Discover Megalithic Malta

Malta is "a little country of sun and package holidays" these days, but it is also home to some of the most ancient architectural masterpieces on earth, says Juliet Rix in the Times. The island's megalithic temples were constructed around 3,500BC, a thousand years before the pyramids, from stones so massive, later legend held that they were the work of giants. They are now Unesco World Heritage Sites, and two of the greatest - Mnajda and Hagar Qim - are both reopening this summer under new protective canopies. Many of the carvings they housed - plant and animal reliefs and fertility goddess sculptures known as "the Fat Ladies of Malta" - can be seen at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.

Air Malta, BA, Ryanair and easyJet fly to Malta. Details for entry to temples and museums at heritagemalta.org.