Manikata is close to the seaside, Golden Bay being just 1 kilometer away and il-Mejjiesa is also a short walk (1.5 Km) so local fish is plentiful. Many Tourists visit this village all year round. Close by is the Holiday Village of Hal-Ferh. Horse riding is enjoyed at Hal-Ferh.The word manikata is derived from the Italian word 'manica' (sleeve). The area may have derived its name from the abrupt turning of the main road (until recent times the only road)

So how does one get to il-Manikata. From the Bus terminus at Floriana one can take the number 47 or 52 bus. The bus usually visits Manikata but on some occasions the bus driver will stop at Golden and could not be bothered to go the 1K to Manikata. There is also a number 51 bus to and from Bugibba to Golden Bay (not sure if this visits Manikata).

If you are coming via Mgarr follow the road to Golden Bay and once you see the Radisson Hotel (you cannot miss this massive Hotel), il-Manikata is to the right (approx 1Km).Manikata is well known for its' modern church St. Joseph's Church which can be seen when approaching the village.

Bronze Age Defensive Walls
In the north-east of the Manikata church there is a medium barren land called Tal-Qargha. This land contains a number of archaeological remains mainly cart-ruts, old quarry and walls built of large stones. In the land there is a girna and in the west of the structure there is a wall some 8 metres long and in it there are five large stones. Parallel to this wall there is another wall, which has six large stones. On top of the hill there is another wall and it there are three large stones, the largest one is 0.75m length and 0.6m breath. Apart from this wall there are another two built from large stones. It seems that during the Bronze Age period in this area there was a prehistoric village and it was defended by several walls against their enemies. The idea of building a village on a hill and surround it by a defensive wall is a typical characteristic of the Bronze Age Period, Borg in-Nadur. This site has evidence of hut foundations and has the longest defensive wall of the Bronze Age Period. Borg in-Nadur wall is the best preserved prehistoric fortification in Malta.

Drop a coin into one of the telescopes on the St Elmo clifftop to bring into focus the mighty white limestone walls of the citadel, the mediaeval stronghold of knights in clunking armour.

Before exploring Valetta, it's worthwhile taking an hour out to watch the Malta Experience, a sound and light show tracing the island's turbulent history - from the Stone Age through to Malta's bombardment during the Second World War (www.the maltaexperience.com). Most of Valetta was built in the Middle Ages when the powerful Knights of St John commissioned Europe's biggest names in architecture to build ornate palaces, a cathedral and state-of-the-art hospital.

The best way to get around the old town and the island's other ancient city, Mdina, is on foot, strolling through whitewashed lanes that are surprisingly cool even on a summer afternoon. Don't miss a visit to Ggantija, one of the oldest freestanding monuments in the world dating back to 3600BC (entry about £2). Across the water from Malta at Gozo, the stones are every bit as impressive as Stonehenge - and a good deal older.

The Maltese used to believe that as the stones that made the temple are so big giants must have built them.

The island of Malta and its little sisters Gozo and Comino make up one of the most child-friendly destinations in the Med. For a start, the country is only a three-hour flight from Britain. Then there are the no-tears transfers, with most family resorts within a half hour or so from the airport.

English is spoken everywhere, chips are on the menu and there are plenty of safe, sandy beaches for the bucket-and-spade brigade.And with water temperatures staying at 20C even in late November - and 23C-plus in summer - kids can run in and out of the sea all day without turning blue.

The largest sandy beaches tend to be in the north, in family resorts such as St Paul's Bay, Bugibba and Qawra.The beaches at Mellieha, Ghajn Tuffieha and Golden Bay are also a good bet for young families.The beaches on Gozo, half an hour's ferry ride from the main island, tend to be rockier - small, pristine coves where the sea is as clear as spring water.

This is the place for skimming stones, racing crabs and fishing for tiddlers in the rockpools. If the kids want to build sandcastles on Gozo, your best bet is Ramla I-Hamra where red sand adds a touch of colour to their creations.

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