It’s official. I’m going to Malta six months from now.

The Republic of Malta is an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily. That alone would make it splendid to visit. For me, the significant attraction is location, location, location.

Malta is 50-miles south of Italy, 176-miles east of Tunisia, and 207-miles north of Libya. Further away, but still close are – Greece, Turkey, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, France, and many more. This tiny island nation in the center of the Mediterranean and the crossroads of history is surrounded by Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. All are a ferry ride or short flight away. Malta is an ideal location for a travel writer.

The strategic location has made it a valuable naval base. Many powers have conquered and occupied Malta, including Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, French, and British. Each new conqueror left a mark on the country’s ancient culture. Today Malta is a magnificent mélange of food, music, art, architecture, language, and history.

More than one person has asked me, “Why Malta?” In addition to location and Mediterranean climate, there are a few other reasons – English and Maltese are official co-languages, the cost of living is moderate, the currency is the Euro, and it calls to me, loudly.

I’ve purchased my ticket on Virgin Air and Air Malta and started looking for a place to live for a month. I’ve reached out to Visit Malta and to Ed, an expat from the Netherlands with 10-years residency. Ed is a journalist and creator of Malta Uncovered, a travel site dedicated to helping visitors learn the Maltese ropes.

I’ll keep you posted as I add to my itinerary.
Thanks for stopping by, MaryGo

Folks Helping Me Plan My Trip to Malta
~ Visit Malta – Malta Uncovered ~

Some of My Malta ESP (eat, sleep, play)
~ Air – Virgin Atlantic – Air Malta ~

~ Travel Insurance – Allianz ~

*All photos courtesy of Visit Malta.