The Republic of Malta

Photo: Contributed

The Mediterranean island of Malta covers just over 316 square kilometres in land area, making it one of the world's smallest states. It is also one of the most densely populated countries worldwide with a population of 368,250. Malta is world renowned as a tourist destination, with a variety recreational areas and historical monuments, including nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Megalithic Temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.
 
Malta lies 80km south of the Island of Sicily, Italy and though it's made up of a number of islands, only three are inhabited. There are two main languages which are Maltese and English. Malta's climate is typical of the Mediterranean: summers are hot, dry and very sunny; spring and autumn are cooler; winters are mild, with the occasional short cold spells; and the annual rainfall is low, averaging 568mm a year.
 
With 1.2 million tourists every year there are three times more tourists visiting than there are residents. Tourism infrastructure has increased dramatically over the years and a number of good-quality hotels are present on the island. It is advisable that you arrange accommodation before arriving at the Malta International Airport. Once there it's easy to rent a car with an International Driver's License. Just remember they drive on the left hand side of the road and have higher speed limits than we're used to. You will also have to make sure you check with your travel agent regarding the entry and exit requirements.
 
Once you've arrived and settled into your accommodations, you'll find you have a lot to do on your list! The historical sights alone can provide hours of endless exploration. Temples, palaces, cathedrals, and forts provide a living history and this historic legacy is reflected in the country’s national architecture and collections.
 
Not a history buff? For more of a party atmosphere Malta offers scores of clubs to visit, excellent wine bars and first-rate restaurants to try. And with a jam-packed events calendar there's plenty to do: the Malta Arts Festival, the Valletta Baroque Festival, the Opera Festival, the Choir Festival and the International Jazz Festival!  Internationally renowned DJs like Paul Oakenfold, Erick Morillo, Magda, Tiesto, Van Heill appear for guest weekends on a regular basis.
 
How about more family oriented options? The Maltese Islands are great for families: especially as they offer such a safe environment! There are no shortage of beaches and many coastal resorts offering amenities for all age groups. With open-air music events, arts and crafts, sports and activity, exhibitions and shows, feasts and carnivals, and so much more.... along with museums and attractions to visit, theme parks and movie sets, open-top tour buses, tourist trains, and harbour cruises, horse-riding, hiking and mountain-bike tracks, and a hundred other fun things to see and do, together; you'll never run out of ways to please the kids, the parents and the grandparents!
 
Set up an appointment today with your local travel agent to plan your trip to Malta!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.