// JavaScript Document function puttext(tn){ if (tn == 1) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'LOCATION OF THE ISLAND'; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'Malta has a strategic location at the intersection of Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The Arcipelago of Malta consists of a cluster of three Islands in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, namely Malta, Gozo and Comino.

The Maltese Islands fall within the following co-ordinates: Northern Latitude 35 Degrees 50 Minutes - Eastern Longitude 14 Degrees 35 Minutes

Position: The distance between Malta and the nearest point in Sicily is 93km. The distance from the nearest point on the North African mainland (Tunisia) is 288km. Gibraltar is 1,826km to the west and Alexandria is 1,510km to the east.

Getting there: Malta has always been a prized treasure for many empires due to it`s strategically location between two continents. Today Malta still boasts of this advantage, even with new improvements in transport technology (by air and by sea).

* Malta has its own national Airline that operates scheduled & chartered flights to various cities all over Europe.

** Other major Airlines operate scheduled and chartered flights in and out of Malta all the year round.'; } if (tn == 2) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'VALLETTA'; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'Valletta is the capital city of Malta, and is named after Jean Parisot de la Valette, who as Grand Master of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem successfully defended the Islands from an Ottoman invasion in 1565. Valletta was founded just after the Great Siege and was built on what was then known as the Xiberras peninsula (also known as Mt. Sciberras) in order to fortify the Order`s position in Malta. Valletta is nicknamed “Il-Belt” (literal translation - “the city”) by the locals and is located in the centre of the Island of Malta facing the North East. Valletta has a population of over 6000 people and is the public transport hub of the entire Island.

From an architectural point of view Valletta consists of buildings stretching back as far as the 16th century and is mainly Baroque in character, although some other types of architecture can be found in certain areas. The fact that Valletta has two natural harbours, Marsamxett to the West and the Grand Harbour to the East, meant that during World War II it was heavily bombed by the Axis forces, as the docks and military installations around the port were legitimate targets for Axis bombers. As a result many buildings were damaged or destroyed, including the Opera House (designed by English architect Edward Middleton Barry) whose ruins can still be seen to this day.

Valletta is also home to many of Malta`s buildings of historic importance including the Auberge de Castille, formerly the official seat of the Knights of Malta of the Langue of Castille, Léon and Portugal, which is now the office of the Prime Minister of Malta. Also the Magisterial Palace, built between 1571 and 1574 and formerly the seat of the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, now houses the Maltese Parliament and offices of the President of Malta. A large number of palaces can be found in Valletta, as well as a variety of theatres, museums, gardens, forts and various places of interest. The fortifications of the Grand Harbour, built by the Knights as a magnificent series of fortified bastions, some as high 100 metres (330 ft), all contribute to the unique architectural quality of the city of Valletta making it instantly recognisable.

There are few hotels in Valletta, but it is the quality not the quantity that counts here. Valletta hotels have that special charm that few hotels on the island can have.'; } if (tn == 3) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'DISCOVER MALTA'; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'See The best way to explore Malta is hire a vehicle (you can try the public transport if you`re feeling adventurous!) and get out there, going from village to village leaving no stone unturned. You have thousands of years of history to go through, and all along the way look out for the signs of our past and origins. Park on the outskirts of a village and spend hours walking through. You will see subtle (and not so subtle) hints of Malta`s rich past wherever you look. Milestones inscribed VR and GR (Referring to King George V and VI and Queen Victoria), Old watchtowers all along the coastline dating back to the time of the Great Siege, cart ruts in San Gwann, Roman ruins in Rabat, the bastions, the list is endless and is all around us. You will also find an array of well-preserved ancient buildings from temples going back to Neolithic times, Roman era catacombs, palaces from the time of the Knights plus of course fortifications from the Second World War. So if history interests you then Malta should definitely be on your list of places to visit. Make it a long trip because there is just so much to see and do.

