visit malta

Pulsing megalithic shrines, lavish rococo shrines, Old World limited boulevards and ridge fortifications are Malta’s human legacy. Jumbled limestone cliffs, shimmering Mediterranean oceans, and enchanting country scenes make up its characteristic excellence. Its three main islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, offer history, water sports, fantastic sea views and culinary delights.

In its 7,000 years of human residence, Malta has been invaded by all the major Mediterranean powers: Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs; Normans, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese and the Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem; the French, the British and now the travelers. The Germans and Italians tried to take it in WWII (their air raids were overwhelming), but couldn’t.

The islands history with the Knights of the Order of St. John has given them their enduring character. Charles V of Spain, more than 400 years before the Axis powers strike, allowed Malta to the Knights after the Ottoman Turks pursued the military request for Hospitallers out of Rhodes. Carlos rented Malta at the request of one bird of prey a year, giving birth to the myth of the Maltese falcon. In 1565, when the powers of Suleiman the Magnificent attacked the islands, it was the turn of the Knights, with dedicated patronage from the Maltese, to ask the Turks for an excursion.

It begins when the ship moves away from the pier. Taking off from the clamor of the main island of Malta into the brilliant blue waters of the Gozo Channel, the Mediterranean sun warms your skin, the pressures just melt away. Gliding past the tiny island of Comino, its lone guarding tower offering a delicate nod, the really small port of Mgarr is already in view.

It’s only 25 minutes on the water from Malta to Gozo, but now is the right time to step back a couple of decades, deflect from the burdens of life today, and prepare for a GMT occasion.

Not really, not Greenwich Meantime, Gozo Maybe Time, the island’s default setting and the perfect time zone for a truly relaxing break.

Gozo is provincial as Malta will never be again. Level terraced upper slopes interspersed mature valleys, mosaics of small fields surrounded by dry stone walls. The nearby nectar-colored, shimmering limestone is everywhere, the island’s building material for everything from Neolithic shrines and ranchers’ cabins to the imposing medieval Citadel that rises dramatically from the island’s focal point, looming in every interior view.

Every square on the island has its own shop or bistro and most have a red post box or phone box and a little police headquarters decked out in the usual blue light – a lovely dash of extra British.

The beautiful limestone structures and fortresses left behind by the Tributary Knights are found everywhere on the islands. Malta also has a lot going on today, more motivation to follow the memorable sights of Malta and head to the calm of Gozo to relax and enjoy the ocean. You will need no less than four days to see Malta and Gozo; Allow two or more to enjoy Malta’s wonderful past, and then move on to Gozo for a couple of days off.