Malta is a group of seven islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Only the three largest islands - Malta, Gozo and Comino - are inhabited. The terrain is low and rocky with coastal cliffs.

Malta, in the heart of the Mediterranean, is a melting pot of civilisations with a history stretching back thousands of years. The country has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant prehistoric civilisation existed on the islands prior to the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven. Later the islands were for centuries the seat of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St John and then part of the British Empire. Malta became independent in 1964.

In Malta, you''ll explore 7000 years of history yet live passionately in the present. You''ll span the millennia with an astonishing array of things to discover. And wherever you go, the Islands'' scenery and architecture provide a spectacular backdrop. The colours are striking, honey-coloured stone against the deepest of Mediterranean blues.

The Maltese Islands have been described as one big open-air museum. What makes them unique is that so much of their past is visible today. Delve into the Islands'' mysterious prehistory, retrace the footsteps of St Paul or see where the Knights of St John defended Christendom. Malta is holidaying as the mood takes you and with near year-round sun, you can indulge in outdoor living at its best.

The Islands offer plenty of specialist holidays for those seeking to learn a new skill, discover history or get fit. If you’re interested in sports, they cater as much for the seasoned enthusiast as the casual first-timer. Sea and land lend themselves to activities from rock-climbing to gentle rambling. For a tempo and scene change from Malta itself, hop to the sister islands of Gozo and Comino. Here, you''ll holiday within a holiday and at the most relaxed of Mediterranean paces.