Postcards from the Past: Malta

Sandstone And Sunshine

When and Where:           11/2000 – Valletta

19th Country Visited; 13th European Country Visited

Interesting Facts:

·        International Living Magazine claims that Malta has the best climate of any country.

·        Malta was the most heavily bombed country during World War II due to it’s strategic location.

 Malta is a small island nation situated between Sicily (Italy) and the North African coast in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.  Back in 2000, I visited Malta with my good friend Allan Snyder.  I was immediately fascinated by the muted cityscape of the capital Valletta.  Nearly every building in the city was sandstone: off white with muted beige undertones.  The buildings, having a weathered look, reminded me of some of the older buildings in Rome.  Downtown Valletta is very walkable.  We walked around the charming tree lined streets and stopped for lunch at an outdoor café.  The smell of garlic and freshly cooked Italian food was thick in the air.  After our café stop, we walked along the pristine coastline and were mesmerized by the clarity of the light blue Mediterranean Sea.  Of the eleven Mediterranean countries I’ve visited, the water off of Malta's coast was the prettiest and similar to the pristine Caribbean Sea.  If you are looking for a unique travel destination, I would recommend Malta.

Valletta, the capital of Malta

Valletta, Malta

The sandstone cityscape of Valletta

Looking out over the Maltese coastline

Allan in Valletta, Malta




 

 

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