Why travel to Malta in winter? There are at least six very good reasons.

1. The temperature is not too hot nor too cold

You won't break into a sweat the moment you step outside air conditioning, and cuddles no longer make you go 'Urgh!' but you won't be freezing either. Mostly. Malta's winter weather is usually described as mild, though it does get cold; the high humidity levels make temperatures feel different. In any case, chances are it's warmer and sunnier than wherever most visitors are coming from.

2. There's much to do indoors on rainy days

Right, there's no point pretending Malta doesn't bear a handful of savage storms per year. If you meet one of these, wait for it to pass, because it will do so quite quickly and you really don't want to be out there facing the fury of the elements. Mostly, the elements will be quite reasonable and when rain comes, it's a grand excuse to explore Malta's many interesting historic attractions and museums. Forget that it's really small - there is an amazing wealth of things to see and do in Malta spanning 7,000 years in the making.

3. You'll get great value for money

Despite all its attractions other than sun, sea and sand, it appears that most people don't want to risk going to sunny Malta without a guarantee of the 'sunny' bit. It is reputed to only have 65 days of rain a year, so your holiday weather still has little chance of being total crap. Yet, this reluctance means Malta is less in demand. And prices on tourist accommodation and other services, such as car hire, drop. You will never be told that there is none available and you get better value for your money. Now that's important!

4. You get superior service

Locals have more time and patience when dealing with you, whether for business or on a personal level. The Maltese are a friendly people, however, demanding tourists and hot temperatures can make their Mediterranean blood boil quite easily. In winter, when things are moving at a pace they can better handle, you are guaranteed a friendly welcome and attentive service.

5. You have an authentic Malta experience

You get to see the island as the locals know it when the swarms of summer visitors have left its shores. You get to enjoy places and attractions when they are less busy and noisy. Less crowds also mean you get on the bus more easily, have the beach all to yourself for your picnic and a whole lot of other perks that simply make for a more peaceful, pleasant and authentic experience.

6. The countryside is unbelievably pretty

The sparkling Mediterranean Sea is most definitely one of the island's biggest attractions but Maltese countryside is certainly up for the competition come winter. When in most other countries vegetation goes to sleep or dies, in Malta it is springing to life after months of no rain. Blanketed in green and several wild flowers, the hills with their rubble walls meet white cliffs against a blue backdrop of sky and sea - the scene is beyond beautiful. And your photos will be much more charming, no doubt.

That's not a bad lot now, is it?