Malta

A small island nation and UNESCO site with plenty of dining and nightlife, Malta is a beautiful country dating back to 5900 BC.  I stayed in Sliema at 248 Boutique Studios (amazing!), but the other towns are a short bus ride away, with Valletta (the capital city) a 5-minute ferry ride. Malta was a British Territory at one time, and they still drive on the left side of the road (with the driver's seat on the right side).  The roads are crazy narrow and super confusing with no lane markers.  I'll never drive in Malta, lol. English is the second language here and everyone speaks it.  The euro and debit/credit cards are taken everywhere. So diverse, so interesting and so beautiful. 

Despite the frantic traffic, Malta is a low-key, friendly place. It's so small that everyone feels like a neighbor.  Don't rent a car, use public transportation or Uber.  Not only is traffic bonkers, there is no parking.  I don't know how the people who live here do it!  The restaurants are great and incredibly affordable.  Actually, everything there is affordable. If you're vacationing and have a kitchen, I recommend Welbee's Supermarket.  Super fresh and the best produce I've ever had in my life.