destination unknown friday

in this latest installment of "destination unknown friday", i've decided to take an ambitious step in choosing a place 1) i've never been, and 2) know very little about. but if you think about it, isn't that what makes voyages exciting?

Valetta, Malta

The city of Valette lies on the central-eastern shore of Malta, and according to the Maltese tourist website (http://www.visitmalta.com/the-maltese-islands), Malta lies 93km south of Sicily and 288km north of Africa.

The history of Malta dates back to about 5,200 BCE with stone-age farmers. Beginning in 700 BCE, when the ancient Greeks landed, it forever became a stepping stone of nations traversing the Mediterranean. Most notably, it was the location of St. Paul's ship wreck, made famous in the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible. It was consecutively under the rule of the Romans, the Byzantines, the Goths, the Arabs, the Holy Roman Empire, the Knights of St John (later the Knights of Malta), Napoleon, the British Empire, and finally acheiving independence in 1964. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta)

The city of Valetta (official name: II-Belt Valletta) was first founded in 1565 after the Knights of St John (a.k.a. the Knights Hospitaller) fought off invaders from Ottoman Turks, and the foundations were laid in 1566 "built on top of a hill Mount Sceberras, and surrounded by harbours or the seas on 3 sides giving magnificent view from strategic points of it's formidable fortifications, possibly the best medieval fortifications in the world, and still almost entirely intact." (http://www.malta-info.co.uk/resorts/valletta.htm)

The surrounding Medterranean Sea is ideal for the adventuresome diver, or in my case, the knee-deep wader...or staring at the water with a glass of wine in my hand.

The other islands in the Maltese island chain, Gozo and Comino, are close enough to make a day-trip. From the Malta tourist website; "Gozo is extremely popular with both locals and tourists alike for its serenity and quiet beauty. Often referred to as “the land where time stood still”, Malta’s sister Island is excellent walking country. One of the best walks is along Dingli Cliffs. These cliffs offer remarkable coastal views. The island of Comino was once reportedly the hideout of pirates and smugglers and is only 2.5km (1.6mi) by 1.5km (0.95mi) in size, so it’s ideal for a good day’s hiking and the ultimate in solitude and views." The obvious danger in this, of course, is never wanting to come back.

(http://www.visitmalta.com/natural-escapes-expierence)

Having once been the home of the Knights Hospitaller, it may come as no surprise that Malta also advertises a vast medical tourist business. Offering procedures ranging from dental, hip and knee replacement, eye treatments, and physiotherapy, to name just a few.(http://www.visitmalta.com/selection_of_services_and_treatments)

They had me at "solitude and views".....