Go to Gozo - you'll love it!

Many holidaymakers will be familiar with Malta, which has been a growing tourist destination for Brits since the 80s, but nearby Gozo is an untapped little treasure.

The ferry port is just a 30-minute drive from Malta International Airport and a ticket over to Gozo costs around six euros, or around 16 euros with a car.

Gozo is small and less commercial than its big sister but don’t let that fool you — there’s a wealth to uncover.

It has 30,000 inhabitants and is 14km in length and 7km wide, so nothing is more than ten minutes away, which means you spend more time enjoying the island rather than being cooped up navigating around it.

Ninety per cent of residents speak English and the island has also inherited driving on the left from its past as a British colony — so it’s easy to get acclimatised to the culture, but this by no means makes it a Brit-abroad type destination.

The island’s origins can be traced back further than the Egyptian pyramids, so archaeology and history buffs will find it a fascinating area.

Gozo is also now appealing to another crowd as rock climbers, scuba divers, cyclists and ramblers are discovering its landscape and crystal clear waters.

Gozo is famous for its limestone, which its buildings new and old are all made out of — looking across its skyline was like peering over a sandy beach full of sandcastles.

Every crevasse offers a postcard view, and with fields of strawberries, vineyards, olives or remains of forts dotted around its countryside, it was a joy to behold.

Which takes me nicely to Gozo’s name, which translates as “joy” — need I say more?

Accommodation

Gozo isn’t awash with high-rise hotels, instead converted farmhouses have become a popular choice.

I stayed in a rustic villa which blended perfectly into the surrounding local houses.

But behind its stable doors hid a luxurious four bedroom home which slept up to eight people, complete with its own private pool, BBQ and stunning view of the rolling valleys.

It would be ideal for extended families or friends holidaying together. Renowned local chef, George Borg who has been rubbing shoulders with Jamie Oliver recently, also stopped by to fire up the BBQ and treated us to a typical Gozitan cuisine as we watched the sun go down.

Villas start from £150 per night, and George charges 45.50 euros per head for a three course meal including alcohol.

You can find out more at www.barongroupmalta.com.

Alternatively, R&R Ta Cenc Hotel and Spa (www.tacenchotel.com) is one of the two five star hotels on the island.

Built on the highest point of Gozo, you can spend your days enjoying a massage (from 20 euros) or sitting by your bungalow and enjoying the view. A four-bed family room starts from 59.50 euros.

Sightseeing

Gozo is home to the world’s oldest free-standing structure, the Ggantija Temples, which are believed to be older than the Pyramids and built between 3600 and 3000 BC.

Rituals of life and fertility appear to have been practised within its walls, and its architectural achievements reveal something pivotal was happening on the Maltese island thousands of years ago.

The most iconic image of Gozo is the Azure Window rock formation, which has featured in many famous films, but could soon become extinct due to Mother Nature — so catch a glimpse while it’s still there.

Looming over the capital Victoria is the Citadel, a small fortified town which was the centre of activity in Neolithic times.

Villagers fled to it when the island was under attack from invasion but today it houses restaurants, a museum, a cathedral and a former prison. It also has World Heritage status.

Above the serene Ramla Bay lies Calypso’s Cave which has connections with Greek mythology and is the setting for Homer’s Odyssey, in which Ulysses is held as a “prisoner of love”.

Food and drink

What’s so special about food and drink produced in Gozo is you won’t taste anything like it elsewhere.

The island doesn’t produce enough to export so everything on the island is practically fresh from the field and tastes incredible.

It’s known for its Gbejniet, a hard cheese made from unpasteurised goat or sheep’s milk and I was lucky enough to visit farmer and restaurateur Rikkardo at his farm.

I even got to try my hand at milking a goat and then joined Rikkardo in his kitchen as he prepared the cheese for his restaurant, which was located in the Citadel. We were welcomed there later that day.

Local chef George was also as accommodating and took my group on a quaint, sunny strawberry pick, the fruits of which we ate for dessert at the Ta Mena Estate.

Ta Mena (www.tamena-gozo.com) is a must-see as it’s the first agro-tourism complex in the Maltese islands.

Here we enjoyed some traditional games of bocci and brilli (a bit like boules and skittles) in the sunshine overlooking the vineyards.

The estate was stunning and with its open marquee and large BBQ it’s the ideal wedding venue.

I wasn’t the type of girl to daydream about my wedding day — until I visited the estate.

Ta Mena also sells its own wine from its small shop at five euros a bottle — the best wine I have ever tasted.

Made from pure grape grown at the site the wine has no artificial colours or flavouring, which equals no hangover, leaving you to enjoy your early-morning sightseeing starts headache-free!

Eating out on the island was reasonably priced and even at the seafront restaurants the top end of the menu was only around 20 euros.

Industries

Gozo has a variety of indigenous industries and the locals were always willing to take time out of their day to teach us about their skills.

The island is known for its soft limestone and has many quarries, but sculptor Joe Xuereb has become known world-wide for his works created from his small workshop on a quiet Gozan street.

Lace-making, honey-making and salt harvesting were also centuries old traditions we saw first-hand.

Emanuel Cini’s family have been harvesting the salt pans on Xwejni Bay for 250 years.

Modern adventure companies are also springing up and it is becoming a popular destination for climbers, cyclists, ramblers and divers.

Among those offering a day trip to remember is Gozo Adventures (www.gozoadventures.com), which is run by Cornil Wambergue from the Ta Mena Estate.

For more

information aboutGozo and Malta,

go to the Visit Malta website at www.visitmalta.

com

Factbox:

Adele flew with National carrier Air Malta, which continues to operate an extensive

year-round scheduled service of up to 26 flights per week from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester with fares from as little as £74 one way, inclusive of taxes and 20kgs of baggage. Air Malta also operate regional summer charter flights from Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Newcastle, Exeter, Norwich and Glasgow. For more information visit airmalta.com