Malta has often been referred to as the island of sunshine and history, and with good reason. For, throughout your stay in Malta you will find a surfeit of both.
About MaltaMalta's history was, in a sense, pre-destined by its excellent natural harbour and strategic location. The harbour provided a sheltered base for naval fleets whilst the island itself, situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, enabled its colonising power to exercise control over shipping in this vast and turbulent sea.
Hardly surprising therefore, that Malta has always exerted an irresistible attraction to the would-be military powers of successive epochs. Control over Malta was a prerequisite to domination of the Mediterranean and for this reason all the various powers that, at one time or other, held sway over the Mediterranean at that same time exercised control over Malta. The long list of Malta's colonisers, the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Castilians, Order of St John, the French, and finally, the British is indicative of the important role Malta played in the moulding of European and Mediterranean history.
Sliema is the island’s most fashionable residential area. Here also is the finest shopping in Malta, miles of rocky beaches and a beautiful promenade stretching from outside the Preluna all the way to the picturesque fishing village of Spinola Bay in St. Julian's.
Neighbouring St Julian’s (15 minutes walk along the promenade) is Malta’s gastronomic centre, where restaurants of all descriptions are available. The St Julian’s district of Paceville is home of the island’s nightlife and casino. (Admission to casinos requires an identity card or passport. Foreign nationals must be 18 to enter whilst Maltese citizens must be over 25.)
The capital was named after its builder, Jean Parisot de la Vallette, the French Grand Master, who led the defence of the islands during the 1565 siege.
Valletta - dubbed a "city built by gentlemen for gentlemen" by Sir Walter Scott - and its battlements dominate the island's historic Grand Harbour, one of finest natural harbours in Europe.
Reflected within Valletta's limited perimeter are some of Malta's finest examples of architecture, its rich and colourful history, its archaeology and its arts and culture. Listed is a selection that will appeal to all tastes
GozoOur smaller sister island of Gozo is only 20 minutes away from Malta by frequent ferry from Circewwa at Malta's northernmost tip. Gozo is more rural and hilly than Malta and boasts the world's oldest man-made construction - the Temple of Ggantija dating back to 3600 BC.
Stony Stratford
6 Church Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1BD
Tel: 01908 266 166
Email: stony@enjoyholidays.co.uk
Chalfont St Peter
42 High Street, Chalfont St Peter SL99RA
Tel: 01753 885 272
Email: chalfont@enjoyholidays.co.uk
Bedford
6 The Arcade, Bedford MK40 1NS
Tel: 01234 213521
Email: bedford@enjoyholidays.co.uk
Clapham
69 High Street, Clapham, Bedford MK41 6AG
Tel: 01234 326036
Email: clapham@enjoyholidays.co.uk
Flitwick
11 The Russell Centre, Flitwick, Beds MK45 1QY
Tel: 01525 718989
Email: Flitwick@enjoyholidays.co.uk
Professional Homeworking Service
Tel: 01698 261777
Email: home@enjoyholidays.co.uk (Evelyn Findlay)