May/June 2010 - Yacht Essentials

Perhaps the most stunning aspect of Malta is the
megalithic, sandstone battlements that encircle its
main harbours. Built in the 16th century, the fortresses
of the Knights of St. John still watch over
the coastline of Valletta, the island’s capital city. These
strongholds, along with Malta’s many Baroque palaces
and churches, are the legacy of the various dominations
that have ruled here throughout the ages — a living testimony
of 6,000 years of civilisation — and they are wonders
to be seen and felt.
Blessed with year-round sunshine and set in crystal
clear waters, Malta and its sister islands of Gozo and
Comino are nestled in the Mediterranean Sea just
south of Sicily. They make a fascinating setting for
a truly memorable trip with much to offer: action or
relaxation, tranquility or excitement, and numerous
cultural, artistic, and natural treasures within easy access
from wherever one chooses to stay. For lovers of
28 YACHT ESSENTIALS
CASTLE KINGDOM
Ports of Call
BY LOUAY HABIB
Malta has nearly 400 churches
and temples, some dating back to
before the Pyramids.
music, theatre, and the arts, Malta boasts an abundant
calendar of events. For the sporting visitor, the islands
offer golf, tennis, horse riding, and unlimited water
sports — from sailing to windsurfing to arguably the
best scuba diving in the Mediterranean.
The population of Malta is 400,000 but swells to double
that amount in summer due to tourism, with more than
half of the visitors coming from the United Kingdom. The
Maltese are an interesting blend of cultures from days
gone by, plus a growing number of immigrants from Australia,
the United States, Brazil, and Canada. The main
language is English, but the Maltese also have their own