It must be a case of serendipity that the first issue of Escape, which every Sunday will bring you news about the latest from the arts, travel and foodie scene, had to be published right before Santa Marija week kicks off. For those who are only in Malta for a short stop and have chanced upon this newspaper, this is because during this week of celebrations, the height of summer when even the ACs give up on us, pretty much everyone in Malta escapes.

Of course, everyone has their own different idea of ‘escape’. Some take it literally and pack up their bags for a quick break abroad, even if only across the channel to Gozo. Others find their escape in books, music, good food and wine.

With Escape, we take inspiration from all the aspects of life that make our days more bearable. We have taken the Culture, Travel and Food & Drink sections that were part of this newspaper and brought them together to bring you more news, more interviews, more stupendous photography… in short, more inspiration about how we can each find our own little ‘escape’.

I remember a younger, more carefree (not to mention bill-free) time when the word escape meant just that for me. A possibility to just pack my bags and declare myself officially on holiday, footloose and fancy free. Chances are that, for most of you reading this, those days of the perennial holiday feeling are also long gone. But despair not. We might not be sipping mojitos on some deserted beach in the Maldives, but this does not mean that we cannot still enjoy our own day in paradise – whether that takes the shape of a music gig under the stars, a dinner with fireworks for backdrop or just a lazy wander through an arts exhibition… escape is all around us.

Finally, do check out the cover photo, featuring Malta’s very own Boho Hostel, run by the charming Noella Abramovic. Her words, together with those of other hostel owners in Malta, make for a fun read.