All are gathered in the same place, a tiny archipelago, with a great soul and a rich history. Malta, catholic but with Arabian influences, friendly&cool, and full of ancient treasures. As for its cultural inheritance which is eulogized through its countless areas, edifices and landmarks, UNESCO heritage sites which are gathered especially in the tiny but famous Valletta, a town steeped in history, make it more attractive. I must confess that my Maltese story is more about its cultural and historical treasures than it is about its beaches and seas and lying in the sun, as I wanted to fully  taste its “artistic” spirit, therefore let`s set off!

Colored list Malta:

1. You should definitely visit Valletta, the capital of the country with its St.John`s  Cathedral,

The Grand Master`s Palace,

The Upper and Lower Baraka Gardens, from where you can get a beautiful view of the town afterwards,

take a rest and go for a leisurely stroll on the little streets of the old town with their fortifications and the buildings that have typical, wooden balconies, colored in nice hues

and don`t miss the restaurants Palazzo Preca, Guze, or Capistrano, with Mediterranean touches, as original as possible.

2. Take a look round Marsaxslokk, the biggest harbor and the most picturesque fishing village of Malta ; take a few pictures of the colored, little boats (luzzu) in the harbor, which are extremely attractive with their tempting restaurants with fresh fish, such as Tartarun.

3. Marsaskala is another little town by the sea which is worth a pleasant promenade by the harbor, that is crammed with restaurants and cafés.

4. Then we have 3 fortified towns: Il-Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua, extremely beautiful, that need to be checked - II-Birgu has old, little streets and its harbor is bordered by taverns and cafés, and you can get there by a Maltese gondola, from Valletta, instead of a taxi. It only takes 10 minutes.

5. Mdina is its former capital, dating from medieval times, which has an impressive cathedral and many charming alleys with palaces, so you`d better not miss it!

6. Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar is obviously a wonderful, little, 18th century palace, with a very good restaurant on a dream terrace, in a fairy-like setting with princesses and balls and enchanted gardens which you will definitely fall in love with.

7. Go to Blue Grotto, or the water caves with sapphire waters, go boating from the village of Qrendi; it`s all you need for a romance, taking pictures or just feasting your eyes on it.

8. Another place for Instagram photos: Popeye Village! Yes, it is right here where “Popeye”, the musical of the `80s was shot and is a real setup that attracts lots of tourists.

9. The Island of Gozo, with its capital, Victoria or Ir-Rabat, small but very stylish, and if you want to eat well here, go to Ta`Rikardu, with wines and ingredients from the local production

plus the limestone rock Dwejra (the former Azure Window).

10. And the last (or not) the Lilliputian Island - Comino with Blue Lagoon, or better said a temple of quietness but during low season  - to be checked!

11. For the archeology lovers I recommend The National Archeology Museum in Valletta, Mnajdra Temple, an impressive megalithic site dating from the 4th century B.C and Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, another prehistoric, underground area which will take your breath away!