The Mediterranean archipelago-nation of Malta is barely a blip on most travelers' radar and for no good reason. It's temperate and mostly dry year-round. It offers some of the best diving and snorkeling in the region, not to mention clean sandy beaches. Its unique blend of European and African cultures provides you a steady stream of taste sensations, architectural styles and historical wanderings to more than fill any sojourner's agenda. And it's entirely affordable
Brooklyn-based Academic Tours is serving up a nine-day/seven-night package that starts from only $655. Lodgings are in either the 95-room Imperial Hotel or the 158-room Hotel Metropole, both three-star properties in Sliema. You can upgrade to four-star hotels (the Preluna, the Vivaldi or the Kennedy Nova) for a slight price bump of $44, bringing your total to $699. For either package, hotel/airport transfers, breakfast, local taxes and service charges are included. Departures are out of New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Expect to pay up to an additional $80 in U.S. taxes, however. Travel is good through March 31, 2003. (Similar packages are being offered by Amelia International, which we reported on earlier for its deals to Malta.) Be sure to check with them for some comparison shopping.
If you have more time and a more cash, you can add on extra days and destinations as well. Double your stay to two weeks and throw in nearby Sicily for $1,349, giving you the opportunity to visit its black, rocky beaches, medieval towns, inspiring cathedrals and the one-of-a-kind Mt. Etna.
For additional information, go online to www.academictours.com or call 800/875-9171. For more information on Malta, check out www.visitmalta.com.