Making the event a truly international one, as well as the Armed Forces of Malta participating, the French, Italian, Dutch Swiss and Spanish will all have planes and crew in attendance, plus the British Royal Air Force and US Air Force.

Among the planes taking part are two Alpha jets from France, one of which will be doing an aerial display, six F-16′s with two Dutch F-16′s flying, and from the RAF two Harriers and two Tornadoes, with one of the Harriers expected to do an aerial demonstration.

Ticket prices for the Saturday or Sunday are low compared to many international air shows, ensuring access is available to many of the Maltese population as well as enthusiasts and veterans who travel from around Europe for the weekend. Prices this year are 4.5 Maltese (around US $12) for either day, with public transport to the show available throughout the island.

With the tourist season beginning to slow down, many of the hotels in Malta see the air show as a tourist attraction and organise transport to and from the event.

An advantage of holding the show in the second half of September is that the Malta weather can almost be assured to be good, with the all important clear skies allowing viewing of the participating planes.

Malta Transport

The air show is seen by many in the Malta holidays industry as evidence that Malta can produce events which will not only prove an attraction to those tourists already on the island, but also as part of a package of other attractions to draw new tourists to the island.

The first half of the year has been a disappointing one for the Malta holidays industry, with a drop in tourists for the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year.

Commenting on the recently released figures showing a drop in visitors, one independent travel guide for Malta believes that events like the air show should be promoted more.

‘Malta needs good news’, they say, ‘and if potential tourists could see on a Malta map of events quality displays such as the air show it would be a good reason to visit the island.

The island needs to compete against other destinations in the Mediterranean, but while most of them are seeing an increase in visitor numbers, Malta is showing a drop’.

Many hoteliers and others in the holiday industry are hoping that cheap Malta flights might become a reality in the near future. There has been talk of low cost carriers from the UK and Ireland providing services to the island for some time now, but no deals have been struck yet.

Unemployment on the island is high at over 8 per cent, and tourism is a major employer, but many feel that the government is reluctant to see the national carrier Air Malta face potentially subsidised competiton. But by doing nothing the island faces the danger of the whole tourist industry suffering.

‘Malta can be a high quality destination with low cost fares’, comment the travel guide. ‘We already have good accommodation like the Malta Hilton, so potentially we can do it’.

Malta is hoping that the air show is a step in the right direction.

With a history dating back thousands of year tourism bosses have decided that a mix of history and culture is a market the island can tap in 2008, and will be marketing it to the UK and other European countries.

Speaking recently Malta’s tourism Minister noted that visitor numbers had risen each month since November 2006 – this was due though to the low cost airlines starting to fly to Malta, more than anything the government had done or the tourism board to promote Malta as a holiday destination.

Commenting on the need to diversify the range of holidays Malta is able to offer potential visitors, he said:

‘Today we cannot rely any more on the formula ‘sun, sea and sand’. We are diversifying our product into new tourism segments, namely cultural tourism, English language learning, conferences and incentives, sports, and Gozo as a destination on its own. Together these segments make up about 40 per cent of all tourists coming to Malta. This means that we are on the right track of diversification.’

At the moment some 150,000 tourists visit Malta each year specifically for the island’s history and culture, but there is no specific target set to hit in the coming years.

Commenting on Malta’s pitch for the culture and heritage market, a local travel guide says ‘From what we can see there isn’t a figure the tourism bosses have in mind – and that’s hardly surprising given their dismal record in the past when it come to attracting holidaymakers to Malta.’

The optimism from Malta is in sharp contrast to just a couple of years ago when some major holiday companies were considering dropping Malta as a holiday option altogether.

With a downward spiral in visitor numbers in successive years, the Maltese government finally relented to pressure from the Malta holidays industry and allowed low cost carriers to fly to the island for the first time in November 2006.

Competition was keen between the airlines to take up the lucrative UK to Malta route, and Dublin based Ryanair was chosen over rivals easyJet to take up the route, and the island has benefitted this year with a sharp increase in tourists, reversing six years of decline.

