What comes to your mind when you hear the word Malta? Most of my friends would think of the knights, the Mediterranean Sea and a lovely beach holiday. Very true, Malta is all of these: the knights of St. John found shelter on the island and ruled it for several hundred years; the tiny nation of 400,000 inhabitants occupies even tinier fortress island in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea and yes, Malta is a famous travel destination. Still, there is so much more to be discovered about Malta. For one thing, we could easily describe it as soaked with history piece of land. In order to get an idea of how diverse Malta is we need to look at its 7000 years of history. So many cultures have blended on this island that you could easily say it is a natural focal point where European, Mediterranean and Oriental worlds meet. I like to say: 'If Sicily is just around the corner, Tunisia is across the road'. That is why Malta is fascinating: so many different people came here and not only took (Napoleon was a famous taker) but also left something, namely their mark on the Maltese eclectic culture. For instance, you can see the British heritage not only in the design of the old telephone booths and post boxes but also in the legal and political systems. Interested in the Italian influence on the Maltese way of life? Walk on one of the narrow streets in any Maltese village and listen to the sound coming out of the open windows. Yes, you've got it - most probably it is some Italian show on RAI or one of the Berlusconi's TV channels. The modern Maltese language is another feature of the island that leaves you wondering. It is the only Semitic language in the world written in Latin alphabet. The Tunisians and other Arabs would understand quite a bit of the local dialect. On the other hand you hear the heavy influence of Italian and English in almost every sentence. Some sources affirm the roots of the language are to be found in the Arabic rule during 9th-11th centuries. Stubbornly, I am prone to believe that it has something to do with the Phoenician heritage of the Maltese. Browsing the Maltese history pages we get a glimpse on the most significant periods. There was a time when the Mediterranean Sea was not connected to the Atlantic ocean by the strait of Gibraltar and was an inner lake. The Maltese islands were a tip of a mountain dividing the western "Mediterranean" lake from the eastern one. The island boasts with well preserved heritage from these prehistoric times; the Neolithic temples and the UNESCO protected Hypogeum are good examples. After the colonisation by the omnipresent in the 1st Millennium BC Ancient Greeks, the commercially-savvy Phoenicians settled on the island and used it as an outpost for their commercial activities between their great colony of Cartage and Southern Italy. After the Punic wars the island became a thriving Roman province and later on fell under the control of the Greek-speaking Byzantine Empire. At the end of 9th century the Arabs conquered the islands and ruled until 1090 AD with a capital Mdina. The magnificent fortress of the so-called Silent City was further fortified by the knights of St. John. They ruled the island from 1530 to 1798 and shaped the European features of Malta leaving numerous artifacts, including many Renaissance and Baroque buildings. Thanks to these gentlemen on the narrow streets of nowadays Mdina you feel like taking a stroll in a real medieval town. Following the brief invasion of the French on their way to Egypt in 1798, the island became part of the British Empire. Some of the most conspicuous traces left by the British are the left-hand driving and the English - the nations' second official language. What used to come in my mind when I heard the name Malta? The Bush - Gorbachev summit in 1989 maybe? Well, seriously, I admit the knights and the capital Valletta were first to pop up. In fact, Valletta is so inextricably associated with the notion of Malta that I've noticed people frequently referring to the international airport as 'Valletta airport' or to the national stadium as 'Valletta stadium'. I am afraid that neither is true. I can see the bewilderment of many: How come? It is just that the island of 316 sq km hides so much to be discovered. Or let me rephrase: Malta has put on display under the open skies so much to be seen. And hey, this was just a glimpse on the Maltese history, did I mention diving? ...

