I remember the first time I traveled to Malta. Just a teenager with a bunch of friends trying to get the best summer holiday experience "EVER". Many years have passed now and many trips followed that first holiday. I fell in love with the country and its people and I can proudly say I now live in Malta and can tell you lots about Malta from a foreigner's point of view.
It's funny - So many people ask me whether such a small island could ever be able to offer an enjoyable holiday. You'd be amazed I always tell them. Plenty of beaches, plenty of reasonably priced hotels of a good standard, generally warm and friendly people and all the facilities you would want on a holiday. That's not to mention the richness of the country's heritage - Plenty to see for those interested in the remains of age-old historical and cultural sites and everything is incredibly easy to get to. It is said that Malta offers the highest concentration of historical sites in the world and I believe that could well be true.
Lots of international language students also find their way to Malta, to improve on their English language skills. The archipelago is a former British colony (and still part of the Commonwealth) and the country's second official language is English - explaining why Malta is so popular among English language students. International corporations also seem to have taken an interest in Malta as the right place to hold conferences and high key business meetings. European football clubs have also increasingly started to set up training camps in Malta during the winter recess, a recent example is A.C. Milan's (Italian club) stay, which I understand their players and staff enjoyed.
The people are generally upbeat and welcoming and there is no such thing as strangers because of the close community that is Malta. Tourists are treated with respect and received as guests, but as in most, if not all countries a small minority of anti-social locals tend to give the country a bad reputation - which is truly a pity.
If you're thinking of visiting Malta, take my advice: Take it as it comes and understand that there are subtle cultural differences which you may like or dislike. But as the saying goes: When in Rome do as the Romans! Enjoy the good things in Malta and be lenient when it comes to grumpy bus drivers, for example, or impatient drivers - Both can be found in any country!
Have a look at Guide to Malta for more information on Maltese culture. There's more info on the country, its history, its beaches etc.
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Ed. Note: Malta not only has fantastic beaches, friendly people who speak English, and a warm climate for off-season travel, but the archaeology of Malta is unique as well. Check the following travel resources below for more on visiting Malta.
