Malta is a small island nation that is strategically located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. Because of its strategic location, it has been conquered and ruled by numerous powerful nations. In 1530 Malta was given to the Order of Saint John by Charles V of Spain. The Knights of Saint John proceeded to build the capital city of La Valletta. Malta became a British colony in 1815. In 1964, Britain declared Malta independent. In 1974, the Maltese formed a republic. Malta became part of the European Union in 2004 and its currency became the Euro in 2008. Malta has two official languages: Maltese (the only Semitic language in the European Union and one that is based on the Latin alphabet but with 30 letters) and English.
The Westin Grand Excelsior Malta - We stayed here for two nights following the cruise. The hotel is located in Floriana, Malta, a city that is just outside the gates of the fortified city of La Valletta.
The Westin Grand Excelsior Malta - We stayed here for two nights following the cruise. The hotel is located in Floriana, Malta, a city that is just outside the gates of the fortified city of La Valletta.
Main entrance to the Westin Hotel
Main entrance to the Westin Hotel
This stairway is coming down from the city to the hotel.
This stairway is coming down from the city to the hotel.
Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, commonly known as the Rotunda of Mosta is located in Mosta, Malta. It was the first stop on our bus tour.
Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, commonly known as the Rotunda of Mosta is located in Mosta, Malta. It was the first stop on our bus tour.
The church was built between 1833 and the 1860s using the neoclassical designs of Giorgio Grognet de Vassé. The design is based on the Pantheon in Rome.
The church was built between 1833 and the 1860s using the neoclassical designs of Giorgio Grognet de Vassé. The design is based on the Pantheon in Rome.
The church is most famous for having a German aerial bomb in WW II fall through the dome but not exploding.
The church is most famous for having a German aerial bomb in WW II fall through the dome but not exploding.
The site where the bomb passed through is visible in the center of this photo.
The site where the bomb passed through is visible in the center of this photo.
The disarmed bomb, shown here, is in the church's musem.
The disarmed bomb, shown here, is in the church's musem.
Mdina is a fortified city built on the top of a hill in central Malta. It served as the capital of the island from antiquity until the medieval period. This is a drive-by photo from the bus.
Mdina is a fortified city built on the top of a hill in central Malta. It served as the capital of the island from antiquity until the medieval period. This is a drive-by photo from the bus.
The 'moat' protecting Mdina
The 'moat' protecting Mdina
We entered Mdina through this gate.
We entered Mdina through this gate.
View of the gate from inside the city
View of the gate from inside the city
Saint Paul's Cathedral in Mdina
Saint Paul's Cathedral in Mdina
I think that these decorations are 'Grotesques' rather than 'Gargoyles', as they do not appear to me to be water spouts.
I think that these decorations are 'Grotesques' rather than 'Gargoyles', as they do not appear to me to be water spouts.
Palazzo Falson is a medieval townhouse in Mdina. It was built as a family residence by the Maltese nobility, and it is named after the Falson family. It is presently open to the public as a house-museum.
Palazzo Falson is a medieval townhouse in Mdina. It was built as a family residence by the Maltese nobility, and it is named after the Falson family. It is presently open to the public as a house-museum.
The entry courtyard of Palazzo Falson
The entry courtyard of Palazzo Falson
Departing Mdina
Departing Mdina
Our lunch stop: Delicious local fish
Our lunch stop: Delicious local fish
Part of our group in front of the restaurant
Part of our group in front of the restaurant
Tartarun Restaurant is located in Marsaxlokk, Malta. This is the harbor, across the street from the restaurant.
Tartarun Restaurant is located in Marsaxlokk, Malta. This is the harbor, across the street from the restaurant.
Waiting to board a boat for a tour of Malta's Blue Grotto
Waiting to board a boat for a tour of Malta's Blue Grotto
Malta's Blue Grotto is not as famous as Capri's Blue Grotto (which we did not visit). Nonetheless, we enjoyed the experience and our guide and boat driver was a hoot.
Malta's Blue Grotto is not as famous as Capri's Blue Grotto (which we did not visit). Nonetheless, we enjoyed the experience and our guide and boat driver was a hoot.
We started the second day of our post-cruise Malta tour with a stop at Palazzo Parisio & Gardens, an 18th century palace located in Naxxar, Malta.
We started the second day of our post-cruise Malta tour with a stop at Palazzo Parisio & Gardens, an 18th century palace located in Naxxar, Malta.
The fellow inside the armour told me he did get to go home at night.
The fellow inside the armour told me he did get to go home at night.
The Nativity: An enlarged copy of the text from the previous photo
The Nativity: An enlarged copy of the text from the previous photo
Cisk is the local (Maltese) brew. I found their lager to be tasty.
Cisk is the local (Maltese) brew. I found their lager to be tasty.
To the tavern in the basement
To the tavern in the basement
The gardens of Palazzo Parisio were beautiful.
The gardens of Palazzo Parisio were beautiful.
Our group awaiting our bus following our tour of Palazzo Parisio
Our group awaiting our bus following our tour of Palazzo Parisio
Many of the cultivated fields in Malta were partitioned with stone walls. This is a drive-by photo.
Many of the cultivated fields in Malta were partitioned with stone walls. This is a drive-by photo.
A drive-by photo of a yacht harbor near our hotel, visable in the background (all those little windows/balconies)
A drive-by photo of a yacht harbor near our hotel, visable in the background (all those little windows/balconies)
