Birgu Vittoriosa Ghost and Crime Tour: An In-depth Review
So, you are thinking of going on the Birgu Vittoriosa Ghost and Crime Tour, are you? That could be pretty interesting. Maybe you want to learn something about the darker side of Malta’s history, or perhaps you just like being spooked – either way, this tour probably has the potential to offer something, potentially a great deal.
What Exactly *Is* This Tour?
Alright, so the Birgu Vittoriosa Ghost and Crime Tour – well, as the name hints, that takes you, like your average punter, through the winding little alleyways of Birgu, which has the additional title of Vittoriosa, and it talks you through stories that aren’t exactly cheery. They involve ghosts, a little bit of history, and some crimes, potentially giving you chills. The idea, really, is to get under the surface of what things look like, to appreciate what things are built on. Rather than the pretty buildings and waterfront views, you get something slightly murkier: stuff, incidents that weren’t for the fainthearted, incidents that involved some terrible behaviour. In some respects, it tries to breathe life, so to speak, into the people who experienced things that the average tourist is unlikely to even be able to conjure up when looking at the quaint surroundings today. Sometimes reality has been uncomfortable – that applies here, perhaps.
Setting the Stage: Birgu Vittoriosa – A Little Something About the Town
Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa (the victory thing that some locales give themselves after a battle) is actually one of Malta’s oldest towns, which could mean there are one or two ghosts knocking around, I guess. It’s steeped in history, apparently way before Valletta was even a glint in some architect’s eye. Think of knights, sieges, and battles; it’s got a long and significant past, which translates into shadows and secrets lurking in its architecture and stories. Today, though, it’s really popular with tourists, very popular with those who wander around to marvel at how old it seems, while snapping shots of harbors full of ridiculously expensive yachts. These days you will find that things have moved on – still, those other things happened here, and in many ways that *can’t* be forgotten, possibly should not. Just a little understanding can illuminate the present and put some humanity into it.
What to Expect on the Tour
So, the tours usually happen at night. That makes a difference, certainly helping set the mood. It begins in a convenient place and after that goes around significant landmarks. I mean, they’ve picked places that have seen *lots* happen, spots which probably had one or two tears shed, arguably plenty of sweat, and I’d imagine a good dollop of blood spilled there in the old days, if stories are anything to go by. Now the guides, these people usually know their stories, or maybe they just repeat them. Anyway, they spin them quite dramatically. A little like your old history teachers, if they suddenly thought they should be on the stage, it’s almost like that.
You can typically anticipate hearing of the stories concerning phantom figures, maybe a tragic death here or there, and tales connected to times when crimes and stuff went unpunished, things like that. In the same way that a local history course might do, that actually does try and get its listeners on the hook. That’s the aim, the intention.
A Few Memorable Tales and Spots
Look, I’m not going to ruin every story, because that kind of takes the fun out of you taking it, doesn’t it? What I *can* hint at is this: be prepped for stories of Knights doing rather nasty deeds (there may have been one or two), whispers from those who experienced sieges, plus one or two creepy tales concerning alleys you would want to think twice about hanging around alone at night in real life. There could be stories concerning restless spirits. I guess the guides may adjust these based on local “updates” and “insights”, you know, when someone new spots a ghostly light outside their bedroom window or stuff like that. Things *like* that. You get the idea – anything to try to chill the bones, really.
Is It Actually Scary?
Ok, here is the thing. If you seriously scare easily from stories of spectres jumping out or any loud noises, then this might be the equivalent of your worst nightmare come true. Still, in reality, it probably isn’t *that* intense. The “scariness”, if that’s the right word, rather tends to depend more on the individual’s susceptibility, I think, but largely it banks on just how good the guide is when they are performing their piece. I’d argue the actual spooky surroundings do raise the tension slightly, because they can assist you, potentially, in seeing just how spooky things once were around these old streets, particularly in the hours of night. If you are in the frame of mind to imagine scary stuff, that’s how you *might* find yourself rather scared. That’s a fact.
