Island of serenity

Malta may be small but this Mediterranean gem is big on culture, cuisine and charm, writes Shereen Low in Aberdeen's Press & Journal

Once associated with wave-ruling Britannia and latterly seen as a holiday retreat for pensioners, Malta has tried hard to shake off its British colonial and somewhat stuffy past, and the country we see today is very different. Malta has become a romantic haven for couples, both young and old, all yearning to escape from the hustle and bustle of the urban landscape and seeking a bit of privacy from the usual touristy hotspots of Paris, Venice and the Greek islands.

One of my girlfriends even recalled the story of how her boyfriend – now husband – proposed to her on the beautiful Maltese shores...With a new, younger Malta in mind, as well as the idea of getting away from gloomy British weather, my boyfriend and I booked a long weekend here..

Beach bunnies can while away time at the hotel’s pool, but culture vultures should travel around the island, making sure to include Valletta and the “silent city” of Mdina, to explore Malta’s historical background.

One of the greatest sights is Valletta’s spectacularly cinematic Grand Harbour with its honey-coloured spires and bastions, where little has changed through the centuries. If it looks familiar, that’s because film epics such as Gladiator, Troy and The Count Of Monte Cristo used it as a backdrop..

It’s worth noting that Malta follows the Mediterranean practice of siesta, and the whole island shuts down between 1pm and 4pm, and even when night sets in, Malta remains largely an island of serenity...It may be tiny in size, but Malta is big in promise, offering visitors an abundance of culture, cuisine and charm.