Just 14km long and 7.25km wide and with only 37,000 inhabitants, Gozo is the Mediterranean's best kept 'secret'. Greener, more rural and laidback than its big sister Malta, and featuring dramatic cliffs, hidden coves and sandy beaches, this jewel of an island is beloved by trekkers, divers, foodies, honeymooners and local and expat writers and artists.
Malta may be the first point of call, but it is Gozo that travellers return to time and time again, often deciding to buy a property here and live, Odysseus like, in enchantment.
The days here are punctuated by piazza culture catch-ups and gossip over coffee, followed by long leisurely lunches, beach siestas and Pimms at sunset. The more adventurous can get sporty with kayaking, hiking, cycling, abseiling, waterskiing and cave exploration. There are a plethora of restaurants waiting for you to tantalise your tastebuds and wine tasting and agrotourism forays to keep you satiated.
The Maltese Islands are steeped in history, and their strategic position in the centre of the Mediterranean, and at the cross-roads of civilisation have left a multi-hued legacy of conquest, colonialisation, triumph in the face of extreme adversity, economic reinvention and a unique architectural heritage.
The Gozitans are characterised by their devout faith, resilience, hard work, toil and sweat and a mindset; half Arab, half European that bridges an innate tendency to guarded secrecy and religious sentiment with an unbridled curiosity, openness, friendliness and tolerance towards outsiders.
The world's oldest free standing structure, the neolithic temple complex of Ggantija, is to be found on Gozo and from the dawn of civilisation and Mother Goddess worship, down to the modern day Catholic Marian
cult, this Island has always been enshrouded in a mystical matriarchal energy.
Whatever your intent, come discover this Mediterranean pearl for yourself.
We've been waiting centuries for your vsiit....