| For a long time Malta has been known as a sun and | | | | interesting stops designed especially for tourists to |
| sea destination. This is reflected by the flocks of | | | | understand the history of the city and its makers. |
| students and tourists visiting the island during the | | | | Just outside Mdina is Rabat, which is full of |
| summer months in an attempt to sit back, relax and | | | | archaeological remains. In fact within five minutes |
| become as red as a lobster! | | | | walking distance from the historical entrance gate to |
| However, there are surely a lot of activities that one | | | | Mdina is the Domus Roman. This includes the remains |
| can take part in during the mild winter months. A visit | | | | of an original Roman townhouse that has been roofed |
| to the Maltese islands during winter may prove to be a | | | | over by a neo-classical building and transformed into a |
| quieter, calmer and perhaps a more rewarding holiday | | | | spectacular museum. Close by, within the heart of |
| that allows one to enjoy and appreciate Malta’s | | | | Rabat, is Malta’s largest group of catacombs, |
| vast culture. | | | | known as St. Paul’s Catacombs, which shed light |
| <u>Historical Places in Malta</u> | | | | on the island’s slightly later early Christian period. |
| Luckily enough Malta’s winter is rather mild, allowing | | | | <u>Wine and Dine in Malta</u> |
| for the option of walking around the old villages and | | | | With regards to dining, restaurants in Malta range from |
| spectacular monuments. The oldest and most | | | | Oriental to European. However, a cosy, romantic |
| impressive structures are the prehistoric temples; the | | | | winter night calls for a visit to one of the many wine |
| largest of which are located in Qrendi (Hagar Qim and | | | | bars, also popular amongst the Maltese population |
| Mnajdra Temples), Tarxien (Tarxien Temple) and | | | | itself. Set within old buildings and wine cellars with dim |
| Gozo (Ggantija Temple). Dating from c.5000 -2500BC, | | | | lighting and exceptional displays of art, these bars |
| which makes them older than the Egyptian pyramids, | | | | present an extremely welcoming, warm and cosy |
| the Maltese temples consist of a series of apses and | | | | atmosphere. Apart from the endless arrays of wine |
| altars, encircled by a huge megalithic wall and filled with | | | | from all around the globe, most wine bars in Malta |
| careful artistic decoration and ritualistic features that | | | | provide exciting menus of Maltese food and platters, |
| display the fascinating prehistoric religion of Malta, | | | | cheeses and cold cuts. |
| dedicated to the famous so-called ‘Fat Lady’ | | | | <u>Theatre and Entertainment in Malta</u> |
| mother goddess. A definite must-see! | | | | Malta’s theatre season is incredibly active, |
| <u>What’s On In Malta - Island Attractions< | | | | particularly from October to May, and varies from |
| u> | | | | contemporary plays to operas. Any theatre lover (or |
| Valletta, Mdina and Rabat are three spectacular | | | | not!) will find something exciting to see. For instance |
| localities that merit a visit. By simply walking around, | | | | every two weeks, one can watch a short one hour |
| one can appreciate the historic buildings and distinct | | | | lunchtime concert when visiting Valletta, which |
| character of each city. | | | | occasionally involves the work of new, upcoming |
| Having been built by the Knights of St. John, the capital | | | | musicians or singers. This provides a perfect |
| city of Malta, Valletta, is bustling with life and activity | | | | opportunity to listen to great classical music and visiting |
| and contains within its walls the Grandmaster’s | | | | the theatre once being in Valletta. The Christmas |
| Palace, Auberge de Castille, St. John’s | | | | season brings about Malta’s most popular show of |
| Co-Cathedral, the National Museum of Archaeology, | | | | the year, staged for over 20 nights – the Christmas |
| the Fine Arts Museum, Malta’s National Theatre | | | | Panto. |
| (The Manoel Theatre) and a host of other historical | | | | Being Mediterranean, the celebrative attitude of the |
| buildings, not to mention one of Malta’s shopping | | | | Maltese lends itself to the island’s nightlife |
| high-streets. The co-Cathedral of St. John is located in | | | | entertainment which includes local jazz nights and |
| the heart of Valletta and is an exceptional building that | | | | frequent performances by popular local bands, which |
| dates to 1578. The Knights donated many gifts of high | | | | are usually coupled with wine festivals or local music |
| artistic value as well as employed artists such as | | | | awards. These local gigs also serve as weekend |
| Mattia Preti for its embellishment. But perhaps the most | | | | entertainment at popular restaurants and bars in Malta. |
| incredible feature within the building is the large | | | | Clubbing is also popular, due to the several clubs and |
| altarpiece of the ‘The Beheading of St. John’ by | | | | parties that are frequently organized by popular foreign |
| Caravaggio, located past the oratory. | | | | DJs. Nightlife also includes fine dining, casinos and |
| A visit to the old Capital City of Malta, Mdina, is a must. | | | | cinemas. |
| It is known as the ‘silent city’ and contains | | | | Children can also be entertained. The Popeye Village in |
| series of winding narrow roads through which cars are | | | | Mellieha is an exciting and fun place for all children to |
| not allowed to pass. Walking through the former capital | | | | play and enjoy the Popeye-style set which was built |
| allows for the appreciation of historical buildings, the | | | | purposely in 1980 for the filming of the film |
| possibility of dining in some of the most up-town | | | | ‘Popeye’. Kids can also watch animators, play |
| restaurants and cafés, as well as spectacular views | | | | games, or get their faces painted and much more. |
| of the island off the bastions. Both Mdina and Valletta | | | | Finally, a relatively new museum, appropriate for |
| are surrounded by bastions built by the Knights to | | | | children and adults alike is the Limestone Heritage that |
| protect the cities during the siege, and these have | | | | explains, in a very visual manner, the importance of |
| survived and remain intact till today. The Mdina | | | | limestone in the islands history and heritage. |
| experience and the Mdina dungeons are also fun and | | | | |