Some like it hot: Chase the sun on the cool island of Malta

Just over three hours away from the UK, Malta is fast becoming one of the hippest places to escape for a winter sun break. Lady GaGa loved it so much she returned for more at this year’s MTV music festival. With funky night clubs, ultra cool bars, and adrenalin-busting activities, discover what makes Malta rock.

Dance til dawn

Paceville is the heart of Malta's nightlife. Sitting on a hill between Spinola Bay and St George's Bay, it offers numerous clubs, discos and bars.

Havana serves up hip-hop, reggae and soul; Sabor plays chart-topping hits; BJs delivers jazz and Fuego Salsa Bar is the place to practise your sexy Latin moves.

Further north, the busy seaside resort of Bugibba has a selection of trendy boutiques and restaurants plus an array of rowdy karaoke bars and Irish pubs. Sport and steaks are on the menu at Rookies while Dita's is a decent gay bar.

Four wheels or two?

Whether you get your thrills on four legs or four wheels, there are lots of exciting activities to rev up your heart rate.

Challenge your mates to a race against the clock around the chicanes of the Badger Karting track in Mosta. Choose from grand prixs, mini prixs and time trials, floor the throttle and drive.

Take to the saddle on a two hour sunset canter along Golden Bay's spectacular beach, one of the island's most popular stretches of silica.

Daredevils should head to neighbouring Gozo. Its impressive cliffs attract abseilers and climbers. Step into a harness, lean back, let the rope take the strain and enjoy the buzz.

Winter is the best time for mountain biking when the weather is cooler. Gozo boasts challenging cycle routes. Whizz over lush hills covered in wild herbs and flowers before enjoying a freewheeling descent to the fire-red sands of Ramla Bay.

Take the plunge

Voted the third best destination in the world by Dive magazine, Malta's 25 dive sites, offering crystal-clear waters and visibility up to 30m (98ft), invite you to explore the deep blue.

Swim through submerged wrecks, airplanes and amazing rock formations and marvel at brightly coloured corals, barracuda, sea horses, octopi, and tuna.

Advanced divers can test their nerves at the Blue Hole on Gozo with its steep 15m (49ft) drop off where you can explore chimneys, arches and caves. Schools all over the island offer day and night dives plus PADI and beginner courses.

Stylish bites

Join locals at the trendy cafés, bars and restaurants on Valletta's elegant waterfront of old warehouses at Pinto Marina. Pintonino Restaurant serves delicious buffalo mozzarella and seafood pasta.

By day, enjoy a coffee and pastizzi (puff pastry filled with ricotta or mushy peas) at an outdoor café on one of the capital city's central squares. Caffe Cordina, on the main Triq ir-Repubblika, has been in business since 1837.

Popular with tourists, St Julians also offers a variety of trendy waterside cafés, restaurants and clubs near Balluta Square.

Party times

Malta loves a party. Join street revellers at the Malta Carnival between 12-16 February 2010 for a pageant of colourful processions, concerts, dance, theatre and cascading fireworks.

Equally impressive is the two-day International Fireworks Festival on 29 and 30 April 2010 which lights up the Grand Harbour in Valletta.

Movie magic

Take a dip in Comino's sparkling Blue Lagoon, where Hollywood actor Brad Pitt was filmed in the blockbuster Troy. Boat trips operate from harbours all over Malta to this tiny island, strewn with small, sandy beaches.

Or take a short boat trip to the Blue Grotto at Zurrieq on Malta's south coast where you can dip your hand into the crystal waters and watch it turn an electric blue.

Impress your other half

What could be more romantic than clip clopping your way around Mdina, the most picturesque medieval city in Europe? Relax in your stately carriage as it passes through the ornate archway and around the Silent City's imposing walls and twisting streets which were once patrolled by medieval knights.

Visit the cathedral, descend into the grisly dungeons and marvel at the 13th-century Palazzo Falson's extraordinary collection of art and antiques.

Author: Kathryn Liston

26 October 2009

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