What: A gem of a city built to protect the island from invading Ottoman Turks in 1565. Valletta is a baroque architectural feat which still preserves to this day some of the most amazing buildings on the island of Malta.

Where: Built on a peninsula, Valletta is flanked on each side by spectacular harbours and inlets;
clinging to a hill slope with panoramic views of towns and villages across the harbours. There are secret passageways hewn in the rocks dating back to the knights of Malta which lead to bathing platforms and of course the mediterranean blue sea.

Why: Staying in Valletta offers a rare opportunity to experience this exquisite location in an all-encompassing environment (history, art, culinary delights and for the sun worshipers a place where to go for a dip at the end of the day). And while there are many hotels on the island which boast sandy beaches and touristy resorts, Valletta remains something of a secret amongst architecture and culture aficionados, attracted by the coveted combination of style and substance: seawater swimming pool and an oh-so-Maltese rocky beach area with some charming seaside open-air bars and restaurants. Day trips can be taken to Comino island and Gozo just across from Sliema Ferries. In short: Valletta still remains one of the few places not affected by mass tourism and the best place to spend your holidays.