WHY IT’S SPECIAL

Valletta is one of Europe’s cutest capitals: a tiny, 16th-century citadel city with Unesco World Heritage status, surrounded by bastion walls and sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Flanked by its Grand Harbour,

Valletta is packed with historic sights – the dazzling baroque interior of St John’s Co-Cathedral; Fort St Elmo; the Auberges of the Knights – but recently it has emerged dramatically into the 21st century. Its City Gate has been remodelled by Renzo Piano, and new boutique hotels, restaurants and bars are popping up all over the place.

After a few days in Valletta, head to Mdina, another citadel city at the heart of the island, and check into the 17th-century Xara Palace. Wander its maze of tiny streets to see more palazzi, churches, museums, and a cracking view from bastion-top Fontanella

Café. Once most visitors have left for the day, you get to see the so-called

“Silent City” when it really is, and feel like one of Mdina’s noble residents.

YOU’LL NEVER FORGET...

The panoramic view of the Grand Harbour from on top of the bastions of Valletta, heralded by British marshal music and the firing of the Saluting Battery cannons at sunrise or sunset.

INSIDER TIP

On Friday night, head down to the Bridge Bar to join locals lazing on the limestone steps, with a beer or a cocktail, and listening to live jazz.

HOW TO DO IT

British Airways (ba.com), Air Malta (airmalta.com) and easyJet (easyjet. com) all fly direct to Malta.