There are two sides of the same coin. Except for the actual coin, especially when it comes in the form of expenses.

So there you were, busy saving away for your September weekend break when there’s a knock on the proverbial door. You weren’t expecting anyone or anything. But then, expenses always come unannounced. And suddenly, the chimney stove needs replacing, the fridge is making a strange noise (you cannot blame it, with the harsh summer it suffered), the kids need their back-to-school budget, and what looked like a puncture turned out to be a tyre that needs replacing.

Add all those expenses up and you can forget all about your weekend break somewhere nice in Europe. So now you will have to endure the first autumn rains and the run-up to Christmas without pausing for breath.

Except that you can enjoy a weekend break at a minimum cost. Because there’s a place where the sun still shines, the sea is a beautiful shade of blue, and where a lot of four- and five-star hotels offer special weekend break packages. And you don’t have to travel far – just pack your hand luggage, get in the car and in less than an hour, you’re there.

You probably have identified the place by now. It’s right here, right now: Malta. Because when we sit down to plan a short holiday, we normally overlook our country. And yet, it’s the perfect location for a weekend break.

You might think that Malta has nothing new to offer you – after all, you’ve lived your whole life here. But it has. There are hotels where you’ve never stayed, restaurants where you haven’t dined, and historical attractions with which you haven’t taken a selfie.

And you don’t have to travel far – just pack your hand luggage, get in the car and in less than an hour, you’re there

Moreover, you have a variety of options. If you want to soak up the last of the summer sun, then opt for a hotel near the beach or one which has a private pool. The beaches are less crowded but the sea is still warm – perfect combination.

If you’ve had your fill of the sun and sea combo, then book a room in Mdina, Valletta or the three cities. Malta’s vernacular architecture is beautiful and you can appreciate it more when you are in holiday mode. Moreover, the temperatures are slowly falling, so it’s a good time to enjoy Malta’s precious countryside. And if you really want to get as far away from home as possible, then get on the Gozo ferry and spend a weekend sampling our sister island’s charms.

With a friendly budget you can rediscover a country which you’ve never considered as part of your holiday itinerary: your own country.