A one hour flight from Tunis, Tunisia on Tunisair Express returned TotalAdventure to the European Union . Malta, 3 islands between Europe and North Africa is truly a crossroads of geography and culture. The islands , only a couple hundred kilometers from the Sahara, have a near desert landscape and climate, though there are some moderate winter rains. The currency is the Euro, but prices are a bit lower than the Continent. The language is a mix of Arabic and Sicilian .Maltese is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet.

Back In Schengen.

Not long after TotalAdventure checked into the hotel in Sliema, I Ubered to St.Peter’s Pool, a beautiful rocky cove with crashing waves, clear blue water and cliffs for diving SEE THE VIDEO ABOVE.

Three are amazing beaches on all 3 islands The best are remote ,where a hike is also part of the deal. The snorkeling and diving can be experienced in THE VIDEO.

Many Roman style structures in Malta are not necessarily Roman. This is the Malta Stock Exchange, built in the 1870s.

Though close to the shores of the Islamic World, Malta is 99% Catholic. Above is the Church of the Madonna of Lourdes on a mountain above the Gozo Harbour.

Interior Of The Church.

The Gozo Fast Ferry takes 45 minutes from Valletta to Gozo. Unfortunately there is no outdoor space, but it is fast ! One can also board a ferry to Sicily – only 1 hour 45 minutes. By air it’s one hour to Tunis or Tripoli,Libya.

Flying In To Malta.

A Roadside Shrine in Valletta.

A Friday Wedding In Style !

At St.John’s Co-Cathedral.

Commissioned in 1572 by Grand Master Jean de la Cassière as the conventual church of the Knights of St. John, replacing earlier churches used by the Order.Architect Girolamo (Ġlormu) Cassar, Malta’s leading military engineer, led its Mannerist-style design and oversaw construction between 1573 and 1577, with final touches in 1578 Replaced the Church of St. Lawrence in Vittoriosa as the main worship site for the Order.

Originally simple, the interior was richly redecorated in the 1660s by Grand Master Raphael Cotoner, executed by Mattia Preti and colleagues, aiming to rival Roman churches

Features include illusionistic frescoes, carved gilt walls, and intricate marble tombstone floors commemorating knights

• 1798: French occupation expelled the Knights; church’s status grew.
• 1816: Elevated to co‑cathedral by papal decree, sharing Malta’s episcopal seat with St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina .
• The British era brought attempts to convert it into a Protestant church, but opposition led to its co‑cathedral status being reaffirmed .

• 1798: French occupation expelled the Knights; church’s status grew.
• 1816: Elevated to co‑cathedral by papal decree, sharing Malta’s episcopal seat with St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina .
• The British era brought attempts to convert it into a Protestant church, but opposition led to its co‑cathedral status being reaffirme

• Internally, one of Europe’s finest examples of High Baroque architecture—a lavish contrast to its austere exterior .
• Its floors and walls commemorate centuries of Malta’s Knights, making it both a house of worship and a national memorial .

• Continues to function as a living church, welcoming both worshippers and art-lovers.

Fort St.Elmo , overlooking the entrance to the Port, houses a museum chronicling Malta’s many wars. Above, a bunker overlooking the Mediterranean ready to fire on German and Italian vessels crossing from Sicily.

A captured Nazi Helmet.

Malta has been fighting off invaders from. all sides for thousands of years. Since 1964 they have been a free and sovereign nation.

One cannot leave Malta without savoring the national dish – Rabbit Stew !

Malta, an EU Member, uses the Euro. Currently the Euro is worth US $ 1.18 putting prices on a par with the USA and lower than Northern Europe.

From Malta TotalAdventure returned to Miami via Frankfurt on Lufthansa ending an amazing journey from Miami to Paris to Algeria,Tunisia and Malta.

WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THE ARTICLE !