Malta, Cyprus, Crete and the Mediterranean Sea

I have traveled around Europe and my favorite is Switzerland. My daughter and son-in-law not too long ago had their honeymoon in Greece. I have never been to any of the Mediterranean islands, including Malta or Cyprus but would jump at the chance if presented with such an opportunity. Malta has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. I would expect it to be the same for the other Mediterranean islands as well. Such pleasant makes Mediterranean islands great destination for vacations, especially for those in countries with harsher climate.

Malta, a country of Southern Europe

The photo of Malta is property of Kristine Riskær

Malta is an archipelago comprising 7 islands which are all located in the Mediterranean Sea about 93 kilometre south of the Italian island of Sicily. Of the seven, only the three largest islands - Malta Island (Malta), Comino (Kemmuna) and Gozo (Għawdex) are inhabited. The other smaller uninhabited islands including the islands of Cominotto, Filfla and St.Paul.

Malta may be a small nation, but it is densely populated (as far as the 3 populated islands are concerned anyway). Like Belgium where I was a student before and which have 3 official languages, Malta has two - Maltese and English. Malta is both the smallest European Union country both with respect to population and to area.

Malta attractions

Other than the pleasant Mediterranean climate including the sunshine, Malta has a history of six thousand years to boast of and have temples, monuments and archaeological sites to prove it. Some of them are older than the pyramids of Egypt. A visit to Malta can be like time travel to the past as you can witness regular military and historical parades for visitors to be reminded of Malta's history. There are also multi-vision shows to portray Maltese history from its very beginnings to modern day.

Malta accommodations

Accommodation of various type to suit various preferences and budget, but for a thrifty person like me, I would probably go for Cheap Hotels in Malta. After all, one is going there to roam around Malta, not to hide in a hotel room, so how much of time does one spend in a hotel room when one go on a vacation that one would need an expensive hotel room?

Cyprus, officially the Republic of Cyprus

Photo of Golden Cyprus Beach is property of GOZDE

Cyprus is an island which is also a country with a mainly Eurasian population. It is situated in the eastern Mediterranean north of Egypt, south of Turkey, and east-southeast of Greece.

Food (Cuisine) of Cyprus

If you are like me who like to sample food from all over the world, perhaps you might be interested in tasting Halloumi that originates from Cyprus which is a cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk and is usually served sliced and grilled as an appetizer. Others include calamari (squid), octopus in red wine, (red mullet), and sea bass which are all seafood dishes of Cyprus. Cyprus cuisine commonly include cucumber, tomato, pickled cauliflower, potatoes in olive oil, kolokasi (taro), parsley, asparagus and beets. If you are a meat lover, you may go for meat dishes marinated in dried coriander seeds and wine, then dried and smoked. These include charcoal grilled lamb (souvla), lounza and sheftalia (minced meat wrapped in mesentery).

Cyprus Attractions

Cyprus is the third-largest Mediterranean island after Sicily and Sardinia and is a very popular tourist destination. Malaysia with 3 major races of Asia represented plus many other racial groups have a tag line Malaysia, truly Asia. In Cyprus, you can find elements of both East and West, and if I coin a tag line for Cyprus - "Cyprus, East and West", I wonder if this will earn me a free trip to Cyprus Tourism Ministry or Department. Not only can you get to enjoy the lovely beaches and track the rugged mountains, you can enjoy great modern healthy spas as well as visit traditional villages, medieval castles and ancient, historical sites Crusader castles to the tomb of Prophet Mohammed's aunt.

Cyprus accommodations

I don't know what you want, but I know what I want. I want: Cheap Hotels in Cyprus for the same reasons as stated above.

Greece, officially name: Hellenic Republic

Greece is the birthplace of many things including democracy, the Olympic Games, philosophy, Western literature, political science, plus many major scientific and mathematical principles. Greek mythology have influenced Western culture, arts literature and languages.

Greece is one of the most mountainous country in Europe as 4/5 of Greece is mountains or hills.

Greece can be divided into 3 regions based on its climate influenced strongly by the Pindus mountain range. They are the Mediterranean, Alpine and temperate climates. The Mediterranean climate has mild and wet winter and hot and dry summer and temperatures are rarely extreme. The Mediterranean climate are the climate of the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, Crete, Eastern Peloponessus and parts of the Sterea Ellada region. The mountainous region above the tree line of norther Greece would experience the Alpine climate where temperature are coldest. The Temperate climate has cold, damp winter and hot, dry summer and this climate is experienced by the Central Macedonia and East Macedonia and Thrace.

Greece has many islands in the Mediterranean Sea, including

Crete

Photo of Sunset in Hania, Crete is property of Miroslav Zadrepko

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean. Crete has a very significant ancient history and also a popular tourist destination. Crete was the centre of the Minoan civilization, the oldest form of Greek and hence European civilization, at around 2600 to 1400 BC). Among Crete's attractions are the beaches for the beach lovers, historical sites like the classical site of Gortys, the Minoan sites of Knossos and Phaistos, the Samaria Gorge, the Venetian castle at Rethymno as well as many other monuments.

Crete Accommodations

For a person who hates waste, I would say go for Cheap Hotels in Cyprus.