| Why you should go: Where can you find golden-sand beaches with impossibly blue water, 300 days of sunshine and 7,000 years of history forged by more than half a dozen cultures? Answer: Malta, a tiny island in the heart of the Mediterranean. Though it's hugely popular with Europeans, Malta flies under the travel radar of most Americans. Let us introduce you to this sun-soaked destination with a stay at one of the best hotels on the island (and the only one with two Michelin-rated restaurants). What’s the big deal? For $899, you and a friend can spend three nights (or more) at a 17th-century palace-turned-5-star hotel. Only available to Travelzoo members, this deal comes with a six-course tasting menu for two at Under Grain — their Michelin-starred restaurant, where reservations are normally difficult to obtain — plus perks like daily breakfast, roundtrip airport transfers, tickets to local museums and more. Travelzoo tip: It's relatively easy to get to Malta from the U.S. with a one-stop connecting flight. Or consider combining your Malta trip with a stay in Rome, Paris, Munich or another European city with direct flights to Malta. | 