The Maltese Islands are steeped in culture and heritage, having 7000 years of history. The Islands went through a golden Neolithic period, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans, and the Byzantines.

In 60 AD St. Paul shipwrecked on the Island while on his way to Rome, and brought Christianity to Malta. The Arabs conquered the Islands in 870 AD, leaving an important mark on the Maltese language. Until 1530 Malta was then an extension of Sicily, the Normans, the Aragonese, and other conquerors who ruled over Sicily also governed the Maltese Islands. It was then Charles V who bestowed Malta to the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem, who ruled over Malta from 1530 to 1798. The Knights took Maltese through a new golden age making it a key player in the cultural arena of the seventeenth and eighteenth century Europe, with the presence of artists such as Caravaggio, Mattia Preti, and Favray amongst many others, who were commissioned by the Knights to embellish churches, palaces, and Auberges.

In 1798 Napoleon Bonaparte took over Malta from the Knights when on his way to Egypt. The French presence on the Islands was short-lived as the English obstructed the Islands in 1800. Their rule lasted until 1964, when Malta obtained her Independence. Malta then became a Republic in 1974 and a member state to the European Union in May 2004.

For further information about cultural and historical sites and places to visit in Malta click on www.heritagemalta.org

ACTIVITY AND FUN

The Islands hold a variety of attractions for the whole family, including the children who can often get bored visiting cultural and historical sites. Tourists can see craftsmen making lace, silver filigree, pottery, fabrics, knitwear, baskets, and clock in the two main crafts villages in Malta (Ta’ Qali Crafts Village) and Gozo (Ta’ Dbiegi Crafts Village). Also fascinating to watch are the glass blowers. There is also a marine and water park available for water fun. Not to be missed by the kids is the Sweethaven Village, originally set for the 1980 musical production Popeye.

NIGHTLIFE

The Islanders’ approach to life is to enjoy and celebrate it as much as possible. Nightlife here in Malta is always bustling. St. Julian’s, Bugibba, Mellieha, and Marsascala are the areas with the most nightclubs and bars. Restaurants of all types and varieties as well as bars and clubs can be found in these locations. Paceville, on the coast near St. Julian’s, is a place to be for youngsters who like club crawling, and consists mainly of holiday accommodation. It is also suitable for the older, more adventurous individuals who enjoy pubs, wine bars, restaurants, rock clubs, jazz clubs, and movies. Most establishments in this city remain open until the early morning hours.

PARKS AND GARDENS 

The gardens that can be found in the Maltese Islands are numerous, but relatively small. The flagship of all the gardens is beyond any doubt San Anton Gardens in Attard. Other smaller gardens such as the two Barrakkas in Valletta offer breathtaking views of Malta’s Grand Harbour and the fortifications built by the Knights of Malta. Buskett in Rabat grew out of a hunting lodge that was built in the mid 1500s, and the Sa Maison gardens overlook the Marsamxetto Harbour. Equally interesting parks and gardens to visit include the Argotti Botanical Gardens in Floriana, Hastings in Valletta, Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar, Gardjola Gardens in Senglea, Għadira Nature Reserve in Mellieħa, Howard Gardens in Rabat, and the Ta’ Qali Natural Park.

SPORTS

With such an agreeable climate, there are wide varieties of land and sea sport facilities available on the Islands. The Marsa Sports Club features an eighteen-hole gold course, miniature golf, eighteen tennis courts, five squash courts, cricket grounds, and a swimming pool. Many of the hotel facilities often include tennis courts, squash courts, weight rooms, and saunas, apart from offering sport facilities including scuba diving, water skiing, windsurfing, and sailing. Horseback riding is a well-liked activity by the locals, and horse racing is Malta’s prime spectator sport. Maltese lawn bowling and tenpin bowling are very popular at the local level, as well as clay pigeon shooting with competitions taking place on Sunday mornings. The Malta Marathon is held at the end of every February, attracting several long distance runners from around the world.

DIVING

 The Maltese Islands’ clear blue Mediterranean Sea is ideal for scuba diving and is highly accessible by relatively every area of the Islands. All three Islands offer excellently unique diving experiences with reefs, caves, and wrecks to make the dive one of the most interesting ones in the Mediterranean.

There are several types of scuba diving courses and scuba diving activities offered by locally licensed diving schools. Divers need to complete a medical statement form prior to any diving indicating fitness to dive. It is always recommended to check with the diving centre as to where would be suitable to dive, depending on weather conditions and experience.

For further information on dive schools and regulations, contact the Professional Dive Schools Association by email to info@pdsa.org.mt or by clicking on www.pdsa.org.mt