Seniors Amazed By Malta

Malta, a southern European country in the Mediterranean Sea, is 80 km south of Sicily and 333 km north of Libya. Seniors find Malta to be one of the world’s smallest and most densely populated countries. There is history galore in Malta… it is in the heart of the Mediterranean and a melting pot of civilizations with a history stretching back thousands of years.

The country has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant prehistoric civilization existed on the islands prior to the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven. The capital city,  Valletta, a piece of living history, was founded in 1565 by the Order of St John as a refuge for soldiers returning from the Crusades.

Valletta is named for Jean Parisot de la Valette, a French nobleman who was Grand Master of the Order of St. John and leader of the defenders during the Turkish siege of Malta in 1565. Valletta, with an unsurpassed collection of original Baroque architecture and fortified city walls overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the massive number of historical buildings found in a tiny space. That says to jeb come on over and visit.

Senior Historians Delight in Malta

Saint Julian’s is a popular senior vacation spot on the coast of Malta. The small town successfully blends its fishing village charm with its tourist center. Latin architecture, such as Spinola Palace, built in 1688, and the Old Parish Church are popular historical sites. TripAdvisor has an interesting array of choices for seniors to check out on Malta. 

The Hypogeum of Paola is said to be the oldest burial site in the world dating back to the Middle Bronze Age. In fact, it’s around 3000 years old and only a dozen people are allowed inside it every day so, you do feel like a very important person when visiting the Hypogeum.

Three famous monuments are the Co-Cathedral of St. John, the Upper Baracca Gardens and what is called The Three CIties. With 7000 years of history and only 3 hours flight from the UK, the Maltese islands – Malta, Gozo and Comino offer the perfect backdrop for a holiday escape.

So seniors, come and discover the heart of the Mediterranean in Malta. It is a fascinating place and on my travel bucket list. The azure waters around Malta are just unbelievable.  jeb