Taste Maltese cuisine is typically Mediterranean, and has a great deal of Italian influence due to the proximity between the two nations. However there are also Arabic, Spanish and British hints in many Maltese dishes. Having said this there are also many Maltese and Gozitan dishes which are completely unique and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Maltese bread and pastizzi are among those rarities found nowhere else, and is absolutely addictive. Indeed many travellers leave the Islands taking a Maltese recipe book with them so as to try the dishes with family and friends back home. During the summer months Al Fresco dining is extremely popular due to the mild climate, and most restaurants offer this, often on the very edge of the sea. Many resorts, such as St. Julian`s, Marsaxlokk and St. Paul`s Bay specialise in fresh fish, and are often home to a fleet of fishing boats whose catches can be on your plate mere hours after they were caught.
Enjoy If you`re a bit of a night owl then Malta has a lot to offer in the way of nightlife. Choose from an array of clubs, lounge bars, casinos and more. The little town of Paceville consists mainly of restaurants, a bowling alley, a beach, a casino, various discotheques, a large selection of lounge bars, live music venues, cinemas, basically anything to do with entertainment in all it`s forms! Everything is located in one area so the best way to get around by far is on foot. You will also find many such venues in other (coastal) resorts such as St. Julians, Bugibba, St. Paul`s Bay and Qawra. If you prefer more cultured evenings then perhaps Valletta would be more attractive to you. Besides a large choice of very good restaurants you could finish off your evening with a good play at the Manoel Theatre or perhaps take in an evening exhibition, play or niche film at the St. James Cavalier creativity centre. Whatever way you like to spend your evenings, you can be sure that you can find it in Malta!

Learn If you are keen to learn more about Malta`s rich and vibrant history, there are so many was to do this. There are varied interactive shows to watch such as the Malta Experience and the Mdina Experience to mention just two. There is a choice of a multitude of museums both in Valletta (such as the Museum of Natural History and National Museum of Archaeology which exhibit a multitude of interesting items related to life in Malta throughout it`s long and chequered history) and in most other parts of Malta. You can experience some of Malta`s more brutal past by visiting the Inquisitor`s Palace and if the sea is your thing then it`s definitely worth visiting the Malta Maritime Museum. If you would like to learn more about Malta`s ties with the Romans then it`s worth having a look at the Roman Villa in the town of Rabat, which are actually remains of an ancient Roman House and which give an idea of life under the Roman masters who ruled over the Maltese Islands at the time. There are also a huge variety of prehistoric temples and similar sites dotted all over the Islands and going back to the dawn of time. Some of these are truly the oldest known buildings in the entire world so if you want to travel back to the emergence of known civilisation then Malta is an ideal starting point. You will also find a vast number of local publications imparting the different facets of local history, customs, folklore and more. Most of these publications are available in English, although many are also available in the more commonly used European languages such as Italian, German and French.'; } if (tn == 4) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'HISTORY'; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'Malta is steeped in a very rich history and has been inhabited since about 5200BC, making it one of the oldest civilisations in the world. In fact Malta is home to some of the the oldest free standing buildings in the world, such as the temple of Hagar Qim. The Megalithic Temples of Malta are amongst the most ancient religious sites on Earth, described by the World Heritage Sites committee as "unique architectural masterpieces”.

Hagar Qim can be found close to what is today the village of Qrendi, and is thought to date from the "Ggantija phase," which is about 3600 to 3200 BC making it in excess of 5,500 years old. By comparison Stonehenge is thought to be a “youthful” 4,800 years old. The first settlers in Malta are thought to have come from the nearby Italian island of Sicily, just 60 nautical miles to the North. Later came the Phoenicians and the Greeks who named the Islands ?e?ίt? (pronounced “Melita”) meaning "honey-sweet" in reference to Malta`s endemic variety of bee. Malta is sometimes referred to as Melita to this day.

In the early 16th century, the Ottoman Empire started spreading over the region, reaching South-Eastern Europe. The Spanish king, Charles V, feared that if Rome fell to the Turks, it would mean the end of Christian Europe. In 1522, the Sultan Suleiman II drove the Knight Hospitallers of St. John out of Rhodes. They dispersed to their various prefectures throughout Europe and in the year 1530 Charles V handed over the Islands to the Knights, his intention to protect Rome from invasion from the South.

From Malta the Knights resumed their seabourne attacks of Ottoman shipping, and before long the Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent ordered a final attack on the Order. This attack took place in May 1565 and became known as "The Great Siege". After a protracted siege ended on 8 September of the same year, the Ottomans conceded defeat as the approaching winter storms threatened to prevent them from leaving. They had expected an easy victory within weeks, having 40,000 men facing the Knights` meagre 9,000, most of whom were Maltese peasant soldiers and simple citizens bearing arms.

Malta is a southern European country and consists of an archipelago situated centrally in the Mediterranean sea, about 60 miles to the south of Sicily. At just over 300km², Malta is one of Europe`s smallest countries.

