EVERYWHERE you go on Malta there are reminders of the small island state’s links with the UK, not to mention echoes of its Arab and French influences.

It all adds up to a fascinating microcosm and fulcrum of Mediterranean history.

Not that Malta, given its independence from the Commonwealth in 1964 before being proclaimed a republic in 1974, is rooted in its past. Rather, it embraces it as part of what it is today.

A member of the European Union since 2004, Malta adopted the euro as its currency in 2008.

Occupied by foreign powers at various times throughout its past, Malta now works alongside some of those same powers in driving forward its economy.

Tourism has always been important to Malta, with holiday-making Brits frequent visitors for years. It is easy to see why, as the warm climate is complemented by surroundings that seem, somehow, familiar.

Nowhere is that more marked than on neighbouring island, Gozo, part of the Maltese republic. Its capital, Victoria, was named after the British queen in 1897, although locals still call it Rabat.

It only takes 20 minutes to cross to Gozo by ferry from the main island of Malta and the intimacy of Malta, at just 20 miles long and 12 miles wide, is part of its attraction. It means you can visit anything or everything it has to offer.

That ranges from significant historical sites to charming coastline, bays or harbours, depending on what you want from your trip. Maybe it can be both relaxing and educational.

As far as the history goes, you can take a crash course by watching an audio-visual show at The Malta Experience, by Fort St Elmo, in the capital, Valetta. It explains how Malta’s strategic location at the heart of the Mediterranean saw it targeted by foreign invaders, from the Arabs to the Ottomans and the French to the British over the centuries.

Among landmark historical events referred to in the audio-visual show is the Great Siege of 1565. The Knights of the Order of St John, given Malta by Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, defended the island against apparently insuperable odds as they successfully held off the challenge of the Ottomans.

Striking reminders of the Knights can be seen in Valetta’s Co-Cathedral of St John, where remains of some of the Knights are buried underfoot, beneath marble flooring in a building also featuring stunningly ornate wall decorations.

A must-see in the Co-Cathedral is Caravaggio’s painting, The Beheading of St John the Baptist, situated in its own room, which also displays Caravaggio’s St Jerome Writing.

Outdoors, it is well worth visiting the Upper Barrakka Gardens for the impressive view across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, so named collectively under the brief two-year Napoleonic French occupation.

Again, that sense of independence manifests itself in Vittoriosa’s residents preferring to use its original name, Birgu.

Centuries after the Ottomans were repelled, the Maltese again had to stand firm as they defied bombardment by Hitler’s Nazis. Their resoluteness earned them the award of the George Cross, the highest civilian award for courage, from a grateful and admiring Britain, in 1942.

Malta, proud of its past, has much to offer the tourist, making the most of its natural assets.

It can be reached from the UK in just three hours on Ryanair from Bristol Airport. Soon after landing and once settled into your accommodation you can be in a small boat, going in and out of Cliffside rock formations of the Blue Grotto at Wied iz-Zurrieq.

One of Malta’s signature images is that of luzzo and kajjik - small fishing boats decorated with line upon line of bold colour, which can be seen at villages such as Marsalokk.

If Marsalokk typifies the traditional way of life in Malta, an example of the island’s modernisation can be seen at Sliema’s Tigne Point, a contemporary development of business, shopping and residential properties, which also features a range of eateries.

Among the restaurants at The Point is Salini, where modern presentation of food also pays its respects to its Mediterranean cuisine heritage.

Malta has a range of places to stay, with, for those willing to spend that bit more, the Corinthia Hotel St George’s Bay, at St Julian’s, featuring 180 rooms and 70 executive club rooms, as well as five outdoor pools and a day spa among its five-star facilities.

So Malta is well placed, in more ways than one, to welcome today’s more peaceful visitors than those of the past but it has one more jewel that is worth making the effort to see.

Gozo has what are thought to be the oldest freestanding structures in the world - the Neolithic Ggantija Temples. An estimated 7,000 years old, they are even older than Stonehenge, having been built 1,000 years earlier.

You are literally standing at the doorway of history.

Factfile

Flights:

Ryanair from Bristol Airport to Malta International Airport and back, Sundays/Wednesdays/Fridays. Malta International Airport is six kilometres from Valetta.

Ryanair flights can cost £19.99 one way, although there are additional fees, including £5 (5 euros) for online check-in, if booked on ryanair.com (£10/10 euros if booked via a call centre or airport) and administration fee of £5 (5 euros) per passenger, one way.

For families, there is an infant fee of £20 (20 euros) per infant, per one-way flight, for under-twos. The checked baggage fee for a first bag (maximum allowance 15kg) is £15 (15 euros), if booked on ryanair.com (£35/35 euros if booked via a call centre or airport).

Other fees can apply, such as for second bags, priority boarding, name change and taking sports equipment and musical instruments.

Fees can be higher in peak months of July and August.

Airport parking:

See bristolairport.co.uk

Hotel:

The Corinthia Hotel St George’s Bay, St Julians is 5-star, with 250 air-conditioned rooms with balconies, some with sea views.

Five swimming pools on sea-view terraces. Buffet breakfasts. Mediterranean cuisine in restaurants.

Apollo spa treatments include reflexology massages.Indoor heated pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and gym.

Free daily shuttle bus to cities of Sliema and Valetta and Royal Marina golf course.

A sandy beach five minutes walk away and St Julians city centre is a 15-minute walk away.

A 14-night stay in peak months of July and August can cost £1,482.42 for a deluxe double room for two or £2,235.91 for a family room for two adults and two children.

See corinthiahotels.com

Further information:

visitmalta.com

Malta Tourism Authority website - mta.com.mt