Holidays in Gozo

An introduction to Gozo

'Pomskizillious' and 'gromphibberous'. That's the tongue-twisting description of Gozo offered up by poet Edward Lear. The eccentric Brit thought the English language fell short when helping him describe the island's magnificence, so he invented a couple of his own. And you'll soon understand his predicament. Just 25 minutes from Malta, Gozo's got the kind of scenery that'd leave even the most eloquent onlooker lost for words. It's all wild, untamed beaches. Cliffs with rugged good looks. And luminous swirls of turquoise that curve off into oblivion. On top of that, the waters hide a labyrinth of caves and lagoons that divers in the know can't get enough of. But there's more to Gozo than a five star coastline. For years it was simply known as the little smudge next to Malta. But lately it's shuffled out of the shadows to command a lot more respect from the travel world. More and more people are switching off their mobiles, shutting down their laptops and heading for a traditional hideaway where they can reboot in peace. Even the main hub, Victoria, is peaceful enough to make a monk feel at home, with pursuits falling very much into the simple pleasures category. Get tangled up in the snoozing web of backstreets, pausing every so often for a pavement-cafe pastry fix. And head up to the rooftop citadel, which serves up views that don't so much stir the soul as whisk it into a froth of contentment. Victoria aside, there are a few other boxes to tick while you're here. See the world's oldest buildings AKA the Ggantija Temples. Peer through the limestone arch known as the Azure Window. And make sure you see Calypso Cave of Ulysses fame. Just make sure you pack every fashionista's worst nightmare – comfy shoes – because Gozo is made for walking. Pick a path through fields painted with wild flowers. Whichever direction you take, you'll trip over old farmhouses and dinky churches whose bells chime through the silence. And remember, if you find yourself lost for words in those postcards home, Mr Lear has a couple of suggestions that sum it up perfectly.

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