Malta
Malta is the Bournemouth of the Med – thought to be blue-rinse but actually full of ravers. The island, south of Sicily, has the weather and DJs of Ibiza, without the inflated prices. The tiny country has only just begun shouting about its surprisingly vibrant club culture, and the kind of alfresco dance floors that Ibiza can only reminisce about. There are huge open-air clubs such as Gianpula in the town of Rabat; La Grotta, a club built into a cliff face on the nearby island of Gozo (lagrottaleisure.com, open on Saturdays); and an opulent wine lounge with table service at the top of Malta's highest building, the Portomaso tower in the town of St Julian's (22.com.mt).
From next Friday (25 June) Maltese Music Week takes over the island, with events including a Ministry of Sound festival (g7events.com) and Creamfields Malta – the line-up includes Eric Prydz, Ferry Corsten and Nic Fanciulli. Entrance to the Ministry of Sound event is €20 – you'd be lucky to get a Jack and Coke for that in Ibiza.
Nick Stevenson, assistant editor, Mixmag
Croatia
In the past two years Croatia has become one of the most talked-about countries for clubbers looking for a European festival without the euro. A growing number of boutique festivals have helped build a buzz about the country. Events such as the Garden Festival from 2-11 July, Electric Elephant from 27-29 August, and Soundwave from 23-25 July (and already sold out), are all held in the quaint coastal town of Petrcane, perfect for exploring the Croatian islands. The site is minute compared with many festivals but has outdoor stages, boat parties and an indoor club. In the neighbouring town of Zadar, the Garden Zadar, a beautiful outdoor bar and restaurant overlooking one of the harbours, is running some events with acts from the Garden Festival.
Charlotte Colgan, a promoter for the Garden Festival, says you can still have a good night out in Zadar outside festival time. The cafe bar Djina (Varoska 2) in the old town is tiny and cool, with an art gallery and really lovely rooms to rent above. (I'd really recommend these as they cost just 400 kuna (£45) a night and are very nicely done out.) Stick to the Varoska area – and bar hop from Djina to Shine Bar (M. Pavlinovica 14), taking in restaurants such as Stomorica (Stomorica 12, +385 23 315946) and Bruscetta (M. Pavlinovica 12, +385 23 312915). MTV and Godskitchen are taking over the Croatian island of Pag for three nights from 11 August (papaya.com.hr). Swedish House Mafia and Above and Beyond will be playing to 5,000 people a night against a backdrop of the Velebit mountains. NS
Sicily
Riccione on the mainland has long been the capital of the Italian dance music scene, but over the last 15 years Sicily's house music has flourished, with lots of new DJs, groups and producers, and late-night beach bars and clubs. The scene really kicked off in the 90s with a famous dance group called Ti.Pi.Cal (after its three members Daniele Tignino, Riccardo Piparo and Vincenzo Callea). Sicilian music is passionate, sexy and sensual. For beach bars playing house music to a relaxed, Peroni-sipping crowd try Mondello beach near Palermo.
For clubbing, Catania is a beautiful city with great nightclubs in the port area. Also try Frutto Proibito in the inland town of Enna and Koala Maxi near Ragusa in the south. Don't miss the outdoor summer parties at Marabù, in Giardini Naxos, a small coastal town near Taormina.
DJ Provenzano, one of Italy's top DJs
