Image: Blue Grotto - Ĺťurrieq - Malta
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Image: The Valletta Waterfront
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he Maltese islands made up of Malta, Gozo and Comino lie at the very heart of the Mediterranean Sea just 93 km South of Sicily. This strategic geographical position has translated itself into 7,000 years of a very rich and colourful history. Most of the world’s greatest civilisations that shaped world history have passed through or settled on the Islands for a spell, and the country’s culture and heritage bear witness to this in every way. Maltese, the principle language spoken, is essentially of Semitic origin, blended in with vocabulary and grammar from the Latin based languages. Even the people reflect this melting pot of cultures in the myriad of complexions to be seen. The Maltese islands boast one of the highest concentrations of historic and cultural heritage per km2 in the world. Luckily, the Islands are compact enough to offer the convenience of everything being within easy reach, enabling you to make the most of your stay.
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History & Culture
Main image: St. John’s Co-Cathedral Valletta
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000 years of history are quite literally etched in stone, from the ancient Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples, to the unique underground temple and burial grounds of the Hypogeum. In addition, the many beautiful architectural monuments; the legacy of various schools of architecture bear witness to this, examples of these gems may be seen in the old village cores and in the form of palaces and churches around the islands. St John’s co-Cathedral in Valletta is the jewel in the crown of Malta’s monuments. This legacy, left behind by the Knights of St John, is home to two of Caravaggio’s most famous paintings. The old capital city of Mdina and the ‘new’ capital Valletta are two of the ‘must-sees’ in what is a veritable open air showcase of living history!
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or their size the Maltese islands have more shore and boat dive sites within their small radius than any other island or resort. With their natural harbours and bays, sheltered creeks, cliffs and reefs, the islands invite you to explore an underwater world of diving sites a stone’s throw away from one another. One can dive in clear waters all year round, with an annual average sea temperature of 18°C and a visibility of 30m. Malta attracts thousands of divers per annum, who come to dive in one of the world’s best diving locations. Above water one may snorkel lazily with impressive visibility; whilst sailing, abseiling, rock climbing, cycling or trekking are also possible options, even in winter due to a temperate climate. This weather encourages outdoor sports and the use of the various outdoor facilities, so much so that the islands are becoming increasingly popular for training camps and international events covering various sports disciplines. You can spend your stay pretty much outdoors bathed in almost all year round sunshine or swimming in the clearest blue Mediterranean Sea!
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Diving, Sports & Activity
Main image: Rolex Middle Sea Race at The Grand Harbour (Kurt Arrigo)
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Events & Entertainment
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he Maltese islands may not only have a rich and chequered history, but are also renowned for being a fun and cosmopolitan destination. With many top-notch hotels, spas, restaurants and entertainment venues to suit all tastes and budgets, one is spoilt for choice. Eating out is a treat, not only
for the quality and freshness of the food, but for the locations of some of the restaurants with spectacular views and backdrops. Religious feasts in Malta and Gozo are colourful events mixing both the religious with the secular, to offer the visitor a unique atmosphere to savour the flavours Malta. The islands are not short of entertainment either, with an events calendar jampacked with activities for people of all ages and with all kinds of preferences; concerts like the Isle of MTV Malta Special, theatrical and musical performances, sporting events like the Rolex Middle Sea Race and a myriad of exhibitions, to mention a few, are on all year round.
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Main image: Isle Of MTV Malta Special concert Floriana Granaries
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Gozo
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Main image: Mġarr Harbour GOZO
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ome may say that the island of Gozo is Malta’s prettier little sister, as it is greener and more rural than Malta. Just a 25 minute ferry crossing from Malta or 15 minutes by seaplane, the pace of life feels slower and though smaller, Gozo possesses an equally impressive array of historical sites, cultural events and things to do. The world’s oldest standing man-made structures are to be found here. The World Heritage Site of the Ggantija Temples dating back over 6,000 years make essential viewing and no visit would be complete without a walk to the fabled Calypso’s cave. Gozo is also favoured by rock climbers and ramblers, as its landscape offers great challenges and lovely views along the way. The sea and diving sites are none the less impressive too. And if you are a ‘foodie’, the local produce is divine. In addition, just a stone’s throw away is tiny Comino, with the glistening jewel of the Blue Lagoon and its own share of diving sites and bays to enjoy.
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M
alta and Gozo boast of some very special venues for meetings, incentives, conferences and events. With a number of Quality Assured Destination Management Companies (DMCs) clients can rest assured that programmes for conferences and incentive groups are individually tailored, in order to meet event objectives. Malta’s offer includes a nation gifted with a knack for languages, people with creative flair and a solid track record in hosting conference and incentive groups. Indoor and outdoor venues range from the ultra-modern to the historic; however both are fitted with state-of-the-art facilities. In terms of outdoor locations, one can float a barge in the amazing Grand Harbour or host a gala dinner in a local quaint piazza, with centuries-old historic buildings as a backdrop. The islands’ service providers are experienced in organising events which range from anything from a couple of hundred people to thousands of delegates. The islands can offer a great event and the warmest Mediterranean hospitality possible. Malta: business and more... tailored for you!