Since then the island’s tourist authorities have finally waken up to the fact that competition in the skies could bring more benefits to the country than protecting her national airline, and new routes have opened between Malta with Germany, Spain and Scandanavia.

New official figures show that this year’s all important summer season has been the best in six years for Malta, reversing the decline in fortunes for the Mediterranean island.

The good news for Malta is that despite the increase in the number of tourists arriving on the island via low cost flights, the occupancy levels of hotels has increased from basic to 5 star, showing that Malta can appeal to all, which is why perhaps culture and history are seen as sectors of the travel market that could bring even more visitors to the island, but time will tell if government led directions can really be beneficial for Malta’s holiday and airline industries.

Although being an island country makes Malta a unique place to vacation, its history makes it fascinating. In Malta you’ll find what is believed to be the oldest freestanding structure in the entire world. It is an ancient megalithic temple called il-Ggantija, and it dates back to before 3500 BC. Another ancient temple, Hagar Qim, is located on a hilltop on the southern coast of Malta, which was built sometime between 3200 and 2500 BC.

The people who built the ancient temples either died out or moved on and the country was later colonized by the Phoenicians around 700 BC. The islands really began to develop, however, when the Romans took control of them in 218 BC. In fact, many of the old Roman structures still exist there.

Between AD 870 and 1091, Malta was ruled by the Arabs who introduced methods for growing citrus fruits and cotton as well as systems for irrigation. After the Arab rule ended, the Sicilian Normans moved in. Finally, in 1283 the County of Malta was established and so was the Maltese nobility. Many of the noble titles created at the time are still in use today.

In 1814 Malta was officially given to the British Empire as a result of the Treaty of Paris. Because of its location, it was an important port for trading ships. In World War II, Malta played such an essential role for ships that the Maltese people were awarded the George Cross by King George VI. A picture of the cross is still featured on a corner of the Flag of Malta.

Finally, on September 21, 1964 Malta was granted independence. For a time, Malta continued to recognize Queen Elizabeth II as the Queen of Malta and had a Governor-General who acted on her behalf. Then, in 1974, Malta became a republic and followed a president as head of state.

In 1980, Malta declared its policy of neutrality. Since then, it has been the location of some important political meetings, such as President George H.W. Bush’s first meeting with Soviet leader Gorbachev in 1989, which signified the end of the Cold War.

The beautiful islands of Malta and their rich history attract thousands of vacationers every year. Fortunately, Malta is equipped with several hotels and holiday apartments to accommodate its many tourists.

Examples of hotels in Malta are:

Hilton Malta: This beautiful hotel that is part of the famous Hilton hotel chain is located at the heart of the Waterfront Development Portomosa. It features a stunning view of a yacht marina and a tree-lined promenade. The hotel offers onsite jet skiing, pool, and scuba diving.

Examples of holiday apartments in Malta are:

Villa in Zurrieq, Malta: This three bedroom villa sleeps up to six people. It is located on the southwest corner of the island close to historic sites. It is also just a short distance from swimming areas and the Marsa golf course.

The island nation of Malta offers so many fascinating things to see that you just may tire yourself out visiting them all. That’s okay though-you’ll find plenty of great places to stay at the end of your busy day.

Making the event a truly international one, as well as the Armed Forces of Malta participating, the French, Italian, Dutch Swiss and Spanish will all have planes and crew in attendance, plus the British Royal Air Force and US Air Force.

Among the planes taking part are two Alpha jets from France, one of which will be doing an aerial display, six F-16′s with two Dutch F-16′s flying, and from the RAF two Harriers and two Tornados, with one of the Harriers expected to do an aerial demonstration.

Ticket prices for the Saturday or Sunday are low compared to many international air shows, ensuring access is available to many of the Maltese population as well as enthusiasts and veterans who travel from around Europe for the weekend. Prices this year are 4.5 Maltese (around US $12) for either day, with public transport to the show available throughout the island.

