There are so many beautiful and , but a truly unique spot to visit is the stunning island of Malta. Many countries have warm climates and breathtaking beaches, but there is no better place to soak up the sun than in Europe's hottest country. Plus, Malta is only three hours away from the UK.

The country experiences over 3000 hours of sunshine, one of the highest in Europe. In addition to the weather, there are a number of things to do, including discovering its rich culture and history and, of course, participating in various activities such as snorkelling, kayaking, parasailing, horse riding, and rock climbing.

Malta's climate makes it a great destination all-round but there are some times of the year that are just a little better. On a TripAdvisor forum for the country, one person asked when the best time to visit the island country is.

One person responded: "We found April to be good, such a beautiful Island and the food is great! Enjoy Malta, April or May, perfect sunshine at its best!"

The perfect sunshine continues right into the summertime when the average temperature reaches 32C, which is perfect for sun-seeking travellers across the globe. Another feature that makes Malta a location a great holiday is that the country sees a fraction of the tourists that many popular destinations in Europe see.

Spain, which is also among the warmest countries in Europe and loved by UK holidaymakers, welcomed 94 million tourists yesterday, whereas Malta saw just 3.56 million, which was a record for the island.

So, as well as sunshine, warm weather, and an abundance of fun activities, travellers can add not having to experience crowds of tourists to the list.

Brits can get a direct flight to the country's capital from London Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Stansted Airports, with skyscanner showing one-way flights from £46 in April.