GET A TASTE OF MALTA

If you love great food, the island of Malta has all the ingredients for a wonderful long weekend

Enjoying a prime spot in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta is an island that offers year-round sunshine, glorious beaches and crystal-clear waters. Not only that, it also has an incredible 7,000 years of history to explore that’s visible at every turn, from its mysterious neolithic temples and stunning baroque churches, to impressive Roman and Byzantine architecture.

Today, Malta is also developing a reputation for its culture and culinary delights. If you like to explore new cuisines, you can go on a gastro trail here (see maltauk.com/maltasgastrotrail for more details) and discover restaurants such as the quaint bistro Bahia in the village of Lija, which serves up a fine-dining experience using local and in-season ingredients. Or Barracuda, where you can tuck into expertly crafted à la carte specialties just yards from the shore, with spectacular views of Balluta and Spinola Bay.

You should make time to visit one of the island’s many award-winning vineyards, too, like the Marnisi Estate or Meridiana Estate, where you can tour traditional Maltese underground cellars. At Wardija, Sam Cremona’s olive farm is well worth a look. It’s open to small groups of visitors for tours and tastings.

With so much going on, it’s no surprise that Valletta is fast becoming a favourite city break destination for globe-trotting foodies. A UNESCO World Heritage site and European Capital of Culture for 2018, its narrow streets are easy to explore on foot, and it has a wide range of attractions including the beautiful Lower and Upper Barrakka Gardens, and the elaborate St John’s Co-Cathedral. Valletta also has splendid boutique hotels like the elegant Palazzo Consiglia or the stylish Ursulino, as well as a vast array of top-notch eateries.

Rampila, for instance, treats diners to traditional Maltese dishes, such as rabbit tortellaci, alongside more international flavours, and if you head to La Sfoglia, led by top chef Oswald Caruana, you’ll find quality Mediterranean classics and the freshest seafood. The Harbour Club, Panorama, and Michael’s are also must-visits.

With such a vibrant restaurant scene just a short three-hour flight away from the UK, predominantly English-speaking Malta couldn’t be a more perfect place to visit – at any time of year. Book your trip now.