Malta - Review and Recommendations

Categories

There are a handful of places that have captured my heart immediately upon arrival and Malta is one of them.  Reading about a place and visiting it are two completely different things.  We arrived by cruise ship and the entrance to Malta is stunning.  That is not quite what the builders had in mind, they were thinking protection but the effect is breathtaking.

 

Malta was one of the stops along the pilgrimage for Christians headed to the holy land.  Secured by the Knights Templars, Malta was a safe spot along the pilgrimage route.  The Turks tried in vain to capture the island but the Knights held them off during a summer-long siege of the capital and stronghold of Mdina.  After surviving the siege, the Knights vowed to never be in that position again and built 30-foot walls around the port for security. 

 

Valletta is the stunning result of these walls.  Secure behind the walls the city of Valletta is built on the rolling hills.  Many of the hills are steep enough that there are no roads, just stairs, lots and lots of stairs.  Think of San Francisco behind stone walls without the trolley and lots of stairs and stone buildings.  The sidewalk cafes actually run down the stairs.  Arriving by sea gives a stunningly beautiful first impression of this remarkable island nation.

 

As beautiful as Valletta is, Mdina is above and beyond.  This beautiful walled city is crazy interesting and intriguing.  The entire city seems to be made of stone but somehow trees and plants still thrive and bring touches of striking color against the stone walls and streets.  The front section of the city is heavily trafficked with tourists but if you take the time to wander further into the city, you can just about have the place to yourself.  If you have the time and love history, stop by the Knights of Malta museum that tells the story of the Knights and the siege of the Turks.

 

If you are planning a trip to the Mediterranean, you should add Malta to your itinerary.  This stunning location deserves a visit.  Better yet, contact us, your Malta experts and we can help you design your perfect visit.