The island of Malta and its smaller neighbours Gozo and Comino, together with four tinier uninhabited islands, make up the single nation of Malta. It's in the middle of the Mediterranean, midway between Italy's Sicily and Tunisia in North Africa.
  The islands have had a long and complex history, mostly of being a useful strategic base for occupying powers. For centuries it was the headquarters of the Crusading Knights of St John or Knights Hospitaller.
  During the devastating World War II 'Great Seige of Malta', the island was constantly bombarded by German and Italian forces from June 1940 to December 1942. The people were reduced to starvation yet remained loyal to Britain, which led to the whole island of Malta being awarded the George Cross, Britain's highest honour for civilian bravery.
  Malta and its islands became an independent nation in 1964. It joined the EU and adopted the euro in 2008. It signed the Schengen Agreement and abandoned border controls in 2008.
  Malta is densely populated. Its capital Valletta, together with its suburbs, covers a large proportion of the land area. The islanders have their own very unusual language, which is essentially an Arabic dialect written in Latin characters.

Malta is moderately warm throughout most of the year. Rainfall is rare, averaging just 568mm a year. There's a daily average of five to six hours sunshine in mid-winter rising to around 12 hours in summer.
  The island has an unusual climate as temperatures remain within a very narrow range. Monthly averages range from 12º C (54ºF) at their coldest to 31ºC (88ºF) at their hottest. Winter is extremely mild - even the lowest temperature ever recorded was above freezing (1.1ºC in Jan 1905).
  However, windy weather in this maritime location is normal. The winds have names according to the direction, and each brings its own weather. Malta's most frequent winds  are the Majjistral (cool northwesterly), Grigal or Gregale (dry northeasterly) and - mainly lasting a few days in spring and autumn - the Xlokk or Sirocco (hot, steamy southeasterly).

Malta tourist office is at 1 City Arcades, City Gate, Valletta.
www.visitmalta.com

Valletta - the grandly fortified capital of Malta lies between two impressive harbours, Marsamxett and Grand Harbour. Together with its suburbs on the other side of the harbours, the city occupies a large proportion of the island.
The airport  - is in the south-east of the island.
Mdina - the evocative former capital is on the south side of the island.
Mellieha and St Paul's Bay  - these and other family beach resorts are on the north-west coast. Popular attractions include Popeye Village.
Gozo - the small neighbouring island lies off the north-west coast.

Valletta has a civilised, orderly air, with quietly bustling streets, and a great love of style and tradition.
  Most people speak English, and they even drive on the left - English is one of the island’s two official languages (the other is Maltese, which is like Arabic). On the other hand, the culture is influenced by its closeness to Italy as much as its British past.
 Malta has been an important holiday destination for many decades. It has many mid-range, and several 4- and 5-star hotels, plenty of nightlife and entertainment and a string of modern high-quality spas. It still has some of the lowest prices in the Med.

Bus - The island’s bus service is brilliant. Buses go everywhere, frequently, journeys are short, and the maximum fare is only 58c (about 40p).
Ferry - A regular ferry service links Valletta to Gozo, taking about 20 minutes each way. There are also regular boat services between each island and Comino.
Sea plane - plane service links Grand Harbour in Valletta to Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. 
Water taxi - traditional Maltese 'dghajsa' boats are available for hire in Grand Harbour.

Local dishes include timpana (a macaroni and egg pie), bragioli or ‘beef olive’ (spicy beef), grilled lampuka fish, fenek (crispy fried rabbit), and grilled swordfish. Almost as traditional in Malta as in Britain, the Full English Breakfast is widely available (usually at the bargain price of around €5).
Restaurants range from cafes with outdoor tables to fast-food eateries to smart gastronomic establishments in elegant surroundings. They generally offer a mix of Maltese traditional fare, Italian dishes, and familiar British grub.
Hotels come in a wide range of styles and in all price brackets.

