Kate Middleton to go solo in Malta: three things she should do

kate middleton's solo trip to holiday island Malta

Kate Middleton is set to travel to the holiday island of Malta on her first official solo trip abroad this September. The Duchess of Cambridge will visit the Mediterranean hotspot on 20 and 21 September to mark the 50th anniversary of Malta's independence.

While Kate might be feeling a little nervous about her first foreign trip alone and spending a night away from Prince George, there are plenty of things to keep the Duchess occupied during her time on the island.

Malta is famed for its golden sand beaches, rich cultural heritage and abundant natural beauty.

The archipelago consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Malta is the largest island, where you can delve into the mysterious prehistory, relax by the sea at a luxury resort or enjoy the Mediterranean nightlife. Gozo is more rural, characterised by fishing, crafts and agriculture, while pretty Comino, the smallest of the trio, has just one hotel and is largely uninhabited.

We've picked three places we think Kate should visit on her trip to Malta:

Valletta

Stroll through the beautiful fortified capital Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with grand examples of architecture and history. Explore the city's cobbled streets and sun dappled squares steeped in history and buzzing with everything, from rich military history and baroque cathedrals, through to fantastic shopping, café culture and cutting edge architecture. Kate shouldn't miss a visit to the stunning St John's Co-Cathedral, a Baroque masterpiece of art and architecture.

Mdina

A visit to Mdina will take Kate back in time where she can discover an astonishing mix of baroque and medieval architecture in its ever-winding streets, wonderfully adorned and preserved churches, majestic palaces and fortified walls that make the city an outdoor museum. Commonly known as the Silent City with a quiet and calm atmosphere, she can stroll through the narrow cobbled streets and delve into the history which spans over 4,000 years. Ancient Mdina is perched on a hill and commands breathtaking views of the island that Kate will not want to miss.

San Blas Bay, Gozo, Malta, Mediterranean, Europe

San Blas Bay

For a secluded swim, Kate should head east along the coast of Gozo to the very pretty and tranquil beach of San Blas. This beautiful beach, known for its red sand and clear azure waters, is perfect for snorkelling and swimming. The beach has a very steep approach, which puts off the faint-hearted making this beach less crowded and a well-kept secret so the Duchess can get some privacy without the Paps snapping away.

For those looking to make like Kate and go on a solo holiday to Malta, singles travel specialist Solos Holidays offers a seven-night half-board trip to Sliema, which offers the ideal base to explore the island of Malta and its capital Valletta, from £689 per person, which includes a harbour cruise, a tour leaser and Thalasso Pool sessions.