Image: Blue Grotto - Żurrieq - Main Image: The Waterfront 2 he Maltese Islands made up of Malta, Gozo and lie at the very heart of the Mediterranean Sea just 93 km South of Sicily. TThis 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. The native language, which is Maltese, is of Semitic origin, whilst the grammar stems from Latin and Italian and English words are laced through it. 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.

3 History & Culture

Main image: St. John’s Co-Cathedral Valletta 4 000 years of history are quite literally etched in stone, from the ancient Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples, to the unique 7underground 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 and the ‘new’ capital Valletta are two of the ‘must-sees’ in what is a veritable open air showcase of living history!

5 or their size the Maltese Islands have more shore and boat dive sites within its small radius than any other island or Fresort. 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 an option, 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 island is 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!

6 Diving, Sports & Activity

Main image: Rolex Middle Sea Race at The (Kurt Arrigo)

7 Events & Entertainment

he Maltese Islands may not only have a rich and chequered history, but are also renowned for being a fun and Tcosmopolitan 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 sample a taste of Malta. The islands are not short of entertainment either, with an events calendar jam-packed 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.

8 Main image: Isle Of MTV Malta Special concert Floriana Granaries

9 Gozo

10 Main image: Mġarr Harbour GOZO

ome may say that the island of Gozo is Malta’s prettier little sister, as it is greener and more rural than Malta. SJust 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, culture and things to do. The world’s oldest standing structures are to be found here. The World Heritage Site of the Ggantija Temples, the oldest standing prehistoric structure on earth 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.

11 alta and Gozo boast of some very special venues for meetings, incentives, conferences and events. With a Mnumber 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’ suppliers are experienced in organising events which range for 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

12 Conferences & Incentive

13 Learning English

Main image: Students at Victoria Gate Valletta

14 alta has a long standing connection with the United Kingdom, having been a colony for almost 200 years, Mand 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.

15 nd if not already convinced of Malta and Gozo’s diverse product offer, the islands’ are also sought after for Aweddings. 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

16 17 Xwejni Bay Qbajjar San Dimitri Bay Point Marsalforn Gordan Salt Pans Lighthouse Bay

ŻEBBUĠ MARSALFORN Ta’ Pinu GĦASRI Basilica Ramla GOZO Calypso’s Bay Cave San Blas GĦARB Bay Azure Inland XAGĦRA N Ninu’s Window Sea SAN Cave LAWRENZ Daħlet Qorrot Bay Dwejra Ċittadella Ta’ Kola Fungus Tower Windmill Ġgantija Rock Dwejra KERĊEM Tiġrija Temples Bay i Palazz Gozo Sports NADUR Qala FONTANA VICTORIA General Ground Windmill (RABAT) Hospital QALA Wardija XEWKIJA Kenura Point XLENDI Qala Tower Qala GĦAJNSIELEM Battery Xlendi MUNXAR Point Bay Ħondoq Ir-Rummien SANNAT Heliport MĠARR San Santa (HARBOUR) Niklaw Marija COMINO Fort Bay Bay Ta’ Ċenċ Chambray Blue Mġarr Lagoon Ix-Xini G oz Santa Marija Battery o F Santa Marija er Tower r y Line

Aħrax Point White Tower Bay White Tower Armier Bay Mediterranean Sea ĊIRKEWWA Ferretti Battery Paradise Bay Wied Musa Battery

