Nice Cote d'Azur airport allows Riviera residents so much scope for international travel. Malta for example, is within easy reach. When I booked a flight there for an extended weekend last November, I wasn't sure exactly what I expected to find. However, it's safe to say, dubious expectations were far exceeded. Malta, a tiny speck south off Sicily on a map, has a lot more to offer than its size would suggest.

History for example. Strategically placed south of mainland Europe and southeast of Africa, Malta has been a tempting target for explorers and invaders over the centuries. Today, it carries a unique legacy with traces of European, North African and British influences.

Malta's capital city, Valletta, is also known as the city of the Knights of the Order of St. John, and the Fort St. Elmo

which the Knights built in 1552, is a stunning example of their legacy (along with the fact that 98% of the island's population are Roman Catholic). The fort is the furthest point of Valletta, a walled city that overlooks the impressive Grand Harbour to the southeast and Marsamxett Harbour to the northwest. The British helped liberate the island in 1800 and began to develop Malta into a major naval base. As a result, the new member of the British Empire suffered greatly from WWII bombing. On display in the capital is the Siege Bell Memorial that commemorates whose who gave their lives during the Siege of Malta between 1940 and 1943. The island was awarded the George Cross and there's a very informative National War Museum in Valletta, should you want to learn more about the period.

In 1947, the devastated island was given a measure of self-government. The country went on to gain independence in 1964 and became a republic in 1974. In March 2003 the population voted in favour of joining the European Union and Malta has been a member since May 2004.

The capital city of Valletta is the perfect base for exploring the history of Malta. Depending on your budget, there's a variety of options for accomodation within the walled city.

Malta is also an ideal location for any traveler looking to lounge beachside during the day and club-hop by night. The best sandy beaches on the island are Gnejna Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay and Golden Bay all in the northwest. Malta's sister islands, Gozo and Comino, are the most popular spots for beach babes.

The island of Gozo is much more tranquil than its big sister, but does attract visitors for scenic day trips on the Mediterranean. It is one of the half-dozen contenders for the title of Calypso's Isle - the mythical island described in Homer's Odyssey where the nymph Calypso seduced the hero Odysseus and kept him captive for seven years. Visit Victoria, Gozo's main town, then spend a day checking out the island's beaches, learning to dive or simply relaxing.

Comino, which was once reportedly the hideout of pirates, now plays host to boatloads of bikini-clad invaders throughout the year. The tiny island's most photogenic attraction is the Blue Lagoon a sheltered cove with a white-sand seabed and clear turquoise waters. A day-trip is the best way to spend time at this gorgeous spot. It's a bus and short ferry ride out to the Lagoon.

Hiring a horse-drawn carriage is an ideal way to see the fashionable areas of Sliema, St. Julians and Paceville and experience Malta's vibrant nightlife. These towns are packed with high-rise hotels, apartment blocks, shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. This is where the locals come to promenade, eat, drink, shop and play.

If you're searching for a romantic holiday, any combination of the historical settings, beaches and restaurants above would provide the perfect back-drop for an idyllic weekend with the person you love. Additionally, a walk around the fortified walls of Valetta offers spectacular views of the Grand Harbour and the Marsamxett Harbour on either side. Or how about spending a day exploring tiny Mdina?

It's the oldest city on the island and one of Europe's finest examples of a medieval walled village. The 3,000-year-old town, aptly nicknamed the Silent City, is perched on a rocky outcrop in the country's southwest. It was once Malta's political centre, but now visitors can spend hours wandering aimlessly through its quiet, narrow streets.

Malta is well connected to Europe and you can often find cheap charter flights from France, Italy and the UK. All flights arrive and depart from Malta International Airport, 8 kilometres south of Valetta. It's affordable, easy to get to, and a great place for almost any kind of holiday.

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