The climate offers all-year-round sun amid some of the Mediterranean's clearest waters and the chance to savour real outdoor living any season. Malta and its sister Islands, Gozo and Comino, provide as many types of breaks as you desire. If you are seeking to explore new business ideas, combine a conference with time to relax, or simply wish to try a specialist holiday, the Islands have moods, places, and activities to match. Malta gives you the comfort of international standards with the chance to discover a kaleidoscope of European heritage. The archipelago is one of the most fascinating and unforgettable destinations: it is a microcosm of Europe with the added advantage only islands can offer - stunning land and sea scapes and a real feeling of escapism.

The Archipelago attracts visitors from Europe, the United States, Japan, and many other nations. They soon find something in common - a fascination for a small country with a unique place in civilization and exuberance for living life today.

The ancient people of the Neolithic Era fathered Malta's culture several thousand years ago. They developed into avid and refined temple builders and followed a profound culture. The fact that the Maltese Islands have been colonised for several thousands of years has led to an incredible cultural heritage being accumulated throughout the ages, such as the Neolithic Temples at Ggantija in Gozo, dating from around 3600BC.

At the end of the Punic Wars, towards the latter part of the last millennium before Christ, the Maltese Islands became part of the Roman Empire, with their inhabitants being granted the right to call themselves "Citizens Of Rome". Count Roger The Norman reached Malta's shores in 1091 bringing an end to Arab rule and restoring Christianity. Roger gave the Maltese a piece of his red and white chequered flag, which are still our National Colours.

Without any shadow of doubt, the period during which the Knights of St. John ruled Malta is the golden era of the Island's chequered history. The Knights enhanced Malta's national patrimony with the building of splendid baroque edifices such as Selmun Castle. Grand Master Jean Parisot De La Vallette is widely recognised as the most valiant and courageous Grand Master to rule our Islands. It was him who led the Knights to victory over the Ottoman forces who had besieged the Island for over three months.

After the French were expelled from Malta in 1800, British rule was established for over 150 years. Horatio Nelson, the first Sea Lord of the navy visited the Islands in the early 19th century before proceeding towards Egypt for the Battle of the Nile.

The British Era was one of peace and prosperity during which the Maltese were gradually granted a say in the running of their own country, until the attainment of independence in 1964.