With the tourist season beginning to slow down, many of the Malta hotels see the air show as a tourist attraction and organise transport to and from the event.

An advantage of holding the show in the second half of September is that the Malta weather can almost be assured to be good, with the all important clear skies allowing viewing of the participating planes.

Malta Airport

The air show is seen by many in the Malta holidays industry as evidence that Malta can produce events which will not only prove an attraction to those tourists already on the island, but also as part of a package of other attractions to draw new tourists to the island.

The first half of the year has been a disappointing one for the holiday to Malta industry, with a drop in tourists for the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year.

Commenting on the recently released figures showing a drop in visitors, one independent travel guide for Malta believes that events like the air show should be promoted more.

‘Malta needs good news’, they say, ‘and if potential tourists could see on a Malta map of events quality displays such as the air show it would be a good reason to visit the island.

The island needs to compete against other destinations in the Mediterranean, but while most of them are seeing an increase in visitor numbers, Malta is showing a drop’.

Many hoteliers and others in the holiday industry are hoping that cheap flights to Malta might become a reality in the near future. There has been talk of low cost carriers from the UK and Ireland providing services to the island for some time now, but no deals have been struck yet.

Unemployment on the island is high at over 8 per cent, and tourism is a major employer, but many feel that the government is reluctant to see the national carrier Air Malta face potentially subsidised competiton. But by doing nothing the island faces the danger of the whole tourist industry suffering.

‘Malta can be a high quality destination with low cost fares’, comment the travel guide. ‘We already have good accommodation like the Qawra Palace Hotel, so potentially we can do it’.

Making the event a truly international one, as well as the Armed Forces of Malta participating, the French, Italian, Dutch Swiss and Spanish will all have planes and crew in attendance, plus the British Royal Air Force and US Air Force.

Among the planes taking part are two Alpha jets from France, one of which will be doing an aerial display, six F-16′s with two Dutch F-16′s flying, and from the RAF two Harriers and two Tornados, with one of the Harriers expected to do an aerial demonstration.

Ticket prices for the Saturday or Sunday are low compared to many international air shows, ensuring access is available to many of the Maltese population as well as enthusiasts and veterans who travel from around Europe for the weekend. Prices this year are 4.5 Maltese (around US $12) for either day, with public transport to the show available throughout the island.

With the tourist season beginning to slow down, many of the Malta hotels see the air show as a tourist attraction and organise transport to and from the event.

An advantage of holding the show in the second half of September is that the Malta weather can almost be assured to be good, with the all important clear skies allowing viewing of the participating planes.

Malta Airport

The air show is seen by many in the Malta holidays industry as evidence that Malta can produce events which will not only prove an attraction to those tourists already on the island, but also as part of a package of other attractions to draw new tourists to the island.

The first half of the year has been a disappointing one for the holiday to Malta industry, with a drop in tourists for the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year.

Commenting on the recently released figures showing a drop in visitors, one independent travel guide for Malta http://www.yourmalta.com believes that events like the air show should be promoted more.

‘Malta needs good news’, they say, ‘and if potential tourists could see on a Malta map of events quality displays such as the air show it would be a good reason to visit the island.

The island needs to compete against other destinations in the Mediterranean, but while most of them are seeing an increase in visitor numbers, Malta is showing a drop’.

Many hoteliers and others in the holiday industry are hoping that cheap flights to Malta might become a reality in the near future. There has been talk of low cost carriers from the UK and Ireland providing services to the island for some time now, but no deals have been struck yet.

Unemployment on the island is high at over 8 per cent, and tourism is a major employer, but many feel that the government is reluctant to see the national carrier Air Malta face potentially subsidised competiton. But by doing nothing the island faces the danger of the whole tourist industry suffering.

‘Malta can be a high quality destination with low cost fares’, comment the travel guide. ‘We already have good accommodation like the Qawra Palace Hotel, so potentially we can do it’.

Many people regard a vacation to the Maltese Islands, specifically Malta, very expensive. This is not the case if you’ll take advantage of these 5-star hotels promos and packages. Through these promos, these 5-star rated hotels become cheap Malta hotels you will never forget.

