The Team

Ivan

When I was asked to choose a location in Valletta for this photograph, I could not help but choose South Street. My family’s offices have been located there since 1951, in a five-floor building at 66/67 South Street, Valletta, close to Republic Street (formerly Kingsway). Originally this building was the Great Britain Hotel. I spent a lot of my childhood with my father and grandfather in this office and I knew every nook and cranny of the neigbourhood. This is my safe space, and it brings a flood of beautiful memories; my favourite café called Prego (unfortunately closed at moment and waiting for a reawakening) where I used to have tea with condensed milk (a Maltese quirk) and a toasted ham and cheese sandwich, the toy shop just up the road (still there) and close to other outlets that used to enthrall me as a kid.

Today, several decades later, I find myself here, as a co-founder of Very Valletta happy to divulge my “insider” tips to our guests who choose us to carefully curate their stay in this magnificent city. My long years in the luxury tourism sector has given me access to many useful contacts that will help me present to you an authentic and fun experience. We have sustainability at heart, and you will feel this throughout our crafted programs.

Michela

Valletta is a unique and trendy city as it encapsulates history, amazing architecture, gardens, old and new buildings, cafes, gorgeous boutique hotels and much more all in one place. My Family’s offices have been situated in Valletta from the very beginning, and so, I am quite familiar with Valletta, it is like my second home. Valletta will always surprise you, when you think you have seen it all, you will come across something new to discover and explore. My favourite spots in Valletta are the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens, as they offer a spectacular panoramic view of the Grand Harbour while being surrounded by greenery and tranquillity.

Petra

Valletta has always felt like a second home to me. Growing up with my dad working as a lawyer, the city became a kind of playground—I’d spend hours wandering its streets, absorbing its rhythm and atmosphere. My love for theatre brought me even closer to Valletta, with spaces like the MCC and the Manoel Theatre becoming second stages in my life. Those venues, full of history and character, shaped my creativity and sense of self. The city’s energy has only grown—now bustling with restaurants and bars, I know I’m always guaranteed a good time when I’m there.

But Valletta means more to me than just memories and entertainment. It’s a living memory etched in limestone, where every corner tells a story and each worn stone feels familiar. I love how the city continues to evolve—each visit brings a new discovery, whether it’s a hidden restaurant or a historical detail I hadn’t noticed before. Valletta is not just a backdrop to my life; it’s part of who I am. Its beauty, resilience, and soul are deeply woven into my own.

Melanie

For me Valletta is like a photo album filled with a collection of photographs capturing joyful memories that are cherished dearly. As a young girl, I remember spending quality time with my family, especially with my dad, on Sundays roaming and exploring the quaint streets in search for new eateries. Our typical Sunday would consist of a mass at the St. John’s Co-Cathedral – which ignited my love for the arts, architecture, and culture, followed by a nice lunch at any restaurant we discover. Valletta today offers the same allure that it did when I was still a child. The pages of the city‘s photo album are still turning offering new memories, new opportunities, and most of all a tasteful morsel of what the Maltese islands are really all about.

Elena

I am Latvian, and I have been living in Malta for the last 13 years — it has truly become home to me. I was always very fond of Valletta, and joining the company two years ago to promote it as a destination felt so right. I am in love with every street and especially the people there. I am convinced that Valletta is an undiscovered gem. With its rich cultural history, unique charm, and vibrant restaurant scene, it is the perfect destination for an authentic experience.

I am passionate about taking care of my health, mind, and spirit. I believe that when I feel good about myself, this will also have a positive effect on the people that I meet. I love starting the day with a long walk in Valletta, followed by a stop at my favourite coffee shop, Lot Sixty One, which serves one of the best cappuccinos.

I’m also a true foodie and love trying new restaurants in Valletta. I’ve built up a great list of favourite spots that I love to recommend to our guests and visitors — there’s always something special to discover!

