Table of ContentsIntroduction ixPART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1Chapter 1 History 3Overview 3, The earliest settlers: 5000-4100bc 3,Temple period: 4100-2500bc 4, Bronze Age: 2500-8thcentury bc 6, Phoenicians and Carthaginians: 8th century bc-218bc 7, Romans and Byzantines: 218bc-ad870 8, The Arabs: 870-1090 9, Medieval Malta: 1090-1530 9,The Knights of Malta: 1530-1798 10, The French:1798-1800 15, The British: 1800-1964 15, Independent Malta: 1964-ongoing 20Chapter 2 Background Information 21Geography and geology 21, Climate 23, Natural history and conservation 23, Government and politics 28, Economy 29, People and migration 29, Language 30, Religion 31, Education 31, Arts and crafts 31,Festa 33, Sports and activities 34, National/public holidays and other events 35Chapter 3 Practical Information 39When to visit 39, Highlights and itineraries 40,Choosing a base 42, Tourist information 43, Tour operators 45, Red tape 47, Getting there and away 49, Health and safety 50, Malta for families 53, Disabled travellers 55, Gay Malta 56, What to take 57, Money and budgeting 57, Getting around 59, Accommodation 63, Eating and drinking 64, Shopping 68, Arts and entertainment 69, Museums and historic sites 70, Sports and activities 71, Photography 76, Media and communications 77, Business 79, Buying property 80, Cultural etiquette 80, Travelling positively 80Chapter 4 Planning for Your Interests 83Prehistoric Malta and the temples 83, Roman/Byzantine Malta 87, Fortifications 89, World War II 92, Churches 93, Swimming, snorkelling and diving 95, Birdwatching 100, Spas 104PART TWO THE GUIDE 107Chapter 5 Valletta 109History 110, Getting there and away 110, Gettingaround 112, Tourist information 112, Where to stay 112,Where to eat and drink 116, Other practicalities 119,What to see and do 119, Floriana 147Chapter 6 The Three Cities 151Getting there and away 151, Where to stay 154, Where toeat 154, Birgu/Vittoriosa 155, L-Isla/Senglea 164, Bormla/Cospicua 165, Around the Three Cities 167Chapter 7 Sliema, St Julian's and Paceville 169Practicalities 169, Sliema 169, St Julian's (San Giljan) andPaceville 175Chapter 8 Southeast Malta 181Zabbar 181, Tarxien temples 182, Hal SaflieniHypogeum 187, Kordin III temples 188, Zejtun 189,Marsaskala/Marsascala 189, Marsaxlokk 191, DelimaraPeninsula and swimming 193, Birzebbuga 194.