Why A Holiday In Malta?
Malta has long been a popular holiday destination choice for many over the years. The small Maltese Islands of Malta Gozo Comino lie in the southern tip of Europe in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Their positioning close to the Northern tip of Africa and the Southern tip of Europe mean that the climate is good and they benefit from a long summer season which runs from April October. They are an ideal holiday location for the more traditional week or fortnightly stay but are also becoming more popular for the long weekend breaks of three or four days. This has been helped by low cost airlines being allowed to operate in Malta over the last few years. Flights generally are no more then three hours from the UK and slightly less from other main Western European cities. Malta has plenty of cultural and historic points of interest. The people are friendly and speak a number of languages but in the main English Maltese and Italian although it would not be uncommon to be understood speaking German French and Spanish.
There are four main areas that people head for when on holiday in Malta. Sliema and St Julians are coastal towns that are next to each other and afford the visitor plenty of quaint cafes bars and nice restaurants. The renowned Gzira St Julians promenade along the coastal road makes for a pleasant evening stroll and is popular with tourists and Maltese alike. The rocky beaches offer good swimming during the main summer months which are once again popular with tourists and locals alike.
Transport through these two towns is provided by buses which are frequent and relatively cheap and they service the majority of destination within Malta. Virtually all go to the capital city Valletta and the journey is around 15 minutes long. Valletta is a must see sight for all visitors to Malta. Whether one goes just for shops and the quaint cafes or to see the historic sights in the fortified city there is plenty to see and do. The view in particular of the Grand Harbour from Baracca Gardens is worth the visit alone. Sliema and St Julians offer a variety of hotels from 1 star to 5 stars and also a variety of privately rented holiday accommodation.
To the North of the Island Mellieha and Ghajn Tuffieha have become popular places to base oneself. They offer two of the best sandy beaches in Malta and are more relaxed and rural then Sliema and St Julians. If a beach holiday is the sole reason for the holiday then this would be the ideal choice. Although smaller then Sliema and St Julians there are still plenty of hotels and private holiday lets.
Finally the mystical island of Gozo Maltas smaller sister to the north is twenty minutes away by ferry and offers a different environment completely. It offers a more rural environment and more scenic countryside. The towns and villages are smaller although well equipped and generally there is a much slower pace to life here. When travelling in Gozo sometimes it is easy to get the impression that you have been transported back in time thirty or forty years ago. The seaside towns of Xlendi Marsalforn are very popular in the summer months and the capital of Gozo Victoria offers one a lot of historic sights to see. The views from the ancient Citadel are especially worth the visit. Gozo offers many types of accommodation in the forms of hotels and apartments however the option of staying in 350 year old farmhouse or converted villa not only offer the occupier a unique Gozitan experience but they offer modern accommodation with the majority having swimming pools.
For more information on some of these places please visit:
For more information on private rented holiday accommodation in Malta Gozo please visit our website www.holidaysmaltagozo.com
About the writer: Chris Bonello
Related posts: