For those looking for a true "Isle of Tranquility."

For those seeking a certain, quiet kind of luxury, away from mobbed, victims-of-their-own-excess locales like Mykonos or Ibiza (no offence), Malta is the Mediterranean's best kept secret. Stately and elegant, the 17th century Xara Palace guards the privacy of its guests today just as it did when the noble Moscati Parisio family called it home. Imbedded in the historic heart of Mdina, the old capital, the family-run Xara harkens back to the age of the crusading Knights Hospitaller, and forms part of the medieval bastions that surround the city.

A seriously low-key city in a seriously low-key country, no cars are allowed in Mdina, thus keeping the narrow streets free, uncluttered and timeless. On to this tranquil cityscape looks the Xara's Grand Master Suite, with views external courtyard of the hotel as well as the Vilhena Palace, which was the Law Court in the time of the Knights. Sumptuously appointed in art and antiques, and with an old-style sitting room, guests can enjoy massage, reflexology, scuba diving, and golf, plus tours of the near-by Meridiana Wine Estate. Other tours include the Neolithic ruins of Tarxien and the grand Mnajdra, the oldest freestanding structure on Earth, predating the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. Back at the Xara, award-winning Executive Chef Kevin Bonello will guide you through the steps of a classic Maltese three-course meal.

In other words, this is where one may engage in a rather antiquated notion when it comes to vacations: it's a place where you can actually relax.

xarapalace.com.mt

David Perry

11/4/08