Throughout history, Malta`s strategic location in the very centre of the Mediterranean has given it great importance and a sequence of powers including the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Sicilians, Knights of St John of Jerusalem, French and British have all ruled the Islands. Malta became independent from the United Kingdom in 1964 and a Republic in 1974, whilst retaining membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. It has been a member of the United Nations since 1964 and of the European Union since 2004. Malta adopted the Euro currency in January 2008.'; } if (tn == 5) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'QUICK FACTS'; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'Official name: Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta` Malta)

Location: Southern Europe, approximately 60 Miles south of Sicily
(Latitude/Longitude 35 50`N, 14 35`E)

Land Area: 320 sq km (124 sq miles)

Landforms: Mostly low, rocky land with rugged, steep coastal cliffs. No mountains or rivers.

Region: Europe

Government Type: Republic

Legal System: Based on English common law and Roman civil law

Capital City: Valletta

Largest City (Population): Birkirkara

Population: ±403,000

Official languages: Maltese, English (Most locals speak both fluently)

Other languages spoken: Italian, Arabic

Climate: Mediterranean temperate; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers

Currency: Euro (€)

Time Zone: CET (GMT +1)

Water: Tap water is perfectly safe for drinking.

Medical Care: Malta enjoys a high standard of medical care. The general hospital, Mater Dei, is in Tal-Qroqq, Msida, and you can also find a high number of government health clinics in various towns.

Shopping: Shops are usually open between the hours of 9am and 7pm with a three hour lunch break in between. (This may vary in some commercial areas where many shops remain open throughout the day until approximately 10.00pm).'; } if (tn == 6) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'GETTING AROUND'; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'There are various ways of getting around Malta, depending on your age, level of fitness and personal preference. There are no trains in Malta (although there once was a rail network many years ago).

Care Hire: Many of our guests like to hire a car as their preferred was of getting around. There are a large number of Car Hire firms in Malta (including many international names) and you can also choose to book your car with your holiday thus saving money.

Public Transport: There is the alternative of using the Maltese Public Transport network as a means of getting around. The hub of this can be found in Valletta where the intrepid traveller can find transportation to almost anywhere on the Islands. The fares are cheap although it has to be pointed out that most buses are not available late at night. The Public Transport network is however the ideal way of getting around for those travellers on a shoestring budget.

Cycling or walking: Ideally for the fitter and more adventurous, there is really no better way to see Malta than to walk and cycle around from village to village. The short distances from place to place makes this a realistic way to see the Islands, however there are disadvantages: the hilly terrain (Gozo is especially so) coupled with the intense heat in the summer months can present the very real dangers of exhaustion and dehydration and is best avoided, especially in the months of July to September.

Sea transport: There are various ways of getting around the Islands by sea. For those intending to visit Gozo during their stay in Malta or vice-versa, the Gozo Channel line provides a quick and efficient way of island hopping, car and all, with a trip that takes about 20 minutes in fair weather. There are also a number of service providers offering boat trips to various locations such as the island of Comino, around the Islands cruises, cruises around the Grand Harbour and more. There is also a pleasant way of jaunting between Sliema-Valletta-Sliema using the Sliema-Valletta ferry which offers a refreshing change from driving or catching a bus.

Karrozzin: The Karrozzin (Maltese Horse-Drawn Carriage) is quaint old-world way of travelling around and seeing the sights. You can find these cartriages in Sliema, St. Julian`s, Valletta and Mdina.

Taxi: There are various taxi services available on the Islands, the most common of which is the white taxiservice. You can book a taxi at a taxi rank, through your hotel reception of over the phone. Pre-booked airport transfers in Malta are also available.

Seaplane: A novel and exciting way to travel to and from Gozo is by seaplane. A seaplane normally canaccommodate 14 passengers and has specially modified bubble windows which is perfect for sightseeing and photography.'; } if (tn == 7) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'MUSEUMS'; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'Carmelite Church and Priory, Mdina
Located in the heart of the Silent City of Mdina, the Carmelite Priory has opened its doors to the public. The Carmelite friars who reside here invite you to experience both the spiritual and the daily way of life of their predecessors in this spectacular 17th century priory.

Casa Rocca Piccola, Republic Street, Valletta
Situated in the heart of the Capital City Valletta, Casa Rocca Piccola provides unique historical evidence into the customs and traditions of the Maltese nobility over the last 400 years. You can also see a collection of furniture, silver and paintings that add to the aesthetic riches of this country.

