La Valletta

Xlokk (Sciroc wind): African, pouder-bringing, wild. Or rather lbic (Libic wind): African as well, warm as summer, the season during which it blows all through the Mediterranean. Maltese orientation is set by the winds rose. Thanks to the cold "Tramuntan" I got my feet on the right pattern through the small alleys in Valletta, Malta's capital city. I left the high walls protecting the town from marine assualt behind me as I went up Triq-i-Tramuntan (North Street, indeed) all the way to Saint John's co-cathedral. The curch, as La Valletta itself, was conceived as a symbol of Catholic supremacy in the Mediterranean. The capital city dates back to 1565, the year of Malts's great siege: the island resisted to the attacks of Ottoman fleet and scored an important victory for the whole Christian Euopean world, thanks to its people strength and the strategic skills of St. John's chevaliers chief of the time: the French general La Vallette. As a reward, a new town was built after him. The construction of the cathedral of Catholicism pioneering capital was fuelled (of course) by capital and artistic investments coming from all major European Countries. Each of them got represented into the church: it indeed containd eight chapels on the two sides next the central nave. Each stands for one among the official language spoken by St John's chivalry order. The most prominent were located closer to the altar (as a sign of proximity to God...alright...that's the official version, up to the reader to buy the story or not...). The visits are well organized: there's much to see inside the church and you get an entrance ticket with audio guide for six euros, worth invested given it takes approximately one hour, which is interesting still not too long to be boring.

As you are out, just take your time to wander around the town's alleys: Triq-i-merqanti, the flowers oasis in Bukkara Gardens and down Triq-st-paul to Fort-St-Elmo, where you get an amazing view of the gulf to the old town of Birgu on the other side of the coast. Birgu is older than Valletta and it's the town which actually resisted to the Ottoman siege. It's worth a visit, given you can reach it in a quarter of an hour by bus from Valletta's City Gate (the bus station: a Marquez-style place where, btw, you can also taste the best Maltese snacks in town if you are fond of typical food).
Though beautiful and relaxing during the day, Valletta can be quite boring at night. Beside, there're not many hotels and hostels to stay (unless a couple which look a bit..vintage..). Consider the excellent bus connections to Sliema and Saint Julian, it's much better to stay in one of the hotels in that area: cheap, confortable and clean, correct breakfast included and above all located in front of an amazing sea path which runs for some kilometers from Sliema to St Julian. If you're fond of jogging, you cant miss it!

Saint Julian offers tons of cafés and pubs to "test" at night. The island is quite international because some English schools organize courses in Sliema, hence you wont have problems in finding friends.
If I had to suggest some hotels, I'd recommend Gzira, two-minute walk to Sliema (you don't even realize you change village). Three medium-level hotels are located in front of the sea and you can ask for sea-view room without getting an extra charge if there's availability as you arrive.
Worth trying: a ftira. Typical Mlatese bread, horizontally cut and filled with a stuffing of tuna, olives, beans and abbundant oil. A local soft drink: Kinnie. It's made out of a Mediterranean fruit similar to oranges but somehow bitter, though not as acid as lemon. The producer of this beverage is the oldest company of the island and the first to go public on the Maltese Stock Exchange. Yep, the small island also owns a stock exchange: it's a white-marble building located in Valletta's central avenues...if you were to miss Wall Street trading news.
Last suggestion: dont be couch potatoes! Cabs are not that expensive if you consider Europe's prices, still, buses are more than cheap (and by cheap I mean that a ride from one side to the opposite on of the island costs 1.16€...). And much, much more fun!