Delta is launching nonstop JFK–Malta flights in 2026. When you travel far, you want two things at once. You want something completely new, and you want it to feel easy the moment you arrive. Malta has that balance. It is unmistakably Mediterranean, but it is also English speaking, compact, and surprisingly familiar in the way it welcomes visitors.
For American travellers, Malta has another layer too. There are real historical links that connect this small island to big turning points in the modern world, and you can feel them most strongly in Valletta and the Grand Harbour.
The moment Valletta makes sense
If you stay in Sliema, your first impression of Valletta often happens when looking at Valletta’s picturesque skyline. In the evening light, the city looks carved from honey stone, rising above the harbour like a fortress. Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage city, recognised for its remarkable concentration of historic monuments in a compact area.
This is where Malta feels grand. Not in size, but in presence.
A shared story between Malta and the United States
Malta and the United States established full diplomatic relations soon after Malta gained independence in 1964, and the US Embassy in Valletta was established that year.
Then there is the moment many Americans do not realise happened here. In December 1989, US President George H W Bush met Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at the Malta Summit, held off the coast in the Marsaxlokk area. The summit is widely associated with the symbolic end of the Cold War.
Even today, Malta remains part of the US Sixth Fleet area of operations, with US Navy ships continuing to make scheduled port visits to Valletta.
So when you walk Valletta’s streets, you are not only seeing a pretty city. You are stepping through a place that has hosted decisions and movements far larger than its map suggests.
Why Sliema works best for American visitors
Most first time visitors want two moods in one trip. They want Valletta’s history and atmosphere, and they want somewhere calmer to return to.
That is why Sliema is such a smart base. You can enjoy sea front walks, relaxed dining, and a slower pace, while keeping Valletta close enough for an easy day or evening visit. For travellers looking at accommodation in Malta, this makes Sliema one of the most practical choices.
If you want hotels in Malta that feel boutique and restful, Palazzo Violetta in Sliema fits that rhythm well. It gives you a calm base after long travel days, and it keeps the island feeling easy rather than over planned.
For Americans, Malta often feels like a rare combination. It is easy to navigate, rich in history, and visually stunning in a way that photographs never fully capture. Add the real links between Malta and the United States, from diplomatic ties after 1964 to the Cold War era Malta Summit, and the destination starts to feel personal.
Base yourself in Sliema at Palazzo Violetta, keep Valletta close, and let Malta unfold at the pace it deserves.