Malta or the Maltese Islands project a scene that seems positively mythic such as that with Calypso’s Cave, medieval dungeons and megaliths. It also showcases villages and towns with narrow meandering streets, Baroque palaces and Renaissance cathedrals. In fact, this popular vacation spot is already considered an “open air museum”.The more tourists visit Malta and the other islands of the Maltese archipelago for its rich landscape, historic sites and cultural scene, more affordable as well as cheap Malta hotels have started to surface throughout the years.

Malta is not only the largest island; it is also the administrative, commercial and cultural center of the archipelago. As for the second largest island, Gozo, it is more rural and it is characterized by tourism, fishing, agriculture and crafts. The 3rd island, Comino, is actually uninhabited. Nevertheless, with its seven thousand years of history, expansive beaches, sunny weather and thriving nightlife, there is so much to see and do in Malta. A place called Hypogeum is even included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yet, it is actually the long relationship between these Islanders and the other nationalities occupying Malta throughout the centuries that created a marriage of traditions as well as styles – giving even the other Islands an interesting eclectic culture.

Cheap Malta Hotels

By the southern section of Sicily and in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea lies the Maltese Archipelago. Malta is conveniently a short flight from most cities of mainland Europe. You can choose from charter flights or scheduled services – whatever you choose, international connections to Malta is very easy.

Other options to get to Malta are through cruises or via scheduled ferry rides. Once you reach Malta, you won’t run out of lodging options. In fact, 5-star rated hotels can also be regarded as affordable and cheap if you book through their special packages and promos.

The Palace Hotel – This 5-star yet cheap Malta hotel is sets a trend in urban deluxe boutique hotels of its kind in Sliema Malta. It boasts of a stylish and distinctive elegance as inside, you’ll see Contemporary Art and Sculpture collections. Reviews about this hotel mention that it is comfortable, intimate, cosmopolitan and luxurious. To top it all, it treats guests with genuine hospitality and graciousness.

Palace Hotel has 149 rooms with 6 individually decorated and designed suites. It offers the highest quality of modern furniture such as wireless Internet access and flat screened TVs with Satellite channels.

Westin Malta Hotel – This 5-star hotel in Malta’s St. Julians district is deemed as one of the best yet cheap Malta hotels the Island can offer. It is set in its very own peninsula – in close proximity to restaurants, main entertainment venues and shops to downtown Malta. It is also near the major highway of the island.

This 8-storey hotel with 341 well-appointed rooms showcases cream and coral architecture and Mediterranean furnishings. Other amenities of Westin Malta include 2 snack bars, 5 restaurants, 3 bars, 2 lounges and a fitness center. There are also 2 outdoor pools, an indoor pool, a dive school, 2 tennis courts, a Westin Kids Club and a shopping promenade.

Malta is a beautiful country for your travel destination where you can enjoy your holiday with natural environments and fun of islands. The natural fun of island in Malta attracts the thousands of visitors to enjoy their holiday with natural beach, valleys and luxurious accommodation facilities.

Malta is a group of island in which Gonzo is another biggest and world famous island among tourist. You can reach in Malta by air and after reaching there you can hire car or taxi to visit the all famous places. All types of accommodation facilities are available in Malta and Gonzo in which you can choose any accommodation options according to your requirements. Farmhouses, villas, apartments and five star hotels are some accommodation options where you can stay and enjoy your holiday peacefully. All these accommodation options are so affordable that one can stay here for a long time. Some villas and apartments also provide the self catering facility with kitchen where you can enjoy your favorite home made break fast, lunch and dinner.

Beaches in Malta always full with visitors because of its natural net and clean beauty.People visit at late night on beaches and enjoy their holiday with crystal clear sea and fancy fishing boats, which are the part of the local culture of Malta. Natural valleys covered with beautiful flowers seems that it is the one of the best beautiful places of the world.

