Beautiful flowers in Gozo

I'm closing my eyes and pretending I am back in Malta.

A destination like none other I have been to in all of my travels.

English-speaking, Turkish-influenced, Roman Catholic roots describe Malta in words, but no words can describe the terrain, the people or the feeling one gets of being far away from home in a place that is really just 60 miles south of Italy as a map goes.

But it's not the map or the location, right in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, that will describe Malta. No, it's the state of mind that is Malta.

Tell three people you're visiting Malta and at least two of them will say "Where or what is that?" and the other one will be jealous knowing the 7000 years of history that Malta boasts.

It's certain, if you want an out-of-the-way vacation where you are not likely to run into Uncle George or anyone from your neighborhood, then Malta is the perfect destination.

With 1.2 million tourist per year, only 12,000 are Americans, a meager 1 percent.

For history buffs, it doesn't get any better.

For sun worshippers, there is always sun - it's in the Mediterranean Sea.

For day-trippers, you can do that too since the island is so close to Italy.

On my own recent trip to the Maltese Islands; Malta, Gozo and Comino, I found breathtaking views and smiling, friendly locals.

The Cultures

With a hint of the cultures that have come before; Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Castillians, the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, French and British there is much to discover as you enjoy the favorable climate and a carefree atmosphere that is just part of what makes Malta memorable.

First of all, historically, but more recently, Malta was awarded a medal of honor during World War II for resisting Nazi forces for two years.

The History

However, it goes must further back than that so to get the entire 7000 year history I stopped to watch a short film called "The Malta Experience."

From the stone temples dating back thousands of years, to the church where the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked eventually spending time on the island, to the rich history of the Knights of St. John, Malta's culture is made even lovelier by the preservation.

For example, Valletta is a World Heritage Site so buildings are not allowed to be torn down. Valletta was, in fact, the first planned city of Europe, built by Jean de La Vallete, the French Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of St. John, following the great siege of 1565.

Valletta

It is in Valletta that you will get a taste of the history, both majestic and humbling. The Palace of the Grand Masters is here, as well as St. John's Co-Cathedral, which was constructed in the 1500s. Flemish tapestries, church ornaments and several paintings by the artist Caravaggio are housed in the co-cathedral.

Walk the streets of Valletta and discover St. Paul's shipwreck church where you can see a bone relic of St. Paul.

Mdina, known as the silent city, is the old capital of Malta with medieval walls surrounding a city that is at once noble and dignified. While in Mdina don't miss a moment at St. Paul's Square and the Cathedral.

Malta - 2 (Continue)

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