There are many places I travel, experience, enjoy and take in and then I am ready to move on to the next great adventure.  Malta is one of those places that travels with me, year after year.

I’m not sure if it is the incredible and accessible history, the vivid colors and architecture, amazing seafood, or just the feeling of escaping to this remote island tucked between Europe and Africa.  Whatever it is, I can’t wait for a return visit and you should absolutely add it to your bucket list!

I was traveling from Dubai to Amsterdam and decided to stop over for 4 nights since I “was in the area”.  My friends laughed when I arrived in The Netherlands and told them of my stopover.  When you are in the US and traveling halfway around the world, this truly is on the way.

I decided to stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta right at the gates of the walled city of Valletta, also a UNESCO World Heritage site.  I have to say I LOVE great historic hotels in the city centers of the world.  I am a walker and an explorer and always put aside unscheduled time to just wander the streets, meet locals and travelers, eat in the local cafes, and drink in the neighborhood taverns!  With the hotel so close it was easy to make daily trips into Valletta, got to pass the Tritons Fountains daily while looking for my coffee or beer depending upon what I was up to.  I found myself regularly getting lost (in a good way) while wandering the narrow cobblestone streets, walkways, and alleys of this historic city.  The building of Valletta, the so-called “city built by gentleman for gentleman” was an ambitious project of Pope Pius IV after the great siege of 1565 and was built both as a fortress to defend Christendom and as a cultural masterpiece.

When traveling in foreign countries I use various types of transportation and in Malta decided to try the public transportation and ferry system for most of my getting around.  I prefer to have a car so that I can come and go as I please and have some of my things with me but the public buses and ferries in Malta worked out perfectly, especially since I was in Valletta and all of the systems had their hub here.  It was very easy to jump on a bus to a specific site, explore, hike, swim and eat and then simply head back to Valletta.

My favorite excursion was an all-day trip to the neighboring island of Gozo and the childhood home of some friends I met while traveling in the Mediterranean about 20 years ago.  It was so fun to head over with specific sites in mind and reporting back to my friend while I was traveling!  With beautiful rocky coasts and crashing waves to serene countrysides and medieval castles, Gozo is somewhere you could spend days and not uncover all of its beauty and it’s secrets.

Insider Tip:  As in most places I visit I prefer to have a private tour and driver when doing the historic sites.  You will get so much more of the history, stories, and events from a knowledgeable guide, and you will also be whisked past any lines and avoid the tourist traps.

As an amateur photographer, one of my most inspiring afternoons was a bus ride to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk on the southeast coast of the island.  The first thing you notice, in addition to the centuries-old buildings, are the vibrant colors of the harbor and the multi-colored fishing boats.  I walked the harbor-front for hours, with frequent stops to snap pictures, enjoy the sun, the views, and a few cold beers.  Some of my best days are just walking, thinking, meeting people, and taking it all in.

Please add Malta as somewhere to visit while you are in the region at some point in the future, it will change you and you will be glad you did!