Malta - Traditions and Cultures before and now. travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

 

The Maltese Islands lie virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean, with Malta 93km south of Sicily and 288km north of Africa. The Maltese archipelago consists of three inhabited islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino as well as two uninhabited islands. These Islands are often described as one big open-air museum. Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island became independent in 1964. Throughout its history, Malta has acted as a safe harbour for refuge, an important trading point, a staging post for rest and replenishment and a vital military and naval base. In April 1942 King George VI made a unique award to the whole island, the George Cross (the highest award for civilian gallantry). Malta offers visitors an incredible amount of attractions within its historically interesting towns and villages including various museums of architecture and art, palaces, churches and gardens. There is also the opportunity to go island hoping to the islands of Gozo and Comino for the day. The island became independent in 1964. Throughout its history, Malta has acted as a safe harbour for refuge, an important trading point, a staging post for rest and replenishment and a vital military and naval base. In April 1942 King George VI made a unique award to the whole island, the George Cross (the highest award for civilian gallantry). Malta offers visitors an incredible amount of attractions within its historically interesting towns and villages including various museums of architecture and art, palaces, churches and gardens. There is also the opportunity to go island hoping to the islands of Gozo and Comino for the day.Malta experiences a typically Mediterranean climate. The warmest period to visit is mid-July to mid-September when sunshine hours average 10 per day. In comparison, in the winter months, sunshine hours average 7 hours. The average annual rainfall in Malta is around 50 centimetres and at night you can expect the temperature to be regularly tempered by cool breezes from the Mediterranean

Valetta
Valetta holds the most museums and historical sights than anywhere else on the Island.

The Upper Barrakka Gardens

The National Museum of Archeology

The fine Arts Museum

The National War Museum

St Johns Co-Cathedral

The place of the Grand Masters

The Armoury

The Manoel Theatre

The Mediterranean Conference Centre

Mdina
Medina is the old capital of Malta and is a typical medieval town.

The Museum of Natural History

The Cathedral

Rabat

The Museum of Roman Antiquities – The Roma Villa

St. Agatha’s and St.Paul’s Catacombs

All year round there are ferries from Malta to the island of Gozo, which depart from Cirkewwa, which is a 20-minute crossing, or Sa Maison, which is a 75 minute crossing. Services are relatively frequent and in the summer months the services are expanded to include passenger only hover marine services from Sa Maison to Mgarr, which is a 25 minute crossing, and from Sliema, which is a 30 minute crossing.

With its 200km of coastline, it is no surprise that Malta has various marinas. The largest marina is the one in Marsamxett Harbour, which includes 15 pontoons and 700 berths. There are also plenty of beaches to visit and soak up the sun. You can also enjoy the various sporting opportunities open to visitors to the island including windsurfing, jet ski-ing and water ski-ing. Scuba diving is also popular due to the mild (all year round) sea temperature and the beautiful underwater sea life and fauna.

Our weather and climate in Malta is typically Mediterranean in that it is influenced by the sea.Over 250 days of the year you can expect sunshine and blue skies. The temperatures depend on what time of the year it is; mild winters, gentle spring weather, hot and dry summers, wet autumns.

The good news is that in Malta we can dive all year round!!!