Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and to celebrate the beginning of the festive season, we’re bringing you the “Mercury Holidays’ 12 Destinations Advent Calendar” – every day we’ll be taking a look at a top destination and what makes it the perfect place to visit with family, friends or enjoy a little you time.

So, let’s take a look what’s behind door number 1 and kick-start December…

Malta Package Holidays

Malta has been a consistent favourite for UK travellers for many years and it’s not difficult to understand why; from sun-drenched beaches and the dazzling azure ocean to a wide variety of quaint towns and charming cities, Malta is a little slice of heaven waiting to be explored.

Advent Calendar Fact: Malta enjoys over 3,000 hours of sunshine every year – ideal for perfecting a tan or enjoying a glass of wine whilst people watching.

Malta has a huge choice of places to visit and deciding where to start can be a difficult decision; however, we highly recommend exploring the stunning 16^th Century city of Valletta. Founded in 1566 by the Grand Master of the Order of St. John, John Parisot de la Valette, Valletta is home to magnificent Baroque architecture that dominates the skyline of the Grand Harbour.

One of the most spectacular sights in the city is St. John’s Co-Cathedral and museum; this ornately decorated church is home to breath-taking masterpieces created by Caravaggio and Mattia Preti. The city not only offers visitors a rich history of intriguing buildings, fountains and statues; there’s also an impressive selection of independent shops, restaurants and bars scattered throughout the labyrinthine streets which exude the true essence of Valletta.

Advent Calendar Fact: Some of the world’s oldest man-made structures are located in Malta, dating back approximately 5,000 years – Malta’s temples are older than Stonehenge!

If the Renaissance-theming of Valletta isn’t your cup of tea and you fancy more of a fast-paced atmosphere, then the fashionable resort of Sliema is an ideal choice for you. With plenty of opportunity to shop til’ you drop and an impressive selection of open-air restaurants to dine at whilst overlooking the Marsamxett Harbour – this picturesque resort is the perfect choice for your holiday.

Advent Calendar Fact: The world Sliema means ‘peace and comfort’ in Maltese and was traditionally used to salute someone.

The town of Sliema was originally a small fishing village that was developed into a town after the Stella Maris Church was opened to the public.

With an increase to population and a surge of Victorian buildings sitting along the promenade overlooking the rocky coastline, Sliema soon transformed into the first tourist resort in Malta.  

Advent Calendar Fact: On 15 April 1942 King George VI awarded the George Cross to the people of Malta in appreciation of their heroism during WWII. 

At Mercury Holidays, we pride ourselves on offering award-winning package holidays to our customers at unbelievable prices; simply click the link below and take a look at our offers to 14 Resorts across Malta and Gozo.

Malta Fact File:

Geographic size – 121 square miles (Mainland Malta)

Population – 493,559

Number of churches – 313

Average temperature – May to September 30 degrees, September to April 20 degrees

Hotel of The Day:

Qawra Palace Hotel – All-Inclusive from £363 per person

Qawra Palace Hotel is fantastic 4-star option for you Malta holiday. With a range of facilities including a terrace restaurant and mini golf course, Qawra Palace Hotel really is the ideal home away from home. 

Guest rooms include air conditioning, a balcony, en suite bathroom, satellite TV and more . You can also request a safe deposit box for a nominal charge. And you can pay a little extra to secure a room with a spectacular sea view.

(Lead price of £363 per person is based on flights from London Gatwick on 25th March 2020.)

Add on an amazing cruise of Valletta Harbour:

Add a cruise of Valletta Harbour for only £9pp where you can explore the history of Valletta as well as all the other places of interest which can only be admired from the sea. Please speak to our Reservations Team for full details.