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Gozo Island - in Homer’s epic The Odyssey, the beautiful nymph Calypso keeps hero Odysseus prisoner on the mythical island of Ogygia for seven days.
Legend has it that the tiny Mediterranean isle of Gozo provided the real inspiration for Calypso’s hideaway. I too had just seven nights on Gozo but wouldn’t have minded being held captive there for a little longer.
The tiny island lies just off the coast of Malta and, at less than eight miles by five, it’s very much the baby brother. But despite its diminutive size, Gozo is bursting with charm. It is definitely worth hiring a car so you can explore all it has to offer. Gozo has a simple network of roads so finding your way around is easy.
A good place to start is the capital, Victoria, with a visit to the walled Citadel perched on a hill. Wander around the narrow lanes, marvel at the impressive cathedral and be sure not to miss out on the spectacular views from the top.
Temples
While you’re in the Citadel, stop in deli Ta’Rikardu to sample a platter of local sheep’s cheese. In fact, why not buy some local delicacies to take home with you? Next, head to the village of Xaghra where you can visit the megalithic Ggantija temples, thought to be the world’s oldest man-made structure.
They may look like a pile of rocks but they pre-date the Pyramids and Stonehenge. Throughout Gozo there is plenty of evidence that the Maltese islands were once a British colony. So much so that, apart from the weather, it is sometimes easy to forget you are in the Med. English is widely spoken; motorists drive on the left and many locals follow a British footie team.
In most of the quaint villages dotted around, you will find an old-fashioned scarlet phone box, a red pillar-box and blue lamp outside the police station.
Among the most astonishing features on Gozo are the huge churches that tower above the undeveloped landscape. The one in the village of Xewkija even has a dome higher than St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
While Gozo’s impressive churches surprise, so do its restaurants. I had some lovely meals at reasonably priced eateries offering Maltese specialities and wines. There is also a handful of really top-notch places, too. Ta Frenc’, just outside Marsalforn, is the most notable. It has been voted the best restaurant in Malta a number of times.
The island also boasts some smart hotels, such as the ritzy hideaway Ta’ Cenc.
Paradise
Nestling in vast grounds on a remote cliff-top, the hotel has excellent facilities, including a private rocky beach and spa. Another option is the four-star Calypso Hotel in the seaside town of Marsalforn. Rooms here are bright and modern with views over a bay.
Gozo is also a great base from which to explore a paradise of rocky nooks and crannies. One of the best spots is the dramatic coastal area around Dwejra, which features a picturesque rock formation called the Azure Window.
Gozo tends to have small, pebbly coves which still allow great snorkelling. But sun worshippers should head to the fiery red sands of Ramla Bay, the island’s best beach.
And it is well worth making the short trip by boat across to neighbouring island Comino. It is even smaller than Gozo and largely uninhabited. But the clear turquoise waters of this island’s main bay, the Blue Lagoon, have made it a top spot for day-trippers.
If throbbing nightlife and bustling resorts are your thing, then Gozo won’t hit the spot. But if you are looking for a chilled-out break a little off the beaten track, head to this largely undiscovered island.
Gozo taxi transfer
Getting to Gozo - http://www.hotelraider.com/maltataxitransfer/
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