THE MALTESE ISLANDS

HEALTH & CLINICS
Medical facilities are available through the regional health centres and the general hospital, Mater Dei. Comprehensive health insurance policy for all travellers is recommended. Chemists are to be found throughout the islands and are open during normal shopping hours.

COMMUNICATIONS & TIME
Malta Country Code: 356
International Direct Dialling Access Code: 00
Malta is on central European Time (CET) that is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter and two hours from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in September.

LANGUAGE
Malta is bilingual whereby Maltese and English are the two official languages. Due to Malta's proximity to Italy a high percentage of the Maltese population also speak Italian. The widespread knowledge of second languages makes Malta one of the most multilingual countries in the EU.

CURRENCY
On 1st January 2008 Malta adopted the euro as its currency.

CREDIT CARDS
Most major credit cards are accepted by most hotels and restaurants and a good number of retail outlets.

ELECTRICITY
The electrical supply is 240 volts, single phase, 50 cycles. The 13 amp, three-pin rectangular sockets are used in Malta.

SHOPPING
Shops are usually open between the hours of 9 am and 7 pm with a three hour lunch break. In commercial areas frequented by tourists however, most shops remain open until approximately 10.00 pm. There are open-air markets, one day a week, in most towns and villages. The largest is the Valletta market on Sunday mornings.

TRANSPORT
The Maltese Islands are within easy reach of each other by means of frequent and direct sea and air services.

GOZO
To get to Gozo you take a 30 minute ferry trip from Malta's northernmost tip, during which you sail past Comino with its glorious Blue Lagoon, just visible through a narrow entrance in the rock coastline. Alternatively you can take the helicopter service from Malta International Airport, a trip which normally takes 10 to 15 minutes.

COMINO
There is a regular boat service to Comino from Malta and Gozo operated between mid-March and mid-November.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Malta's public transport system offers a cheap way of touring the Island. The main bus terminus is at Valletta from where buses operate to all parts of Malta, although there are also direct, point to point, services. The longest bus journey takes about fifty minutes; the average ride is between 20 and 30 minutes.

CAR HIRE
Hired cars are fully comprehensively insured. A number of internationally based car hiring firms as well as local garages offer the services of self-drive as well as chauffeur-driven cars.

DRIVING
Driving is on the left. International and national driving licenses are acceptable.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
On all public holidays, most shops in Malta and Gozo are closed except for bars and restaurants.

Jan 01 - New Year's Day
Feb 10 - St Paul's Shipwreck
Mar 19 - Feast of St Joseph
Mar 31 - Freedom Day
May 01 - Workers' Day
Jun 07 - Commemoration of June 7, 1919
Jun 29 - Feast of St Peter and St Paul
Aug 15 - Feast of the Assumption
Sep 08 - Feast of Our Lady of Victories
Sep 21 - Independence Day
Dec 08 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Dec 13 - Republic Day
Dec 25 - Christmas Day