14 December 2023 , 11:38
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A beautiful city in southern Europe is packed full of beautiful, historical streets and is lucky enough to have a balmy climate even in the winter.
Valletta is the capital of Malta, an island which sits off the tip of Sicily with winter weather from around 17-23C. It has long been a popular place for British holidaymakers to go, in no small part due to English being one of two official languages there.
A little over 200 years since Malta became a British colony, and 59 years since it was granted independence, those links remain strong. Being just three hours from UK airports, the appeal of visiting the sun-drenched island is easy to understand. Throw in December temperatures that can hit 23C, and you have a fairly ideal winter break destination.
Valletta is not a place to made for sitting in the sun or idling at the beach however. While there are plenty of places ideal for both activities, the city has far too many intriguing things to see for too much of that.
The whole of Valetta is a UNESCO heritage site (Getty Images)Four decades ago it was granted UNESCO World Heritage site status, with the organisation judging it to be an "ideal fortified town". Valletta was founded in the 16th century by the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and has undergone very little alteration in its urban fabric and its architecture since then.
You can get paid £2,000 to go on holiday and post about it on social media
A huge number of important monuments have been kept intact, giving the impression of walking back in time when you step ashore.
Pleasant afternoons in the winter sun can be spent leisurely strolling along the picturesque waterfront lined with shops, restaurants, and historical architecture, or wandering down Republic Street, the main, vibrant boulevard.
The Lascaris War Rooms delve into Malta's wartime history by taking visitors into underground chambers and tunnels used during World War II, when the Allied Forces led by the RAF successfully defended the island from an incredibly intense, two year bombing campaign from the Nazis and Fascist Italy.
Malta was considered of vital strategic importance when a new front opened up in north Africa in 1940 and its remaining in Allied hands a key part of their eventual victory.
The Fort St. Elmo in Valletta played a role in another key military campaign - the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, when a small group of knights and foot soldiers resisted the forces of the then mighty Ottoman Empire.
If things are getting a little too bloody, then Malta's prehistoric past can be explored with artefacts spanning 5,000 years, including the iconic Venus of Malta, at the National Museum of Archaeology. More modern history is brought to life through the Malta Experience, which immerses visitors in the island's rich heritage through a multimedia show.
The Manoel Theatre is another spot not to be missed, due to its incredible Baroque architecture and status as one of Europe's oldest working theatres.
All of these intriguing points of Malta's long history are perhaps secondary to its natural beauty. The city offers breath-taking panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea from its rocky outcrops and beaches. The Citadel offers one of the very best views of Malta. Make it to the top and you are rewarded with a 360-degree panoramic view of the island.