Malta is very old and cultural rich country so you can visit here many old and historical places including forts, building, temples, churches etc. Local foods and drinks of Malta are also very popular among visitors. Here there are many restaurants, where you can enjoy the test of local as well as other country’s foods and drinks. So once if you visit Malta then you will really enjoy the fun of this beautiful island country.

From autumn to spring the Maltese countryside comes back to life after the hot summer months. The Maltese Islands turn green and by late spring a thousand or more species of plants blossom.

Malta has more to offer than simply sun and sea. Away from the resorts and urban life, there is a lovely countryside – some of which has been left untouched by the 20th century! This part of the island is important for farmers and cultivators because most village life centres on the agricultural and fishing seasons. It is fantastic to see that these Maltese villages still preserve their old way of life, where old women and men work the fields or go out at sea.

For this reason, Malta country walks have been established for the tourist who really wishes to get a proper feel of the Maltese landscape and un-urbanised way of life. It is an ideal holiday option for couples, groups of friends and single travelers who love to be one with nature and who would like to leave the mundane life behind for a while…

Country walks are usually overlooked by guidebooks. All you need is a good pair of shoes and you can explore the hidden and secluded areas around the island. Whilst on holiday in Malta you may opt to embark on a Malta Walk, such as the Bahrija Walk, Dwejra Walk, Girgenti Walk or Marfa Walk.

The islands offer some of the most breath-taking views in the Mediterranean that range from dramatic cliffs and garigue scrubland, to luscious hills and valleys. As you explore, you could come across families working the fields, herds of goat or sheep, cave chapels, old farmhouses or prehistoric sites. There are also areas that make excellent day hikes; such as Mellieha, Dingli, Ghar Lapsi, Fawwara, Wardija, all the North and the various bays, and the southern coast with its fishing villages and Delimara Point.

The sunny skies and relaxed pace of life on Gozo provide a perfect opportunity to slow down and enjoy the countryside. Amongst the most popular areas for walking are Ta’ Dgiebi, Gordan Lighthouse, Hondoq ir-Rummien and San Blas Valley. The island is literally criss-crossed by tracks and lanes and the possibilities are endless. Tiny Comino, which is inhabited by some 15 people, is also ideal for a good day’s hiking and provides the ultimate in solitude and views.

So, as Visitmalta put it simply, “put on your walking boots, hire a mountain bike and head out from the village squares on the narrow farmers’ tracks. You’ll find yourself in a timeless landscape, quite alone even in peak season. There is plenty to discover, from ancient farmhouses and wayside chapels to spectacular seascapes. It is well worth the effort!” I couldn’t agree more.

If you’re considering taking a tour of Europe, it might be time to take advantage of great airfare rates and visit the island of Malta, a land filled with history and mystery.

Malta comprises an archipelago of islands nestled in the warm waters of the Mediterranean about halfway between the coast of North Africa and Sicily. The cluster of islands makes up the southernmost border of Europe and consists of five islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino, along with two smaller uninhabited islands called Filfla and Cominetto.

Malta has figured in European history for centuries as a strategic point that joins Europe and Africa. Trade routes have passed through Malta since the beginning of mankind, and most of them left traces of their existence on her rocky slopes and pristine beaches. Thanks to low-budget airline carriers, more people than ever before are experiencing the unique history of this tiny island and reaping the benefits. Since low-fare airlines have added Malta and Gozo to their itineraries, island residents have pulled out the welcome mat in an effort to boost their tourist industry. Since 2006, more than 45,000 travelers from around the world have visited and been enchanted with the Maltese islands and people, who are more than anxious to open their arms in welcome to global visitors.

Due to additional airlines adding Malta to their destination offers, the Maltese Tourism Minister recently expressed the hope that more than 100,000 people will travel to the islands for some fun in the sun in 2007. Major European airlines such as Air Malta, Ryanair and Alitalia are offering lower fares than ever before. Ryanair is offering flights from London to Malta for less than UK 40 and that’s less than US$80! Malta’s sister island, Gozo, is actively promoting itself as being agro- and eco-friendly, prompting tourists who support environmental issues and programs to come to the island to learn how to make cheese, along with learning how to milk and shear sheep.

