Forget Mauritius and the Maldives, Malta is becoming one of the most popular destinations for foreign weddings and honeymoons. Recently, Her.ie decided it was time to take a little break and quickly fell in love with this picturesque and authentic Mediterranean bolthole.

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While it may be tempting to jump straight to long-haul destinations when planning a honeymoon, the reality is that there is nothing romantic about layovers and jetlag. More and more, couples are realising that you don’t need to opt for a 12-hour flight to enjoy a dream break as there are plenty of idyllic spots that are just a hop, skip and jump from our shores. One such destination that is steadily gaining in popularity is Malta, which is just a four hour flight from Dublin and has attracted the attention of several A-list stars including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. With a population of under 450,000, Malta’s small size means that you can get around with zero hassle and visitors can drive from one end of the island to the other in about 30 minutes. Situated in the Mediterranean, Malta is flanked by islands Gozo and Comino and offers an authentic experience that combines rustic surroundings with five-star luxury. Despite its cosy confines, there are plenty of options to keep even the most adventure-hungry couple entertained, from snorkelling to wine-tasting and everything in between. After a speedy Ryanair flight to Malta International Airport, we arrived at the Radisson Blu St Julian’s hotel and were met with a characteristically friendly welcome from the Maltese staff. Boasting stunning sea views, it’s fair to say we were very tempted to spend our break sipping happy-hour cocktails at the poolside bar but after a delicious breakfast at the buffet (complete with omelette bar and fresh smoothies), it was time to meet a private boat to bring us to the tiny island of Comino. From the vibrant turquoise sea to the natural caves around the island, the scenes on our journey looked like something from a postcard and before long, we had arrived at Blue Lagoon Bay to enjoy a quick dip in the calm waters. A haven for water sports, there are only eight people living on the island but it is home to the Comino Hotel, making it the perfect private getaway for a newly married couple. Next up, it was time to head to Gozo for a wine tasting session on the Ta’ Mena estate. This vineyard also serves as a wedding location and can cater for everything from small ceremonies to gatherings of several hundred people. We sat in the sunshine while enjoying some of the location’s beautiful wines and fresh produce, both of which can be bought from a little shop on site. For anyone looking for a true taste of local life, this is a must-visit. After sampling the local delicacy of rabbit at Kartell Restaurant, which is situated on the water’s edge, we went to check out the spa offerings at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz. Sitting on 30,000 metres of hotel grounds, this is one of the region’s most popular wedding locations and we can definitely see why. The poolside area would be a beautiful location for a small, relaxed wedding celebration and the hotel itself is pampering personified – topped off with an incredible Indian head massage that was probably worth the flight to Malta on its own. A 30 minute ferry ride later, we were back on the mainland to freshen up at the hotel and this accessibility is one of the major perks of visiting Malta. Tourists are getting the benefits of three islands without any of the hassle and exhaustion usually associated with endless flights and bus journeys. Come nighttime, St Julian’s is the best spot to enjoy of the local hospitality and is close to a strip of busy bars and nightclubs. We enjoyed an incredible meal at the Caviar and Bull restaurant (the fresh seafood and carpaccio were divine!) and a few sociables before retiring to our comfy beds for the night. Bright and early the following morning, it was time to explore the mainland so we headed to the capital of Valetta to take in the views of the waterfront at the Barrakka Lift and Gardens and check out the impressive Baroque features of St John’s Co-Cathedral, which is home to The Beheading Of St John The Baptist by Caravaggio. This bustling town is the busiest spot in Malta but still maintains the laid-back charm that the country is known for, with both locals and tourists stopping for an al fresco coffee and chat in the central square. After another feast of traditional Maltese fare at the charming Rubino Restaurant, we decided to kick back and enjoy our surroundings with a yacht trip from Msida Marina. Enjoying a glass of local wine while taking in the sunset on board was, without doubt, one of the highlights of our trip and it’s hard to imagine a more romantic setting. We finished the evening with another exemplary meal at the chic Tarragon Restaurant, where we feasted on fresh seafood and homemade desserts before calling it a night. With a flight home looming, we had just enough time to check out Mdina – which is home to the jaw-droppingly beautiful Palazza Parisio. If you’re looking for the wow factor from your wedding day, you’re not going to find anything better than this opulent 19^th century palace, with beautiful ornate ceilings and sprawling gardens. With temperatures from May to October averaging over 20 degrees Celsius, the weather in Malta is very reliable - making it a frontrunner with many planning to wed abroad. The financial burden on guests can often be one of the deciding factors when choosing a destination but with off-peak flights with Ryanair ranging from around €200 and top-class hotels available from €100 per night, this is a more than reasonable option. All in all, we were totally and completely charmed with Malta and were already planning to return for our big day while on the plane home – despite the fact that many of our group have yet to find a willing groom! For more information on Malta, Comino and Gozo, see www.visitmalta.com. Photos via Marie Madden/Alan Keane