St Maria, Mellieha

Sunny Malta sits at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, the largest of a group of five islands, three of which are inhabited. Gozo is the second largest, and is separated by a channel of sea just 9 kilometres wide.

     Malta lies midway between Gibraltar to the west and Port Said in Egypt to the east, with Sicily to the north and Libya to the south. With no rivers or mountains, Malta slopes from the high cliffs along the western shore to the indented bays and creeks along the east coast where the island's capital, Valletta, stands proudly above Grand Harbour, the largest natural deep water port on the island.

There are only a handful of sandy beaches in the north of the island, the largest of which is Mellieha Bay but sun seekers stretch out on the smooth, white rocky shores, where there are good watersports facilities and sand-free swimming. With warm, clear waters and stunning underwater scenery, the diving is excellent off Malta, especially near the south coast cliffs.

Mellieha Bay has that precious Maltese rarity – a sandy beach and it's the longest one in Malta. Situated 30kms west of Valletta, the village of Mellieha has a network of narrow lanes, a steep main street, and a huge 18th-century church with an ancient shrine.
     Mellieha Bay unsurprisingly sprang up because of this swathe of sand. And the hotels make the most of it. It also means Mellieha Bay's shops sell everything you forgot – beach toys, sun tan lotion and other day-to-day essentials. Holidays in Mellieha Bay mean you can eat out every night. Locally caught fish become that night's specials – try some aljotta, a potent garlic, tomato and fish soup or octopus but pizza, pasta and chips are on more menus than not.

Bugibba just across the bay has clubs and discos aplenty. It may be young compared to the ancient town of St Paul's Bay, but Bugibba has caught on quickly to what makes a great break away. There is a bustling central square where all the action takes place and a brimming promenade along the seafront. The nightlife is just bursting to get going. Bugibba is the biggest resort along St Paul's Bay.

      Bugibba may not have a beach as such, but it's flat, sun-baked rocks and bathing platforms mean you can plunge into the Med, snorkel and all. There's a limitless selection of dives schools too. Or head to Bugibba Lido for sunbeds and swimming.
 

St Paul's Bay is saturated with history. From the spires of the patron saint's churches in St. Paul's Bay town, to the megalithic monuments along the Xemxija Hertiage Route, almost every century is covered.
     There are two St Paul's Bays - the town itself and the bay it sits on, budding with holiday resorts. Either way, it's an area with an astounding amount of history and breathtaking beauty. People have been coming to St Paul's Bay town since the man himself was famously shipwrecked here. Unlike other resorts, it's church spires that do the towering here, not the hotels.

Salina Bay, about 19km from Valletta, is a quiet and secluded area on the outskirts of St Paul's Bay

San Anton is a small resort that dwells in the centre of the island. Its location gives it the great benefit of being within reach of much that is of interest. The ancient town of Mdina is to the south while the long stretch of inlet-filled coastline along St. Paul's bay is to the north.

Sliema fits the bill if you like a little sightseeing in your holiday, combined with sports and good food. This busy - and still growing - town focuses on The Strand, a broad promenade with views of Valletta 5km away. Sliema's shops are among the best on the island - look for Maltese lace, fine silverware, pottery, and woollens. When night falls Sliema's bars and restaurants are relaxed and mellow.

St George's Bay is a popular resort with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, quite busy in high season. Just around the coast is Spinola Bay, where bright luzzu boats jostle in a picturesque harbour. The lively nightlife of St Julian's and other nearby resorts makes it a good choice for young singles, couples and groups of friends.

St Julians is all about fun and has become a popular resort with young couples and singles. Added to this are the surrounding towns of Valleta and Sliema which offer something extra from shopping to sight seeing.

Valletta is Malta's capital. Disraeli called it a city 'built by gentlemen for gentlemen.' The briefest glimpse of Valletta tells you why. Baroque palaces, awe-inspiring churches and pretty piazzas. Steeply sloping streets, staggered with ancient stone steps, leading up to spectacular views. Built five hundred years ago by the Knights of Malta, the capital has kept its chivalric splendour – Valletta will sweep you off your feet.
     There is the National Museum of Fine Art – itself a piece of Rococo finery, the Palace of the Grand Masters and Caravaggio's largest canvas in the impressive St. Johns Co-Cathedral. Tuck into bragjoli – a beautiful blend of beef and breadcrumbs, or gbejniet, compact peppered cheeses. Shelter from the midday sun in Hasting's Gardens, then dive into an afternoon of lighter entertainment – the Toy Museum, the energetic old Market and of course, the gold, glass and glittering antiques in Valletta's shops.
     Valletta's harbourside bars and restaurants are great for dining outside. Add an elegant touch with a trip to the Opera House or the Manoel Theatre – one of Europe's oldest playhouses.

