Whatever level of hiker you are, Gozo, with its vastly varied landscape, ranging from gently rolling rambling hillside paths, to jagged cliff tops, will cater for every walker’s ability. We explore three great walks in Gozo.

San Raflu – San Lawrenz

At the village of San Raflu follow the country road until you reach a man-made pond known as “L-Ghadira”. At the pond take the rugged path that leads to the left and to the south-western point of Gozo. You will pass a small Phoenician settlement that provides a fantastic vantage point of the Mediterranean Ocean. Follow the path through a lush and beautiful valley until you arrive at the western village of San Lawrenz.

Birbuba – Gharb

Start at the church in the charming village of Birbuba and take the road that forks to the left. Follow a winding road that will take you through an area known as San Dimitri where you will catch sight of the Ta’ pinu Sancturary and Lighthouse. Follow a road that eventually becomes a footpath and leads to a beautiful valley known as Wied il-Mielah. This path will take you along a stunningly magnificent  stretch of coastline until you eventually arrive at the Ghasri valley and later the village of Ghasri. Then take a path that climbs steeply to the 19^th century lighthouse. Head back towards Ta’Pinu until you finally reach the delightful village of Gharb.

Nadur – Nadur

Situated at an altitude of 170 meters, the walk from the picturesque village of Nadur is on the ‘hilly’ side and therefore is only suitable for walkers seeking a more strenuous walk. From the church at Nadur make your way down to the Mistra rocks where you will see the recently renovated Ta’Sopu watchtower, which was used to protect the island during the Second World War. Follow signs to Qala that will take you through many stunning fields boasting traditional windmills until you eventually arrive back in Nadur.

If you prioritise packing some authentic festivities into your summer vacation, this small Maltese island offers regular local events, festivals and celebrations that will more than satisfy any yearnings to experience a touch of Maltese party culture, and none more so than the Gozo Music Festival 2011.

Held annually in August, the Gozo Music Festival is by far the island’s biggest and most popular summer event. Since it began in 2003, the music festival has grown in reputation and prestige, with a bigger and better line-up consisting of both international singers and groups and local artists headlining the festival each year.

This year, the Gozo Music Festival will take place on August 21^st and is in its tenth edition. To celebrate its tenth anniversary, the festival promises to be the biggest and most memorable one to date. Although the official line-up has yet to have been announced, the event, which is held in the Gozitano Complex, will be transformed into two huge open-air dance floors, with dancers, fire jugglers and fireworks, heightening the excitement and spectacle.

For those wanting that extra exclusivity, Gozo Music Festival VIP nights are available, giving elite Gozo revellers access to the VIP areas, where they can mingle with the stars of the show.

This highly entertaining event, which blends the local Gozo culture with a cosmopolitan and international ethnicity, and in doing so attracts a growing number of visitors each year, is organised by Dynamic Promotions.

For more information on the Gozo Music Festival visit the Dynamic Promotions website at: www.dynamicpromotions.com.mt and for the best villa Gozo can offer, check out Vintage Travel’s excellent options.

There's a huge amount to see and do in Gozo

And right they are to assume this indeed. As it is not just the fishing town of Mgarr, with its dedication to sea craft, its history of slaves, pirates and Corsairs, and of course the neo-Gothic  Lourdes sanctuary keeping a watchful eye over the town, which crafts for a delightful day out. Here are the some of the most exquisite of the many enchanting surprises Gozo has to offer.

Xlendi Bay and Fishing Village

For a breezy cliff top walk with staggeringly stunning scenery a trip to Xlendi Bay is essential. This small, sandy cove lies on the south west coast of Gozo and can be reached by car through either Munxar or Fontana. Whilst the bay is an ideal place for swimmers of all levels to bathe, its impressive reef formations makes it an equally perfect place for divers of all abilities. Xlendi itself is an interesting and attractive fishing village with several bars and restaurants providing not only great fish but a pretty view looking out towards the many boats and shipping vessels steadily bobbing up and down in the harbour.

Gozo's coastline is full of interesting natural rock formations to explore

Victoria

A visit to Gozo’s capital is advised, if not just to visit The Citadell (Gran Castello), a medieval maze of alleys, bastions and dwellings – Gozo’s equivalent to a Moroccan Kasbah. The Citadell also boasts a splendid cathedral and several interesting museums informing visitors about the area’s rich and diverse history.

The Bronktorff Circle

With a name this intriguing, tourists often feel compelled to take a look and are rarely disappointed. The Bronktorff Circle was discovered by Bronktrof in 1785 but many of the remains unearthed here date back to 4200 – 2500 BC. This assembly of caves and relics from ancient times formulates for a highly educational and inspirational day out.

Check out our collection of luxury Villas in Gozo with pools here.

For over 7,000 years the Citadella has been the centre of life on this beautiful island, and was originally fortified around 1500BC, then later developed by the Phoenicians, followed by the Romans. Up until the 18^th Century it was the only place the Island’s inhabitants could get refuge from attackers… and boy has the island had a few of these over the ages!

Make sure you check out the Citadella when you go to Gozo

Gozo and its Citadella has been conquered and lost by all manner of tribes and armies, including The Knights of St John between 1599 and 1603 who actually built the grand fortified walls you see here today. They were built because of the threat of an invasion by a Moslem force who were at the time fighting Christendom.

