Archipelago Lotion

The trees lost their leaves, it rains, the winter sun often has to fight against the gray sky and you did get the winter blues. Life should not be sad, I found - not when I can take a winter holiday in Malta.

Malta is a small archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea near Sicily, only 15 miles long. Small in size but big in character, the Maltese islands of Malta and Gozo are great places to visit throughout the year.

The climate in winter is one of the best in the Mediterranean, sweet with a little rain, but a decent amount of sun and summer the island is hot and dry. If dry as a desert Malta almost like appearance, but visit in winter and you will find a beautiful green island contrasts with wild flowers in full bloom. It's warm enough in winter to be able to wear summer clothes during the day but do not forget to pack woolens and a coat for cooler evenings. tanning lotion will also be needed, but you do not have to worry about mosquitoes during the winter.

Malta is not an expensive holiday destination and prices are very comparable to other Mediterranean destinations. As with other stations if you take a holiday in Malta for Christmas and New Year expect to pay a high price for that period of 2 weeks and off season rates throughout the rest of the winter. The cost of living is reasonable, I went there more than once on a scarily small budget and go home happy and with money to spare.

What I like most Maltese are friendly people of Malta. Always so friendly and helpful, I was treated like an old friend near the first. I did not find unusual to be befriended and taken on the island and invited into homes of Malta. I've even been offered free accommodation for my next visit Islanders friendly. Be careful if expensive - men like Maltese hot date!

During the winter, the best places to stay are the towns of Sliema and St Julians, because they are busier and more off-season. I like St Julians because of the nightlife, but Sliema is best for shopping and you can take the ferry from Valletta the capital from there. Since they are not far apart and it's a nice refreshing walk along the coastline there is no question that much to me where I find.

You find suitable accommodation for all pockets - 5 star hotels, villas, guesthouses, self catering apartments and even an all-inclusive in Sliema. I stayed in most apartments, because I want to do my own thing. Everywhere I've been housing was clean, comfortable and hassle free.

Although the Maltese is the mother tongue, English is so widespread that the communication is not a problem. I was surprised at my first visit 20 years ago regularly hear phrases from the popular UK TV being overused. Imagine paying for a drink and the bartender saying 'Lovely Jubbly' when they hand you your change - which seemed so unreal.

As Malta is now a member of the European Union has changed the currency of the Maltese lira to the euro. I'd better save a few dollars now that I wrote about my favorite winter destination, and look online for a contract for another of my holiday in Malta. All I have to decide is when to go - off peak hours and save the brass or pay full price for Christmas when she's really beautiful with glorious paintings for window decoration.