Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of spending some time on the Maltese Islands, a place that most people have heard good things about but few have had the pleasure of visiting.

I was based in Valletta but also had a chance to see Gozo, which compensates for its small size with a big personality.

The fortified capital city is hard to rival when it comes to beauty or history and is a Unesco site for good reason.

The 16th-century bastion walls are a sight that must be seen first-hand to believe and the view of Grand Harbour from the Upper Barrakka Gardens is one as inspiring as you’ll find almost anywhere in the world.

A few notable experiences from my visit include exploring Gozo, spending an afternoon on a sailing yacht off the coast of Malta and playing a round of golf at the Royal Malta Golf Club.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon in which I caught a ferry across Grand Harbour and explored one of the ancient Three Cities, Vittoriosa.

Seeing the sights and learning about Malta’s history were great but so was exploring the local cuisine, which gives you a taste of what life in the Mediterranean is all about.

If you don’t sample as many local dishes as you can to expand your palate, you’re missing a big part of the experience.

I’ve never had so many variations of rabbit and was left wondering why the meat isn’t more popular in other parts of the world.

Looking back, the most memorable highlight for me was the day spent on a sailing yacht, which included a tour of Grand Harbour.

It’s an experience I’d say is not to be missed, whether you are a resident or visitor to the islands. This was an activity a few people suggested before I arrived and they couldn’t have been more correct; I highly recommend it.

• Read more of Rob’s travels at www.stophavingaboringlife.com or follow him on Instagram: http://instagram.com/bloggeries