Valletta

Valletta, Malta's capital, stretches across a peninsula between the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour, like a theatre set of baroque façades and honey-gold stone glowing in the sun. Start at City Gate and stroll down Republic Street, an urban catwalk of cafés, little museums and balconies that look like dolls' houses.

St John's Co-Cathedral hides a serious wow factor inside: marble, gilded arches and Caravaggio's "The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist", a pure masterpiece moment. At the Upper Barrakka Gardens 🌿, the view over the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities is total postcard material. Don't miss Fort St Elmo, where the National War Museum tells the epic story of the Great Siege and the Knights of St John.

For street vibes, get lost in the lanes of Strait Street, once a "red-light" corner and now the spot for jazz bars and micro-restaurants with fusion menus. A sunset cruise around the harbour will put you in full chill mode, while Valletta by night (calm but atmospheric) whispers "come back soon". The city is small in size but big on character. 😉