If you are coming to Malta to enjoy some time on the beach, one of the most important things that you are going to have to consider is accommodation. Hotel accommodation by the beach in Malta can be very expensive, so a great alternative would be to choose a self catering holiday apartment.

Kite Surfing at Ghajn Tuffieha, Malta by Windsor Garage

Not only do these tend to be more affordable, but they can offer you a great deal more flexibility for your holiday. For example, if you are travelling with your family, an apartment is going to allow you to all stay in one place without you having to pay for multiple hotel rooms.

When it comes to accommodation, Malta has no short supply. However, it is a very popular destination, so you should make sure that you book well in advance. Once you have found somewhere to stay, booking an affordable flight is also very possible as Malta is well served by budget airlines. This makes flights to Malta easily available from most European capitals.

Enjoying a holiday by the sea is a wonderful experience, and Malta is certainly one of the best options if you are just looking for a relaxing place to come and get away from it all. That said, Malta is not going to disappoint when it comes to other options either. If you have chosen self catering apartments in Malta rather than a hotel, you are going to need to think about food. This is something that is easy to do because Malta has so many fantastic restaurants.

Whether you are looking for local cuisine, or international favourites, you are sure to be able to find it in Malta. In addition, you will find plenty of supermarkets, so you can take some food back to your apartment and cook for yourself.

Saint Peter’s Pool, Malta by Marco Chiesa

If you grow tired of just relaxing on the beach, another great activity you can do is take a boat out and explore some of the attractions that are located close to the island. Boats operate regularly from the shore and you will be able to find one that will take you to whatever you want to see. Alternatively, simply taking a relaxing walk along the beach can be a wonderful way to pass some time with a loved one.

In the evenings, you will find that there are plenty of active places to get a drink along the beach. As the evening draws on, you will also find lots of nightclub opportunities on the island, if that’s what you fancy. For whatever reason you come to Malta, you’re going to find a fascinating island that enjoys wonderful weather and has a huge amount of culture, not to mention fantastic beaches.

Written by Leila El-Dean on behalf of UniqueHolidayMalta.com, specialists in Malta Holiday Rentals.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Frank van de Velde

In addition to its scenic 17th Century canals, relaxed coffee shops and notorious red-light district, it’s packed with landmarks, historical sites and museums. Nicknamed “Mokum” or “Safe Haven”, Amsterdam has a broad range of officially recognised buildings and institutions, as well as surplus, charming oddities.

Certainly one of the first ports of call is the Van Gogh Museum, which houses the largest collection of paintings and drawings by the Dutch artist (who was born in Zundert, which is about 80 miles from Amsterdam). It is the most-visited museum in the country and one of the most popular in the world, which is bittersweet considering the sad life of Van Gogh, who died at 37 without receiving recognition for his paintings.

The “Achterhuis” in Amsterdam is the preserved hiding place where wartime diarist Anne Frank and her family hid from German soldiers in World War II. It exhibits the life and times of the young writer and artist, and is dedicated to all forms of persecution and discrimination. Whether or not you have come across Anne Frank’s diary from 1945, the museum is a deeply humbling place to visit.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Minke Wagenaar

Near Anne Frank House is the stately Prinsengracht or Prince’s Canal (named after the 16th Century Dutch Prince of Orange). It is the longest canal in the city and is home to a number of historical sites including the Noordekerk or Northern Church, the bustling Noordermarkt (Northern Market, which is lined with restaurants and shops) and the Westerkerk (Western Church), which is the tallest church in Amsterdam.

Packed with things to see and do – from midnight mass to saucy cabaret – Amsterdam is one of Europe’s premier tourist cities, and well worth the visit.

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Danube is still free flowing here and is the lifeline of the National Park. It creates a habitat for a number of animals and plants, some of which are rare species. Accompanied on guided walking tours or on boats, visitors have ample opportunity to get to know the fascinating world of the “Donau-Auen”, the Danube wetlands.

Donau-Auen National Park was established in 1996 and in 1977 the Lobau region was declared a preserved area by the Austrian government, as well as by UNESCO.

It is good alternate at your visit to Wienna.

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