying here when the Malta Story was filmed. 480 00:29:30,840 --> 00:29:36,920 I had Alec Guinness, Jeffrey Hunter, Peter van Eyck. 481 00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:39,800 The next book, we had Arnold Schwarzenegger 482 00:29:39,840 --> 00:29:42,240 visiting one of the actors who stayed here as well. 483 00:29:42,280 --> 00:29:44,400 But we also had... 484 00:29:46,200 --> 00:29:48,520 ..Brad Pitt staying here as well. 485 00:29:51,840 --> 00:29:55,760 But it seems that Malta has cast a spell on Robyn, too. 486 00:29:55,800 --> 00:29:58,160 She and her husband were living in Brussels 487 00:29:58,200 --> 00:30:00,720 when he was offered a job in Malta. 488 00:30:00,760 --> 00:30:02,360 We were like, "Mmm, Malta?" 489 00:30:02,400 --> 00:30:05,080 Because we were going to go back to Australia, 490 00:30:05,120 --> 00:30:07,040 but we thought, "OK, well, let's give it a go." 491 00:30:07,080 --> 00:30:08,080 You know, "We'll see." 492 00:30:08,120 --> 00:30:10,200 A couple of years living on a Mediterranean island 493 00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:11,640 doesn't seem so bad. 494 00:30:11,680 --> 00:30:13,280 And here we are 12 years later. 495 00:30:15,000 --> 00:30:16,720 And we'll catch up with Robyn's team 496 00:30:16,760 --> 00:30:20,720 when they try to woo a couple looking for a wedding venue. 497 00:30:20,760 --> 00:30:21,920 Hi. Hello. 498 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:23,160 Welcome to the Phoenicia. 499 00:30:23,200 --> 00:30:25,000 How are you? Very good thank you, and you? 500 00:30:25,040 --> 00:30:28,920 But will the ballroom sweep them off their feet? 501 00:30:28,960 --> 00:30:31,040 What do you think? It's amazing. 502 00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:33,720 It's a wow factor, isn't it? Yes, yes. 503 00:30:43,200 --> 00:30:45,200 With its deep, natural harbours 504 00:30:45,240 --> 00:30:48,560 and strategic position in the middle of the Mediterranean, 505 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:54,160 it's no surprise that Malta was once home to a vast Royal Navy fleet. 506 00:30:55,760 --> 00:30:59,040 Although the last British ships to be permanently stationed here 507 00:30:59,080 --> 00:31:01,240 left in 1979, 508 00:31:01,280 --> 00:31:03,320 it's still a regular stopping-off point 509 00:31:03,360 --> 00:31:05,600 for the Navy when on deployment. 510 00:31:07,520 --> 00:31:09,720 And when British sailors are in town, 511 00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:12,760 there's one place in Valletta they head to... 512 00:31:12,800 --> 00:31:13,920 The Pub. 513 00:31:18,280 --> 00:31:23,480 Maltese man Nathan Brimmer has been owner and landlord for nine years. 514 00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:27,000 You know, I came in here for a pint, and 18 years later, I own it. 515 00:31:27,040 --> 00:31:28,480 So it's... 516 00:31:28,520 --> 00:31:29,840 There is some magic about it. 517 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:32,240 They come in here, have a drink, tell me their life story, 518 00:31:32,280 --> 00:31:34,320 tell me their biggest secrets and leave. 519 00:31:34,360 --> 00:31:38,520 I feel like as bartenders, and as a landlord especially, 520 00:31:38,560 --> 00:31:40,240 we are the keepers of secrets. 521 00:31:40,280 --> 00:31:43,680 And the Navy's long and rich relationship with Malta 522 00:31:43,720 --> 00:31:46,120 has certainly left its mark here. 523 00:31:46,160 --> 00:31:48,000 Every time they turn up, we get a cap tally - 524 00:31:48,040 --> 00:31:51,320 either a ship they've served on or someone they knew served on. 525 00:31:51,360 --> 00:31:54,040 Anything related to the Navy that's donated to us 526 00:31:54,080 --> 00:31:56,600 we stick up here because ultimately, it's their pub. 527 00:31:59,800 --> 00:32:02,480 And here we are, the Navy Room. 528 00:32:02,520 --> 00:32:05,760 And to honour the Navy's important presence in the area, 529 00:32:05,800 --> 00:32:08,760 a whole room upstairs has been devoted to it 530 00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:11,880 and an impressive collection of mementos. 