While some travelers may not want to get involved in sheep care, the move is intended to support the fact that the Maltese islands are still very much involved in caring for their natural resources. Gozo is a tiny island that serves as a relaxing weekend getaway for not only the citizens of Malta, but also those flying north from Africa or south from Italy and Spain.

Communicating in Malta shouldn’t be a problem for most travelers, as two major languages are spoken on the island: Maltese and English.

Maltese is similar to classic Arabic, with traces of Hebrew and Lebanese mixed in. However, the younger generation has also begun speaking Italian in recent years, making communication for Europeans even easier.

Malta’s historical relics and locations serve as a drawing point to visitors interested in history as well as politics. The tiny island withstood the ravages of the Arabs, Carthaginians and Napoleon Bonaparte. She bravely stood her ground against Nazi bombing runs that may have decimated her landscape, but failed to intimidate her inhabitants. In 1942, the island of Malta received a George Cross medal from King George VI for her brave tenacity.

Whether flying from European or African destinations, thousands of travelers are discovering the beauty and history that Malta has to offer. As one of the newest of popular destinations in 2007, Malta promises to enthrall visitors from neighboring countries as well as more distant ones. Perhaps the best time to visit Malta is now, before the secret gets around too fast. After all, it’s nice to have white sandy beachfronts all to yourself!

Malta is a collection of seven islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean, tourism is important in Malta. Today it is one of the major tourist destinations in Europe and well-known for its vibrant natural beauty and numerous tourist spots. It is one of the few islands in the world that is blessed with near year-round sun, stunning scenery and a rich history that witnessed many glorious civilizations mark their identity on these small islands.

Today, this island is well known as an outstanding summer vacation destination as well as a living microcosm of Mediterranean history. As a leading holiday destination, you will be amazed to see some of the most interesting touristsâ?? spots that can be worth enough to make your vacation most memorable and exciting. Here are some of the most interesting destinations that you must visit once you travel to Malta:

Blue Grotto â?? It is a series of seven caves and inlets, situated on the southern direction of Malta and well known for its deep blue water and impressive natural rock formations. This famous tourist spot can be easily accessed by small traditional boats, which usually leave from a signposted pier just off the main road along the south coast.

Underwater Safari, St. Paul’s Bay- This is one of the major tourist attractions that attract visitors from all across the world. In fact, it is one of the few spots in Malta that offer you an opportunity to view the island beauty from a completely different viewpoint. This sensational underwater safari will take you through creeks, among fauna and marine life. The unique feature of this safari is you can view shipwrecks from the observation keel along with a commentary as you explore the sights beneath the sea.

Clapham Junction â?? It is yet another important tourist spot and can be defined as an area of western central Malta where deep ruts in the bedrock generally appear to have been formed in the distant past by wagons or carts. In addition to this, it has some of these ruts cross rock-cut punic tombs.

Hypogeum, Hal Saflieni, Paola- This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and located on the south of Malta. 12 meters below the street level, this is a unique and ancient underground monument and consists of a network of chambers, passages and caves cut on three levels.

National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta- It is another famous tourist spot and well known museum that displays items of pottery, sculptures, statuettes, stone implements and personal ornaments. However, some of the distinctive examples are Punic and Roman Tomb furniture along with the museumâ??s most prized exhibits â?? The Maltese Venus and The Sleeping Lady.

Bir Mula Heritage House- It is a privately owned Museum that features some items found within the Cotton era area. In fact, it is one of the oldest buildings said to be 1000 years old. It was initially bought as a home by its present owners, but during the conversion of the property, they discovered ancient artifacts.

Today Malta is such a unique island where you can retreat your eyes and senses with the fascinating splendor of the different tourist destinations all around the year. Though this land measures no more than 30 kilometers, but with such dynamic tourist attractions, it can be considered as an ideal place for spending vacation with entire family or friends.