With four decades in travel between them, a mum and daughter travel agent duo have now named the ultimate girls’ getaway.
Malta, with sunshine, spritzes and seriously good value, is the top spot for a girls’ trip according to the travel experts – and it’s just a three‑hour flight from the UK.
Melanie and Grace Landricombe, who work together in TUI’s Crayford Superstore, say Malta is known as the ‘Jewel of the Mediterranean’.
They say it’s a hotspot for mum and daughter trips with golden beaches, rooftop bars, vibrant nightlife and Aperol spritzes for as little as €6 (£5.20).
Grace and Melanie Landricombe work together as travel agents
The mother-and-daughter duo say Malta is the best place to go for a girls’ trip
Melanie, who has clocked up 38 years as a TUI retail travel agent, said: ‘Malta has everything from sunshine and food to culture and brilliant value.
‘You can relax on beaches like Mellieha Bay and Golden Bay, explore historic cities such as Valletta and Mdina, or spend long evenings eating fresh seafood in St Julian’s.
‘I love it so much I even got married on the tiny Maltese island of Gozo in 2009, and Grace was my bridesmaid!’
With more than 300 days of sunshine a year and 30°C temperatures during summer, the pair say Malta is ideal for lazy beach days, sightseeing and uninterrupted mum and daughter time.
Melanie says the warm weather means ‘you can spend hours swimming, sunbathing and chatting without any need to rush.’
Their recommended must‑see spots in Malta include Valletta, the UNESCO‑listed capital with golden limestone streets, panoramic harbour views and centuries of history.
Mdina, Malta’s famous walled city, is perfect for slow strolls.
Blue Grotto, a set of sea caves known for shimmering blue water, is best explored by boat.
And St Julian’s is ideal for cocktails, rooftop bars and lively nightlife.
For those wanting to explore further, they say an unmissable part of any Malta trip is a day out to Gozo, which can be booked through TUI Musement.
Malta is known for its beauty, as well as its magnificent architecture
Gozo island is a great place to visit if you’re heading to Malta, a smaller island nearby
Melanie added: ‘Gozo is Malta’s sleepy sister island and it’s absolutely magical. It’s only 20 minutes by ferry from the north of Malta and it feels like stepping into another world. It’s smaller, quieter and full of history and after more than 50 visits, I still love it every single time.’
Their recommended Gozo day‑trip highlights include Ramla Bay, with its unique red‑golden sand and clear water, and Victoria’s Citadel, the ancient hilltop fort with views across the whole island.
Plus, they advise a visit to Ta’ Pinu Shrine and the Rotunda, two of Gozo’s most breathtaking churches, and Comino and the Blue Lagoon, the tiny island between Malta and Gozo where the turquoise water feels almost tropical.
For food, Melanie and Grace suggest Primitivo Grill in St Julian’s for Mediterranean favourites, or ‘Catch of the Day’ at Calle Bistro, which is known for its fresh seafood.
In Gozo, they love Ta’ Rikardu in the Citadel for homemade Gozitan cheese and local wine.
When it comes to wanting a stylish stay without breaking the bank, the mum and daughter travel experts recommend the be.HOTEL, a modern St Julian’s hideaway with sea views and a relaxed boutique feel. Set right in the heart of St Julian’s, it puts you just moments from the island’s best bars and beaches.
Grace said: ‘It’s the perfect base for mums and daughters. You can wander to the seafront in minutes, come back for a cocktail, and genuinely unwind together. In April, you could bag yourself a five‑night stay from around £396 per person.’
While Malta is their number one pick, the pair also shared a few other destinations they love for girls’ getaways.
‘Puglia offers whitewashed towns, golden beaches and family‑run trattorias that are perfect for proper quality time.
‘Madeira brings volcanic pools and year‑round sun for more adventurous duos. Valencia combines culture and golden beaches without Barcelona prices. And Porto is perfect for river sunsets, old trams and great‑value wine bars.’
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