Malta, the island located just below Sicily, is well known for its diversity of things to do and see. Just one day on the island can show you some of the finest Italian architecture you will see, breathtaking views, opportunities for outdoor and beach activities and great spots for evening dining. Here’s a quick guide to some not-to-miss sites, sounds and places to eat.

A visit to Valetta, the island’s capital, will show you some of the most stunning examples of Maltese-style architecture and baroque churches in Southern Italy. Be sure to wander around St. Paul’s church and St. Agatha’s catacombs, both of which are particularly interesting and popular spots. In addition, as well as being stunning architecturally, the Cathedral of St. John and Grand Master’s Palace both house, among other textiles, beautiful and intricately weaved tapestries, which were once designed for Louis XIV.

Next, if you want to get out of the sunshine for a few hours and head indoors, you can visit some of the many Museums on the island. Check out the National Museum of Fine Art, housed in a striking 18th century palace, and the Church of Our Lady of Victories. Malta is touted for its archaeological ruins and the National Museum of Archaeology is definitely a spot you should make it a priority to see. The Museum has an exceptionally wide array of artefacts from Malta’s prehistoric periods, starting with the first arrival of man in the “Ghar Dalam” phase (5200 BC) up to the “Tarxien” phase (2500 BC).

As for things to do at night, Valetta’s Manoel Theatre puts on some great opera, orchestra and theatre. The second oldest theatre in Europe, Manoel theatre is a site to see in itself. With a gorgeous pale blue trompe-l’oeil ceiling that resembles a round cupola, a richly decorated Rococo interior, a Carrara marble staircase and Viennese chandeliers, the atmosphere of the shows and music is enhanced by the architecture of the place. Finally, the water reservoirs beneath the floor create an incredibly precise acoustic environment. To round up the night, Capistrano, just around the corner from Manoel Theatre, has high quality dishes at affordable prices and is great for a pre or post-show dinner.

Europe seems to get smaller and increasingly accessible thanks to the reams of budget flights available to all. It also seems that phone companies are, in part, creating a home away from home holiday, edging further towards making Europe an integrated community. Companies like Vodafone have abolished all roaming charges this summer, which means texting for theatre times, whilst in Rome, from your Vodafone mobile will be charged as a standard rate. With something like Vodafone’s International SIM card, you can now make dinner and theatre reservations without breaking your budget through calls alone. Check the Vodafone website to see if any of their mobile phone deals might benefit your holiday finances.