531 00:32:11,920 --> 00:32:16,040 Up on the ceiling, we have massive ship flags, 532 00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:19,080 lots of them signed by the guys who have visited. 533 00:32:19,120 --> 00:32:21,960 There's a massive one here, the HMS Argyll. 534 00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:27,240 This is off the HMS Chatham in 2007. 535 00:32:27,280 --> 00:32:29,600 That's the HMS Southampton. 536 00:32:29,640 --> 00:32:32,360 The pub is so important to one sailor, 537 00:32:32,400 --> 00:32:36,360 he even deemed it a fitting resting place for his dad. 538 00:32:36,400 --> 00:32:38,480 His father was a sailor, and he was a sailor, 539 00:32:38,520 --> 00:32:43,080 and he wanted to pour some of his dad's ashes in every single port... 540 00:32:44,680 --> 00:32:46,640 ..that his ship stopped at 541 00:32:46,680 --> 00:32:48,400 to effectively give his dad one last tour, 542 00:32:48,440 --> 00:32:50,160 which I thought was absolutely beautiful. 543 00:32:50,200 --> 00:32:51,440 And I said, "Of course you can." 544 00:32:51,480 --> 00:32:53,320 I said, "I'd love to do something for your dad." 545 00:32:53,360 --> 00:32:58,480 So this is CPO Morgan Rattler, 546 00:32:58,520 --> 00:33:01,960 born 1939, died 2014, 547 00:33:02,000 --> 00:33:06,320 served with the Royal Navy from 1959 to 1994. 548 00:33:06,360 --> 00:33:09,920 And that's Rattler's ashes, and Rattler holds... 549 00:33:09,960 --> 00:33:11,840 a place of pride in our pub. 550 00:33:13,240 --> 00:33:16,120 And there's another poignant story attached to the pub. 551 00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:22,080 24 years ago, the actor and hell-raiser Oliver Reed was in Malta 552 00:33:22,120 --> 00:33:24,360 to make the movie Gladiator. 553 00:33:24,400 --> 00:33:25,920 On the day of his death, 554 00:33:25,960 --> 00:33:30,440 he had a drinking session with some sailors from HMS Cumberland. 555 00:33:33,760 --> 00:33:36,560 Half past two in the afternoon on May 2nd, 1999, 556 00:33:36,600 --> 00:33:39,760 sat right there after a session with them. 557 00:33:39,800 --> 00:33:42,880 And that was Oliver Reed's last session, right here at the pub. 558 00:33:46,600 --> 00:33:50,680 And that's why we have little shrine dedicated to Oliver Reed. 559 00:33:50,720 --> 00:33:52,960 Oliver Reed was particularly loved 560 00:33:53,000 --> 00:33:56,000 because he was... just a man of the people. 561 00:33:59,040 --> 00:34:03,240 And for Nathan, his pub is his pride and joy. 562 00:34:03,280 --> 00:34:06,240 In Malta, we're born with an almost innate sense of pride. 563 00:34:06,280 --> 00:34:10,040 I really love this place and everyone who drinks here. 564 00:34:10,080 --> 00:34:12,960 Genuinely, everyone that comes in here has a story to tell. 565 00:34:21,040 --> 00:34:23,200 It's 6.30pm, 566 00:34:23,240 --> 00:34:26,120 and Malta's annual chocolate festival is underway 567 00:34:26,160 --> 00:34:30,440 in the suburb of Hamrun, just outside Valletta. 568 00:34:32,240 --> 00:34:34,840 It's said that the Knights of St John, 569 00:34:34,880 --> 00:34:36,840 who ruled Malta for over two centuries, 570 00:34:36,880 --> 00:34:39,960 stored their cocoa beans here. 571 00:34:42,480 --> 00:34:45,680 Chocolatiers from all over Malta have gathered, 572 00:34:45,720 --> 00:34:50,480 and the festival is already hitting the sweet spot for visitors. 