Malta

Malta consists of a small group of islands: Malta, Gozo, Kemmuna, Kemmunett, and Filfla, located in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily. The Maltese Islands are some of the most beautiful places on earth. What makes them unique is that so much of their past is visible today. And wherever you go, the Islands' scenery and architecture provide a spectacular backdrop. The colors are striking, with honey-coloured stone against the deepest of Mediterranean blues.

Valletta is the capital, and seaport, and has a beautiful harbor protected on all sides from the weather. The Fortress City, Citta' Umilissima, has many titles, all recalling its rich historical past. It is the modern city built by the Knights of St John and is a masterpiece of the baroque.

Gozo and tiny Comino provide a tranquil haven for the sailor. Greener and more rural and smaller than Malta, Gozo's rugged landscape and spectacular coastline await exploration. The coast has rugged cliffs, penetrated by steep valleys and beautiful bays. The red sand beach of Ramla l-Hamra bay is Gozo's finest bathing beach. Xlendi, a land-locked sandy and pebbly beach, is tucked away in the south under towering cliffs.

Close to Dwejra point, in the Southwest of Gozo is Fungus Rock, unreachable from the sea, and close to it is another phenomenon; the Inland Sea. It can be reached through a natural tunnel and offers ideal bathing conditions, and is warmer than the open sea. Even when the sea is rough, it is calm and inviting. On a calm day one can go back and forth through the cave channel in a small boat. The cave system as well as the coast around the Inland Sea and the Fungus Rock is a paradise for divers.

The Azure Window, created by sea-breakers over a period of thousands of years is the third marvel to be found at Dwejra point. On the top of two giant columns of rock each with a diameter of approximately 40 meters, rests a huge ledge of rock of about 100 meters in length and 20 meters in height forming a giant door or window through which one can see the azure blue waters beyond.

Gozo has some of the Mediterranean’s best dive or snorkel sites and the fishing is great. The greatest eating pleasure in Gozo is without doubt their cheese, called gbejniet, a real delicacy to be eaten with crispy bread, a must for any real lunch or indeed dinner eaten in Gozo.

Between Malta and Gozo lies Comino, a paradise for boaters, windsurfers and walkers. The Isle’s Blue Lagoon, with its safe bathing in turquoise waters, makes an idyllic day out by boat. Comino is car-free and the bays and rocks in the crystal-clear waters are ideal for any kind of water sports, especially snorkeling and scuba diving.

The Islands present a kaleidoscope of past and present: a fascinating legacy of European culture and rural Mediterrranean traditions. At the crossroads of maritime routes, the Islands have been a home, stronghold, trading post and refuge over 7000 years. There are seaside fishing villages on all the islands, where the rhythm of life is dictated by the sea. Some are known for their festas and traditions, others are national gems as they house archaeological or architectural treasures.