ith over 7,000 years of history, the Maltese Islands of Malta, Gozo and little Comino are steeped in culture and heritage. They’re also surrounded by the bluest (and cleanest) sea and sit under cloudless azure skies for much of the year, whilst the honey-coloured landscape is as warm as the welcome extended by the islanders. Everywhere you go on the main island, unique historical sights await. Temples, palaces, cathedrals, and forts provide a living history you can almost touch. Sound plays an important part in the life of the Islands. The mix of fireworks and music transforms a summer night into a special memory, a period of the year when lots of festivals (‘festa’) take place. To eat is to taste the islands' multicultural heritage. The history of the Maltese Islands reads like 'who's who' of military and economic powers holding sway over the Mediterranean through the ages including the Romans, Arabs, Turks, The tiny Mediterranean nation with special appeal to UK visitors W Tucked inside encircling fortifications with sea on three sides, Valletta’s layout is unchanged since 1570. Just 1km by 600m, Europe’s smallest capital is a wanderer’s paradise, a grid of mostly pedestrianised alleys and limestone stairways. The city is noted for its fortifications, consisting of bastions, curtains and cavaliers, along with the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens and churches. Sometimes called an ‘open air museum’ The city has 320 monuments, making it one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Valletta Malta
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