Island of Malta Vacation Rental villa: Zebbug

From the moment my wife, I and our children (sons aged 14 & 12 & daughter aged 7) arrived, we realised that we weren't going to be suffering from the economy we feared we might when we made the booking (we usually stay in hotels and had reduced our expectancies in accordance). Our helpful host Drew was pateiently waiting for us (we had taken our time getting from the airport - not because of his directions which were faultless, but because the children wanted burgers on the way) and took time to show us around - although all the children were interested in was the pool, from which we had difficulty extricating them for our entire ten day stay. With its wave machine and jacuzzi jets, it even vied with the lure of the beach. Even though the weather was not very kind to us, the heated water meant we really made the most of it and swam every day. But I digress - from the moment we stepped inside, the house took our breath away with its combination of ancient stone walls, massive wooden beams, exquisite antiques and well-chosen furnishings a far cry from the 'making-do' my wife and I were expecting in a self-catering holiday home. Egyptian cotton sheets on the beds and Conran crockery & cutlery in the kitchen made us feel we were enjoying a luxury hotel - and that was before we had a surprise visit from the maid to change the sheets and towels mid-way through our visit (apparently because we were there for longer than a week). Is it a cliche to say the photos don't do it justice? Well, I don't care. They don't! Malta and all its treasures were made all the more special to us for having been able to stay in such a unique and special house. Special mention should perhaps be made of the marvellous supply of quality reading material on offer throughout the house. It really felt like a home from home (although our home is far from this!) I'm sure I still haven't done it justice, but can't recommend it enough. Look out - we'll be coming again soon...