Porthkerris, Cornwall

Porthkerris, Cornwall is a great scuba diving location for everyone from beginners to more advanced divers. Family-run diving companies in the area are there to provide visitors with lessons and tours that will take them to various locations around Porthkerris, where they will see some amazing underwater sights. Easy shore diving is one of the most popular types of scuba diving available in Porthkerris. Simply enter the water from the shore for one of the easiest diving experiences. In addition, divers will enjoy drop offs and shallow reefs throughout the region that are perfect for spotting a host of different marine life and the SS Mohegan shipwreck of 1898.

Porthkerris, Cornwall, UK by nick

The Farne Islands in Northumberland

Plan a visit to The Farne Islands in Northumberland for another one of the best diving spots in the United Kingdom. This diving spot is ideal for those who possess some diving skills, but can be enjoyed by all levels of experienced or non-experienced divers alike. These rocky islands are popular for exploring due to the various shipwrecks that have occurred here throughout the years. In addition to underwater shipwrecks, many choose to dive at The Farne Islands simply for the large grey seal population that can be seen here. Divers can watch these beautiful creatures swim in their natural habitats, something that they may not have the chance to see while diving at other UK destinations. Nearby diving companies are also available to take scuba divers out on the boat for a fun-filled day at sea.

Farne Islands, Northumberland, UK by Andrew Dyson

Weymouth, Dorset

Weymouth, Dorset within the United Kingdom is an excellent scuba diving spot for all skill levels. The wide open, clear water enables visitors to visibly see many different shipwrecks and marine life that call Weymouth their home. Within just 20 miles, divers can expect to see and explore about 120 different shipwrecks including warships, passenger liners and U-boats. Reefs and ledges will provide you with amazing views of tropical marine life that you may not see elsewhere. In addition, diving companies in Weymouth can provide beginners with training courses and certifications, as well as special tours that will take you to and from top diving spots within the area.

Weymouth, Dorset, UK by Jim Linwood

Each and every scuba diving spot throughout the United Kingdom provides visitors with an entirely new experience than the last. Whether you’re looking to explore shipwrecks, reefs or the beautiful wide open waters of the country, you are sure to find it all when opting to dive in various destinations throughout the United Kingdom – so what are you waiting for, dive on in!

Jenn is an avid diver and loves nothing more than travelling to new and exciting diving locations.  When not travelling she works for Northern Divers – you can find out more on the Northern Diver twitter.

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Typical Malta and its islands coastline by Martin Lopatka

Adventure Sports

If your idea of a holiday doesn’t involve being solidly sedentary, take a walk on the wild side, and get some adventure filled adrenaline coursing through your veins. Rock climbing and bouldering are great way to get super fit and super focused, while having fun and meeting new people. The heat of summer will no doubt limit your activity to early morning and late evening, but you can fill the rest of your day with kayaking, water skiing, wind surfing, sailing, and of course, swimming.

Diving

Malta is renowned for its fantastic and diverse dive sites. There is plenty of marine life to see, and wrecks and caves to explore. Dive schools can be found all over the island offering certified courses and beginner dives.

Beach combing

Nothing beats the feeling of sand between your toes, a cool breeze on your neck and the aroma of the sea all around. Malta’s coastline is beautiful and there are many beaches to choose from, each different to the next, and each with its own unique style. Spend your holiday discovering a new place to sunbake every day.

Valletta, Malta by Vicki Burton

Fishing

They say there’s nothing more relaxing than spending the day with a quiet companion; sitting by the water with a fishing rod in one hand and a cool beer in the other. Either hire your own equipment and find a good spot, or go out on a boat fishing trip with a local company.

Village Festa

An evening spent at a village festa is a unique way to get to know the local people and experience the local culture. Every village on Malta and Gozo will celebrate their saint during the summer and there is a festa every weekend, so just ask a local and they’ll tell you which village to visit at any given time. There will be music and dancing; food and drink, colourful characters and possibly a little mayhem. The feast is a family affair so take the kids with you and join in the fun.

Popeye village

Another one to enjoy with children is Popeye village, at Anchor Bay in Malta. Originally the set for the Popeye movie starring Robin Williams, the village is now a small theme park that attracts tourists all year round. It’s great for kids because there are loads of attractions that will keep them entertained, including; animators, puppet shows, an indoor play area, a funfair, a shaded play pool and a swimming pool. Anchor Bay is also a lovely area to go for a swim in the sea and enjoy the scenery.

Popeye village, Malta by njaminjami

Live Music Events

The Malta Jazz festival takes place in July and draws high profile musicians from around the world. The backdrop for the event is the Valletta waterfront and Grand Harbour; the event is spread over three days and the experience is priceless. If Jazz is not your thing, the Isle of MTV is in late June; it rocks a massive crowd, and draws big names from the world of pop music, and it doesn’t disappoint.

The Malta Experience and The Mdina Experience

Sometimes in summer, the best thing to do is get out of the sun. Spending a little time getting lost in Malta’s spellbinding history is highly rewarding and will give you a much better understanding of the hearts of the Maltese people. Whether you’re visiting Valletta or Mdina, be sure to take the time to sit back and watch Malta’s story unfold before you.

Mdina, Malta by Brian Brake

Amanda Webb enjoys writing about Malta. Malta offers a variety to tourists where they can stay in one of the luxury four star hotels renowned for their peaceful location in Bugibba.

The post Things to do in Malta in the summer appeared first on Europe Explored.

Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a Mediterranean nation, which for centuries was influenced by Roman, Arab and British culture. We can find a large minority of foreigners, most of which are represented by the British. Most inhabitants live on Malta‘s main island in the cities. Almost all the people belong to the Roman Catholic Church. On the island there are over 360 churches and at every step you can meet monks or nuns. Catholicism plays an important part of Maltese life.

The most important source of income in Malta is tourism, which also employs a third of the population. Malta and nearby islands to visit for over a million tourists a year. Tourism is therefore 35% of the gross domestic product. Malta has no own sources of raw materials, and is dependent on imports. Agriculture is concentrated on the island of Gozo, where we find more greenery and better conditions for growing wheat, barley, potatoes, legumes, vegetables, citrus fruit and grapes. In the summer season, vegetables need to be imported, because there is a very dry climate. Industrial production is focused on engineering products, electronics, shipbuilding and ship repair and textiles.

Malta is known for its numerous and well-preserved monuments from the times of megalithic culture. This leads to the assertion that this developed culture lived on the island already between 4000 to 2500 BC. Then the island had many different cultures: the Phoenicians, Carthage, Rome, Byzantium, Arabs, Normans, kings of Castile, Johannes and Napoleon. During the world wars, Malta became an important base for the British forces in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964, became a republic in 1974 and in 2004 became a member of the European Union.

The Maltese archipelago acts on the map as the small grains in the Mediterranean Sea, and yet form an important bridge between Europe and Africa. The Maltese archipelago is essentially a remnant of the connection between Sicily and North Africa coast, which was aborted in the late Tertiary. Malta is only 90 km away from Sicily and 200 km from Tunisia.

The islands are almost without vegetation, but Malta is interesting anyway. Indeed, the mythical Odysseus reportedly stuck here for seven long years. It is a paradise for divers and water sports enthusiasts, history and art lovers and you can enjoy here good food, drink and social life as well.

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