‘I love island life’ – Martina Zammit’s ideal summer is pure Mediterranean bliss

It’s the small things that make Mediterranean summers a little bit better than the rest – like long days by the beach, strolls through historic cities, and food so good it almost sends you to a different dimension. 

Granted, these joys aren’t for everyone, but it comes as no surprise that the wonderfully creative and profoundly artistic Martina Zammit appreciates them to the full. 

“I really do like island life, with Malta’s beautiful sea. Beach and pool days take me back to long childhood days spent at the beach, plus, they’re a great way to switch off and relax,” Martina told MaltaCEOs.mt. 

The VSquared co-founder was lucky enough to have been brought up in a country that possesses most, if not all, of the Mediterranean’s most sought-after elements – and it’s fair to say that her favourite things about summer, or even life in general, like “listening to music, reading, eating, and even just hanging out with friends,” are all a little bit better when experienced by the sea. 

“If I had to choose a dream summer getaway, I’d be torn between Bali – which I would need to visit outside ‘our’ summer months anyway – and Positano on the Amalfi Coast. They’re completely different, of course, but the fact is that I would love to visit beautiful Asian destinations like Bali, and simultaneously experience every nook and cranny of Italy,” Martina continued. 

If all goes to plan, she’ll get to make one of those dreams come true this summer as she plans on heading to idyllic Amalfi. 

“The area is just so picturesque, with a multitude of architectural gems – and of course it’s Italy, which offers an elegant yet cosy feel,” Martina explained. 

While Malta’s beaches and food might compare to our neighbours’,  Italy and Spain’s art and architecture scenes are on another level. 

“Barcelona might have been one of my best holiday experiences. When we visited, we were meant to also go to Madrid, but we loved Barcelona so much that we just stayed there for the rest of the holiday,” Martina recalled. 

“I did visit Madrid on another occasion, and I loved it as much as Barca. The Gaudi architecture had really struck me, the Picasso Museum was outstanding, and the laid back-feel in Spain, with their siestas, eating dinner at 10pm. That’s all great when you’re on holiday, but I probably wouldn’t go for it as an actual lifestyle,” she continued. 

Getting out of the country’s always a breath of fresh air for a globetrotter like Martina, however not every holiday is a guaranteed good time. 

“I do recall once going to Milan alone and feeling somewhat weird. I wanted to go abroad solo and I chose Milan because I had lived there for six months, so I was familiar with the city, but I just remember feeling a sense of loneliness, which was partly due to the cold as I was there in December,” Martina recalled. 

Her trip to Milan wasn’t all bad however, as it meant visiting Bar Luce at the Fondazione Prada, designed by the universally acclaimed director Wes Anderson, as well as an exhibition by the mysterious Banksy, one of Martina’s favourite artists.