Cathedral Museum, Mdina
Treasures salvaged from the original earthquake cathedral are now housed in a splendid baroque palace which once served as a Diocesan seminary. The collection of paintings, prints, woodcuts and old master drawings is the legacy of Count Saverio Marchese (1757 - 1833), a wealthy patron of the arts.

Domus Romana (Roman Villa), Museum Esplanade, Rabat
Excavated in 1881, the Domus Romana provides poignant insight into the daily lives of the Roman occupiers in the first quarter of the first century BC. See first grand the well-preserved mosaics thought to be among the oldest examples from the western Mediterranean.

Lascaris War Rooms, Lascaris Ditch, Valletta (Currently closed)
A mere five minutes walk from the very heart of Valletta, this unique attraction is one of just four remaining World War II Military Operations Rooms still open for pubic viewing - another in Gibraltar is still being used and subject to top secrecy.

Limestone Heritage, Mons. Mikiel Azzopardi Street, Siggiewi
The Limestone Heritage is a living exhibition which can be found in the outskirts of the village of Siggiewi, Malta, one of the main quarrying districts in Malta. The owner is a quarryman by trade, and his family has been running and operating quarries for a number of generations. Malta Aviation Museum, Ta` Qali Malta Aviation Museum is located on the ex RAF Ta` Qali Airfield. Exhibits are housed in two 200Ft long Romney Huts and a larger hangar dedicated to the Air Battle of Malta.

Malta At War Museum, Birgu
The Malta at War Museum, in Birgu, is undoubtedly Malta`s best presented testimonial of the great ordeal suffered by the Island during World War II. The site focuses on the daily life of wartime Malta telling the story of how this tiny island managed to withstand one of the fiercest onslaughts in modern history.

Malta Classic Car Museum, Qawra
This museum houses a large collection of various vehicles (both 4 and 3 wheeled varieties) which is being continually enlarged and enhanced through continuous acquisitions. A must-see for any car enthusiast visiting a country where cars are sometimes known to spend 50+ years on the road!

Manoel Theatre and Museum - Valletta
The Manoel Theatre, although small, is Malta`s premier theatre and has a very busy schedule hosting musical and dramatic events throughout the year. The Manoel Theatre Museum is a tribute to three centuries of theatrical history on the Maltese Islands, displaying various items of memorabilia.

Maritime Museum, Birgu
The Maritime Museum of Malta at St. Lawrence Wharf was inaugurated and opened to the public in 1992. Housed in the former Naval Bakery at Vittoriosa (Birgu), the building was designed by the British architect and engineer William Scamp and was erected, between 1842 and 1845, over the site of the old covered slipways of the Knights of St.John.

Mgarr Second World War Shelter, Mgarr, Malta
Never advertised, this is a hard attraction to find. Situated beneath the Il-Barri restaurant, the Mgarr Shelter is one of the largest underground complexes of its kind in Malta, reaching a depth of up to 12 metres and extending to an overall length of over 225 metres through rough-hewn rock. Once there, you`re shown a video of some old BBC footage, setting the mood. The site speaks volumes, with its little rooms carved out by miners for a shilling a day.

National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta
The Auberge de Provence in Republic Street is the present home of this important museum. The National Museum of Archaeology highlights an exceptional array of artefacts from Malta`s unique prehistoric periods. Huge blocks of stone, sacrificial altars, statues and large earthenware vases fill most of the available space. Smaller objects are displayed in glass show-cases. These are classified in chronological order starting with the Ghar Dalam Phase (3200 BC)and proceeding to the Copper Age and Temple period (3200 - 2000BC) and the Bronze Age (2000 - 800 BC).

National Museum of Fine Arts, South Street, Valletta
The National Museum of Fine Arts houses a large and varied collection of fine arts, ranges from the early Renaissance to modern times. The collection of works from the 19th century is particularly interesting as it reflects the historical changes in the governance of the Maltese Islands to a British colony, and includes a painting of the Grand Harbour by J.M.W. Turner.

