Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on the south, Asia to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, this continent has an area of almost four-million square miles. Now known as the European Union, it has a single currency and a combined economic and military power.
Europe is incredibly rich in culture and history and showcases some of the world’s most iconic architecture. The close proximity of the countries makes it easy to explore, and a lot of ground can be covered in one trip. From ancient castles in Germany, fields of lavender in France, and the aqua waters of Cinque Terre in Italy, Europe is a treasure waiting to be explored.
St Petersburg, a Russian port city on the Baltic Sea, was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great.
The most iconic site in St Petersburg is the Church of the Savior, with its dazzling five domes and seven-thousand-square-metres of colourful mosaics. With its clear resemblance to Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral, the church took twenty-four-years to build and was over budget by one million roubles because of its opulence.
Malta’s capital city, Valletta, is built on a peninsula between two harbours; Marsamxett Harbour to the west, and the Grand Harbour to the east. Perched on higher ground, the city has a rich history, and features many spectacular, Baroque-style buildings dating back to the 16th century.
Designed on a grid system, it is easy to navigate on foot, and at less than one square kilometre, it is also one of the world’s smallest cities. Valletta was built by the Knights of Malta strategically, like a fort, with bastion walls surrounding the perimeter and despite its small size, it boasts over twenty-five churches. St John’s Co-Cathedral is an unassuming building with an interior so richly decorated it will take your breath away. The National War Museum contains war history artefacts and covers centuries of Malta’s history.
Because it is so small, Valletta is best explored on foot, and whilst admiring the beautiful buildings and sparking harbour, stop in at one of the many cafés or restaurants and enjoy some of Malta’s finest food. Malta’s ftira, traditional pizza-like flatbreads, feature olives, cheeses, capers and a variety of meats. Baked in ancient ovens to crispy perfection, these are the perfect food to refuel on.
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