beautiful places

Megaliths, medieval dungeons and Calypso's Cave � Malta is positively mythic. The narrow meandering streets of the towns and villages are crowded with Renaissance cathedrals and Baroque palaces. The Maltese islands have indeed been described as one big 'open-air museum'. What makes them unique is that so much of their past is visible today.

The world famous Hypogeum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, prehistoric temples and grand palaces are some of the many captivating places of interest. Malta also offers the attraction of clear blue waters, secluded bays and sandy beaches. And with a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

Worlds apart from the main resorts and the capital Valletta, are the islands' villages, which are the soul of the islands' past. Yet with their lively festas and unique everyday life, they are very much part of the islands' culture today. Then there are the seaside villages, where the rhythm of life is dictated by fishing. Malta has no mountains or rivers. Its coastline is indented with harbours, bays, creeks, sandy beaches and rocky coves.

Malta, in the heart of the Mediterranean, is a melting pot of civilisations with a history stretching back thousands of years. The long relationship between the Islanders and the various nationalities that occupied Malta over the centuries has created a marriage of styles and traditions, giving the Islands a fascinating eclectic culture.
Travel Tips

CLIMATE:
Warm most of the year. The hottest months are between July and September, but the heat is tempered by cooling sea breezes. Rain falls for very short periods, mainly in the cooler winter months.

LANGUAGE:
Maltese and English

TIME DIFFERENCE:
Irish time + 1 hour

CURRENCY:
Lira (Euro from Jan 2008)

FLYING TIME:
4 Hours


Tourism is important in Malta and the island also has an expanding services sector. Traditional Maltese food includes soup (minestrone, fish), pasta and pastry dishes. Stuffed dishes are a feature of Maltese cuisine. Stuffat Tal-Fenek (rabbit stew) is a national dish
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