We started our day with a breakfast out and a walk around the old town of Valletta

The streets are narrow and often hilly

Republic square,  where the Grand Masters Palace stands,  hosting 450 years of Maltese history.   We visited inside and were very impressed,  especially with the Armory

A Model of the city of Valletta

The grand halls of this historic and presidential national building

We were able to arrive at the Upper Barrakka gardens in time to view the Salute, the firing of the noon Cannon.  The garden itself is quite lovely, even though not all the flowers are yet in bloom

A couple of the charming features of architecture here are the colored closed balconies and the door knockers on the colorful doors

The entry gates of the city and the Triton Fountain are icons of the city

Best sign of the day

We walked a bit along the waterfront to the north, looking towards Sliema and toward the fortress at the end, Fort St Elmo