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Malta - Travel Guide
Description
With its romantic narrow cobbled streets, Roman villas and countryside scattered with the oldest known human structures in the world, Malta is truly a feast for the senses. It supports a formidable tourist industry but is not overrun with high-rise resorts. Malta (and indeed the rest of the islands making up the Malta group), deliver a refreshing balance of convenience and culture, adventure and relaxation. For serious peace and quiet, why not visit the islands of Gozo or Comino (both part of the Malta group of islands. Only these three are inhabited).
For its size, Malta has excellent infrastructure. The island has banks, casinos, plenty of nightlife as well as the usual mix of restaurants and bars and you can take part in (or watch) almost any kind of sporting action you choose. There are facilities for water sports, sailing, basketball and even ice hockey on the island and as the island's coastline is indented with harbours, bays, sandy beaches and rocky coves, there are plenty of new sights to discover.
Malta's Mediterranean climate of hot dry summers and mild, rainy winters and the beauty of the coastline coupled with the turquoise sea, mean that this is an ideal destination for a diving holiday and Malta is universally recognised as a superb diving site.
The cuisine on offer on all of the Maltese islands has a distinctly Sicilian influence owing to the islands being geographically situated less than 100kms south of the island of Sicily. The Maltese know how to party too. For almost half the year, rarely a day goes by without a feast or celebration held in one of the villages or towns on the island. Fireworks abound as tradition celebrations extend into night-time parties.
Driving Guide
Drive on the left, overtake on the right. There are no highways or motorways on Malta, and the general speed limit is 64km/h. The limit in built-up areas is 40km/h. Seat-belts must be worn at all times, and you are strongly recommended to carry a warning triangle in your boot. International and national driving licences are accepted, and it is advisable to carry the licence and your passport with you at all times. Green Card insurance is compulsory. Children under 3 cannot travel in the front unless in a suitable restraining seat. There are no on-the-spot fines, but any fine incurred should be settled before you leave the island. Petrol is permitted in cans, but they are forbidden on ferries. Manned petrol stations are usually open between 7am and 6pm, but on Sundays and holidays you may have to use the automatic cash-accepting machines. Some petrol stations in Malta may not accept credit cards. Do NOT drink and drive.
Malta - Key Facts
Timezone: UK+1.Languages spoken: Maltese, English. Italian also widely understood.
Capital City: Valletta.
Major Cities:
Mojor Airports: Luqa.
Population: 394,583
Area: 316 sq km - 122 sq miles.
Climate Guide: Mediterranean climate with hot, dry and sunny summers. Winters are mild with cold weather quite rare. The main rainy season occurs in the autumn; however, showers can occur at any time and are usually brief.
Currency: Maltese Lira (MTL 1 = 100 cents).
Notes: MTL: 2, 5, 10, 20.
Coins: MTL: 1. Cents: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50.
Telephone Code: 356
Electricity: 240V AC 50Hz.
UK Tourist Information: Malta Tourist Office
Malta House, 36/38 Piccadilly, London W1J 0LD
Tel: 020 7292 4900 Fax: 020 7734 1880
E-mail: office.uk@visitmalta.com
Website: www.visitmalta.com
Hotel Class: All accommodation in Malta is officially classified and graded. Hotels are graded using the standard star system from 1 star up to 5 star plus an additional 5-star deluxe (*****L) as the top category. Self-catering developments (which may also offer "normal" hotel rooms) are classified either as "Tourist Village" with extensive grounds offering a full range of hotel services including catering, leisure and other facilities; "Holiday Complex" with less ground and fewer facilities; or "Aparthotel" providing only hotel and catering services. These are all graded from 4 star down to 1 star, based on facilities. Additionally, all properties in the 5- to 3-star range are also rated for service as either de luxe, gold, silver or bronze. Guesthouses and basic self-catering apartments (with or without pool) are classified from 1st class down to 3rd class.