W ith its strategic location in the Mediterranean, Malta has been besieged, attacked and occupied for much of its 5,000 year history of human settlement. This has led to a spectacular mix of influences from Greek to Ottoman to British. The resulting melting pot of cultures infuses everything from the architecture to the cuisine and even the language – the only national Semetic language (originating in the Middle East) in Europe. Not to be missed attractions include UNESCO World Heritage listed capital Valletta, stunning coastal landscapes and some of the oldest standing structures on earth.