This trip was a first for Aida & I as a couple, and Malta was such a pleasant surprise for us both. It far surpassed our expectations.

Malta is a beautiful island with layers of ancient, medieval and modern history seemingly stacked one on top of the other. Ancient stone walls, fortifications and churches sit alongside colourful balconies, narrow streets, bustling cafés and the unmistakable signs of contemporary Maltese life. There is an incredible sense of history here, but it never feels like history has simply been preserved behind glass — it is very much part of everyday life.

From a photography point of view, and particularly for Street, Tourism and Architecture photography, Malta is a gold mine if you can slow down and open your eyes. The island rewards patience. Around almost every corner there seems to be another doorway, façade, balcony, passageway, viewpoint or small human interaction that catches the eye.

The Maltese limestone gives the island much of its distinctive character. In the strong Mediterranean light it can appear warm and golden, while the weathered surfaces, peeling paint, faded shutters and colourful doors provide an almost endless supply of texture and contrast. Then there are the blues of the surrounding Mediterranean, which seem to appear at the end of streets and between buildings almost as visual punctuation.

What I particularly enjoyed was the juxtaposition of the old and the new. Grand churches and imposing fortifications can sit only a few metres from ordinary residential streets, modern businesses and the everyday routines of island life. It is these contrasts, rather than simply the major tourist attractions, that I found most rewarding to photograph.

Our trip was five days overall and, for us, that was more than enough to see most of the main attractions, although I could easily have spent considerably longer simply wandering with a camera. The heat and humidity, however, are not to be underestimated. At certain times of the year the combination can be physically draining, particularly when exploring the island on foot.

Malta left us with the feeling that we had only scratched the surface. There is something wonderfully photogenic about an island where centuries of history, architecture, landscape and everyday life are compressed into such a relatively small space. The trick, I think, is to slow down, look beyond the obvious and allow the island to reveal itself one frame at a time.