Malta
Say you are visiting Malta, and your friends’ eyes will probably get a dreamy expression usually reserved for island paradises and white beaches. While this may be the truth to some extent, it is important to understand that there is more to this island republic than just its beautiful sandy beaches. For example, did you know that Malta is actually not one but seven islands located within the Mediterranean Sea? Several of the islands are not inhabited, but the ones which are may be known by the names Malta Island, Comino, Manoel Island, and Gozo.

As you arrive in Malta, you will notice that the islands walk to a different beat. Due to the fact that the Roman Catholic Church has a most significant influence on the citizens of the republic, holidays in Malta reflect many of the saints’ feast days, especially the days associated with Saint Paul and Mary, the mother of Jesus. Try to find an open store in Malta on those days, and you might simply be out of luck.

Accommodation in Malta may be had by a small hotel or a bigger building that tries to capture the charm of the islands. Of course, given the fact that the newer hotels in Malta are attempting very hard to cash in on the beach location and tourist appeal that the islands hold, it is not surprising to see the chains, such as the Plaza Regency and Radisson beginning to buy their way into the landscape, but by and large you will be well served by any of the Malta hotels you may choose.

A cheap flight to Malta is easily found, especially if you use one of the big booking sites that will also allow you to go ahead and book your hotel room and maybe ever car rental while you are on their sites. It is interesting to note that the Malta weather is so amazing – warm and try in the summer, and cooler and wet during the winter – that many visitors who travel to Malta dream of the day when they can leave behind the Malta hotel and begin looking for some real estate in Malta that may be for sale. The dream of living on the island of Malta is not a new one, and as a matter of fact, many real estate clerks will advertise on the freely available Malta map that may be picked up at the visitor center or at a Malta hotel concierge desk.

Even if you are not planning on putting down roots on the islands, go ahead and get a map of Malta so that you will be able to make the most of your visit from the time that you step off the Air Malta plane, to the time that you will once again board it to leave for your home.