From crusaders to cruise lines

Mediterranean cruising dreams come alive while sailing along the Grand Harbour of Valletta, writes Rob Dunlop in The Sydney Morning Herald:

The skyline of churches, spires, palaces and tiers of homes with traditional timber balconies is a treasure trove of honey-coloured stone cascading down to deep blue waters. The 250 cruise ships that visit each year almost topple over as passengers lean starboard to soak up the delights of the tiny World Heritage-listed city..

When ships dock, daytrippers flow along the tree-lined waterfront, an attractive promenade of cafes and shops. It takes about 15 minutes to weave along the steep, narrow streets and cobbled passageways into the fortress city built on a ridge.

Along the streets, you see fixtures that would not be out of place in London - red postboxes, red timber telephone booths and signage for Her Majesty's Voice (HMV). Other legacies include greasy spoons, chippies, pale ale, snooker tables, football, early closing and war memorials. English shares the spot, along with Maltese, as the official language.

But there is another, more mysterious symbol that appears throughout the city: the Maltese Cross. Although it has become a national symbol of Malta, it was used by the Knights of St John, the powerful warrior monks who sailed the Mediterranean and fought in the Crusades...