What Shoes NOT to WEAR in Malta

Of course you want to look good, especially in the summer on Malta--the beautiful Mediterranean island south of Sicily. But if you wear four-inch heels or platform shoes as the Maltese women do (from age 14 to 74 plus), you won't look good with a broken ankle.

Amazingly, the Maltese don't break their ankles or even their stride as they rush from one place to another in their stilettos on the notorious broken pavement in Malta. But my advice: don't even attempt to wear shoes like the Maltese. They're used to the rugged terrain in the cities, beaches and countryside.

Here are my suggestions on what you should wear in Malta:

• Trainers, sneakers or good walking shoes are absolutely necessary for sightseeing and trekking along on the old, broken streets in Malta's cities and villages. The main requirement is that the shoes should be flat and have good soles for walking over rough, sometimes slippery pavement. At the same time, the fabric of the shoes should be able to "breathe" to keep you comfortable in the summer heat.
• Flat sandals with non-slip soles are called for walking tall and feeling comfortable strutting along Malta's seafront. Don't wear flip flops because they can easily slip off and they give you no ankle support at all. If you must have some height, do it with one-inch wedges which I've found to be steadier than any other kind of heel.
• Closed beach shoes are necessary for striding on Malta's rocky beaches. While there are a few sandy beaches, most are rocky, especially in the shallow water where you first wade in. To avoid the discomfort of sharp stones, wear rubber water shoes that protect your soles and toes.
• A pair of really waterproof rain boots are handy for Malta's occasional downpours which quickly lead to knee-high floods in the crosswalks--even in the summer. And if you stay through the winter--which is Malta's rainy season--you will definitely get use out of these boots.
• Your favorite sturdy, high hiking boots with strong ankle support for climbing up and down Malta's limestone boulders in the countryside.

The good news is that Malta has great shopping and sports shoes of all kinds in its boutiques. So if you've forgotten your favorite pair of Mediterranean shoes, you'll be able to find a very fashionable pair at a pretty reasonable price.