My wife and I have just returned home in England after a three-week holiday based at the Grand Hotel Excelsior where the staff was wonderful, working hard to ensure that we had a good holiday.

We read Times of Malta every day and enjoyed it very much as it gave us a wider view of life on the island. We travelled around by public transport and met some really delightful people.

The hidden gem on the island in my view is Marsascala, which we visited several times. The harbour is beautiful, leading to coastal walks in both directions. The church near the harbour, with its Venetian-style tower, is exquisite and well worth a visit.

There are two stall holders facing the harbour that sell amazing fruit and vegetables. Well done guys. There is a woman in the Stuffed Olive that served me the best tomato soup I have ever had.

We enjoyed the island very much and would applaud the hard work being done to protect its history. We hope that the needs of the tourist can be managed while safeguarding the past.

A politician wrote on Times of Malta the other day saying that the future is more important than the past. He is totally wrong because the island’s history is very much part of its future as it helps to determine who the Maltese are as a people and a nation.

Be proud of Malta and for being Maltese.

Thank you for an excellent holiday.

By the way it is cold and raining here.