The Maltese coastal waters are generally clean and safe for swimming as there are no tides and the sea temperature averages around 22.8C in summer. Annual rainfall is low, averaging 578mm a year and the length of the dry season in summer is even longer than in neighbouring Italy.

 

Malta’s climate is strongly influenced by the sea so the Islands have a very sunny climate with a daily average of more than twelve hours of sunshine in summer and five to six hours in mid-winter.

 

Summers are hot but often mitigated by cooling sea breezes. June is the ideal time of year to come for sun and sea as the summer season is just getting into full swing and it’s not too hot. July through September are the peak summer months (temperature average: 30C/86F) while August is the hottest and busiest month of summer (average temperature: 40C/104F

 

Swimming is possible well in to the winter months and the peak beach season can last until mid to late October, which is a great time to visit as the temperatures are bearable, the sun still shines, but the Islands are less populated and more serene

 

Spring is a season full of surprises; a touch of rain, some beautiful crisp days and others that are perfect for spending on the beach

 

Although winters are mild, swimming from November to February is not recommended as the water and air tends to be quite chilly, brought about by the north and north-easterly winds from central Europe.

 

The Maltese Islands offer an exhilarating contrast of colours: the azure of the Mediterranean, the mellow honey-coloured limestone which characterises the architecture, and clear skies. The Islands are a feast for the senses.

 

Everywhere you go, a unique historic sight awaits; Temples, palaces, cathedrals, and forts provide a living history you can almost touch. Sound plays an important part in the life of the Islands. The mix of fireworks and village band marches transforms a summer night into a special. The advantage of a stay on the Maltese Islands is that you can experience several holidays in one

 

Cuisine here is a taste of the Islands' multicultural heritage. Local restaurants offer a creative selection of tempting fare. After dinner, night clubs, wine bars and casinos beckon with their own brand of excitement.

 

To experience all this, you won't have to travel far. Just a few hours flying time away from most European cities, the Islands are serviced by direct scheduled flights operated by the national carrier and major international airlines.

 

With 7,000 years of history, the Maltese Islands are steeped in culture and heritage. The Islands went through a golden Neolithic period, the remains of which are the mysterious megalithic temples dedicated to the goddess of fertility. Later on, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Byzantines, all left their traces on the Islands.

 

In 60 A.D. St. Paul was shipwrecked on the island while on his way to Rome and brought Christianity to Malta. The Arabs conquered the islands in 870 A.D. and left an important mark on the language of the Maltese.

 

Until 1530 Malta was an extension of Sicily, the Normans, the Aragonese and other conquerors who ruled over Sicily also governed the Maltese Islands. It was Charles V who bequeathed Malta to the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem who ruled over Malta from 1530 to 1798. The Knights took Malta through a new golden age making it a key player in the cultural arena of 17th and 18th century Europe. The artistic and cultural lives of the islands were injected with the presence of artists such as Caravaggio, Mattia Preti and Favray (amongst many others) who were commissioned by the Knights to embellish churches, palaces and auberges.

 

In 1798 Bonaparte, on his way to Egypt, took over Malta from the Knights. The French presence on the islands was short lived as the English, who were requested by the Maltese to help them against the French, blockaded the islands in 1800. British rule in Malta lasted until 1964 when Malta became independent. The Maltese adapted the British system of administration, education and legislation. Malta became a Republic in 1974 and a member state of the European Union in May 2004. This legacy, unique in the Mediterranean, is reflected in the country national architecture and collections. There are so many areas of heritage and culture to be explored the 16th century masterpiece Grandmasters Palace, which is now parliament, the Sacra Infermeria, which is now a fully equipped conference centre, the St. James Centre for Creativity a superbly restored fortification where contemporary works of art are exhibited against the original rough-textured walls and rediscovered spaces. With these buildings, past and present blend into an enduring and admirable lesson in the art of living.

 

The arts have always played a large role in Maltese culture and continue to do so with cultural events occurring frequently. The National Museum of Fine Arts, housed in an exuberant Rococo building dating from the 1570, exhibits some magnificent art, ranging from the early Renaissance to modern times. Both present day established and budding artists are encouraged through support and exhibitions in public areas to celebrate their efforts. There is almost always an exhibition of some kind running.

 

Theatre and music are also very popular in the Islands. A variety of theatres and open-air venues offer an enormous ensemble of plays, musicals, operas and both classical and modern music concerts.

 

The Islands are not only a place to meet, but also an ideal location in which to do business.

 

Although Malta is a very small country, the islands have a dynamic economy based on international trade. Whereas Malta is rather dependent on Tourism, it still has a well-diversified economy based on export, manufacturing, transshipment services, maritime and financial services. Malta has a well-developed infrastructure, state-of-the-art telecommunications system and a well developed banking sector. Malta's workforce is multilingual, highly skilled, educated and provides a good return on value with high productivity and quality results.