My husband was Maltese, too, Leah50. I have lived in Malta for 36 years and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, even now my beloved H has passed away.
I’m always reluctant to give advice as ‘one man’s meat is another man’s poison’.
Valletta is European Capital of Culture this year and they have done a lot of lovely embellishing of the entrance to the city, plus restoring the Triton fountain. The buses are no longer the old ones and the bus terminus has moved further down the road from the old one.
There is a lot of history in Malta, if you are interested. There are the oldest free-standing structures in existence in the form of ruined temples both in Malta and Gozo, which pre-date Stonehenge.
The house in Valletta is owned by a noble family and is called ‘Casa Rocca Piccola’, Nandalot.
There are not many sandy beaches and these can get pretty packed in the high season.
It is possible to go around by bus, but it is time consuming and hot standing around waiting for one to show up. I would recommend hiring a car.
Bugibba in St Paul’s Bay is a popular resort, but is a bit like a Blackpool in some ways. Lots of cheap souvenir shops and food outlets doing fast food.
It really depends on what time of year you come as the summer months are too hot for sightseeing, but winter can be cold and wet with many places closing for the season.
People seem either to love Malta or hate it. It depends on what you like to do really.
Hope you do come and have a lovely time. Let me know if you do and we could meet for a coffee. ?