Qawra is the latest addition to St Paul's Bay, parts of which are still under construction. But the odd crane doesn't detract from the fact that Qawra is a capital of relaxation. Qawra is calmer, chicer and slightly classier than neighbouring Bugibba. This is a resort designed to make holidays easy. Bars and restaurants for all kinds of taste, boutiques selling fashion and shops selling holiday essentials and a promenade that meanders all the way to Bugibba and Salina Bay.
     Qawra may not boast what you'd call a traditional beach, but that doesn't mean you don't get the sun and sea part of the summer. The rocky shore has been adapted to provide spots where you can spread your towel on warm stone.

     When you rent a holiday home in Malta through ownersabroad.org, you deal directly with the owner, who is your best source of information for local attractions, restaurants, entertainment near your accommodation on Malta.　Local knowledge helps to make the most of villa holidays in Malta.

 .

Gozo

Green hills. Lush valleys. A glassy sea that's never out of view. Gozo is a tiny, tranquil gem of an island, where rural life rules and tourists come to escape. It's made up of just 13 villages circling the capital, Victoria. Gozo is not so much a land that time forget, but one it hasn't got round to yet.

     When you step off the ferry onto Gozo's fertile soil, the leisurely pace of life and traditional values are tangible. Smaller than neighbouring Malta, this tiny isle is a delicious mix of rolling green hills, lush valleys and small sandy coves, dusted with a scattering of sleepy villages and soaked in shimmering sunshine.

Baroque churches and pretty squares in every village. Georgian facades and old farmhouses, flower pots and roof gardens. From tiny hamlets like St. Lawrenz and Gharb, to villages Sannat and Kercem, it's like you've stepped into a painting

Gozo's capital, Victoria, is an intriguing town whilst the former fishing village of Marsalforn is Gozo's largest tourist resort. Xlendi Bay is less developed than Marsalforn but is known for its beauty, resting as it does at the end of a deep lush ravine. Indeed Gozo's beauty has been immortalised by some of the greatest writers in the history of literature. Thought to be the legendary isle of Calypso, its mystical atmosphere and incredible beauty were captured by Homer in The Odyssey.

St Lawrenz is tiny, traditional and awaiting you with open arms. St. Lawrenz is a welcome rarity for people looking for a break that's off the beaten track. Surrounded by three green hills - including Dbiegi, Gozo's highest point – St. Lawrenz is a rural community that hasn't lost its identity despite welcoming in the modern world.

     Like most Gozitan towns, the church lies at the heart of things, a baroque beauty that lights up like Blackpool Tower whenever there's something to celebrate. If you're in town at festival time – early August – don't miss out. Brass bands fill the air with music. People flock into the streets. And fireworks flood the sky with light. When you rent a holiday home in Gozo through ownersabroad.org, you deal directly with the owner, who is your best source of information for local attractions, restaurants, entertainment near your accommodation on Gozo. Local knowledge helps to make the most of villa holidays in Gozo.

Gharb is the quintessential town in a time warp. Gharb simply took one look at the rush and roar in the world around it and said no thanks. Travel to Gharb and follow in the footsteps of ancients – people lived here since Neolithic times. In fact, this is Gozo's second oldest village. History whispers through every street. Elegantly engraved balconies front homes that are centuries old. The centre of town, the pretty Piazza Taz-Zjara Tal-Madonna, is surrounded on all sides by museums celebrating Gharb's culture as well as the beautiful Baroque church.
    Get to know Ghrab dining in its few farmhouse restaurants or visit its museums – the Folklore Museum and the homes of two local heroes now open to the public. Climb to the top of Dbiegi – Gozo's highest point at 195 metres – and visit the craft village, complete with glass blowing and pottery. Ta'Pinu is an extraordinary shrine and sanctuary, pulling in pilgrims all year round. Take a moment to look through the tributes people have left behind – from motor cycle helmets to letters detailing miracles!
 

Sannat  is as far from the rat race as you can get. This is rural life in the raw, untouched by conventional tourism and unperturbed by the pace of modern life. In the south of Gozo, beside a stunning valley and behind breathtaking cliffs, Sannat is an escapist's dream. Life in Sannat revolves around the square in front of the baroque Church of St. Margaret Martyr. If it's happening, it happens here

Much about Kercem remains a mystery. No one knows where the name came from. Or quite what its flag means. But the biggest puzzle of all is why the town motto is 'bent but not broken'. Sculpted balconies adorn the ancient houses. Flowerpots add splashes of colour to ochre hued streets. People settled here over 7000 years ago, so bits and pieces were forgotten along the way. The Ghar Gerduf catacombs are some of Malta's oldest, complete with resident ghost – the White Lady, source of many a scary tale.

Today, Kercem is famous for its people. Their passion for culture makes the festivals they throw spectacular. The streets drip with fairylights. The baroque church is awash with decoration. Fireworks and music fill the square. Travel to Kercem and gorge yourself on real, rural Gozo