MALTA
Discover a Mediterranean island which blends ancient history with a lively nightlife scene, attracting both young and old, says Laura Gelder
Malta’s
underwater world promises some of the best diving in Europe. The clear waters mean incredible visibility and there are a large number of wrecks to explore, each having created its own artificial reef
M
alta is changing its image. First, it’s shaking its reputation as a geriatrics'
favourite with the emergence of a club culture and music festivals like Isle of MTV, where Snoop Dog made an appearance in 2011. Secondly, Malta is focusing on its historical and cultural attractions rather than relying on its sunshine to attract visitors. Last year (2011) was the year when
Malta started to really push its historical and archaeological attractions. The medieval walled city of Mdina scores high for history lovers, with top sights like the Carmelite Priory Museum, 17th century church and Palazzo Falson, the former home of artist and collector Frederick Gollcher. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the capital Valletta has a strong sense of
history and is the best place to get to grips with the story of the Knights of St. John, the Christian military order who came from the Holy Land and shaped much of the island’s history. St. John’s Cathedral is home to
an impressive selection of original Caravaggio paintings and the impressive Grand Harbour is best viewed from above, at the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Across from here are the Three Cities,
where the Knights fi rst arrived. Well worth a visit, these adjacent cities are best reached by dghajsa – a kind of Maltese gondola – which delivers visitors safely across the vast harbour, past its huge cruise ships, to the Venetian-style waterfront on the other side. Here the sand-coloured houses cling to the waterfront, where a tangle of boats bob up and down.
Despite popular misconceptions, Malta
does have sandy beaches, like Mellieha (Ghadira) Bay, Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffi eha Bay. Rockier stretches are found everywhere, with popular spots around resorts such as St. Paul’s Bay and Sliema. Nightlife is concentrated in the towns
and resorts. St Julian’s is probably the most lively, with clubs and night spots in the Paceville district staying open until the early hours and attracting clubbers. Malta’s sister island, Gozo, has a
totally different feel to it, with a slightly greener landscape, sleepier villages and more self-catering villas and cottages. This is where the divers come, to
discover Malta’s underwater world which promises some of the best diving in Europe. The clear waters mean incredible visibility and there are a large number of wrecks to explore,
20 March/April 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
thedeal seal
Film fans: Troy and Gladiator are just two of the many movies fi lmed in Malta. Check out Fort Ricasoli in the Grand Harbour!
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36