The Maltese archipelago (a chain or cluster of islands that are formed tectonically), consisting of Malta, Gozo and Comino, they are Europe’s best kept secrets.
I would venture that you have probably not heard of them.
The three largest islands Malta Island, Gozo, and Comino are the only ones inhabited. Malta is the largest of the islands and its capital is Valletta. Malta is in the central Mediterranean Sea (eastern), south of the Italian island of Sicily and north of Libya.
The people speak Maltese and English, its part of the European Union and its currency is the Euro.
The temperature in the summer will reach the high 80’s and 50 in winter. The water temperature will reach the high 70’s in summer and mid 60’s in autumn and winter.
The humidity maintains 70% year round.
Most of the visitors to Malta arrive by either cruise ships to the city of Grand Harbor
or to Malta’s capital Valletta by European low cost airlines.
Malta has a rich history dating back to when man first arrived around 5200 BC. So not only will you have the amenities of resorts to enjoy, also the history of the past to explore.
The top archaeological attraction is the UNESCO-designated Hal Saflieni
Hypogeum temple ruins, an underground necropolis (large cemetery or burial ground) and the world’s only underground prehistoric temple dating back to 4000 B.C. to 2000 B.C. It is unique in that nowhere else in the world has a temple been carved out completely underground. Another historic structure is the seventeenth-century St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina, built to honor St. Paul who was shipwrecked on the island.
Besides the archaeological attractions, the beaches draw hundreds of thousand of people to Malta each year. The largest stretch of beach is in the town of Melliha at Ghadira Beach. The Mellieha resort in Malta is a prime destination for tourists especially from England and northern Europe. For more ideas on places to stay visit http://www.greatvacationspots.net/
Diving in Malta is also a main attraction at the western side of peninsula from Paradise Bay to Anchor Bay. The western side has caves and unspoiled lagoons to explore. Being in the Mediterranean Malta is in the mist of many shipwrecks.
Other attractions are hiking in the countryside to megalithic temples. In Mdina explore the Dingli Cliffs just a couple of mile from town, with their white cliffs towering over the sea and the hiking paths along the coast. Sailing is also a popular attraction with many charters offering tours to the three main islands, originating in the large marinas around Silema, Mellieha.
While Malta offers the usual vacation activities such as resorts, hiking, diving, it’s the unique archaeological attractions that will really add to the experience making it a great vacation spot.
