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Get Away From It All!!!
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ABOUT GOZO.
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WHERE IS GOZO.
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HISTORY IN SHORT...PRE-HISTORY.
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HOW TO GET THERE.
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WHERE TO STAY....DINING
OUT.
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PLACES TO VISIT.
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THE PEOPLE AND THE WEATHER.
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GOZO...THE ISLAND OF SUN.
GOZO...THE ISLAND OF PEACE.
GOZO...THE ISLAND OF CHARM.
GOZO...THE ISLAND OF THE GODDESS CALYPSO.
Gozo is situated some 8 kilometers northwest of Malta and is the second largest island in the Maltese archipelago. It has a surface area of 72 square kilometers with the highest point 'Ta Dbiegi' rising 195 meters above sea level.Gozo is more hilly than Malta, so much so that it is three hills which feature on Gozo's coat-of-arms.Due to the predominance of blue clay, Gozo has a more greener landscape and is more fertile. No wonder that the motto of the Island is; 'Fertilis ab undis caput effero' meaning 'A fruitful land raising it's head from the sea.
History....Pre-History.
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It is generally agreed that the physical environment is a determinant and conditioning factor in the formation and development of cultures and the prehistoric cultures that planted their roots on the Island of Gozo, were no exception, even if one of them, the temple culture, achieved heights of grandeur and magnificence that went beyond what one would normally deem possible, given the very limited local resourses. so much so, that for decades student of pre-historic societies and ancient civilisations could not explain the phenomenal rise of the megalithic temple culture on Gozo and Malta, if not as a by-product of the richer and more sophisticated proto-urban civilisations of the Aegean and the near East.{Evans1959, MacKie1977}. Yhe Islands greater fertility might well be the factor, together with it's more northern position, behind the possible earlier settlement of man in Gozo, than in Malta.
Getting....There.
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Air Malta our national airline have daily non-stop flights to Luqa International Airport, from all of europe's major airports. To get to Gozo you can take a 10 minute helicopter ride to the Gozo Heliport. The Gozo Channel Company runs the ferry service between the two islands. Trips are very frequent, actually around every 30 minutes and extra trips are done if the need arises. Private boat owners also ferry people detween the two islands, for a fee of course.
Accomodation.
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Hotels and Restaurants are everywhere . Here are some Hotels where you can choose from;
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'TA CENC' HOTEL......Sannat.
MGARR BAY HOTEL......Mgarr.
SAN LAWRENZ RESORTS..St. Lawrence.
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THE GRAND HOTEL.......Mgarr.
ST. PATRICK's HOTEL...Xlendi Bay.
CORNUCOPIA HOTEL......Xaghra.
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HOTEL CALYPSO.........Marsalforn Bay.
ATLANTIS HOTEL........Marsalforn Bay.
Self-catering furnished apartments are also available. Farm Houses with pool are a bit more expensive but then the pool and the privacy are all yours. Please check with your travel agent on rates and availability.
Dining Out!
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On the Island one can find restaurants for everybody's tastes, needs and means. My favourite is 'DA MANUEL' located at Xlendi Bay in Kantra Street. They serve the best of the local traditional dishes and an excellent Northern Italian cuisine. You can dine outside in the verandah and enjoy the spectacular sea, cliffs and sunset views. Their specialty is the local traditional dish 'Rabbit Stew'. Fresh fish is always available. Their fillet mignon is the biggest and the best, served with saute'mushrooms and or onions. Their pasta dishes are great and abundunt with 12 different pastas to choose from. A beautiful two bedroom, two bath apartment enjoying the same spectacular views is available for rent at very reasonable rates...For more information on availabiliy please call on 011.356.561022.
Another good restaurant is 'The Paradise' located at the Marina also in Xlendi Bay. This is a family run restaurant, where Joe and Katie together with their children Carmen and Michael always greet their customers with a smile. Their always, super fresh fish, local traditional dishes and their fillet steak with an excellent mushroom sauce are their specialty.
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Places Of Interest.
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Despite it's small size Gozo has a lot to offer. Historical places are everywhere. A visit to the Ggantija Temples is a must. It is believed that these Temples are even older than the Pyramids of Egypt. Actually they date back to 3.500yeare B.C. The museum of archeology in Victoria is full of archeological remains and pre-historic artifacts. And just a few meters away there is the famous Citadel. Xerri's Grotto and Ninu's cave, both in Xaghra are also very interesting to see. Ta Pinu Sanctuery is a very Holy and Special Place. It is believed that at the turn of the century, a local peasant woman had apparitions from Our Lady. Today a beautiful Basilica lies erected at this Holy Place. People from all over the world come to Gozo for the specific reason to visit 'Ta Pinu'. Calypso's cave in Xaghra is legendary. It is believed that the Goddess Calypso kept Ulysses, the conquerer of Troy there for seven years as her lover before she finally released him. Xewkija Rotunda dedicated to St. John the Baptist, Ta'Canc cliffs and Dolmens, the Inland sea and the Azure Window,Fungus Rock, Ramla Bay with it's unique red sand and the old part of the main town of Victoria are also worth a visit.
The Weather.
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Gozo enjoys an embalming and very favourable climate, it is actually sub-tropical. The sun shines almost everyday. The temperatures vary from about 15C. in winter to around 30C. in summer. The coldest months are December and January. The hottest and most humid are July and August. The nicest and mildest are April, May, June, September and October. The sea temperature can go up to around 25C. in summer, so happy swimming!!!
Taking a Cruise.
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While in Gozo you should not miss going on a cruise around the Island. ' Xlendi Pleasure Cruises' are the best around where it comes to Cruising and boat chartering. For a very reasonable fee you can spend a whole day cruising around the Island on their fabulous 'Gozo Princess'. You will be taken to the best and nicest spots around Gozo and Comino. Lunch and wine will be served during the trip and is included. Look for their offices at Marsalforn Bay or Xlendi Bay and make reservations.
The People.
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Gozo's population is about 26.700. Mostly white, easy going, thrifty and very friendly. About 25% of the population is over sixty and over the hill. Almost everybody speaks english. German, Italian and French are also widely spoken. They are frugal and industrious, hospitable though somewhat reserved, intelligent and highly religious. Gozo has contributed it's share of leadership in all fields of the national scene; in politics, religion and culture.
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