Red Tower

Għadira Mellieħa Bay Imġiebaħ Nature Bay St. Paul’s Reserve Islands Popeye’s Għajn Ħadid Tower Village Westreme Battery Qawra Point Anchor MELLIEĦA Bay Mistra Qawra Tower Bay QAWRA Salina Għallis Rocks Bay XEMXIJA ST. PAUL’S BAY Buġibba Temple Għallis Tower MALTA BUĠIBBA Miżieb Qrejten Point Simar Mediterranean Sea Wignacourt Nature Qalet Marku MANIKATA Reserve Tower Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Splash ‘n’ Fun Park Mediterraneo BURMARRAD Golden Bay Tower toria Lines Vic PEMBROKE Roman Baths BIDNIJA GĦARGĦUR Madliena Battery St. George’s Bay Shooting Range Dragonara Point Ġnejna Bay Lippija SWIEQI PACEVILLE Tower Skorba Fort Kaptan Tower MĠARR oria Lines Vict Mosta ST. JULIANS ŻEBBIEGĦ Bay Street Complex Balluta St James Ta’ Ħaġrat NAXXAR Bay Capua Temples Palazzo Parisio IKLIN SAN ĠWANN Fort Fomm Ir-Riħ ia Lines MOSTA Dragut Point Bay ictor Mosta Dome Sliema Ferry ia Lines V GŻIRA Victor Mater Dei Hospital Sliema Creek Manoel Marsamxett St. Elmo Point Island Fort LIJA Swatar Harbour VALLETTA Binġemma BALZAN BAĦRIJA Nadur National BIRKIRKARA TA’XBIEX Ricasoli Point Crafts San Anton Palace St. Philip Tower Stadium Main Bus Wied Għammieq Village and Gardens Terminus Grand TA’ QALI MSIDA Harbour MTARFA National Park ATTARD SANTA VENERA Fort St.Rocco Chadwick i KALKARA Ricasoli Lakes Domus MDINA Aviation Mrieħel FLORIANA Museum VITTORIOSA Romana SENGLEA Maritime Museum ĦAMRUN i Waterfront XGĦAJRA RABAT St. Paul’s Catacombs/Grotte QORMI MARSA St. Agatha’s Catacombs Kordin Żabbar Horse Race Track Gate St.James Fort St. Leonard Marsa Sports Grounds Mtaħleb ŻEBBUĠ PAOLA FGURA ŻABBAR Hypogeum Ħandaq Temples Żonqor Point

TARXIEN Verdala Marsascala Bay Palace LUQA Bulebel Buskett Gardens SANTA Inquisitor’s Palace LUCIJA MARSASCALA Clapham Razzett tal-Ħbiberija Junction Girgenti SIĠĠIEWI ŻEJTUN M Palace AL St. Thomas Bay TA INTERNA Arrivals GĦAXAQ Għar il-kbir i Lounge Il-Munxar Laferla Tas-Silġ Cross TIONAL AIRPOR Wardija MQABBA KIRKOP GUDJA Ta’ San Ġorġ Il-Fawwara Għar T Dalam Xrobb L-Għaġin QRENDI Fort St. Lucian Mnajdra Ħaġar SAFI BIRŻEBBUĠA Qim Peter’s Pool Il-Misqa Borġ In-Nadur Tal-Ħamrija Fort Għar Lapsi Tower Delimara Ras Ta’Xutu Tower ŻURRIEQ Pretty Bay Il-Ħamrija Wied Iż-Żurrieq Wardija Blue Grotto Tower Ras Tal-Bakkari Bajjada Malta Delimara Point Ħal-Far Freeport Playmobil Funpark Hasan’s Cave Bengħisa Point Wied Iż-Żnuber 18 Useful Websites: • Malta Tourism Authority: www.visitmalta.com • Weather report: www.maltairport.com/weather • Public Transport www.arriva.com.mt • Police Force: www.pulizija.gov.mt • Public Hospital: 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 (Viset), Pinto Wharf TEL: (+356) 2122 0633 • Victoria GOZO - No 17, Independence Square, Victoria Gozo TEL: (+356) 22915452 - 3 • Customer Enquires - [email protected] • FREEPHONE - (+356) 8007 2230 Overseas Network • Austria [email protected] • Benelux [email protected] • Czech Republic [email protected] • France [email protected] • Germany [email protected] • Hungary [email protected] • Italy [email protected] • Japan [email protected] • Poland [email protected] • Russia [email protected] • Spain [email protected] • Nordic Countries [email protected] • Switzerland [email protected] • United Kingdom [email protected] • U.A.E. [email protected] 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 19 ENG

Image: Gozo By Night - Rabat Victoria