National Museum of Natural History, Mdina
Housing many historically important collections, the National Museum of Natural History is the national cache of many and varied biological specimens of all types imaginable. The collection represents both life and earth sciences with the reference collection holding rocks and minerals, birds, birds` eggs and nests, mammals, diverse fish species, as well as thousands of local and exotic shells and insects. The fossil collection contains a number of large fish and other marine fauna found embedded in limestone rocks.|

National War Museum, Fort St. Elmo, Valletta
The National War Museum can be found at the Lower Fort in the Fort St Elmo complex. It houses artifacts from both World Wars, including one of the famed Gladiator fighters which defended Malta during World War II. The entrance is by the east end of the French Curtain. The museum houses a small and poignant collection with exhibits from 1798 to 1945. The pièce de résistance is the George Cross, awarded to the whole population on April 15, 1942.

Palace Armoury, Merchants Street, Valletta
The Palace Armoury is one of the world`s greatest arms collections housed in their original buildings, and ranks among the most valuable historic monuments of European culture. Although only a fraction of its original splendour, the Armoury still contains abundant material of Italian, German, French and Spanish origin from principal arms production centres dating back to before, during and after the Great Siege.

St John`s Co-Cathedral Museum, St. John`s Street, Valletta
On display are treasures of the Knights, including vestments, portraits of Grand Masters (look out for Antoine de Favray`s rendition of the decadent Pinto), tapestries and the monstrance built to hold the reliquary of the right hand of St. John the Baptist. The Cathedral Museum contains a number of notable items, including 14 Flemish tapestries after cartoons by Peter Paul Rubens and Poussin.

Toy Museum, Republic Street, Valletta
The Toy Museum in Valletta houses an impressive private collection of model cars, planes and boats from the 1950s, as well as dolls, farmyard animals and train sets. Set on three floors it houses Maltese as well as toys from all over the world from the 1950s onward.

Wignacourt Museum, Rabat
The Wignacourt Museum is housed in a baroque palace just outside Mdina and Rabat, not far from where St. Paul`s Grotto is located, together with the crypt and the Parish church both dedicated to St. Paul. This site presents a wealth of historical material comprising archaeological artifacts, old maps and books, sculpture, coins, furniture, delicately embroidered vestments, drawings as well as a baroque chapel, an underground air raid shelter and catacombs all under one roof.'; } if (tn == 8) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'VISUAL SHOWS'; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'Gozo 360. Citadel Theatre, Castle Hill, Victoria, Gozo
Gozo 360 brings centuries of Gozitan history to life revealing the unmatched beauty of the island`s countryside, coast, sights and sounds as well as introducing you to the Islanders themselves. The photography is exceptional and the whole programme is seamlessly woven together into an experience which will assuage your feelings for this special and unique island.

Mdina Dungeons, Mdina
These underground dungeons at Mdina recreate the darker aspects of Malta`s history. They are located beneath Vilhena Palace just inside the main entrance to Mdina. The figures in the dungeons portray the ingenuous cruelty of humankind expressed in torture – the dramatic scenes from the ancient past and the characters who were either the victims or the executioners. Here in these series of secret underground passageways, chambers and cells are recorded various events, and the often mysterious circumstances surrounding them. Enter at your own risk!

Mdina Experience, Mesquita Square, Mdina
The Mdina Experience, an audio-visual spectacular of 3000 years of Malta`s history compressed into an approximately 30-minute enthralling show, is housed in an extremely well converted old building incorporating a ground-floor café and souvenir shop.

The Knights Hospitallers, Medierranean Conference Centre, Valletta
A unique walk-through attraction detailing the history and the work of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem in Malta, most notably their role as a Hospitaller Order of Chivalry in the medieval period on the island of Malta. Beneath the `Sacra Infermeria` (as the Holy Infirmary was then known) and on the actual site of the historic hospital you will discover the chivalrous world of the renowned Hospitaller Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta.

The Great Siege of Malta and The Knights of St. John
The most technologically advanced sound system guides you through this interactive experience available in 14 languages. This multi-lingual and audio-visual tour will take 45-action-packed minutes to walk through. All is synchronized to video, lighting and special effects, including the bringing to life the ghost of La Valette - the Grand Master at the time of the Great Siege in 1565.

The Malta Experience Valletta
The Malta Experience has delighted over four million visitors since it opened in the 1980s. The Malta Experience attraction is situated in Malta`s Capital Valletta could be listened to in 15 different languages. The Show is continuously updated using state-of-the-art technology to ensure that the production stays up to the minute.

Sacred Island, Dar l-Emigrant, Castille Square, Valletta
Sacred Island is a 40-minute multimedia show that charts the history of religion in Malta. The show is narrated in Maltese, English, Italian, French, German, Spanish and Russian.

