I came to Malta as a historical traveler. After reading Roger Crowley’s ‘Empires of the Sea’ I was compelled to see the Valleta area for myself. The final battles that changed the course of the world were fought on Senglea in 1565. What I was pleasantly surprised was the amazing beautiful scenery there. It is truly a romantic oasis. You can easily flag down a water taxi that will take across the the Grand Harbor to Valleta or a harbor cruise. The boatman are a warm, colorful bunch. Thank god for the British. They have bestowed a sense of order to Malta that is very tangible.