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Guide to Malta, Malta
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MaltaA country of two islands, Malta is destination of history and enchantment. From the cobblestone streets of Mdina to the ancient megaliths and medieval dungeons, youll find surprises every way you turn. Beautiful, grand architecture stands tall on hills overlooking the islands of Malta and Gozo, where cathedrals and palaces are commonplace. The lush, green, tropical countryside is dotted with reminders of the past, including the famed Calypsos Cave. But despite Maltas tranquil side, many of its cities and towns are bustling with commerce especially in the capital of Valletta - where youre more likely to encounter locals than foreigners.
When to go:
Visitors descend on Malta year-round, whether theyre vacationers or historians. However, if you plan a trip between February and June, youll arrive during low season, when, luckily, the prices at hotels and restaurants drop significantly. The weather is superb during this period, though a bit less warm than in high-season (June-August). If you visit during autumn, you can still catch a great deal of sunshine, but you may very well encounter heavy rainstorms.
Getting there and around:
Most flights to Malta originate from Europe, Asia, or Africa. Air Malta is the national carrier that provides connections to most major cities, but there are a few foreign carriers that offer service as well. The airport (Malta International Airport) is conveniently located just 5km (3mi) from Maltas capital city, Valletta. Even better, you have a choice between bus, taxi, or rental car to get you into town, and theyre all surprisingly inexpensive.
You can get around the islands by public buses quite well; fares are reasonable and crowdedness is at a minimum. Though many taxis and buses provide around-the-clock service in Valletta, the city is quite compact hence the abundance of pedestrians walking the streets.
Attractions:
The capital city of Malta is a wonderful place to begin your sight-seeing adventure. Vallettas history predates many cities around the world, and this mystique only adds to its wonder. The city is still walled, and is dominated by a series of squares around which palaces and cathedrals stand. Many are extraordinarily beautiful, but many show a sense of simple elegance - an assertion visitors have repeatedly held true.
Take a bus or a drive over to Mdina, where youll encounter a city with a history so profound youll find yourself tip-toeing around in your own attempts at preservation. The cobblestone streets are littered with Norman and Baroque buildings, and atop the hill overlooking the city and much of the surrounding land is the Citta Notabile. The Palazzo Falzon and the Sicula-Norman Cathedral are both beautiful kept structures from as early as the 11^th Century.
The real treasures of Malta, however, do not lie within any city walls, or atop grand hills. Hagar Qim, a Neolithic Temple complex, is what attracts countless visitors to Malta every year. The complex has been standing since 3600BC, and its carved animals, idols, and altars have all withstood the many earthquakes that have disrupted life on Malta and Gozo. The idols are the highlights of the region, and the profundity and their impact on history and our world today are immeasurable.
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