Main image: Oriflame Conference Floriana Granaries
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Conference & Incentive Travel
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Learning English
Image: Students at Victoria Gate Valletta
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M
alta has a long standing connection with the United Kingdom, having been a colony for almost 200 years, and still a member of the Commonwealth. English is Malta’s second national language alongside endemic Maltese. This legacy has led to a population which as a majority speaks and understands English, making Malta an ideal venue to immerse oneself in the language. With some 40 language schools in Malta and Gozo the choice of where to learn is ample and the diversity of courses on offer for both youths and adults is extensive; a variety of specialized courses for business, hospitality and such are available. What better way to learn a language than to be able to relax whilst doing it? Whether simply enjoying time out and about, watching a film, eating out or just shopping, one
can practice their language skills in a very natural and practical manner.
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A
nd if not already convinced of Malta and Gozo’s diverse product offer, the islands’ are also sought after for weddings. Numerous indoor and outdoor venues are available, together with excellent catering choices to satisfy all tastes. In addition tens of thousands of cruise liner passengers get a taste of Malta when arriving in the Mediterranean’s favoured port of call, the spectacular Grand Harbour. Many return to visit Malta and experience the islands for longer. Whatever the reason you choose to visit Malta, rest assured a warm Mediterranean welcome awaits you. But don’t just take our word for it!
Main image: Cruise Liner entering The Grand Harbour in front of the Siege Bell Memorial
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San Dimitri Point
Azure Window Inland Sea
Dwejra Tower Fungus Rock Dwejra Bay
Wardija Point
Ta’ Pinu Basilica
Xwejni Bay Qbajjar Bay Marsalforn Bay
SANNAT
Gozo General Hospital
Ta’ Kola Windmill
Calypso’s Cave
Ramla Bay San Blas Bay
MĠARR
(HARBOUR)
Qala Windmill
Daħlet Qorrot Bay
QALA
Blue Lagoon
COMINO Santa Marija Battery
Qala Point
Santa Marija Bay
Santa Marija Tower
Mistra Bay
St. Paul’s Islands
o Fe Goz rry Line
Shooting Range
BIDNIJA
s Line
QAWRA
Għallis Rocks
Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq
Qrejten Point Qalet Marku
SWIEQI
PACEVILLE
PEMBROKE
Madliena Tower
Splash ‘n’ Fun Park Mediterraneo s Line
Madliena Battery
oria Vict
Dragonara Point
SLIEMA
Bay Street Complex Balluta St James Capua Bay
ST. JULIANS
SAN ĠWANN
i
i
N
MALTA
ŻABBAR
Fort St. Leonard
XGĦAJRA
Ricasoli
Fort St.Rocco
Wied Għammieq
Ricasoli Point
VALLETTA
Fort Rinella
COSPICUA
Żabbar Gate
Bulebel
Żonqor Point
Marsascala Bay
Il-Munxar
St. Thomas Bay
MARSASCALA
Razzett tal-Ħbiberija TA AL M TE
LA
Xrobb L-Għaġin
RN IO AT NA
Peter’s Pool
IN
IR
RT
PO
Delimara Point
Fort Delimara
Tas-Silġ
MARSAXLOKK
Bengħisa Point
Fort St. Lucian
Malta Freeport
Pretty Bay
ŻEJTUN
St.James
Maritime Museum
KALKARA VITTORIOSA
Grand Harbour
SENGLEA
Kordin
FGURA
Tarxien Temples
TARXIEN
Hypogeum
PAOLA
Għar Dalam
Hasan’s Cave
Borġ In-Nadur
BIRŻEBBUĠA
GĦAXAQ
SANTA LUCIJA
GUDJA
Wied Iż-Żnuber
Ħal-Far Playmobil Funpark
Tal-Bakkari
SAFI
Main Bus Terminus City Gate
Fort Dragut Point GŻIRA Sliema Ferry Sliema Creek Manoel Marsamxett St. Elmo Point Island Harbour
TA’XBIEX
Horse Race Track
LUQA
Arrivals i Lounge
Marsa Sports Grounds
KIRKOP
