The former home of the Knights of St. John, the island nation of Malta, located on the southernmost tip of Europe (about 60 miles from Sicily and 180 miles from North Africa) has at one time or another been dominated by all its neighbors, including the British and the French.
Visitors to its bustling capital, Valletta, will find cathedrals, palazzos, and fortifications, mostly from the period of the knights, which started in the 16th century and ended when they were driven off the island by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798. It is said that the city was built "by gentlemen, for gentlemen."
Malta became part of the British Empire in 1800, was granted independence in 1964, and became a republic in 1974. A must-see in Valletta for those interested in the island's history is The Malta Experience audiovisual presentation (see "Frommer's Favorite Malta Experiences," below).
Valletta is quite compact and easy to explore on foot. In addition to historic sights, the city offers a wealth of museums, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. Other parts of the island offer quaint towns, ancient sites (including the oldest known freestanding prehistoric temple structures in the world), and historic churches, all easily accessible.
The sea offers excellent opportunities for divers. For sun worshippers, there are a number of sandy beaches, the best of which, including Mellieha Bay, Golden Sands, and Armier, can be found in the north of the island.
Valletta's Grand Harbour is very impressive; you'll want to be on deck as the massive fortifications come into view.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, yes, Malta is where the legendary Hollywood Maltese Falcon was supposed to be from. There actually were falcons here, of the real rather than sculpted kind, but they are now extinct.