VALLETA, the fascinating historic capital, has a big choice of accommodation;
SLIEMA, across the harbour, is a resort area with several upmarket hotels and plenty of facilities;
MELLIEHA, on the north-west coast, is the place for budget hotels, family attractions and the island’s best beach.

Malta has very high-quality spa hotels. The Fortina Spa Hotel is the de-luxe highlight, one of the world's top spa hotels, with numerous treatments, and even fully-equipped ‘spa bedrooms’.

By air - 25 airlines fly from several European cities to Malta, including BA, BMI, Lufthansa, Air Malta, and budget operators Ryanair and Easyjet. There are frequent flights from London and UK regional airports as well as Italy, Germany and Libya.
www.maltairport.com

 Valletta
One of the grandest fortified cities in Europe, with a majestic harbour and handsome paved streets lined with balconied buildings. On the one-mile-long central thoroughfare Republic Street, visit impressive St John’s Cathedral, with its stunning Baroque interior and side chapel housing Caravaggio's 'Beheading of St. John'. Also see the tiny but perfect 5000-year-old Sleeping Lady in the Archaeological Museum, and don’t miss the noonday gun at Barraka Gardens.

 Mdna
The fortified medieval inland town of Mdina is Malta's atmospheric little former capital. It's quiet and romantic, a perfect place for a drink and a moonlight stroll. The town has countless grand mansions along narrow, sinuous paved streets, wonderful views, and an interesting museum of Malta's history.

 The Three Cities
There’s nothing more enjoyable than a boat excursion along the Grand Harbour, enclosed by the majestic Venetian-style architecture of three separate waterside communities - Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea.

 Tarxien Temples  
Vast megalithic structures dot the Maltese islands. Arguably the most impressive are  these four megalithic structures dating from 3600-2500 BC. They have rich stone carvings and reliefs, some showing domesticated animals, as well as altars, and decorated screens. Highlight is a chamber between the South and Central temples, with a carved relief of two bulls and a sow.

 Palazzo Pariso
This grandiose historic palace at Naxxar in the centre of the island is a riot of over-the-top 19th-century interior design, with frescoes, marble, mirrors, gilding and trompes l’oeil. A private house today, it was once the residence of the Grand Master of the Knights of St John.
www.palazzoparisio.com

 Gozo 
A 20-minute ferry crossing links Malta to neighbouring Gozo, a much greener and quieter island, with good walking and diving. On the island are among the world’s most ancient sites, the Ggantija temples.
www.gozo.gov.mt
www.gozo.com
www.visitmalta.com/gozo

Shopping tip: If tempted by pretty Maltese glassware or lace, look out for bargain 'seconds' with greatly reduced prices for almost invisible blemishes.

Many villages on the Maltese islands celebrate local religious festivals, key dates being all the Sundays in June and July. Some saint's days are national holidays, such as the feast of Santa Marija in mid August.

Carnival
17-21 February 2012
Coloured floats, extravagant costumes and high energy entertainment. At Malta’s main nightlife centre, Paceville, carnival goers continue the celebrations in the clubs and bars, many wearing fancy-dress. Main carnival events are in Valletta, but other communities across the island put on their own festivities. At Nadur, carnival has a more magical, mysterious feel. In Gozo, carnival is focused on It-Tokk, the main square in Gozo's capital Victoria. 

Holy Week
5-8 April 2012
Fascinating religious traditions, pageantry and processions take place around Malta, especially in Valletta, where islanders gather to mark this key moment in the Christian calendar.

Malta Jazz Festival
19-21 July 2012 (to be confirmed)
Malta's International Jazz Festival, on the third weekend in July, brings world-renowned players to play below Valletta's 16th-century ramparts and by the waters of Grand Harbour.
www.maltajazzfestival.org

Malta Air Show
29 – 30 September 2012
The annual International Malta Air Show, based at the airport, puts on a display of dazzling aerobatics in the blue skies above the island.
www.maltairshow.com