Bridget March
Malta, one of Europe's smallest countries known for its ancient world heritage sites, is not the first place you'd expect to embark on a flirting education but when we heard that a fabulous spa hotel was offering ‘fitness and flirting' packages our bags were packed in no time.
Spa-aah
Situated near the town of Sliema, the 5 star, Fortina Spa Resort is Malta's newest hotel of its kind, boasting state-of-the-art spa facilities, six restaurants and picturesque views of the capital city Valletta.
A pamper princess' dream, it houses four spa centres, five swimming pools, a hair salon, plush dental clinic, fitness centre and Pilates studio.
The most exciting facilities however are in the bedrooms, or to give them their full title, the ‘world's first therapeutic spa bedrooms' - amazing! We're talking a hot tub, Jacuzzi therapeutic bath, steam shower, body detox machine and a foot massager. You could easily never leave the room, although the hotel spas are an absolute must.
We trialled treatments including the Li'Tya Mikiri facial, which combines a hand and foot massage whilst two different face-saving masks are applied, and a massage using ancient Kodo rocks on the body's pressure points. Both were divine.
With two bars and six international restaurants you can see how guests might find it hard to stray from the all-inclusive complex but the lure of local cuisine and rich historic architecture in Malta is enough to make you, not to mention practising your new found flirting techniques...
Flirtology
The hotel hosts a flirting weekend, run by Jean Smith a ‘flirtologist', i.e. a social anthropologist specialising in flirting.
The idea behind it is that by being abroad and opening up your mind and body to elements of flirting you release your inner allure.
We had daily seminars from Jean where we discussed our personal presentation, how to influence and persuade people, the signs of - and how to create - attraction. The techniques weren't hugely groundbreaking (for example, let someone know you like them by complimenting them, asking if you can join them or buying them a drink), but they were interesting and useful nuggets for a confidence boost.
Coupled with the seminars the course took us to the streets of Malta to find unsuspecting men to ‘practice' on. From making eye contact to paying a stranger you like the look of a compliment - in daylight sober - felt uncomfortable, but if nothing it highlighted how culturally us Brits are still very reserved and self-deprecating which, let's face it, are not the perfect ingredients for a successful flirting formula.
Being a group of journalists who are probably by nature more cynical than most we realised that this kind of thing is only worth doing if you're open to it and don't take it too seriously. You really have to go against your instincts at times but then that is presumably the point.
The course doesn't continue into evenings - although a few cocktails coupled with your new knowledge makes that the perfect time to trial the techniques. Obviously Valletta's not notorious for housing a hub of hotties or boasting NYC-style dating rules but as long as you go in-season and avoid the Magaluf-esque strip of clubs in St Julian's in favour of the wine bars on the Waterfront you've got as good a chance as anywhere to meet someone cute with whom to flirt.Fitness
As part of the course Jean also gives daily Pilates classes which are a welcome opportunity to learn a new skill, think about how you use your body and balance out some of the all-inclusive abuse you inevitably indulge in. It makes the experience feel more about having a healthy attitude to your lifestyle and less about simply scoring a guy which is a good way to approach it.
It's also worth taking advantage of the hotel's five (indoor and out) swimming pools and going for breezy runs or strolls along the stunning waterfront. It's hardly something you experience back home!
Some of the course is based out and about giving you an opportunity to walk and see some of the sunny surroundings which is a great element given that there is so much to see.
Sightseeing
The real beauty of Malta as a destination is in the stunning sights.
It has a striking coastline meeting beautiful blue water and rich visual history, from Valletta's bastion walls to the country's first capital city Mdina's mixture of medieval and baroque architecture.
Getting a boat from the Fortina to the other side of Valletta's bastion walls is recommended and for tasty local cuisine be sure to visit Ciapetti restaurant in Mdina - you won't want to leave.
Getting there
Easyjet fly to Malta from UK airports but if you do Flirting and Fitness at the Fortina return flights and transfers are included.
The next available course is from 9-12 September, 2010 starting from £880pp. Price includes 3 nights, half board, in a five star sea view room, return flights from Gatwick, Malta airport transfers, flirting seminars, flirting tour, daily Pilates classes and daily spa sante sessions.
For further information about the Fortina Spa Resort or to make a booking call UK: 0800 917 3001 or Malta: +356 2346 0000 or visit fortinasparesort.com.
For further information on Jean Smith jean-smith.com and flirtology.co.uk.
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