St James Cavalier (Centre for Creativity), Castille Place, Valletta
St James Cavalier is one of the finest and most versatile venues in Malta. The thick sandstone walls of this old fort built by the Knights of St. John have been beautifully restored, and the vaulted galleries contain some of the finest examples of contemporary art and photography. It is an ideal place to visit during the day with the family to view some of the permanent displays or enjoy a meal. It is also an exciting night destination to watch films and plays as well as to enjoy concerts of all types of contemporary and classical music.'; } if (tn == 9) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'HISTORIC BUILDINGS'; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'Casa Bernard, Rabat
Sumptuously furnished with period furniture, this late 16th Century Palazzo has great character and is perfectly preserved, having been recently restored to its former splendour. The home of a Maltese noble family. still lived in today, offers guided tours daily, except Sundays & public holidays.

Casa Rocca Piccola, Valletta
Casa Rocca Piccola is still privately owned and is a much loved family home. Over the last few years a Museum of Costume has been added. World War II Air Raid Shelters have provided a dramatic and exciting addition to the tours of the house. All this has all been made possible from the contributions that come in from the thousands of tourists who come to Malta and Valletta every year.

Fort Rinella, Kalkara
Fort Rinella, in Kalkara, was built in 1878. This fort is not only a unique remnant of Malta`s recent British colonial past,. Combining lively historical re-enactments with expert commentary this tour offers you a unique window into the past life of the late 19th century Victorian garrison in this coastal fort.

Fort St Angelo, Birgu
On their arrival in Malta in 1530, the Knights chose to settle in Birgu, and Fort St Angelo became the seat of the Grand Master`s military might. They made this their primary fortification and substantially reinforced and remodelled it, making it a formidable stronghold. Fort St Angelo bravely withstood the Ottoman Turks during the Great Siege of Malta, though in the aftermath of that siege the Knights built the fortified city of Valletta on Mount Sciberras across the other side of Grand Harbour.

Grand Master`s Palace, Valletta
Dominating Palace Square, the Grand Master`s Palace has always been the house of government in Malta, presently hosting the President`s office. When parliament is not in session the palace can be visited free of charge. Within its walls is the famous Council Chamber, adorned with valuable Gobelins tapestries woven in France for Grand Master Ramón Perellos y Roccaf. The other rooms and passages of the palace are splendidly furnished with objects d`art, old coats of arms as well as armour. Particularly notable are the former Hall of the Supreme Council of the Knights, which hosts fine frescoes and the Hall of the Ambassadors, where portraits of Grand Masters and European rulers can be found.

Manoel Theatre, Valletta
The 300-year-old Manoel Theatre is a compact, bustling six-hundred and twenty-three seat venue, with a lavish, oval-shaped auditorium, three tiers of boxes constructed entirely of wood and decorated with 22- carat gold leaf. Hidden behind an austere facade that is fully in keeping with Valletta`s Mannerist architecture, is a richly adorned, glorious Rococo interior. Despite numerous alterations over the years, it retains many of its old architectural features, such as the white Carrara marble staircase, shell-shaped niches, and Viennese chandeliers. The Theatre has a very busy schedule and hosts musical anddramatic events throughout the year.

National Library, Valletta
The idea of a public Library in Malta originated in 1555 with the issue of a decree by Fra` Claude de la Sengle, Grand Master of the Order of St. John, whereby all books in the legacy of deceased knights were to pass to the Common Treasury of the Order. It was not until 1776, however, that the formal foundation of a Bibliotheca Publica was decreed at the Chapter General of the Order convened by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan.

Palazzo Falson, Mdina
Palazzo Falson is a typical two-storey medieval palace fashioned on Sicilian examples of its period, and is one of the imposing Palazzi built by the Sicilian, Spanish and local nobility in Mdina. The Palazzo consists of a series of rooms encircling an internal courtyard, and an overlying piano-nobile which contained the original living quarters.

Palazzo Parisio, Naxxar
Described as “a miniature Versailles”, Palazzo Parisio is a historic palace at the heart of the Maltese village of Naxxar, facing the baroque parish church dedicated to Our Lady in Victory Square. The interiors are rich with fine frescoes, magnificent marble, mirrored walls, trompes de l`oeil, rare paintings and extravagant gilding. The internationally recognised landscaped gardens, which are acclaimed as being among the finest in Europe, further reflect the splendour of this gracious home.