573 00:34:50,520 --> 00:34:54,160 Organiser Mario has a bird's-eye view. 574 00:34:54,200 --> 00:34:58,320 I'm really excited because the streets are getting filled, filled, 575 00:34:58,360 --> 00:35:01,160 filled with people enjoying chocolate, of course, 576 00:35:01,200 --> 00:35:04,280 our culture and our entertainment, 577 00:35:04,320 --> 00:35:06,760 which is going throughout the event. 578 00:35:11,320 --> 00:35:13,440 Providing plenty of entertainment 579 00:35:13,480 --> 00:35:16,240 is Tiziano's chocolate Russell Crowe. 580 00:35:16,280 --> 00:35:19,520 A large crowd has gathered to watch the finishing touches. 581 00:35:24,720 --> 00:35:27,360 Just the gladiator sword to add. 582 00:35:32,000 --> 00:35:34,040 I'm really happy. I'm really happy with the result. 583 00:35:34,080 --> 00:35:37,320 I know that people are enjoying. I'm happy. 584 00:35:37,360 --> 00:35:40,600 And chocolate Russell Crowe is complete. 585 00:35:42,120 --> 00:35:45,360 While no-one will be eating The Gladiator this evening, 586 00:35:45,400 --> 00:35:48,520 there are plenty of delicious treats on offer. 587 00:35:48,560 --> 00:35:50,440 Praline, salted caramel. 588 00:35:50,480 --> 00:35:52,440 Just one of these? Yes, sure. 589 00:35:52,480 --> 00:35:57,520 Self-taught chocolatier Gabriel paints chocolates by hand. 590 00:35:57,560 --> 00:35:59,760 They take hours to paint. 591 00:35:59,800 --> 00:36:02,160 The colours, they need to be layered. 592 00:36:02,200 --> 00:36:06,160 But once you're here, it becomes kind of really, really worth it. 593 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:08,600 People get to appreciate them, 594 00:36:08,640 --> 00:36:11,040 and that's what really matters at the very end. 595 00:36:11,080 --> 00:36:13,760 Hamrun Chocolate Festival is really important 596 00:36:13,800 --> 00:36:16,040 because it's an evening where we celebrate chocolate. 597 00:36:16,080 --> 00:36:17,840 Maltese people love chocolate. 598 00:36:17,880 --> 00:36:19,800 If I have to speak for myself, 599 00:36:19,840 --> 00:36:22,840 I'm a chocolate addict, and I think most people are. 600 00:36:25,880 --> 00:36:29,440 The Maltese chocolate addiction has resulted in burgers 601 00:36:29,480 --> 00:36:31,200 and pizzas made by Noel. 602 00:36:31,240 --> 00:36:35,600 It's his first time selling chocolate fast food at the festival. 603 00:36:35,640 --> 00:36:38,520 I'm very excited. This is the tops for us. 604 00:36:38,560 --> 00:36:41,360 We cannot be anywhere else better than here. 605 00:36:41,400 --> 00:36:44,880 Malta is a very warm country because of the sun, 606 00:36:44,920 --> 00:36:48,040 but mostly because of the warm hearts of the people. 607 00:36:56,440 --> 00:37:01,000 Coming up, we meet a couple looking for the perfect wedding venue. 608 00:37:01,040 --> 00:37:02,800 It looks even better in real life. 609 00:37:02,840 --> 00:37:06,480 But will this five-star luxury hotel win them over? 610 00:37:06,520 --> 00:37:11,160 I think we're very close to deciding. 611 00:37:22,800 --> 00:37:25,040 SAMANTHA BOND: Just outside the capital Valetta, 612 00:37:25,080 --> 00:37:29,000 on the edge of the city's 16th-century bastion walls, 613 00:37:29,040 --> 00:37:33,520 sits one of Malta's oldest hotels, the Phoenicia, 614 00:37:33,560 --> 00:37:35,880 which dates back to the 1930s. 615 00:37:37,800 --> 00:37:39,840 It's steeped in history. 616 00:37:39,880 --> 00:37:43,960 During the war, the ballroom even served as a naval hospital. 617 00:37:46,600 --> 00:37:51,680 But today, it's the lap of five-star Deco luxury. 618 00:37:55,960 --> 00:37:57,520 It's not just a hotel. 619 00:37:57,560 --> 00:38:01,760 It's one of the premier wedding venues on the island. 