In 1814, Malta had become a crown colony of the British Empire after the British had help expel occupying French forces.
Following the heroic defense of the island during World War II, King George VI had promised the Maltese people self government which they gained in 1947. This eventually led to independence from Britain in 1964 and Malta becoming a republic later that year.
British forces remained on the island until 31 March 1979, when the Defence Treaty with Britain came to an end.
The removal of British was partly financial. When the Labour government came to power in Malta in 1971, it renegotiated the the lease agreement that allowed British forces to stay on the island until 1979 at an increased rent.
This withdrawal meant that for the first time in over a thousand years, Malta had no foreign military presence on its land.
The main events of the activities commemorating this date take place at the Freedom Day Monument at Vittoriosa and at the War Memorial in Floriana. In the afternoon the Grand Harbour hosts a competitive regatta.
A travel lover who tried a £99 mystery holiday bargain soon regretted it when it ‘turned into a nightmare’. Lauren Kirby and her friend each paid £99 for a trip, plus an extra £20 to change from Venice to Malta and then an extra £12 for a city centre hotel.
On top of that, there was another €3 tourist tax and €100 for transfers and food. But despite the extra outlay, they say the destination was ‘not worth it’. Lauren, 22, from Maidstone, Kent, says she will think twice before doing it again.
“We bought our ticket in August 2025 and went on the trip in January 2026,” she said. “We didn’t expect a five-star hotel for £99 but we did expect a basic level of customer service, which we don’t believe we received.
“Initially, we got Venice and paid £20 each to upgrade to Malta as we had been to Venice before, but hadn’t been to Malta. We changed this when we found out there was an option to do so and were really excited.
“But when they rang us to confirm the booking, that’s when the problems started. We were told we couldn’t go to Malta, even though we paid specifically to go there and then we were told we could go to Prague or Venice instead but wouldn’t get the £20 back.
“Which didn’t make sense when we’d already paid £20 not to go to Venice. After a lot of toing and froing and swapping agents, it was reluctantly agreed that we could still go to Malta. But after that point, my trust in them disappeared.
“The hotel itself was OK and the hotel staff were very nice. But we had paid £12 each on top of the £20 we already paid to stay in the city centre. “And our hotel turned out to be located a 30-minute drive away from the centre.
“Not what we paid for. It would have been significantly cheaper to book it ourselves. On top of this, the travel agents asked us for our login details to easyJet to be able to complete the booking – we were told that we could change the password afterwards.
“I think a reputable travel service would be able to do that themselves without needing to log into our accounts. The whole thing was highly disappointing as it was not what we had paid for. There wasn’t anything within walking distance apart from a corner convenience shop, so we were very annoyed that we had paid extra but didn’t feel we received anything for it.
“I don’t think I would do it again. So in future if I want a mystery holiday, I’d prefer putting a list of destinations in a hat myself and doing it that way.”
A writer visited the stunning Mediterranean island of Gozo, part of Malta, which boasts 300 days of sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and incredible scenery just a short flight from the UK
Holly Clarke and Chloe Dobinson
02:00, 21 Mar 2026
Holly Clarke visits travels to Gozo a short 20 minute trip from Malta
When off to a European destination during the winter months, its impossible to bank on good weather, however far in the Continent you’re planning on going.
Recently, the Liverpool Echo’s Holly Clarke took a chance with the weather and embarked on a journey to the Maltese Archipelago. Not only did she strike gold in meteorological terms, but the Mediterranean island chain proved to be an absolute treasure.
From exploring the streets of the silent city of Mdina to experiencing the energy and activity of the capital city, Valletta, there genuinely is something for everyone, including fantastic nightlife in St Julian’s, the pristine waters of the Blue Lagoon, and sufficient churches on the island for every day of the year.
Holly departed from Manchester Airport at 7am and was wandering around the breathtaking Balluta Bay by 12pm. Flights are also easily accessible from John Lennon Airport and various other airports throughout the UK.
