Send Clients to Malta for 7,000 Years of History and Much More

One of Europe's tiniest countries, the archipelago nation of Malta lies in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily and east of Tunisia, where nearly ten different civilizations have made their imprint over 7,000 years. Its tourism offerings unfold on an equally grand scale, as we explain in the Malta Specialist program at TravelAgentAcademy.com. But in this slideshow, we'll focus on aspects of the destination's remarkable archaeological and historical legacy.

The beautiful fortified city of Valletta, built by the Knights of St. John in 1566, serves as Malta's capital. Characterized by steep hills lined with Baroque buildings and offering stunning views of the sea, the city has over 300 monuments packed into an area of 0.3 square miles, making it one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. The entire city is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A vast underground temple and cemetery carved from rock around 3600 B.C., the Hypogeum is a fascinating labyrinth of chambers. It contains such curiosities as the Oracle Room, with its remarkably powerful acoustics; the Main Chamber, where the "Sleeping Lady" was recovered; and the Holy of Holies, which has a porthole apparently oriented toward the Winter Solstice. Visitors will learn theories of how this amazing Neolithic structure - now a UNESCO World Heritage Site - was used and by whom.

Dedicated to the goddess of fertility, these temple complexes were built between 3600 and 2500 B.C., making them older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids by about 1,000 years. Together they form Malta's third UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The town of Mdina, with a history that goes back 4,000 years, is one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city. It is noted for its unusual mix of medieval and Baroque architecture.

Malta is steeped in religious history and culture. Here your clients can visit Rabat, thought to have been the home of Paul the Apostle after he was shipwrecked as a captive en route to Rome in 60 A.D. The catacombs at this site present the earliest evidence of Christianity in Malta. At St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, they will find two of Caravaggio's most important paintings.

With its prehistoric sites, cave chapels and secluded palaces of the Knights, Malta is an outdoor museum waiting to be explored on foot while offering magnificent views - from waves crashing against dramatic cliffs to rocky scrubland to hidden, lush valleys.

Every Sunday historical military parades are staged at Fort St. Elmo in Valletta. A trip to the Falconry Center at Siggiewi gives another glimpse into a centuries-old practice.

Maltese cooks have inherited a mix of many traditions handed down by the various groups who have inhabited their islands. The archipelago served the Romans as an olive grove over two thousand years ago, inherited Arab ways of preparing fish and beans as well as the Knights' traditions of cooking pork and beef, and received inspiration for desserts like creamy rice pudding during the 160-year-long British colonial presence.

Malta offers a wide range of accommodations, including many luxury and wellness options, together with a thriving culinary scene, sizzling nightlife and unique places for shopping. Its year-round warm climate makes it perfect for outdoor activities of all types, especially scuba diving. The destination sells well to specific markets like weddings, luxury, food and wine and family travel. Learn more by enrolling in the Malta Specialist course at TravelAgentAcademy.com.