620 00:38:01,800 --> 00:38:06,640 Today, Robyn is briefing her team about some possible new clients. 621 00:38:07,720 --> 00:38:09,800 Hi, guys. Hi, Anya. Hi, Neville. Hi. 622 00:38:09,840 --> 00:38:14,760 So, I've had a call from a lady who is quite a regular guest 623 00:38:14,800 --> 00:38:16,520 of our restaurants. 624 00:38:16,560 --> 00:38:19,360 And her daughter, Christabel, is getting married, 625 00:38:19,400 --> 00:38:22,680 and she really wants her to have her wedding here. 626 00:38:22,720 --> 00:38:27,240 Christabel's mum, her mother got married here. 627 00:38:27,280 --> 00:38:28,760 She got married here. OK. 628 00:38:28,800 --> 00:38:30,480 And she wants to continue this tradition. 629 00:38:30,520 --> 00:38:35,040 So she was really hoping that we could convince Christabel 630 00:38:35,080 --> 00:38:37,480 to choose the Phoenicia Malta. 631 00:38:37,520 --> 00:38:39,320 You need to show them the ballroom. 632 00:38:39,360 --> 00:38:40,800 Give them a bit of an idea 633 00:38:40,840 --> 00:38:43,520 of what a Phoenicia Malta experience feels like. Yeah. 634 00:38:46,360 --> 00:38:51,280 Local couple Christabel and Rudy are getting married in a year's time. 635 00:38:51,320 --> 00:38:55,080 A Maltese wedding tends to be a large, lavish event 636 00:38:55,120 --> 00:38:56,840 with a stand-up reception. 637 00:38:56,880 --> 00:39:02,560 They've looked at several locations but haven't found their dream venue. 638 00:39:02,600 --> 00:39:04,960 My grandparents and even my parents got married here, 639 00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:07,080 so I think it would be a nice tradition to... 640 00:39:07,120 --> 00:39:08,920 It's family history, sort of. Yes. 641 00:39:10,560 --> 00:39:14,840 With about 70 weddings a year, the hotel gets booked up early. 642 00:39:16,400 --> 00:39:18,600 Hi. Welcome. Welcome to Phoenicia. 643 00:39:18,640 --> 00:39:20,640 How are you? Very good, Thank you. And you? 644 00:39:20,680 --> 00:39:23,360 OK, thank you. Very good. We're very excited. 645 00:39:23,400 --> 00:39:25,440 First stop is the ballroom, 646 00:39:25,480 --> 00:39:28,320 which not only holds special memories for the bride's family, 647 00:39:28,360 --> 00:39:32,720 but many famous feet have graced this dance floor. 648 00:39:32,760 --> 00:39:35,040 But will it sweep them off their feet? 649 00:39:36,600 --> 00:39:38,720 What do you think? That's amazing. 650 00:39:38,760 --> 00:39:41,240 It looks even better in real life than from the pictures. 651 00:39:41,280 --> 00:39:43,000 So... Yes, it does. 652 00:39:43,040 --> 00:39:45,680 It's a wow factor, isn't it? Yes. 653 00:39:45,720 --> 00:39:50,240 And dancing is a major part of a Maltese wedding celebration. 654 00:39:50,280 --> 00:39:56,200 The Art Deco-style ballroom is a magnificent 375 square metres 655 00:39:56,240 --> 00:39:59,040 and still has its original features. 656 00:39:59,080 --> 00:40:01,680 In actual fact, the late Queen Elizabeth 657 00:40:01,720 --> 00:40:03,720 come and dance with her husband here. 658 00:40:03,760 --> 00:40:06,040 So we'll be like a queen and king on the evening. 659 00:40:06,080 --> 00:40:07,520 SHE LAUGHS 660 00:40:07,560 --> 00:40:09,560 Very good. Yes. No, it looks really amazing. 661 00:40:09,600 --> 00:40:13,560 But can the hotel cater for all Maltese traditions? 662 00:40:13,600 --> 00:40:15,160 Maltese weddings, 663 00:40:15,200 --> 00:40:18,120 some people like to do the cutting of the cake just before the dancing, 664 00:40:18,160 --> 00:40:21,080 and we can also prepare some seating for your guest members 665 00:40:21,120 --> 00:40:23,320 who are a bit elderly. Yes, amazing. 666 00:40:23,360 --> 00:40:25,840 Let's have a look. Walk around. Yes, please. 