As much as Holly loved Malta, it was its much smaller, lesser-visited neighbour that really stole her heart.
There are three islands which constitute the Republic of Malta: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Whilst Malta has the largest population out of the three at around 574,000, Gozo has just 39,287 residents, with only two inhabitants on the island of Comino.
Before Holly realised it, she was setting off on a ferry to the island of Gozo, which is developing a new £2million airport that’ll make journeys from Malta considerably quicker. For the time being, the ferry is direct and costs approximately 5 Euros for a return ticket.
Within just 20 minutes, she had arrived on the gorgeous, less-frequented island. The 26-square-mile stretch of land is famed for its rugged terrain and spectacular scenery, and it certainly lived up to expectations. It provides everything from excellent seafood, jaw-dropping views, and crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming.
Gozo is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts with its dramatic cliffs and deep valleys. Another bonus of the island is that it boasts 300 days of sunshine – that sealed the deal for Holly!
Numerous tourists spend a night or two on the island, but she was aware she’d only be there for a day, so there was no time to waste. Holly’s chosen mode of transport was a tuk-tuk, provided by Yippee Malta, which she absolutely loved.
Holly was driven around by Joe, who has spent his entire life on the island. As she sat in the rear of the tuk-tuk, Holly marvelled at the gorgeous hills, which brought to mind the striking landscapes of the UK. The main distinction was the azure sky and brilliant yellow orb breaking through the clouds, something she hadn’t witnessed for several months back in England.
First stop, a bay named Mgarr ix Xini for a climbing and abseiling experience, run by Gozo Adventures. It provided the ideal chance to embrace a more adventurous side whilst soaking in the stunning valley panoramas.
Having never climbed previously, it’s reasonable to say Holly’s legs were trembling slightly as she gazed up to the summit of the valley where she was meant to be climbing. But after observing the thorough demonstration from Cornil at Gozo Adventures, Holly gave it her best shot and felt incredible afterwards.
After building up an appetite, it was time for Holly’s favourite aspect of any journey: the cuisine. She jumped in a vehicle and made her way to a restaurant on the marina, Il-Kartell. The seafood establishment was the ideal location for lunch, situated on the waterfront, which provided views of the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean.
The restaurant bills itself as “casual dining by the sea”, so she opted for the Linguini Al Kartell and she wasn’t let down. It will rank as one of the most unforgettable pasta dishes she has ever tasted.
It’s evident from just a few brief hours on the island that life there isn’t hurried. Back home, it’s simple to find yourself grabbing a sandwich on the commute to work, or occasionally forgetting to pick up anything at all.
In Malta and Gozo, both residents and tourists spend at least an hour or two enjoying lunch. Beginning with bread and olive oil before diving into a pasta dish and concluding with a double espresso, it was pleasant to find time to decelerate and savour the world a little more.
Nevertheless, there was no opportunity for a mid-afternoon lull as there was so much to explore before the ferry back to Malta. Next on the schedule were the Qbajjar Salt Pans.
The northern coastline is distinguished by a chequerboard of rock-cut saltpans, which are 350-years-old. They are remarkable to observe and are also steeped in history, part of the centuries-old Gozitan tradition of sea-salt production that has been handed down for many generations. On the eastern side of the island lies Għar tal-Mixta. Perched high above Ramla Bay, the cave provided the most stunning panoramic views of the bay and the coastline.
The cave can be accessed via a short 15-minute walk from Ramla Bay beach, and it’s absolutely a must-see on a visit to Gozo if you’re able to make it. Holly entered the cave through a narrow gap in the rocks, then descended a couple of steps to one of the finest views she has ever witnessed.
It was rather crowded with other visitors, even for this time of year, so she patiently waited her turn to capture a photo overlooking the bay.
It wouldn’t be a visit to Gozo without experiencing the iconic Citadel. Situated on a steep hill, the Citadel is a fortified city visible from across the island, towering high in the Gozian skyline.
