IT takes just 10mins to fly by helicopter between Malta and the neighbouring island of Gozo, but the two destinations offer a completely different style of holiday.
There are none of Malta’s high-rise resorts on Gozo, and although there are hotels close to its two sandy beaches – at Rambla Bay and Xlendi Bay, – much of the island’s accommodation is in stone-built farmhouses, converted into holiday homes.
Meon Villas features 11 farmhouses on the island – which is just nine miles long by four miles wide. These have been restored to offer authentic but comfortable accommodation. The smallest sleeps two and the largest takes eight. Most have private pools.
All the farmhouses are in remote locations and offer guests secluded accommodation in quiet surroundings.
Rooms are spacious and tastefully furnished. All those sleeping six or more guests have two bathrooms. They are ideal for families or friends holidaying together.
The kitchens are modern and wel equipped, and Meon guests are provided with a welcome pack of goodies to get them through the first day. They can then arrange for the supermarket to make deliveries.
Food in Gozo is cheaper than in the UK, except for items specially imported for the English such as tea bags and coffee.
Locally produced wine is also cheap at about £1.30 a bottle – but it will not be to everyone’s taste.
For those who don’t want to eat in every night, there are many reasonably priced restaurants on the island which serve everything from local specialities to US-style burgers.
Local food is a mix of English and Italian. Gozo specialities include rabbit stew, cheese and bean pie, and lots of unpasteurised hard cheese.
Clients staying in the farmhouses are advised to hire a car for sightseeing and evenings out as the properties are generally in remote locations. Meon prices include a hire car with unlimited mileage.
It’s easy to explore the island by bike. As it’s small there is no danger of getting lost and there are only one or two steep hills. It’s a bumpy ride as most of the roads are either dirt tracks or full of potholes, but there’s little traffic to worry about, even in the capital Victoria.
Bikes can be hired in Victoria, or Meon guests can have them brought to the villas.
Sights worth visiting are the Azure Window, a huge archway in the rocks, the Inland Sea at Dwerja, and the Citadel in the capital Victoria.
Water sports are one of the main attractions of Gozo where the sea is crystal clear, making it a good place for snorkelling and scuba diving.
This is a good spot to learn to dive because, as well as good visibility, there is no tide or strong current. There are also plenty of sites for shore dives for beginners.
For experienced divers, a treat is the Blue Hole where the colours of the coral and the moss-covered rocks rising from the sea bed are vibrant.
Water sports such as sailing, water-skiing and canoeing can be enjoyed on a day trip to Comino, an island nearby. The ferry crossing between Gozo and Comino takes just 10mins and costs £3 return.