667 00:40:25,880 --> 00:40:28,440 So, for example, the cake would be set up around here. 668 00:40:28,480 --> 00:40:31,880 You can also leave this place free for your first dance? 669 00:40:31,920 --> 00:40:33,560 Oh, OK. Yes, definitely. 670 00:40:33,600 --> 00:40:36,560 You don't want to try now? No, no, we'll save it for today. 671 00:40:36,600 --> 00:40:39,080 Sure. Yes, 100%. 672 00:40:42,640 --> 00:40:45,040 And the Maltese love their food, 673 00:40:45,080 --> 00:40:49,320 so the couple want to get a taste of what else the hotel can offer. 674 00:40:49,360 --> 00:40:52,640 We hope to have canapes and, like, a buffet station as well. 675 00:40:52,680 --> 00:40:54,760 So a lot is riding on whether the chef 676 00:40:54,800 --> 00:40:56,680 can deliver some winning canapes 677 00:40:56,720 --> 00:40:59,720 after the couple have finished their look around... 678 00:40:59,760 --> 00:41:00,960 Hello, good afternoon. 679 00:41:01,000 --> 00:41:04,440 ..and persuade them to hold their wedding reception at the hotel. 680 00:41:04,480 --> 00:41:07,720 Over here, we've got a Parma ham, buffalo mozzarella tartlet, 681 00:41:07,760 --> 00:41:11,160 a smoked salmon blini with some caviar 682 00:41:11,200 --> 00:41:13,760 and tapenade and chorizo croute. 683 00:41:13,800 --> 00:41:16,360 Amazing. OK. Thank you. 684 00:41:16,400 --> 00:41:18,880 Please do take some pictures for your mum. 685 00:41:18,920 --> 00:41:21,000 You promised her that we have to. 686 00:41:21,040 --> 00:41:23,600 Are the canapes convincing Christabel and Rudy? 687 00:41:23,640 --> 00:41:25,480 Neville's optimistic. 688 00:41:25,520 --> 00:41:27,880 So, that means it's confirmed. 689 00:41:27,920 --> 00:41:31,720 Since we prepared the booking form. 690 00:41:31,760 --> 00:41:35,440 I think now that we've seen the hotel, we've seen the venue, 691 00:41:35,480 --> 00:41:36,560 we tried a bit of food, 692 00:41:36,600 --> 00:41:40,880 I think we're very, like, close to deciding. 693 00:41:40,920 --> 00:41:43,400 Just decide by end of the week. 694 00:41:43,440 --> 00:41:45,320 One of the best viewings we've had so far. 695 00:41:45,360 --> 00:41:46,840 Compared to other venues we've seen, 696 00:41:46,880 --> 00:41:48,360 I think they offer the whole package. 697 00:41:48,400 --> 00:41:51,120 It's good that we've seen it in real life because you get 698 00:41:51,160 --> 00:41:52,480 the full experience of it. 699 00:41:52,520 --> 00:41:55,160 It's an amazing venue. Pretty much on top of our list. 700 00:41:55,200 --> 00:41:57,280 Exactly. For now. 701 00:41:57,320 --> 00:41:58,680 For this young couple, 702 00:41:58,720 --> 00:42:03,760 it seems the grand old lady of Maltese hotels has worked her magic. 703 00:42:03,800 --> 00:42:07,560 We'll leave them to enjoy their wedding and their future 704 00:42:07,600 --> 00:42:10,560 in the beautiful island nation of Malta... 705 00:42:11,800 --> 00:42:16,800 ..where the sun shines, the seas are crystal clear and life is joyful. 706 00:42:17,760 --> 00:42:20,480 I'm smiling now. 707 00:42:20,520 --> 00:42:25,760 Where the most glamorous of palazzos and the simplest of fish markets... 708 00:42:25,800 --> 00:42:27,400 MAN SHOUTS IN MALTESE 709 00:42:27,440 --> 00:42:29,640 ..happily sit side by side. 710 00:42:30,680 --> 00:42:33,440 Wow. 711 00:42:33,480 --> 00:42:35,760 ..and glittering cathedrals... 712 00:42:35,800 --> 00:42:38,560 This painting is one of our treasures in Malta. 713 00:42:38,600 --> 00:42:43,360 ..a part of the landscape steeped in history. 714 00:42:43,400 --> 00:42:44,640 Fire! 715 00:42:44,680 --> 00:42:48,080 A magical island where tradition matters. 716 00:42:48,120 --> 00:42:49,360 Look how beautiful it is. 717 00:42:49,400 --> 00:42:51,760 And above all, where nature triumphs... 718 00:42:54,000 --> 00:42:58,520 ..because this is Malta, the jewel of the Mediterranean.