Many people only consider Malta for a one or two week holiday in a traditional resort hotel, but since the introduction of new flights from Manchester it’s never been easier to get there, making the possibility of 3 or 4 night breaks possible for an alternative city break destination.
Valletta is the capital of Malta, and is a wonderful historic city, with quaint narrow streets and lots of cafes, bars and restaurants. The island has played host to numerous cultures, going back to the Phoenicians, but there is also more recent history as the island played a big part in World War II due to its strategic position. The island was awarded the George Cross after the war. The cathedral is exceptional, with an interior lavished in gold leaf and marble. It also has paintings by Caravaggio – a bonus for art lovers.
For those that like things a bit more lively, St Julian’s is just along the coast and is home to many vibrant bars and nightclubs, which stay open until the early hours.
The island is quite small, and has a modern road network so it is very easy to explore the whole island, either by self drive or the very frequent and cheap local buses which are always fun.
To explore further, the neighbouring island of Gozo is only a 25 minute ferry ride away.
This is the place to get away from it all, you can visit the magnificent citadel and cathedral in the capital, Victoria; there are numerous walking tours, scuba diving in the crystal clear waters, or you can simply relax with a good book in one of the many choices of accommodation available from 5 star deluxe to smaller boutique bed and breakfast hotels, along with the famous rustic farmhouses with their own private swimming pools. Gozo is well worth a visit either for the day, a short stay extension onto your Malta holiday or as your main destination.