Why You Might Really Like It
Alright, you may just really, really like that it mixes learning with shivers. So it gives you more than the usual boring tour because it’s spiced up with anecdotes and real human stories. It sounds more authentic. That is quite something. Instead of *just* getting shown the architectural layout, you may get to appreciate the experiences and thoughts that folks there experienced, arguably under some terrible pressures too. In other words, *maybe* you get history brought alive, history from ground level and not from some book.
Potential Downsides to Be Aware Of
Hey, let’s not forget one or two things. If you don’t love walking, especially when dark, then think carefully. Maybe you would rather take a taxi from place to place instead. You might get one or two uneven pavements here or there. It *might* be unsuitable for those with physical mobility issues too, and some might deem some routes a bit spooky on their own. Just be sure you know exactly the level of fitness asked for when you book, because those websites often hide the truth. And the truth of the matter is this: those “dark stories” don’t tickle everybody’s pickle. In particular, those super susceptible could maybe find themselves a tad distressed by all of this too.
A Little Something about the Tour Guides
Tour guides can potentially make or break the tour completely, to be clear. See, what you need is the ability to really hold folk’s attention, tell the stories with genuine, real conviction and possibly not be scared about overdoing it, you see. They may also have a fair amount of knowledge concerning the local history so they are in a good situation to fill in any gaps or answer tricky questions folks might chuck at them. A guide that just recites from some piece of paper isn’t very good. That said, do they all take questions? In all seriousness, one would hope they could provide assistance on any local stories concerning where to go, local restaurants to experience, that kind of stuff. But that isn’t certain. It rather tends to vary from guide to guide. You see?
Some Tips for Making the Most of It
Right, wear some comfy trainers. You won’t thank yourself if you don’t. I mean, there can be some uneven surfaces around the alleyways and streets, that. Layer up the clothes as well. Malta nighttimes – actually, any time in the off-season – do *tend* to potentially feel cool, possibly chilly. And maybe think about turning up after eating too. Grumbling tummies do ruin any sort of event or gathering, clearly.
Possibly most important – I’m being genuinely serious here – just make an effort to listen actively and don’t wander off. That allows the guide to potentially tell you things with ease. Really give it a good chance – be receptive to the ideas or atmosphere that it’s trying to create. See where things end up; that *might* just make it that little bit more enjoyable if you show your working and attempt to see where it takes you, if that makes sense.
Alright, check weather situations earlier on during the day. Maybe, with respect, bring an umbrella. Should the gods unleash some fury. Anyway, on balance it’s nice to be prepapred for rain. Maybe that could be a shout.
In Conclusion: Is It Worth the Hype, That Is, Your Money?
Well, it relies on several things, doesn’t it? If the concept of getting unnerved, combined alongside a generous splash of getting filled in about real incidents that happened, tickles that fancy bone of yours, then yeah, almost definitely this might appeal. Those looking to just take pretty holiday shots must look elsewhere. Possibly they won’t like what’s going on around the streets after sunset. As a matter of fact, for individuals wanting some unique way of engaging in a locale with a bucketload of past happenings, and potentially wishing to feel some sympathy for all those folks caught up amongst that, there could be a better method. However, just make an effort to go with some sensible footwear, be able to actually listen, maybe even ask relevant, pertinent questions. All of this adds an angle which might cause folk to remember what happened *there*, perhaps appreciate better than the average tourist, all that stuff that’s been and gone but which should still retain our respect, if not our curiosity. Basically, if you *get* this, well, probably you are someone very well-suited to booking a space. That really could be an adventure and no mistake, when everything’s boiled down, after all, you could see the place slightly differently afterwards!
Actually, don’t buy if the description sounds very misleading. Be aware that dark humour may be included. If ghost tours aren’t normally your cup of tea, this might change things if it is something that really relates to crime.