ŻURRIEQ Wardija Tower
Waterfront
FLORIANA
MSIDA
ĦAMRUN
St. Philip
Mater Dei Hospital
Mrieħel
QORMI
Ħandaq
MARSA
SANTA VENERA
BIRKIRKARA
Swatar
IKLIN
BALZAN
Kaptan Tower
Palazzo Parisio
NAXXAR
LIJA
San Anton Palace and Gardens
ATTARD
SIĠĠIEWI
MQABBA
St. George’s Bay
Mediterranean Sea
Qawra Point
Crafts Village
GĦARGĦUR
Għallis Tower
Qawra Tower Salina Bay
s Line Fort Mosta
Buġibba Temple
BUĠIBBA
oria Vict
MOSTA
Buskett Gardens
Laferla Cross
ŻEBBUĠ
Aviation Museum
National Park
TA’ QALI
National Stadium
Mosta Dome
BURMARRAD
Wignacourt Tower
ST. PAUL’S BAY
Għajn Ħadid Tower
Imġiebaħ Bay
XEMXIJA
ŻEBBIEGĦ
oria Vict
Verdala Palace
St. Paul’s Catacombs/Grotte St. Agatha’s Catacombs
Domus MDINA Romana
MTARFA
RABAT
Chadwick Lakes
Skorba
Simar Nature Reserve
Miżieb
White Tower
Aħrax Point
Armier Bay
White Tower Bay
Ferretti Battery
Mellieħa Bay
Westreme Battery
MĠARR
Fort Binġemma Nadur Tower
Victoria Lines
Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples
Roman Baths
MANIKATA
MELLIEĦA
Wied Musa Battery
Għadira Nature Reserve
Red Tower
Anchor Bay
Popeye’s Village
Paradise Bay
ĊIRKEWWA
San Niklaw Bay
Ħondoq Ir-Rummien
Qala Battery
GOZO NADUR
Fort Chambray
GĦAJNSIELEM
Kenura Tower
Ġgantija Temples Sports Ground
Mġarr Ix-Xini
Heliport
XEWKIJA
XAGĦRA
Ninu’s Cave
MARSALFORN
Salt Pans
Tiġrija
ŻEBBUĠ
(RABAT)
VICTORIA
i Palazz
Ċittadella
Gordan Lighthouse
GĦASRI
GĦARB SAN LAWRENZ KERĊEM FONTANA
MUNXAR
XLENDI Xlendi Bay
Ta’ Ċenċ
Mediterranean Sea
BAĦRIJA
Lippija Tower
Golden Bay
Ġnejna Bay
Fomm Ir-Riħ Bay
Mtaħleb
DINGLI
Il-Fawwara
Inquisitor’s Palace Clapham Junction Girgenti Palace Għar il-kbir Wardija Ta’ San Ġorġ
QRENDI Mnajdra Ħaġar Qim Il-Misqa Tal-Ħamrija Għar Lapsi Tower Ta’Xutu Tower Ras Il-Ħamrija Wied Iż-Żurrieq Blue Grotto Ras Bajjada
FILFLA
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Useful Websites: • • • • •
Malta Tourism Authority: Weather report: Public Transport: Police Force: Public Hospital:
www.visitmalta.com www.maltairport.com/weather www.arriva.com.mt www.pulizija.gov.mt www.sahha.gov.mt
Tourist Information Offices: • • • • • • • •
Malta International Airport - Arrivals Lounge TEL: (+356) 2369 6073 - 4 Valletta - 229, Auberge D’Italie, Merchants Street TEL: (+356) 22915 440 - 2 Mdina - Torre Dello Standardo, St. Publius Square TEL: (+356) 2145 4480 Mellieħa - Misraħ iż-Żjara tal- Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II - 26 ta’ Mejju 1990 TEL: (+356) 2152 4666 Valletta Waterfront (Valletta Cruise Port), Pinto Wharf TEL: (+356) 2122 0633 Victoria GOZO - No 17, Independence Square, Victoria Gozo TEL: (+356) 22915452 - 3 Customer Enquiries: info@visitmalta.com FREEPHONE: 8007 2230
Overseas Network: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Austria Benelux Czech Republic France Germany Hungary Italy Japan Poland Russia Spain Nordic Countries Switzerland United Kingdom U.A.E.
wien@urlaubmalta.com info@malta.be czech@urlaubmalta.com info@visitmalte.com info@urlaubmalta.com info@visitmalta.hu info@visitmalta.it info@mtajapan.com poland@urlaubmalta.com info@malta.ru maltaembassy.madrid@gov.mt www.visitmalta.com/se switzerland@urlaubmalta.com office.uk@visitmalta.com dubai.office@maltaenterprise.com
Cover image by: MTA / Mario Galea - Design by: MTA / Mario Galea Other photography by: Clive Vella, Daniel Cilia, George Gatt, Karin Brussaard, Kurt Arrigo, Mario Galea, Oriflame Conference, Peter Vanicsek, Raymond Attard, Rene Rossignaud & Ted Attard. Published by The Malta Tourism Authority
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Image: Gozo By Night - Rabat Victoria