60 miles south of Sicily, the small archipelago of Malta, Gozo and Comino form the Maltese islands. Their southern Mediterranean location was a strategic naval location resulting in numerous attempts at invasion. The Nights of St. John fortified extensively for 200 years; these historic sites remain in fabulous condition making land excursions tempting. The many small bays on the Southern and Northwest sides of Malta and around Gozo and Comino are wonderful day and overnight anchorages.