While on holiday in Malta, there are various things to see and do, as well as beautiful island beaches to enjoy. Visit St John's Co-Cathedral to see Caravaggio's painting and the inlaid tombstones covering the Cathedral floor. Still in Valletta, the Malta Experienceillustrates the history of Malta at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The Three Cities are home to architectural displays of the island's maritime history, while Hagar Qim has a prehistoric temple complex with the oldest human structures in the world. Dive into the 'blue hole' at Dwejra's secluded pebbled bathing pool, and visit Marsalforn for great restaurants and bars. Malta offers visitors warm summers and mild winters.

Business in Malta tends to be conducted as elsewhere in Europe; formally and politely. Punctuality is important; dress should be formal with suit and tie the norm, unless weather is hot when one can forgo the jacket. Handshakes and the exchanging of business cards takes place on greeting. English is widely spoken and so a translator is unnecessary. Business hours can vary but are usually 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Some businesses open for a half-day on Saturdays.

Malta has a typically Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. In summer temperatures can reach 84ºF (30ºC), but the heat tends to be tempered by sea breezes. In spring and autumn a hot wind, known as the Xlokk, sometimes brings high temperatures and humidity. There is little rainfall, and it occurs only in winter.

The country code for Malta is +356, and the outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom).City/area codes are not required. Local and international telephone calls can be made from hotel rooms, and most hotels also offer fax and Internet access. Maltacom telecommunications offices also provide these services in the main towns, and coin and card operated telephone boxes can be found all over Malta and Gozo. The islands are covered by two comprehensive GSM 900 and 1800 mobile phone networks. Internet cafes are to be found in all the main towns and tourist resorts.

The wearing of skimpy clothing away from the beaches should be avoided, and dress should be conservative to enter churches.

Travellers arriving in Malta from non-EU countries do not need to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco; 1 litre wine and 1 litre spirits. Any large items or electrical equipment should be declared on entry (video cameras, televisions etc.), and currency must also be declared. Prohibited items include firearms, pornography, meat, poultry and their by-products, plants and drugs.

240 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin square plugs are used.

Getting around in Malta is made easy by the cheap and reliable public bus system, which has its own character from the vintage buses. Services radiate from Valletta, so you may find yourself doubling back to get to other destinations. The buses can be uncomfortable in extreme heat since none are air-conditioned, but the short rides make it bearable. You can pick up schedules at terminals or on the buses themselves.

You can also take the white taxis that will take you anywhere on the island, or local pre-booked black cabs that are cheaper. Hiring a car in Malta is another option, and you can do so at many hotels, harbours, and the airport. Another pleasant transport alternative is hiring a bike, which you can do in Valletta.

There are no health risks attached with travel to Malta, and water and food is safe for consumption. A reciprocal health agreement exists between the United Kingdom and Malta and as a result British citizens receive emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Maltese nationals on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Visitors should, however, take out adequate medical and travel insurance in case medical evacuation or further treatment is required. Travellers coming from a recognised infected area require a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

English and Maltese are the official languages; Italian is also spoken

The currency was changed to the Euro (EUR) on 1 January 2008. (Maltese lira are no longer accepted.) Banks, ATMs and exchange bureaux can be found all over the islands, as well as foreign exchange machines in the tourist areas. Banks generally open mornings Monday to Saturday, but exchange bureaux at the international airport are open 24 hours a day. Many hotels, shops and restaurants accept foreign currency, but currency and travellers cheques can be changed into lira at banks and tourist offices. Most hotels and restaurants, as well as many shops, accept Access, American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club International, MasterCard and Visa.

The borderless region known as the Schengen Area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option, and which allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all the aforementioned countries. Additionally, non-EEA passengers to Malta must hold return/onward tickets, the necessary travel documentation for their next destination, and sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the country. For visitors who are visa-exempt, extensions of stay are possible, by reporting to the Police Headquarters in Malta, no later than one week prior to the expiration of the period of visa exemption. Note that a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required, if arriving within six days of leaving or transiting through an infected area. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Malta is considered very safe for tourists. Crime is rare, though theft from parked cars and handbag snatching can occur. Local driving conditions are poor so exercise caution.

A gratuity of 10% is expected in hotels and restaurants if a service charge is not included in the bill. Most services are tipped about 5-10% (including taxi drivers).