Lian

I’ve been living in Malta since late 2022 and officially joined 20Twenty in 2024 as a destination services executive, focusing on the Chinese-speaking market. I’m also a licensed Mandarin-speaking guide. Valletta has always been my first and main recommendation for guest accommodation, as it perfectly reflects the charm and depth Malta has to offer. As a foreigner, Valletta captured my heart with its rich tapestry of art and history. Alongside Birgu, it stands out as one of my two favourite cities, both deeply intertwined with the legacy of the Order of St. John. Exploring Valletta feels like immersing myself in a timeless masterpiece, where layers of history and art unfold with every step. My absolute favourite historical site is St. John’s Co-Cathedral, its breathtaking Baroque interior resonates deeply with my passion for Baroque art. The city’s grandeur, rooted in its past yet alive in every detail, continues to inspire and move me.

Siwei

As 20Twenty’s latest team member, I joined in autumn 2024. Being a second-generation Chinese immigrant in Germany, I bring in a strong blend of both cultures, which is why I’m involved in both the Chinese and German market.

Having grown up in a capital myself, I’m naturally a bit biased in favour of other capitals. And Valletta certainly captured me with its own special charm. It’s wonderfully picturesque, with colourful balconies lining the narrow streets, and vibrantly alive with people from all over the world.

This UNESCO World Heritage gem invites you to get to know it better. Here, you’ll encounter historical, cultural, and culinary highlights at every turn. Shopping is also a delight, thanks to unique shops to explore. On top of that, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views over the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities.

Some of my favourite places are the Lower Barrakka Gardens and the streets facing the sea, with their charming little cafés and bars, especially along Triq San Gwann or Triq Santa Lucia. These spots truly capture the relaxed yet lively spirit of the city.

Beautiful by day and night, Valletta truly offers something for everyone.

Joe

Someone once told me that you need to walk through Valletta with your head held high and your eyes looking up to really appreciate the architecture of the city: and I couldn’t agree more. Nevertheless, Valletta is not just a collection of beautiful and ornately decorated buildings, but the city is an act of love to practical, yet beautiful, and delightful, urban design. Our capital city may be Europe’s smallest capital, but it still offers all what other much larger cities offer, and possibly more.

Valletta can boast of top-quality museums, art galleries, lovely unique hotels, open piazzas, a wide array of restaurants, traditional and modern bars, authentic shops, and a thriving social life of the residents who are lucky to reside in this exceptional city. Valletta is not only beautiful, but it also has a soul and you cannot not feel it when wandering through the streets and narrow alleys, after you walk by the Three Tritons fountain and enter the city through City Gate. I’ve lived and worked in continental Europe for over twenty years and I have visited numerous lovely cities around the continent, but to me nothing comes close to the excitement and sense of contentment I get whenever I walk through the streets of Valletta.

Clayton

Since my teenage years, Valletta was always a source of inspiration and a go-to destination for feel good vibes. The architecture, the buzzing streets, the fine dining eateries, the rich history and the ‘city lifestyle’ fit in perfectly with my way of life. Contributing my tech background and experience working around Europe, to bring a virtual city experience is of great satisfaction. Technology was definitely put to great use to give visitors a glimpse of what the city has to offer. The roadmap of features is endless, which makes this project a living online hub to everything Valletta.

Francesca

Set in the middle of the Mediterranean, Valletta is one of Europe’s great architectural showpieces. It is in fact the first World Heritage City in Europe to be declared European Capital of Culture. I love to try new restaurants and Valletta is the new Gastronomic hotspot on the island, so I am often here discovering new eateries. Any local will tell you that the place to be on a Friday night is sitting on the stone steps of Bridge Bar off St. Ursula Street. Music lovers will come to hear live jazz while sipping a glass of wine under the moon or candlelight with their friends. Every year The Jazz Festival is held in July by the Ta’ Liesse bastions facing magnificent views of Fort St Angelo and The Three Cities. Lower Barrakka gardens are just a few meters away, where I enjoy reading a book in the shade overlooking the Grand Harbour.