MALTA IN THE MED

Friday 1st December 2006

Jo Woods

This tiny island may be no bigger than the Isle of Wight, but Malta, positioned in the heart of the Mediterranean, has been pushed on to the world stage on more than one occasion.

During medieval times, the Knights of St John – the crusading order that ruled the island in those days – kept the Turks at bay from here. And in 1942, the entire population was awarded the George Cross for their collective bravery during World War Two.

Today, Malta is more concerned with attracting visitors than fighting them off, and the island entices tourists back year after year. As everyone speaks English, it feels like a home from home, and year-round sunshine is almost guaranteed, even though it's just a two-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK.

St Paul's Bay is the largest resort, built round a wide inlet on the north coast. The seafront promenade is lined with apartments, hotel complexes, shops, bars and restaurants, and colourful luzzos (fishing boats) bob in the harbour.

Bugibba, St Julians, Qawra and Sliema offer the same seaside appeal. But if you want more from your holiday than a suntan, there are boat trips and coach tours that will take you all round the island and to neighbouring Gozo, while the capital, Valletta, is a history lover's dream.

The one thing Malta doesn't have is miles of sandy beaches. The best sand is in the north, at Anchor Bay, Paradise Bay and Golden Bay. The majority of the sun worshipping is done on rocky outcrops, but bathing is safe almost everywhere.