The island country of Malta is the 10th smallest country in the world so no surprises its capital Valletta is the smallest capital in Europe.
It is also one of the few cities in the world that is entirely designated as a World Heritage site and was the first such city to become a European Capital of Culture in 2018. So there are plenty of reasons for agents to recommend Malta’s bilingual (English & Maltese) islands which Visit Malta notes have a year-round average temperature of 23°C and 3000 hours of sunshine.
. . . Food
Over the millennia Malta was invaded and ruled by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, the famous Knights of St John, French, Sicilians and British—among others—which means there is a mixture of architecture, a distinctive dialect, art and cuisine.
Malta has a bustling café scene as well as Michelin-starred restaurants, with street food and family-run eateries in between. Bragioli is probably the most famous dish (a thin cut of steak wrapped around a mixture of ground meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, and herbs) and for a snack pastizzi, small savoury ricotta pastries, that are sold everywhere. The country also makes its own wines and beers.
. . . To Do
Archaeological sites predate the pyramids and Stonehenge and there are traces of prehistoric man which ‘defy explanation’.
Visit Malta says the Grandmaster’s Palace in bustling Valletta is an ‘absolute must-see’ while 20 minutes away, is Mdina, the so-called silent city because of its low vehicle ownership and small population.
Events include the Valletta International Baroque Festival, Malta International Jazz Festival, and the Classic Grand Prix vintage car racing. Accommodation ranges from boutique and five-star hotels, a restored 17C palazzo, farmhouses and villas. See more on Malta HERE.
