Malta

Sailing into Valetta in the early morning is a truly a memorable experience. The substantial fortifications made of warm, honey-yellow limestone seem timeless and, indeed, the Maltese archipelago has been inhabited for more than 8,000 years. In that time it has been ruled by everyone from the Phoenicians to the British but most notably by the “Knights,” not Templar but Hospitaller , who ruled for over 250 years. We spent our all too brief time exploring the capital Valetta and the previous inland capital of Mdina. 7 hours gave us but a snapshot of this remarkable island; clearly, we need to go back!