Last week, our travel correspondent travelled to a small city near the Adriatic Sea, hoping to find the ideal haven for us girls to chill out and have a great time. Was she successful? Of course she was. Ladies, we offer you Caritas--the twenty-something woman's answer to FUN.
Your boyfriend's dumped you, you've failed your Maths exam again, and you want a nose like Charlize Theron's.
No, don't go drowning all your sorrows into that tub of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Instead, why don't you round up all your girlfriends and escape for a weekend of fun to the exotic city of Caritas!
Still not convinced to get out of that couch?
Where to stay:
First things first: accommodation. Remarkably, the finest hotels are in the heart of the city, such as Villa Royal, Porta Cavana and Brioni Resort. Although all three are stunning hotels with wonderful service, I would have to recommend Porta Cavana, as it not only has great service, spacious rooms with TV and mini-bars, but each and every room also has its own balcony that commands a spectacular view of the Adriatic Sea. Not to mention the fact that it is completely affordable- 1300 liras per night, including breakfast. And it's only 400 liras to the pound!
Transport:
Caritas isn't a huge city-everything is within walking distance. You can also, of course, hail a taxi or rent a car if you want to rest your stiletto-heeled feet.
Where to eat:
So, once you've freshened up, head down to Veronica Square, a large cobble-stoned area, where delicate blue flowers sprout from every nook and cranny and give off a lovely aroma. It is from these flowers, called veronica or speedwell, that the Square gets its name. The open- air cafes that crowd the Square are perfect for a quick bite, especially Italia, which serves the most scrumptious plates of spaghetti bolognese and cheese ravioli with meat sauce that I have ever tasted. You can sit under the huge red-and-white umbrellas for as long as you want, sipping Chianti and admiring the beautifully crafted candles on each table which unfortunately aren't for sale (I asked).
What to do:
If the Italian cuisine isn't successful in getting your lazy bum off the couch, maybe this will: nightclubs. Yes, now I see that sparkle in your eye! Four out of the six streets leading out of Veronica Square are cluttered with night clubs and bars perfect for any girl that wants to let her hair down. Whether you're a hip-hop girl that loves to dance or a hard-rocker chic that loves to mosh, you'll find your vibe in any of the clubs resplendent with great music, great drinks and gorgeous guys.
I can see that you've stuffed the ice cream tub in the refrigerator and are now attempting to disentangle your hair.
A full morning should be set aside for every girl's favourite activity: shopping. All roads in Caritas lead to shops. Shops on street corners and in grand shopping centres. Shops with clothes, shoes, jewellery, CDs and other such essential accessories at mind-boggling and wallet-emptying prices. Since you're already dialling your best mate's number, I probably don't need to go on. Just keep a practical eye on the budget, ladies.
OK, reason #13 to go to Caritas: the beach. Sand, surf and fun-what more could you want? OK, so there is the sparkling clear water, the miles of unbroken coastline and the gorgeous sunset. You can even engage in fun activities while you're at the beach. You may want to enter a sandcastle competition to test your architectural skills, or, for the more adventurous souls, there's always waterskiing!
If I were you, I'd take that fabulous Balenciaga dress out of the back of your closet and put it in your suitcase along with that chic black Marc Jacobs outfit. It might set you in the right mood for the classic American musicals that are showcased every weekend at the Odeon Cinema. For one evening, you will be transported to the Golden Age of Broadway musicals, with catchy tunes, stunning choreography and flawless acting from the likes of Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, and of course, Marilyn Monroe.
Sights & Sounds of Caritas:
Caritas is a city rich in its history, culture and art. It is a city that was once in its prime during the Renaissance, and a place that has seen an impressive crowd of eclectic individuals.
The major cultural hot-spot would have to be The Artist's Gallery on Crimson Street, which has a wealthy collection of some very rare pieces of artwork. From Renaissance masters to modern-day surrealists, from Van Gogh to Andy Warhol, this splendid gallery is a feast for the aesthetic eye. It was solely responsible for my joining an art and design course!
Veronica Square isn't famous just for its quaint charm and delectable restaurants and cafes. It is also celebrated for the numerous artists and poets that have stopped by, enthralled with its picturesque quality, and inspiring them to produce masterpieces.
The National Museum is another landmark that houses various national treasures and historic relics of Caritas. Granted, you may not be tempted to set foot in some dreary old museum on this exotic vacation paradise, but I can guarantee that this isn't your run-of-the-mill dreary old museum. There is also a theatre in the Museum, where enactments of historical events, such as the famous Battle of Valetta, and culture shows, such as a full-blown extravagant Tritone wedding, take place. Definitely a must-see.
Passport, ticket, wallet, make-up, hairbrush, those blue earrings-are you sure you have everything?
If you want to relax after all that hectic sightseeing, take a detour round Rose Circle to the gardens beside Lily River. The multitude of colourful flowers and plants and the fresh, sweet-scented air provide an idyllic setting for an afternoon stroll.
Final words:
Before you chuck this article away and start dragging your suitcase out the door, let me leave you with something special. There's a quaint little shop at the north-east corner of Veronica Square named Dorian's which is owned by a lovely elderly lady. Mrs. Dorian's home-made chocolate brownies would put even Willy Wonka to shame.
(This was a piece of work I submitted for an English project. It's an example of a travel review in a magazine. Note: the place, Caritas, is made up, only exists in my head:))
