Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION CHAPTER 1 History Overview, The earliest settlers 5000 - 4100 BC, Temple period: 4100 BC - 2500 BC, Bronze age: 2500 BC - 8 BC, Phoenicians and Carthaginians: circa 8 - 218 BC, Romans and Byzantines: 218 BC - 870 AD, The Arabs: 870 AD - 1090, Medieval Malta: 1090 - 1530, The Knights of Malta: 1530 - 1798, The French: 1798 - 1800, The British: 1800 - 1964, Independent Malta: 1964 - ongoing Chapter 2 Background Information Geography and geology, Climate, Natural history and conservation, Government and politics, Economy, People and migration, Language, Religion, Education, Arts and Crafts, Festa, Sports and activities, National/public holidays and other events Chapter 3 Practical Information When to visit, Highlights and itineraries, Choosing a base, Tourist information, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health and safety, Malta for families, Disabled travellers, Gay Malta, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Museums and historic sites, Sports and activities, Photography, Media and communications, Business, Buying property, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively Chapter 4 Planning for Your Interests Prehistoric Malta and the temples, Roman/Byzantine Malta, Fortifications, World War II, Churches, Swimming, snorkeling and diving, Birdwatching, Spas PART TWO THE GUIDE Chapter 5 Valletta History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Floriana Chapter 6 The Three Cities Getting there and away, Where to stay, Where to eat, Birgu/Vittoriosa, L-Isla/Senglea, Bormla/Cospicua, Around the Three Cities Chapter 7 Sliema, St Julian's and Paceville Practicalities, Sliema, St Julian's (San Giljan) and Paceville Chapter 8 Southeast Malta Zabbar, Tarxien Temples, Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Kordin III Temples, Zejtun, Marsaskala/Marsascala, Marsaxlokk, Delimara Peninsula and swimming, Birzebbuga Chapter 9 South Malta Getting there and away, Zebbug, Siggiewi, Ghar Lapsi, Zurrieq and the Blue Grotto, Mnajdra and Hagar Qim, Buskett Gardens (Il-Buskett) and Verdala Palace, Girgenti, The Dingli Cliffs and Clapham Junction Chapter 10 Mdina and Rabat Mdina, Rabat Chapter 11 Central Malta Birkirkara and The Three Villages, Naxxar, Mosta, Ta'Qali, Mgarr, The west coast Chapter 12 North Malta Mellieha, The Marfa Peninsula, St Paul's Bay, Bugibba, Qawra and Salina Bay, The North Coast Road Chapter 13 Comino History, Getting there and away, Where to stay and eat, What to see and do Chapter 14 Gozo History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat, Shopping, Other practicalities, Outdoor activities, Cultural activities, Mgarr, Ghajnsielem, Victoria/Rabat, Kercem and Santa Lucija, San Lawrenz/St Lawrence, Dwejra, Gharb, Ghasri, Zebbug, Marsalforn, Xaghra, Ramla Bay, Nadur, San Blas, Dahlet Qorrot Bay, Qala, Hondoq Ir-Rummien Bay, Xewkija, munxar, Sannat, Ta' Cenc, Mgarr ix-Xini, Xlendi Appendix 1 Language Appendix 2 Glossary Appendix 3 Further Reading Index

About the Author

Juliet Rix has been a journalist for 25 years and has worked for the BBC (television and radio), magazines, online media and British national newspapers.

Reviews

'Bang up to date and easy to follow. ... full of fascinating asides.' Journal of the International Map Collectors' Society - Spring 2011