History :
You can follow 7,000 years of history, visiting the fascinating sites on the
island in chronological historical order. Malta has the oldest freestanding
temples in the Mediterranean including a mysterious underground site, The
Hypogeum, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Monument. The impressive fortifications
also offer splendid Baroque architecture.
Learn about fortifications throughout
the ages. As warfare changed, so did defences and Malta can demonstrate era
after era - not in theory, but in full dramatic reality. From the Citadel
in Gozo, to Fort St Angelo in the Grand Harbour, from the kilometers
of walls around Valletta and Floriana to those around the Three Cities, from
mediaeval Mdina to the English ramparts in Tigne and the Grand Harbour, you
can follow thousands of years of developments.
Religion :
St Paul was shipwrecked on the island in AD60, the beginning of the island's
devout Roman Catholic faith. Visit the hundreds of religious sites, from the
simple chapel commemorating his landing to the ornate cathedrals and palaces
built by the Knights of the Order of St John. The country has countless
religious traditions, from Last Supper Tables - miniature reproductions of
the passion of Christ - reproduced in local clubs and private houses, to the
annual parish feasts that draw crowds from all over the world to their processions
and fireworks. Visit the museums packed with icons, or linger in the oppressive
atmosphere of the catacombs.
Cuisine :
The various powers that reigned in Malta over the centuries each left their
own flavours behind. The Maltese cuisine is all about cooking with the freshest
ingredients, as it is used to be before supermarkets offered ready-to-eat
meals. Learn how to cook using olive oil, visit vineyards picturesquely
sited beneath mediaeval walls, or learn the secrets of pasta dishes that will
make you the envy of your friends. The most amazing venues are available:
private 18th century palazzos, 16th century fortifications, sandy beaches
and castle grounds.
Sports :
Malta has the perfect climate for sports. All the watersports imaginable are
on offer, from diving to sailing, from parakiting to jetskis. However, it
is also the ideal venue for training: warm weather training, cricket,
swimming, rugby, tennis, basketball and more.
Apart from the National Olympic
pool and sports complexes, there are a number of individual organisations
and clubs that can offer sports facilities, for very competitive rates.
Tourism :
Malta is a unique port of call for cruise liners, situated at the hub
of the Mediterranean civilization, and convenient for tours to the north,
south, east or west.
Valletta harbour is one of the
most stunning - and convenient -ports you will find anywhere. It is an ideal
home port: The airport is only 20 minutes away from Valletta Port,
which has excellent facilities, good transport links to other places of interest
on the island, and is within 10 minutes walking distance of the attractions
of the capital city Valletta.
The new Viset Cruise Terminal
is an architectural masterpiece, fusing restored warehouses from the time
of the Knights of St John with a landscaped man-made lagoon. It offers numerous
indoor and outdoor food and beverage options, and cultural programmes are
regularly scheduled.
Events :
Despite its size, Malta has a packed calendar of cultural events, ranging
from full-scale opera to a world-renowned jazz festival. Carnival in Nadur
is a spontaneous event that resembles Halloween more closely than it does
the end of Lent, while that in Valletta is a colourful parade of lavish costumes
and elaborate decorated floats. The Fireworks festival uses the Grand
Harbour as a backdrop for an amazing aerial display, including fireworks synchronished
to music. Various re-enactments are held through the year to pay homage to
the country's rich heritage.
