XARA PALACE HOTEL REOPENS
The 17th-century Xara Palace Hotel in Mdina, closed since the 1970s, has reopened as a five-star, 17-room all-suite hotel. Prestige and Belleair will feature it from next winter.
CARAVAGGIO RETURNS TO VALLETTA
Malta’s Caravaggio art masterpiece, The Beheading of John the Baptist, is back in St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta after its £1.5m restoration. The canvas measures eight metres by five metres.
GOLDEN TULIP DELAYS OPENING
The opening of the four-star Golden TulipVivaldi in St Julian’s has been delayed from March to early summer. Facilities at the205-room property include a rooftop pool, indoor pool and fitness centre.
SUNSPOT OFFERS WINTER DISCOUNTS
Sunspot is offering a discount of up to £112 per couple for winter bookings made before September 30. The offer applies to most properties in its winter brochure.
CHOIRS UNITE THIS NOVEMBER
The 11th Malta International Choir Festival, which attracts strong UK support, will take place in the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, from November 8-12.
TEMPLE COMPLEX RESTORED
The Hypogeum underground temple complex at Paola, dating from 2,500BC, reopens this month after a 10-yearrestoration programme. A limit will be placed on visitor numbers to protect the site.