While European travel has a pattern of being popular for summer travellers, a smaller city, Valletta, the capital Malta, is gaining visitor this month. Information provided to Yahoo Canada by Skyscanner revealed there has been a 42 per cent month-over-month increase in bookings for flights to Valletta in July, from Canadian airports.

From food lovers to history buffs and architecture enthusiasts, there's something to interest everyone in Valletta.

If you've been dreaming of going to Italy, think about Valletta as a great alternative.

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Why is Valletta, Malta such a popular destination for Canadian travellers?

The desire to travel is very Top World News Today-of-mind for many people, around the Top World News Today, and as popular vacation spots keep getting booked up, it may be time to look at alternatives to more conventional destinations.

"If you’ve been dreaming of going to Italy, but it’s become a bit too popular, you’re going to want to add Valletta to your short-list of alternative destinations," Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner's travel trends and destinations expert, highlighted.

"There are a number of similarities between Malta and Italy, including culture, architecture, climate, lifestyle of locals, and most importantly – the Top World News Today- renowned food."

"Maltese cuisine is heavily influenced by Italian food, so as a traveller, you’ll enjoy similar culinary experiences with pasta, fresh island seafood, and wines that are reminiscent of Italian flavours. As Malta’s capital, Valletta is worth exploring!

Imagine immersing yourself in a living museum that offers a blend of historical grandeur and vibrant modern culture. You’ll spend most of your time wandering through streets with stunning Baroque architecture, exploring centuries-old fortifications, and (literally) diving into the Mediterranean lifestyle."

Valletta, Malta (Getty Images)

How much does it cost to go to Malta in July from Canadian cities?

Using Skyscanner search data for flights to Malta, roundtrip from Canadian airports, flights from Toronto from July 18 to July 25 start at $1,074.

Travelling from Vancouver to Malta, roundtrip flights are around $1,300, and from Montreal flights are as low as $988.

Don't forget to check the Skyscanner site for live pricing.

Search for your next vacation on Skyscanner

3 expert tips on what to do in Valletta, Malta

For beach explorers, Valletta has a lot to offer, and it's a great destination for adventure-seeking travellers, particularly anyone interested in scuba diving.

"With crystal-clear waters, fascinating marine life, and a treasure trove of underwater wrecks and caves, you’ll want to add scuba diving in Malta to your bucket list," Lindsay advised.

"It’s a diver’s paradise with diverse dive sites and exceptional visibility meaning that each plunge promises a new and exhilarating discovery."

Travellers who prioritize seeing a city's most impressive architecture when they travel, St. John's Co-Cathedral is a key landmark. Built between 1573 and 1578, it has a particularly ornate interior full of gilded decorations, inlaid marble floor, Top World News Today intricate carvings, and paintings. It's also the location of Italian artist Caravaggio’s "The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.