The hot, sunny climate in Malta is ideal for outdoor adventures – whether you want to get active or unwind. For a relaxing villa holiday, Malta’s wonderful cliff and countryside holiday walking routes enable you to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of its stunning scenery on foot. Sailing, snorkelling, windsurfing and fishing are also popular leisure activities. Whether you explore Malta by hiking, horse-back riding or mountain bike, its wonderful features and stunning views can be seen from every vantage point.

Traditional cooking in Malta is rich with Moorish and Sicilian influences. Typical dishes include tomato and wine sauces with pasta and fish - and rich pastries and desserts of ricotta, almonds and figs. Cool romantic courtyards offer the perfect setting to dine al fresco on your villa holiday. Choose from romantic palazzos to Malta’s bustling harbour restaurants – or a local village bar for hearty, traditional food. Fine wines from native grapes and excellent local beers are produced here, while giant vegetables and fresh fish can be found in the colourful village markets.

Baroque cities, medieval towns and prehistoric temples are all memorable backdrops to explore in Malta. Here, you’ll be able to retrace the footsteps of St Paul and the Knights of St John. Dozens of fiestas are held in celebration of local saints, with flag-bedecked streets, parades and dazzling fireworks during the summer holiday season. Napoleon and British royalty have all set foot in Malta, leaving their historic imprint to this day. You’ll discover red pillar boxes, tea rooms, pubs and familiar old cars driven on the left - all giving a villa holiday on this island a distinctly colonial feel.

From sultry summer jazz festivals to lively village carnivals and fiestas, you’ll find Malta offers a surprisingly rich and varied choice of entertainment. The island’s year-round calendar of local events range from classical to modern, and cater to every cultural taste – ensuring that you can experience a true taste of Malta on your villa holiday. Open air concerts, contemporary theatre and the latest cinematic art house and blockbuster releases are also available to enjoy here.

• Go shopping in the capital, Valetta and explore the upper Barrakka gardens overlooking the Grand harbour.

• Pop along to Popeye Village - the film set for the 80’s film which is perched on the craggy cliffs just west of Mellieha.

• Step back in time to the streets of medieval Mdina. The old capital of Malta is one of Europe’s finest walled cities and was once home to St Paul when he was shipwrecked on the island.

• Visit the tiny island of Comino and the crystal clear waters of the blue lagoon.

• Visit the second largest Playmobil factory in the world, where the fun park playground offers non-stop entertainment.

• Visit the Mediterraneo Marine Park, where you can watch an incredible sea lion show.