Holidays To Malta

The emerald gem of the Mediterranean, Malta lies between Italy and North Africa. This friendly island nation boasts rich history and culture. Its lands are full of historical monuments including an outstanding number of UNESCO World Heritage sites - nine in total! Malta is strategically positioned in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea which made it an ideal stop for many nationalities over the centuries. All eight empires that have ruled Malta have left important legacy behind them, the British perhaps the most long-lasting. Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in the 1960’s, but adopted British parliamentary and public administration systems. English is also the second official language, although Maltese is the national language. This delightful island nation consists of three islands; Malta, the main island, is the most well-known, but her sister islands, Gozo and Comino, are equally beautiful. Gozo is said to be the legendary Calypso’s Isle of Homer’s Odyssey. It is full of fascinating history with Baroque churches and one of the best-preserved prehistoric temples. The historical heritage is surrounded by rugged countryside and pretty coastline making Gozo a wonderfully exciting island. Comino is the smallest of the three islands and totally uninhabited featuring pristine waters, white powdery sand and the beautiful Blue Lagoon with its shimmering aquamarine water. Comino is a paradise for scuba divers, snorkelers and windsurfers - and makes an ideal day trip from the main island.

The capital, Valletta, was planned as the ‘city built by gentlemen for gentlemen’ and subsequently it was designed by Francesco Laparelli as a fortress to defend the island as well as a cultural masterpiece. The city is like a living museum full of Baroque palaces, magnificent churches, pretty squares and sloping cobbled streets.

The locals love having fun, and Malta is known to be a joyful island offering many cultural celebrations. The Festival of Fireworks marks the beginning of the festival season in May and is followed by numerous other summer festivals in different villages. Paceville, located close to St. Julian’s, is the centrepoint for nightlife with its sophisticated and lively clubs featuring famous guest DJ’s. For something a bit more mellow, classical music concerts are held regularly in the Baroque churches and local band culture can be experienced in Malta’s smaller villages. The 18th century Manoel Theatre is magnificent and makes a perfect venue for performance art.

Surrounded by amazing culture and historical places, Malta’s coastline is still one of its greatest assets. From secluded small bays and rocky beaches to stunning long sandy beaches offering a range of water sport and facilities such as cafes and beach bars. The most popular beach resorts such as Mellieha Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha and Golden Bay are located in the northern part of Malta. For those looking for less facilities and more seclusion, head to the tip of Malta to the coast overlooking Gozo and discover the delightful Paradise Bay and Armier Beach.

After a busy day of exploring and enjoying the fabulous scenery, sit in a seaside restaurant overlooking the colourful fishing boats and enjoy sumptuous local cuisine that has been influenced by many neighbouring countries. The authentic local food is rustic and based in seasons. Indulge in rabbit stew or local fish pie washed down with fruity red or crisp white wine from the island’s vineyards.