blue
Malta MEDITERRANEAN SEA
yonder There’s something for everyone on the Mediterranean island of Malta WORDS CLAIRE GOODALL
weather
AVERAGES FOR VALLETTA
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
10
11
12
13
14
15
14
13
12
11
10
10
MAX
15
15
17
19
23
27
30
30
28
24
20
17
MIN
9
9
10
12
15
19
21
22
20
17
14
11
80
55
37
20
7
3
0
6
36
86
70
99
KEY: Hours of daylight Average rainfall (mm) *Statistics based on monthly averages Weather information provided by weather2travel.com
ISLAND LIFE The Maltese archipelago consists of three main islands: Malta itself – the biggest and busiest island – sleepy, rustic Gozo, and tranquil Comino. Comino, with its famous Blue Lagoon, is a popular day’s sailing trip. Most operators offer barbecues on deck and a chance to plunge into the limpid waters of the inland sea. On Gozo, wander around the capital Victoria, and enjoy the view from its imposing Citadel. Take a boat trip from Dwejra to the towering arch of the Azure Window. And check out the Ggantija Temples – dating back to 3500BC, these are among the world’s oldest structures. This is also the place to get outdoors. Cycle
Claire Goodall / TNT Images
JAN
T
here’s a quality to the Mediterranean’s blue that sets it apart from other seas: an extra hue of indigo in the middle distance; a hint of aquamarine at the foreshore. There are few better places to ponder this phenomenon than Ramla Bay on Malta’s island of Gozo. Which was just as well for Odysseus, who – legend has it – was kept prisoner here for seven years by the enchantress Calypso. You might not need seven years to appreciate Malta’s myriad charms, but at just three hours’ flight from London, it’s an ideal destination for a short break.
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FINAL 1338 TRAV SB Malta 68 69.i68 68
17/4/09 09:46:31