Verdala Palace is a palace in the Buskett Gardens, limits of Siġġiewi, Malta. It was built in 1586 during the reign of Hugues Loubenx de Verdalle, and it now serves as the official summer residence of the President of Malta.

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. It’s a nation known for historic sites related to a succession of rulers including the Roman’s, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British. It has many fortresses, megalithic temples and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean complex of halls and burial chambers dating to circa 4000 B.C.

 The country is a very rugged island, and it reminds me of the island of Crete, the weather can also be harsh last week of July through to the second week of August. However, the weather is very nice.

 Holding the esteemed title of the European City of Culture for 2018, Valletta oozes cultural heritage, elegance and nobility.

On the 13th of October 2012, Valletta was announced as The European City of Culture for 2018. This prestigious title reflects the incredibly rich cultural heritage of this Baroque masterpiece. 

The fortified city, built by Jean Parisot de la Vallette, a Grand Master of the Knights of St John, is dense with architectural and artistic examples of a storied past. But the honour given to Valletta is more than an acknowledgement of its well preserved past – Valletta is a living city with a vibrancy all its own. A brimming café culture, art installations and exhibits, open squares, and a thriving market, all contribute to making Valletta much more than a living museum.

The city is changing constantly and nowhere is this clearer than the upgrading of Valletta’s entrance. This monumental project combines a redesigning of the city’s entrance gate with the building of a new, modern parliament. The work also includes the transformation of a historic theatre that had been abandoned since its devastation in World War Two and the creation of a new square: Piazza de Valette.

They set the Valletta 2018 Foundation up to pilot Malta’s successful bid, and it is this organisation that has created the ambitious vision for Valletta in 2018. They base the vision on four thematic elements: Generations, Routes, Cities and Islands. During 2018, Valletta will organise several events that will serve as an inspiration to other cities based on these elements.

There are all the usual tours to take, but one I have seen nowhere else in the world is the Electric Talking Car. It’s got to be worth doing just to tell your friends you were eco-friendly. Also, I would recommend nobody that has walking difficulties to take a walking tour of Valletta as there are some very steep streets.

Another place to visit is Gozo island, Gozo is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, one of 21 that make up the Maltese archipelago. Inhabited for thousands of years, it shows evidence of historic immigration and rule by the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Sicilians, French and British, among others. It’s known for its Neolithic Ġgantija Temple ruins, rural hiking paths, beaches and scuba-diving sites. On the way to Gozo you will stop at the blue Lagoon which is a fantastic site.

We have been to Malta twice and the second time was to confirm the local’s attitude to the English. They are friendly, helpful and kind, well most of them. It is a country we could life in, however, you can find less expensive countries to live in, and for us they are tired up to the European Union so as I have said before, we would not want to live in any European Union country.