Motor and sail to Grand Harbour Valetta – which actually isn’t Valetta at all. Grand Harbour is actually on a peninsular called Vittoriosa or Birgu. We came in past several massive cruise ships and also the Maltese Falcon - the most computerised and third largest sailing yacht in the world. The entrance was just so dramatic we sailed in past crusader citadels, old buildings and church upon church! As we arrived the noon day gun was sounded. This was one of my dream harbours to come into!
Malta/Valetta is still full of the British heritage. Much of the dockyard has still to be developed and found new uses for even though the British left over 30 years ago. We visited the Maritime Museum and discovered the links between Britain and Malta running back to Nelson’s era and at times Valetta must have looked very much like Portsmouth with its dockyards, garrisons, hospitals etc.