Gozo offers Malta-lite, but with a bit of bite. While the diminutive island’s quieter pace of life may make Malta’s sedate capital, Valletta, seem like a hedonistic metropolis, it still packs a punch as a holiday spot.
And while it lacks direct flights, the ferry runs throughout the day from Malta and only takes one hour, so combining a stay in Gozo with Malta is a doddle.
Active
The island is much more rugged than Malta and the undulating landscape is great for cycling, rock climbing and trekking. There is more than 30 miles of coastline to explore and the island is riddled with walking trails taking in dry valleys, olive groves, colourful fishing villages, secluded bays and cliff-top paths.
The short distances involved mean your clients can explore the island at their own pace; you can cycle across the island in a couple of hours and quad bike across in about half an hour.
There’s no shortage of sights to seek out. Gozo abounds with natural phenomena such as the Inland Sea, The Azure Window, the Fungus Rock and Calypso’s Cave.
Historic highlights include the Ggantija Temples, thought to be the world’s oldest natural freestanding structures, and the capital Victoria, known locally as Rabat, is home to some interesting old buildings.
Offshore, the island boasts some great dive spots, such as the sparkling lagoons of Xlendi Bay and Dwejra. There are also many Padi-certified dive shops here, with some hotels and operators offering learn-to-dive packages.
Prestige Holidays is offering painting workshops on the island in late summer led by Chrissie Scott, an English artist who lives on Gozo. For something different, the Adventure Company offers the chance to experience a day in the life of a local shepherd at the Ager Foundation.
Although the island does boast its own outdoor nightclub, La Grotta, which is on the way to Xlendi Bay, evenings are mostly spent in bars and restaurants, making Gozo more suitable for older couples, families and outdoor enthusiasts than hedonistic barflies.
Accommodation
Latest developments on the island include a refurbishment of the spa at the five-star Kempinski San Lawrenz, as well as upgrades to the rooms at the Ta’ Cenc, another reputable five-star offering.
Emma Yorke, sales manager for Belleair Holidays, has seen a notable increase in farmhouse bookings for Gozo, some of which include car hire in the price. Gozo also boasts a good selection of villas, many with pools, available through operators such as Thomas Cook and Cosmos.
Explaining the appeal of this kind of accommodation, Jill Marshall, commercial manager for Cosmos Villas with Pools,says: “Gozo appeals to people looking for something a little different from the norm, more stress-free and relaxing, which is why I think its popularity will keep growing.”
When to go
Gozo is best experienced from April to June and September to November, but clients can expect to enjoy sunshine even in the winter. Avoid August, the peak time for travel, to miss the crowds.
The average temperature ranges from 15°C (November-April) to 33°C (May-October). The sea is relatively warm by May and stays pleasant for swimming until October or even November.
Don’t miss…
- Sinking your feet into Ramla’s red sands and looking up to Calypso’s Cave, featured in Homer’s Odyssey.
- Stopping for a picnic and a swim at the narrow creek of Mgarr ix-Xini, where Turkish raiders landed in 1551.
- Shopping in the bustling market square of the capital Victoria.
- Staring in awe at the Ggantija Temples and wonder how people got these huge stones in place more than 3,500 years ago.
- Dining al fresco under a 200-year-old carob tree in the grounds of the secluded Ta’ Cenc hotel in Sannat.
- Loading up on culture at the Teatru tal-Opra Aurora.
Sample product
Headwater’s seven-day independent cycling holiday includes six nights’ half-board hotel accommodation and flights from Heathrow. Prices start at £1,002. headwater.com, 01606 720199
Cosmos features the Villa Ta Rokon in San Lawrenz, which sleeps up to six. Price is £435 per person, including flights, for seven nights in October.
cosmos-holidays.co.uk, 0871 42 38 422
Thomas Cook Ultimate Style has seven nights’ at the five-star Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz from £879 in September, including flights from Gatwick.
thomascookworld.com, 0871 2302399