Sacra Infermeria, Valletta
The Sacra Infermeria (Holy Infirmary) occupies a large site which overlooks the Grand Harbour, very near Fort St. Elmo. This hospital, one of the first buildings of Valletta, started to function in 1574 under Grand Master Jean de la Cassiere.

St Agatha`s Catacombs, Rabat
These Catacombs were not intended to be hiding places during persecutions of Christians, nor as living quarters. They were underground cemeteries consisting of long narrow corridors with tombs on each side and vaults. Some of the tombs are even decorated with reliefs and frescoes. Most of the tombs were used for the internment of two people. Sometimes a double tomb has a thin wall separating one from the other. At times they are put side by side, and not only two, but even three, four or five persons were buried in the same grave.'; } if (tn == 10) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'PREHISTORIC SITES'; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'The list below consists of prehistoric sites and temples that can be found in Malta.

Borg in-Nadur Temples, Birzebbuga
Bronze Age Wall, Birzebbuga
Cart Ruts, San Gwann
Cart Ruts, Ta` Cenc, Gozo
Cart Ruts, Buskett (Known as Clapham Junction)
Ggantija Temples, Xaghra, Gozo
Ghar Dalam, Birzebbuga
Ghar il-Kbir, Dingli
Hagar Qim Temples, Qrendi
Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni, Paola
Kordin III, Paola
Mnajdra Temples, Qrendi
Skorba Temples, Zebbiegh
Ta` Hagrat Temples, Mgarr
Tas-Silg, Marsaxlokk
Tarxien Temples, Tarxien'; } if (tn == 11) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'OTHER PLACES'; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'These are some more things you can add to your list of things to see and do while on holiday in Malta.

Crafts Village, Ta` Qali
Citadel, Banca Giuratale, Independence Square, Victoria, Gozo
Dingli Cliffs, Dingli
Mosta Dome (Rotunda), Mosta
Victoria Lines
Meridiana Wine Estate, Ta` Qali
Farsons` Brewery, Mriehel
De Redin Watchtowers (All along the coastline)
The Inland Sea, Dwejra, Gozo
Fungus Rock, Dwejra, Gozo'; } if (tn == 12) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'EATING OUT'; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'Maltese cuisine is typically Mediterranean, and has a great deal of Italian influence due to the proximity between the two nations. However there are also Arabic, Spanish and British hints in many Maltese dishes. Having said this there are also many Maltese and Gozitan dishes which are completely unique and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Maltese bread is one of those rarities found nowhere else, and is absolutely addictive. Indeed many travellers leave the Islands taking a Maltese recipe book with them so as to try the dishes with family and friends back home.

During the summer months Al Fresco dining in Malta is extremely popular due to the mild climate, and most restaurants in Malta offer this, often on the very edge of the sea. Many resorts specialise in fresh fish, and are often home to a fleet of fishing boats whose catches can be on your plate mere hours after they were caught. Examples include St. Julians, Marsaxlokk and St. Paul`s Bay.'; } if (tn == 13) { document.getElementById('title').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= ''; document.getElementById('maintext').rows[0].cells[0].innerHTML= '' + 'List of cities, towns and villages in Malta & Gozo:

Attard, Bahar ic-Caghaq, Bahrija, Balzan, Bidnija, Birgu, Birkirkara, Birzebbuga, Bormla, Burmarrad, Comino, Dingli, Fgura, Floriana, Fontana, Ghajnsielem, Gharghur, Ghasri, Ghaxaq, Gudja, Gzira, Hamrun, Iklin, Isla, Kalkara, Kercem, Kirkop, Lija, Luqa, Madliena, Maghatab, Manikata, Marsa, Marsalforn, Marsascala, Mdina, Mellieha, Sta Maria Estate, Mgarr (Malta), Mgarr (Gozo), Mosta, Mqabba, Msida, Mtarfa, Munxar, Nadur, Naxxar, Paceville, Paola, Pembroke, Qala, Qormi, Qrendi, Rabat, Safi, San Gwann, San Lawrenz, Sannat, Siggiewi, Sliema , St.Julians, St.Lucia, St.Pauls Bay, St.Venera, Swieqi, Ta Xbiex, Tarxien, Valletta, Victoria, Wardija, Xaghra, Xewkija, Xghajra, Xlendi, Zabbar, Zebbug (Malta), Zebbug (Gozo), Zejtun'; } }