Malta & Gozo

Whispered

Following a thread about the Fuertaventura where I was a little bit put off, I've been looking at Malta, or more specifically the island of Gozo.

We're looking for relaxation, decent weather, nothing hectic, but still with enough of a night life to go to a bar/restaurnt and not be the only 2 people there. Hoping to go in early October.

So, would Gozo be suitable for a honeymoon? Where is Gozo would you recommend? We would like near the sea, but thats not a deal breaker as we will be hiring a car anyway. The town would be more important.

Thanks

Fratton Fred

I've been to Gozo a couple of times and there isn't too much there tbh. The island is very small but very interesting, especially if you like diving ( I prefer it to the red sea).

marselforn is probably the main resort and has a few decent hotels, but I'm pretty sure it will be very quiet in October.

Whispered

Thanks, would you recommend Malta instead of Gozo at that time of year then?

EDIT: We are considering a villa in the town of xewkija. Don't suppose you know it?

Fratton Fred

Whispered wrote: »

Thanks, would you recommend Malta instead of Gozo at that time of year then?

EDIT: We are considering a villa in the town of xewkija. Don't suppose you know it?

I don't i'm afraid, but it won't be a town, there is only one of those on the island at Victoria. last time i went we hired a Villa in Ghasri and we were in the middle of nowhere. The village was just a collection of farmhouses.

It is a lovely island, but I would say 60 to 70% of the people that go there, go to dive as it has probably the best dive sites in the Med. There are some very good fish restaurants though if you like food.

I don't know anything about Malta i'm afraid, I have only ever driven through it to the ferry port.

Whispered

Ah, well apparently it's 15mins walk from Victoria. I think we will just go ahead with it. All we really want is nice weather and a villa with a pool. Anything else is a bonus.

Thanks for all of your help.

gazzer

Just back from a weeks holiday to Malta. We were staying in Paceville but did a number of tours around Malta and spent a day on Gozo. I loved it but outside Paceville and St. Julians it seemed pretty quiet. That didnt bother me though and I am definately going to go back. Think next time I go I will do a week in Malta (possibley Sliema)and a few days in Gozo.

I found it very very cheap as well. For some reason I was expecting it to be expensive but there was €1 pints of local beer in some bars and 1 litre of Smifnoff plus 4 red bulls for €25 in others as well as very cheap restaurants (4 course meal for 2 with bottle of wine for €45) I found my money went a long way. The only thing I found expensive was the taxis so we avoided using those for the most part.

bamboozle

I went to Malta and Gozo 3 years ago, first impression of Malta was that it was crazily built up, i expected it to be a small quiet island with lots of countryside, remember hearing its the 4th most densly populated country in the world.
We spent a few nights in Malta, did Valetta and some other town i cant remember, then we got ferry to Gozo. Gozo is a cool island, the polar oposite to Malta, quiet, little development, much slower pace of life. The diving is excellent.
we stayed in Xlendi Bay in St. Patrick's hotel and i'd highly recommend both the area and the hotel. Victoria the capital of Gozo is a nice chilled out spot and the beach at Ramla bay is beautiful.
I had one of the best meals of my life in Ta Frenc Restaurant on Gozo, Prawns cooked in pernod.

We had originally booked on line one of the traditional farm houses that Gozo is meant to be famous for, however it turned out to be newly built down a lane of a town and very cold and damp so we left it and checked into St. Patrick's Hotel.

if going again i'd definately go straight to gozo and avoid Malta as Malta is just too busy & crowded for me!

Whispered

Thank you bamboozle, thats exactly what I wanted to hear. The place I'm looking at is 3.5km from Victoria, walkable perhaps or for nights out, an easy taxi journey I'd imagine? We also intend on renting a car.

The villa is newly built, but I can't find reviews of it. Probably not a very good sign. :rolleyes:

Believe it or not, Ta Franc has already been recommended to us. I will definately try it out. Was that also in Victoria?

Fratton Fred

Whispered wrote: »

Thank you bamboozle, thats exactly what I wanted to hear. The place I'm looking at is 3.5km from Victoria, walkable perhaps or for nights out, an easy taxi journey I'd imagine? We also intend on renting a car.

The villa is newly built, but I can't find reviews of it. Probably not a very good sign. :rolleyes:

Believe it or not, Ta Franc has already been recommended to us. I will definately try it out. Was that also in Victoria?

It's between Victoria and Marselforn.

nothing in Gozo is difficult to find. The whole island consists of two main roads, which cross in the middle of the island, which is Where Victoria is. Off these, there are small roads down to villages and that is pretty much it.

the buses are quite easy to use, again, you catch the bus to victoria bus station and then jump on the bus to wherever you are going.

Whispered

Thanks a million for your help again FrattonFred. I think we're gonna book it. All excited now

Fratton Fred

Enjoy.

To make it really special, the two of you could do a PADI referral course before you go and finish it off in Gozo. There is some spectacular scenery in Gozo that is best viewed under water.

Try and get a boat trip around the island as well, well worth it.

chrisyh

Myself and GF were in Matla for the first two weeks of June this year and we LOVED it..

We only spent one day in Gozo, we did an open top bus tour which i am usually not a fan of but it's like a brill place. Victoria is nice. If you want to be in a beautiful secluded place you will have it with Gozo.
We stayed in msida (malta) which is ten min walk from sliema - it was actually near the red light district. If you get to know malta its hard to imagine it has one.
Sliema is central, Valetta and Mdina are stunning and the history there is more than anyone expects. There is a church in Mosta where during World War 2 a bomb came through the roof and landed infront of (i think) a few hundred people but never detinated - it can be seen where the inside of the dome has been repaired. The people we found to be nice but very much to the point. They are characters. Be warned the men over there are bits of perverts..
The Sea and beaches are beautiful. Water is fantastic and weather is good enouhg all year round.
Please made sure you do all 3 hop on hop off bus tours & check out mdina by night.
You could also hire a car but the maltese drivers dont spare the cars-i forgot my license so not sure how good it would be.
We went on a day trip to Catania in Sicily and it was from one extreme to an other - trust me a big no no.. we really did not like it.
Malta is such a small place but a great adventure. The buses are everything-get started early. 5 min ferry between sliema and Valetta.
There is good value but you will need to shop around. I got a big steak dinner for 8 euro in Sliema, think the place is called papamaro or something
We have never enjoyed a holiday as much as malta and plan to go back next year.

jester1980

Delighted i found this thread,

Im looking at going next May for 7 nights, from what i can see it would be best to spread the time on the two islands.

Ive had contact from two dive companies and there locations Mellieha on Malta which seems a good distance from everywhere else, has anyone been to the little village and is there a few bars and restaurnats to keep you occupied for 4 nights. Hotels seem lovely here and quite cheap.

Then Gozo location is Xlendi, i cant seem to find this on the map. anyone have inforamtion on it or else somewhere else to go in Gozo for 3 nights.

So lookingforward to this and its ages away..