It is found in Victoria, also referred to as Rabat, the capital of Gozo, and is amongst the island’s most iconic landmarks. The Citadel was formerly a flourishing city before it was converted into a castle in medieval times. Many of the old houses and palaces here have been restored into museums and shops, making it a popular tourist destination.
It’s free to visit, and you could spend hours discovering the fascinating history and exploring its key attractions. We admired the Cathedral of the Assumption, constructed entirely of local limestone. Simply strolling around the Citadel provides panoramic views of the entire island of Gozo. For just 5 Euros, you can also explore the museums and historical sites available. Regrettably, it was time to catch the ferry back to Malta, otherwise she could have easily spent several more hours here.
If Holly had stayed overnight, a sunset viewing at the Citadel or an early morning dip in the crystal-clear waters would have been the perfect end to the trip.
The 900ft Arctic Metagaz, a charred Russian ghost tanker, has drifted dangerously close to Malta, an archipelago in the central Mediterranean known for its history and culture
23:17, 16 Mar 2026Updated 23:19, 16 Mar 2026
The carrier is adrift between Malta and Lampedusa(Image: Newsbook Malta/AFP via Getty Ima)
Malta — a popular holiday hotspot — is said to be under threat of a “major ecological disaster”.
A charred Russian ghost tanker is believed to be around 50 nautical miles southwest of the island, and is drifting crewless towards the archipelago. The vessel was blitzed two weeks ago by Ukranian drones and has since, the hole-ridden 900ft Arctic Metagaz has moved towards Malta.
And now multiple European countries have warned an ecological threat is imminent. In a letter to the European Commission, seven nations said the “precarious condition of the vessel, combined with the nature of its specialised cargo” posed a “serious risk”. These countries have described the situation as a “dual challenge” – upholding maritime safety and preventing an ecological disaster against the background of EU sanctions imposed on.
Russia claimed that Ukraine used “uncrewed sea drones” to target the Metagaz in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Malta. The Security Service of Ukraine has not responded to the accusation.
According to Russia, the attack took place on March 4 and was launched from the Libyan coast. The vessel had previously been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for being part of Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
Composed largely of ageing tankers, the fleet moves Russian oil and gas worldwide while bypassing Western restrictions. Authorities in Malta and Italy have been closely monitoring the wreck amid concerns about potential pollution. Rome said the vessel was carrying “significant quantities of gas, heavy oil, and diesel fuel.”
WWF Italy warned in a statement: “A potential spill could cause fires, cryogenic clouds lethal to marine life, and widespread and long-lasting pollution of water and the atmosphere.”
It added: “The affected area is of exceptional ecological value, with fragile deep-sea ecosystems and some of the highest biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin.”
Salvage experts are already in Malta in preparation for the ship’s arrival in Maltese waters, while a specialist vessel is on its way, a maritime source told AFP on Sunday.
Initial reports indicated that the ship sank after explosions sparked a fire on board. Libyan authorities said the tanker went down about 130 nautical miles north of the port of Sirte. Around 30 Russians were on board the Arctic Metagaz, according to Russia’s transport ministry. They were all found “safe and sound in a lifeboat” by Malta’s armed forces, Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said.
However, Malta’s transport authority said last week that the wreck was still afloat. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation acknowledged that the vessel was drifting in the Mediterranean and said Russia’s further involvement in resolving the situation would depend on “concrete circumstances”. It added that efforts to address the situation — including surveillance, monitoring and other technical support — could risk “undermining the integrity, effectiveness and the deterrent value of the EU sanctions regime”.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the ship had no crew and was carrying 700 metric tons of various types of fuel along with “a substantial amount of natural gas”.
“The international legal norms applicable to the current situation imply the responsibility of coastal countries … for resolving the situation with the drifting vessel and preventing an environmental disaster,” Zakharova wrote.
“Further involvement by the shipowner and Russia as the flag state will depend on the specific circumstances.”
