After spending October catching up with jobs, both in the garden and inside, I went for a short break to Malta. It was some years since my last visit, and, like southern Spain, it had changed dramatically.

This time I stayed at The Coastline Hotel, run exclusively for Saga guests, and situated opposite Qawra on Salina Bay in the north of the island. This review is written partly for the benefit of any people contemplating a stay at The Coastline Hotel with Saga Holidays.

It was an inclusive holiday, with full board ( buffet arrangements, except for the Gala dinner ), a good free bar ( open 12 hours daily), some free excursions, free internet facilities and safe deposit boxes, being among some of the included items.

If there was a footbridge over a narrow part of the saltpans, one could walk over to Qawra .... but the hotel runs an excellent and frequent courtesy bus service to and from Bugibba Bus Station, located between Qawra and Bugibba.

There is another courtesy bus available to Valletta, twice a day.

The outside pool area at the Coastline has both a pool bar and an outside bar............

It also provides a vantage point for views across the bay .... and of the Civic Amenity Site which may, in a few years, provide a pleasant backdrop !

In addition to a large and well stocked bar, and an excellent dining room providing plentiful and varied menus, there are other function rooms used for the included nightly entertainment, which is of a high standard.

Below the outside swimming pool area there is also a small indoor pool and jacuzzi, a gymnasium, and table tennis and darts facilities. There is a daily activity and entertainment programme, dvd projection film entertainment, and the usual Saga library, games and more.

Bicycles are also available free of charge.

At Bugibba there is a fairly level walk along a promenade, or one can sit in the public square with a coffee or other drink, and watch the world go by.

One included excursion is to Valletta market on a Sunday - though one might not agree with all that is sold there.

Another excursion explores inland villages. The churches, and a few other important buildings, have more elaborate facades .... but in the main most buildings and walls are built with the local soft sandstone, in a style which does not inspire !

The church at Qrendi ............................................... typical sandstone block construction.

Despite being hot and dry in the summer, Malta sees much rain in the winter months, often in the form of sudden, thundery downpours.

Provision is made for it to drain into wide open flash flood drains which eventually empty into the sea.

Below .... the San Anton Palace ( now the official home of Malta's President ) and the lush San Anton Gardens, with water features and walkways through many exotic plants and trees. The latter is open to the public.

Some other points : Unlike other holidays, remember - ALL the guests at the Coastline Hotel are Saga clients. If walking out - pay attention to where you are walking - broken paving and uneven surfaces abound. Saga organise many other trips, but public transport ( buses ) is a cheap, if somewhat bumpy, way to explore the island - likewise, many trips booked direct are cheaper ( English is spoken ) - although you could also hire a car ( driving is on the left ). For those travelling alone there are a couple of larger tables in the Restaurant for those who wish to meet / talk to others whilst dining.