Malindi. The mere mention of this name evokes images ofa paradise. This is true, and much more. Malindi is more than a place; it is a mood, an inspiration, a coastal state of mind.It is one of the most popular holiday destinations inthe world. Malindi, a seaside town by the Indian Ocean that was founded in the 13th Century, is 120km (about 75 miles) north-east of Mombasa and has been known as “Little Italy” since the late 1960s, It is home to an ancient culture renowned for its warm hospitality and endearing personality.The tourist resort is brimming with Italian restaurants, pizzerias, delis and gelato shops - billboards advertise in Italian, restaurant menus offer after-dinner liquors such as Limoncello and Amaro. Most people speak Italian. It is the town’s lingua franca.