Malta, Gozo and Comino

Gaul tours the islands and imparts their secrets with an insider's knowledge, detailing local festivals and spicing history with anecdotes. His book is full of ideas on how to get the most from this "last sputter of Europe before Africa." color photos. 19 maps.

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Explores the fortress capital of Valletta, buit on a promontory into the sea - walks the narrow streets of Vittoriosa and uncovers the history of the Knights of the Order of St John, who were first established there - visits St Pauls Bay, the reputed site of St Paul and St Luke's shipwreck - takes in the excellent diving at the Marfa Peninsula - explores Mdina, a sprawling walled city that dates back to the Arab occupation of the 13th Century - reveals the North African influences that are at the heart of Maltese life - its food, festivals and faith 'You are lucky if you travel to Malta by boat. That's how the Phoenician traders, in their small rounded vessels, first encountered the archipelago nearly three thousand years ago. Today, the stirring bastions of the fortress capital Valletta skim welcomingly into view out of the hazy Mediterranean light, but time has barely altered the landfall'