Malta - I'm heading to Malta

I don't have an answer for you.

But you put your question in the Beyond Europe Forum. Malta is most definitely in Europe. Although Rick has not given Malta a forum of its own your question may be seen by more folks with a better chance of an answer in General Europe, our catchall Forum.

If you are interested at all in history or art, then you'll fill all your time with "must-sees." There are two huge paintings by Caravaggio in the opulent St. John's Co-Cathedral. There's a lot of history about the Crusaders, especially in the 16th century and the famous great siege of 1565, WWII history in the Lascaris War Rooms, similar to the Churchill War Rooms in London, prehistoric temples in Gozo, quaint fishing villages and lots more.

Valetta sites (too many to mention, including Grand Masters Palace, St. John's Co-Cathedral, and just walking around the fortifications, etc.), Mdina and Rabat, Gozo (only if you can make it, it may be way too much for such a short trip), good swimming/snorkling in Comino, which has beautiful light blue water but will be packed. The nice, soft sand beaches are not near Valetta, they're much further north...but I would not miss the treasures of Valetta and nearby villages on such a short trip. One of my highlights was seeing the Hypogeum but you need advanced reservations, and it wasn't the easiest to find. It was also great to see the cannon salute off the battery overlooking the harbor (Upper Barrakka Gardens near the Lascaris War Rooms). And yes, it will be blazing hot. The buses on the island are great and air conditioned. Try to stay in Valetta, the bus connections are best there.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta
http://www.visitmalta.com/

You don't have to stay in Valetta really. We stayed in Sliema in a hotel at water's edge. The bus to Valletta, or rather to the bus terminal just outside the city gates, stopped practically.at the hotel door. There are buses at the terminal to almost everywhere on the island, by the way. If you like cats you will like Malta. What I noticed were all the well fed cats lounging about in the sun. We often saw bowls of cat food here and there, put outside by residents for the feline population, thus the plump and happy pussycats.

By the way, try the Maltese pea cakes while you are there. My friends disliked them but I loved them. Might as well try a local specialty.

I think Norma is talking about pastizzi. Not good for the waistline, but otherwise good. And so inexpensive if you go to random local pastizzi shops that specialize in them.
http://www.amaltesemouthful.com/pastizzi-lets-get-rolling/

Yes, those are the ones but they called them pea cakes wherever we went in Malta.

That's the Maltese name, and they speak both English (after British rule) and Maltese. Shops (at least outside of Valetta) use the word pastizzi on the outside for easy recognition.

Malta has over 7000 years of history. There are many beautiful sites, historic places, old towns, cultural events to experience in Malta.
Check this link which lists some of the most popular and interesting sites and things to do in Malta. http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/malta-m.htm

Agnes, I knew that in Malta both English and Maltese are spoken. What I did not know until now is that the Maltese language is a Sicilian Arabic mix. No wonder it seemed so impenetrable to me.