Make sure you check out the Citadella when you go to Gozo

Just before the Knights Of St John arrived, the Citadella was in fact attacked and taken by a small Turkish force who took all the inhabitants as slaves and reduced the castle to ruins.

The views are impressive from the Citadella

Today the site is a World Heritage Site managed by Inesco who describe it as a fortified town and within its impressive walls you will find the most beautiful 17^th century baroque Cathedral designed by Lorenzo Gafà, Malta’s most famous architect.

If you co to Gozo then you simply must explore the Citadella and its fascinating history.

Looking for accommodation on Gozo?

Lady Gaga at last year’s Isle of MTV

When is it?

30^th June (save the date)

More information about the event here.

So… what are you waiting for? Check out our wide selection of luxury villas with pools in Gozo and book yourself a place at what will be the party of the summer (with guaranteed sunshine we have to add!)

Here are some of our favorite properties (click the images for more information):

Perla, San Lawrenz – sleeps 4

Dar Ta’ Vitorin, Għarb – sleeps 4

Hamlet II, Għammar (Ghasri) – sleeps 8

Here’s a summary of what each contains (click on the ‘Discover xxxx’ links to see the full range on the website or alternatively please call us to request your own copy):

Discover Spain, the Balearics and Portugal covers Catalunya, Andalucia, Galicia, Mallorca, Menorca, Northern Portugal and the Algarve.

Discover Spain, the Balearics and Portugal

Discover France, Italy, Gozo and Croatia covers South West France, Provence, Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche, Lazio, Gozo and Istria.

Discover France, Italy, Gozo and Croatia

Discover Greece and Turkey covers Corfu, Crete, Kefalonia, Rhodes, Skopelos, the Peloponnese and Turkey.

Discover Greece and Turkey

To order your copies or enquire about a paticullar destination please call to speak to one of our area experts.

He’s still clearly the passionate hard working individual we all love and remember as he accepted the opportunity to hold a tennis clinic at the Marsa Sports Club for young Maltese tennis players.

Pat Cash meets Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco

If you’re interested to hear how his trip went, you’ll have to pick up a copy of Condé Nast Traveller’s bumper January issue, due out in December, just in time for the peak holiday booking season.

Forming part of the trio of Maltese islands (second largest after Malta) and situated right in the heart of the Mediterranean, Gozo is just 14kms long and 7kms wide so you can see and experience a lot on the Island. It’s sleepy, untouched and an enchanting environment if you are looking for relaxation.

You get to Gozo by flying into Malta and then getting the ferry (takes around half an hour) to Gozo.

We’ve been there a couple of times (team here at Vintage) and wanted to share with you our top 8 things to do and see on Gozo (in no particular order).

Visit The Azure Window

This is a rock formation situated near Dwejra Lake that is named after the colour of the sea around it. It’s worth a climb to the top but be very careful, the long ledge of rock that forms the upper edge of the ‘window’ is in danger of collapsing! If you do make it to the top you’ll not be disappointed by the views.You can always hop in a boat and travel through it if heights are not your thing.

The Azure Window

Take lunch in Marsalforn

Lunch in Gozo is one of those pastimes to savour and take your time over. Find a seat that overlooks the Marsalforn harbour at one of the number of restaurants there and take in the sun, sights, seafood and delicious smells. Local delicacies are mainly fish based… and are stunning!

Marsalforn Bay

The Church of Ta’Pinu

Ta’Pinu is a relatively modern church (built 1920-31), however there has been a chapel situated in this spot since the 16^th Century.  Apparently, in the last century a local woman claimed to have heard a voice in the church and it gradually gained a reputation for miracles, so much so that a bigger church was built around the original.

Be sure to check out the white marble cross leading up from the outside of the church.

The Church Of Ta'Pinu

Xerri’s Grotto – Natural Cave

Caves are common in this area of the Med, but this one is quite spectacular. Whilst it may be small it is rich with natural speleothems or stalactite and stalagmite formations and was discovered in 1942 by the owners’ grandfather while he was digging a well. During WWII it was used as a shelter.

Xerri's Grotto

The Salt Pans

These salts pans are situated near to Marsalforn and are well worth seeing we feel. You’ll catch some lovely views along the coast and learn a little history about the salt pans, which date back to 1740.

Salt Pans

Boat trip around Comino

Comino is the baby brother of the three Maltese islands and is inhabited by just 4 people! This isn’t to say that it isn’t worth joining a boat tour around the island, which stops along the way for swimming.

You’ll end up cruising along the coast, exploring the cliffs, ‘windows’, holes, corals, caves and visiting the famous Blue Lagoon.

Relaxing Boat Trip Around Comino

The Ggantija Temples

The Ggantija Temples are said to be the oldest free-standing structures in the world. They are certainly among the best-preserved temples on the Maltese Islands. The two Neolithic temples here date from the third millennium B.C (3600 to 3000 B.C.). There’s not a huge amount to see here, but what there is is certainly awe inspiring.

Ancient Ggantja Temples

If you’re thinking about a trip to Gozo, chech out our luxury villas for hire here.