An old Maltese saying says l-irhis gholi, which basically means that what you get on the cheap is probably of poor quality and will not turn out to be a sound investment. Gozo turns this argument on its head.
If value for money is the gauge by which the saying is to be judged, then Gozo is a contradiction as it is definitely the place to opt for when choosing a holiday destination that gives you more for less.
Let’s consider the facts. Gozo is just an idyllic 25-minute ferry trip away from Malta. Gozo Channel’s ferries are modern and comfortable, and the trip will only set you back under e16 if travelling by car and under e5 if travelling as a foot passenger. Besides, trips are so frequent that one barely needs a Gozo ferry schedule to consult. It is a fact that whenever you turn up at Cirkewwa, waiting time will always be on the short side.
Sometimes we tend to be too pessimistic and have this knack of concentrating on negatives. But why should we? Gozo, like all other destinations, has its setbacks and problems, but, if we open our eyes to the whole picture, it is indeed not that difficult to realise that the pleasant 25-minute trip is a journey to an island that has it all.
Gozo does not only provide what one expects from a relaxing holiday, but also does it at a price which is inversely proportional to the quality on offer. A satisfied client once described a particular hotel in Gozo as a four-star hotel with three-star prices. This could have easily been applied to the whole island.
Those looking for accommodation in Gozo are spoilt for choice. Hotels range from the luxurious five-star complexes to three-star comfortable and modern establishments, family run guesthouses are numerous, self catering apartments of all sorts abound, and traditional farm-houses have established themselves as a top attraction and among the best in Europe.
If the range of accommodation is vast, the same can be said for eateries and bars. Restaurants, bistros, snack-bars, take aways, wine bars, cafes and bars are strewn all over the island and the fare they serve is diverse, genuine, delicous and definitely value for money.
Commercial establishments are now open over the weekend and shopping has become easier. This can be carried out in a relaxed and laid back atmosphere which is so detached from the hustle and bustle one finds in busy cities around Europe.
On offer, apart from any shopping item one might find elsewhere, there are Gozitan products like Gozo cheese, honey and limuncell. If Gozo is the cake, these products are the icing on top of it. What they do is guarantee that visitors literally leave the island with good taste in their mouth.
History and culture are round every corner. The Citadel with its Cathedral, St George’s basilica, Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary, the Rotunda in Xewkija and all the other churches and chapels around the island, Ggantija temples, museums and so much more should more than quench the thirst of those who do not just want to relax but are also looking to learn more about the history of Gozo and the Maltese archipelago.
Cultural events do not go amiss as, apart from traditional festas, Gozo now boasts an array of events that range from opera to contemporary music festivals, from pageants and religious processions to full blown historical re-enactments, and from indivudual cultural activities in towns and villages to weekend-long cultural festivals encompassing all aspects of history and culture of the island.
Activity seekers are also spoilt for choice. Walks in the tranquil and scenic countryside, horse-riding, rural tourism, diving, water sports, five-a-side football pitches, tennis courts, cycling and mountain biking are all available in Gozo.
All of this is contained within circa 67sq km which means that no place is more than a 10-minute drive away. You could be enjoying a swim in one of the 12 beaches that Gozo boasts one minute and be attending a theatre production the next. You can join the celebrations of a festa in one of the towns and villages one minute and dancing the night away in one of the island’s nightspots the next. Or you can be taking pleasure from a walk in the tranquil countryside and later enjoy a romantic dinner in one of the fine restaurants dotted around the island.
This is Gozo. It does not just give you more for less but also makes it possible to enjoy your holiday to the full. You will certainly not waste any time travelling. The 25-minute ferry trip will be your longest one. From then on your time will be solely taken up by sheer relaxation and pure enjoyment. L-Irhis gholi certainly does not hold for Gozo.
Chris Said is a
parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister