Until it earned its independence in 1964, the island of Malta had been conquered by nearly all of its neighbors, from the Carthaginians to the Romans to the Saracens. Today, the 122-square-mile country between Sicily and Libya is being invaded by Hollywood directors, who use it as a double for 1960's Beirut, 19th-century Genoa, and ancient Troy at a fraction of the cost of other European resorts. Film stars (like Brad Pitt, who recently played Achilles here), location scouts, and everyday travelers take advantage of very un-Hollywood prices in Valletta, the fortified capital city, which sits on the sandy north coast, and Mdina, the old medieval capital, nicknamed the Silent City for its traffic-free streets and tiny population (377). Both are best explored on foot, allowing you to slip into the slow rhythm of the place that seems to sit on the edge of the world. —Andrea Bennett
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How Malta Became the Mediterranean's Latest Hot Spot
Within minutes of landing on Malta, I was trying to decide what the place reminded me of. Now, I love Morocco, particularly the Atlantic coast, with its... Read More
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A Look Inside MSC Seaview, the Brand New Luxury Megaship from Europe’s Favorite Cruise Line
If you haven’t heard buzz about MSC Cruises yet, it’s only a matter of time. This brand — the fourth-largest cruise line in the world, by capacity,... Read More
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7 of the World's Most Beautiful Red Sand Beaches
Typically, beaches come in white, gold, and shades of brown. But travelers seeking more unusual shorelines can find sands in a range of hues, including... Read More
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The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2018
Travelers today are more aware than ever of all the world has to offer. It’s thrilling to be confronted with so much possibility — but daunting, too.... Read More
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Malta's Azure Window May Be Underwater, but You Can Still Visit It
People around the world mourned the loss of a natural wonder when Malta's Azure Window crumbled into the Mediterranean Sea in March. But now the... Read More
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Angry Tourists Leave One-star Reviews for Attraction That No Longer Exists
On the western end of the Mediterranean island of Gozo, tourists flock to visit one of Malta’s most famous landmarks: the Azure Window. The limestone... Read More
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These are the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in Europe
Europe has a history of attracting people whose identities were degraded or flat-out denied by other Western countries. As early as the 19th... Read More
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A Cherished Natural Wonder Has Collapsed Into the Sea
Malta's "Azure Window," a world famous natural rock formation, collapsed Wednesday in an event that the prime minister described as "heartbreaking,"... Read More
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Travel to These 'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations is About to Skyrocket
It should be no surprise that Game of Thrones—a Dark Ages fantasy drama with all the sex, blood, and political intrigue befitting an HBO hit—is... Read More
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19 Abandoned Movie Sets You Can Still Visit
Malta has become increasingly popular over the years, with its crystal blue waters and numerous historic sites. But there’s another draw on... Read More
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The World’s Friendliest Islands 2015
As part of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards survey, readers were asked to evaluate islands around the world, ranking individual characteristics... Read More
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Model Behavior: 12 SI Swimsuit Cover Locales You’ll Want to Visit, Too
The annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue—now in its 52nd year—naturally draws eyeballs for its cast of famous models, actors, and even Olympic... Read More
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The World's Strangest Beaches
Getting to Hawaii’s Papakolea Beach isn’t easy—travelers must endure a hot, rugged nearly three-mile hike along sea cliffs to reach it. Yet people make... Read More
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The Ultimate 'Game of Thrones' Travel Guide
HBO's Game of Thrones is lauded for its lush world-building, and the visually stunning way production designers (and, you know, wig experts) ... Read More
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Best Affordable Island Hotels
Too often the daydream of lounging under palm trees on some enchanted island is punctured by the reality of sky-high hotel and resort prices.But there’s... Read More
