SAILING-CLASSICS MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES

Malta, Comino & Gozo

The arrival with a sailing ship in the Grand Harbour of Valletta, the capital of Malta, is one of the most impressive experiences in the Mediterranean. The fortress of Valletta on a promontory between two harbours, built as a bulwark against the Ottoman Empire and for more than 250 years the seat of the Order of St John after its expulsion from Rhodes, with its baroque buildings, the Grand Master's Palace and the large dome of the cathedral, is worth a visit – and the city was Capital of Culture 2018.

In the following week, relaxed sailing with plenty of time for swimming, excursions ashore and relaxation awaits us. Along the east coast of Malta we head north towards St. Paul's Bay. Legend has it that apostle Paul was shipwrecked here in 59 B.C. on his way to Rome.

On the only 2.5 km² small Comino, a rocky plateau, awaits us a bare landscape, a little vegetation in spring – and the famous Blue Lagoon, a 120 m wide passage between Comino and the offshore reef. Between rocks and caves, crystal-clear water shines in all shades of blue and green. The place served already several times as film scenery.

Quite different is the contemplative neighbouring island Gozo, according to Homer the island of Kalypso, on which the goddess Odysseus is said to have captured seven years. Gozo is green, there are 14 grape varieties of wine, many olive trees, strawberries, peaches, oranges and vegetables. Charming villages still show traditional Maltese culture.

One of the main attractions is the 'Temple of the Giantess', a stone age temple complex built around 4,000 years B.C., before returning to Valletta.