The remains of temples erected in the fourth and third millennium B.C. are a unique sighting. Stone idols, animal representations carved in relief, stone tablets, altars and screens decorated with spirals and other patterns enhance the attraction of these magnificent sanctuaries. Some of the places worth a visit are Hagar Qim in Qrendi, Tarxien Temples in Tarxien and Ggantija in Gozo.

Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter is LEED Certified and perfect for nature enthusiasts. The 1,200-acre nature Preserve and 10,000 square-feet building have interactive displays about the environment. There are weekly nature tours, wildlife viewing, summer camps, environmental education for children and adults, evening lectures, and more. Hike, bike, or walk to the benches surrounding the beautiful overlook.

The Utah Olympic Park hosted the 2002 Olympic Winter Games as a prime competition venue. It held Nordic jumping, bobsled, luge, and skeleton. Now there are nearly 400 acres of sporting facilities and visitor areas that can accommodate over 300,000 people. Watch athletes in training, explore the Alf Engen Ski History Museum and the 2002 Eccles Winter Olympic Museum. There are daily guided tours of the Olympic competition sites, public bobsled rides, starting in December, and chair lifts to the K120 Ski Jump’s summit.

Turn left after Valletta's City Gate rather than heading straight in, climb the stairs, and you'll find yourself on top of St John's and St Michael's Bastions with views stretching over Floriana, Msida, Sliema, and Manoel Island. Local legend has it the gardens were built in just four hours — a nod, apparently, to Maltese industriousness. The garden takes its name from the Marquis of Hastings, a governor of Malta who died in 1826 and is buried here. Keep an eye out for the khachkar, an Armenian stone cross unveiled in 2009 to commemorate the Armenians who found refuge in Malta in 1375 and 1915. A fine spot to rest your feet before pressing on into the city.