Malta

We had heard good things, but Malta was an immediate revelation for us. It's a very cool place to visit; especially Valletta.

It has a very long history but the physically impressive area of Valletta is 'only' 500 years old, through to about a mere 200 years old. Most of which needed to be rebuilt after constant attack during WWII.

We have booked a day trip to Gozo and should get ourselves over to the oldest part around Mdina too.

We were up early (5am) to reach out flight so being too early for the hotel meant we dropped our bags and headed to a food tour. Always a winner.

Our group learning about gardens and canons (below) that still fire at 12pm and 4pm.

Everywhere has food markets. 

Food rationing system during the war.

Coffee and chocolate shop. Which (sorry) is the only food photo that I took! You'll have to trust me that we had a lot of yummy local food.

Restored old buses for tourist circuits.

Everywhere has a favourite fountain 

Nice new architecture sitting amongst the old.

The view from our hotel balcony is very pleasant too.

There are so many lovely streets and lanes to enjoy.

Filming a TV show by day...

Drinks and food by night.

Art, not washing.

For a change there seems to be no graffiti, except for these old scratchings from the 1800s recording the arrival of the British fleet to take over from Napoleon.