Avoid the burnt tourist brigade in Golden Bay and instead head
to neighbouring Ghajn Tuffieha, which is a lot more peaceful due to
a flight of stone stairs acting as a deterrent to lazy sunbathers.
Truly off-the-beaten track are the rocky flats of Peter’s Beach.
You won’t find an ice-cream shop or a sun-lounger here, nor will
you join hoards of holiday makers. Pack a picnic, stretch out on
the rocks and dare to
bare, as you’ll likely be the only people there.

Due to its southern location, Malta’s climate offers year-round
sun. While summer temperatures are scorching, June
has manageable highs and October is still pleasant (read: far
better than the UK).

Avid divers have waxed lyrical about the quality of diving in
Malta for years but few people know have latched onto it. The
narrow bay of Wied il-Għasri is popular with experienced divers due
to its staggering underwater caves, as is the Inland Sea and
Tunnel.

Those seeking a culturally rich break will find that Malta’s
history is intricately woven into its honey-coloured fortress and
craggy coves. Towns seamlessly blend old and new; the megalithic
temples of Malta are some of the oldest freestanding structures in
the world, while the imposing fortresses of Valletta conceal
baroque cathedrals and the theatrical Grandmaster’s Palace. Delve
deeper into the island’s 4000-year-old history in the charming
former capital Mdina (nicknamed the “Silent City”) where you’ll
discover the impressive palaces of Malta’s nobility and
archaeological relics dating back to the Roman Empire.

Stretching from April
through to September
there is a friendly rivalry between villages that spurs them on to
create bigger, bolder and louder festivities than their neighbours.
Every village has a patron saint that serves as the basis for their
fiesta and streets are perpetually overrun with food stalls (always
pick up a bag of artisan nougat), marching bands and an electric
firework display. Naxxar’s (situated in the north) celebrations are
among the wildest and often roll into the following afternoon.

Locals will tell you that this is their hidden secret. The other
Maltese island, Gozo
boasts the same historical credentials and unaltered beaches as its
sibling without the sudden surge in tourism. Take the ferry over
from Ċirkewwa to soak up the rays on the sprawling red-sand beaches
of Ramla Il-Hamra, where you won’t have to battle for a sunny
patch. Pack a snorkel as there’s plenty of underwater life to
explore.

Situated in the northwest of the archipelago, the cyan waters
are so clear you can gaze right to the bottom of the bleached
seabed. Surrounding the southeast of Malta are a network of deep
caves and impressive rock formations, also known as the Blue Grotto
caves. Best explored by boat, spend an afternoon diving in and out
of the cobalt waters and rocky inlets.