South Africa offers tourists coming to our country a huge choice of holiday destinations. But its the Drakensberg Mountains that are still kept as an secret place thats seems a bit off the normal beaten track and while some folks do make it to the Drakensberg most dont. The best place to start your journey would be to download the freeDrakensberg Tourist Map which will give you a great idea of where everything is. This is the only to scale tourist map thats available for the region. It shows all the back roads, indicates which are recommended and which are not and indicates how far things are. But what I like about the map is that its freely distributed, includes all the activities that the region offers and a great selection of the best accommodation that the Drakensberg has to offer. The Drakensberg starts in the North with Clarens and the Golden Gate National Park and ends in the South at Bushmans Nek. Inbetween you will find the Royal Natal National Park with its Amphitheatre, Mweni the wildest part of the mountains, Cathedral Peak, Monks Cowl, Injasuti, Giants Castle National Park, Kamberg with the best bushman rock art site in the whole Drakensberg Mountains, Loteni, Sani Pass, Cobham, and Garden Castle. There is lots to do in the region but the main reason you come to the Drakensberg is because of the mountains. While every part of the Drakensberg is special and has its own uniqueness there are a few spots you dont want to miss. The best place to get to the top of the escarpment is at Sentinel peak. The return hike is 5 hours and takes you the top of the Tugela Falls which falls some 948 meters into the Royal Natal National Park below. The view from on top of the Amphitheatre is proberbly one of the most spectacular views in the world. Most tourists tend to walk at the bottom and while its worth the visit ist just not the same as the top. The Central Drakensberg and Northern Drakensberg form one region and by far the best example of this section of the Drakensberg Mountains isGiants Castle National Park. Essentially the experience in any part of this region is the same where you have the oppertunity to hike the lower reaches of the Drakensberg Mountains or otherwise stay low in one of the valleys. What makes Giants Castle more interesting is the large choice of trails and the lack of other people. I suppe it wont stay that way forever but the experice of walking in the montains and not seeing another sole can still be found here. From Giants Castle looking south the mountains become softer , less dramatic but make no mistake hiking trails in thes gentler landscape is just as good and should be included in your trip. Kamberg is a really good spot where the added attraction of the best site of bushman rock art is available. Bushman Rock Art is most definatly a reason to visit the Drakernsberg Mountains The excellent video presentation before the 3 hour guided tour atKamberg gives a great explaination of the history of the people as well as the rock art at game pass shelter. The rock art at Giants Castle at the main caves is also good and is a very easy walk. The Didima Rock Art Centre at Cathedral Peak offers a great presentation although the paintings are reproductions. All rock art must be viewed with a guide. Horse riding through the foothills of the Drakensberg is an experience not to be missed. Sengani horse trails offers safe trails for beginners and experienced alike. Spionkop game reserve even offers game viewing on horse back. Steeped in history, the Battlefields Region offers enthralling tales of British, Boer, Zulu and Voortrekker history. The Anglo Boer War reached as far south as Mooi River and the many sites are best visited with a specialist guide The region offers a fun and fascinating collection of art galleries, craft shops, cheese tastings, leather work, antiques, clothing, gifts and pottery. All the activities represent a unique collection of South African creativity. Take a slow journey to view outstanding galleries such as Millgate, Indigo Fields Gallery, and Zombeza. Community development projects like Eyethu Ceramics and Thandanani Craft uplift local communities allowing tourism a wider benefit. A trip up Sani Pass into Lesotho and a visit to the highest pub in Africa is a must. It?s a dramatic 4x4 trail climbing 1330m in 6,5km?s Passports required. Game viewing is available at Weenen, Spionkop, Umgeni Valley and Golden Gate. For Birders the Lammergeyer hide at Giants Castle the Crane Foundation at Kamberg and the bird of prey display at Falcon Ridge are highlights. Fort Durnford in Estcourt offers one of the most complete bird egg collections in South Africa. For adventure seekers the region offers white water rafting and quad bikes , the longest cable slide in South Africa, a gorge swing and a flying trapeze, bicycle tours and even hot air ballooning The Drakensberg Boys Choir is a world renowned choir which performs most Wednesdays at 3:30 pm. Bookings 036 / 468 1017. Don?t miss this enriching cultural experience. Another enriching culteral experience is Mpopomeni Zulu tourism experience where tourists have the oppertunity to meet local people, hear a bit of the history of the settlement and taste some of the traditional food. Whats great is that the experience is about real people and does not feel touristy at all. Or just pamper yourself at one of the region?s many health spas. For a difference Indigo Fields offers a real Africa day spa experience