In our blog we have been speaking mainly about Malta. In today’s Blog we are going to give a shout out to its neighbours… Gozo and Comino.
Comino is a small island accessible only by boat. It is inhabited by just one family that lives there all year round. In summer it comes alive as locals and tourists visit to enjoy the unblemished natural beauty of this island.
The island also has one hotel which is open in summer for those that want to immerse themselves and fully explore every inch. For the more adventurous there is a designated camp site with all the amenities at hand.
Whilst on the island, one can enjoy walking around, admiring the views of the sea or exploring the flora and fauna that is found on the island. The sea around the island with its clear azure waters are excellent places for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.
The highlight of every person visiting Comino is to swim in the crystal blue waters of the Blue Lagoon which connects Comino to the islet of Cominotto. This world famous natural mixed rocky and sandy beach, which hosted the set for ‘Helen of Troy’ (mini series) and ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ is definitely a must see.
With almost no light pollution at night, it is also excellent for stargazers and photographers alike.
Summer Love Boat Parties take advantage of these clear blue waters to hold most of its boat parties around the island. Here you can enjoy a drink with your friends whilst listening to the latest music. A dive in the sea is also allowed and encourged.
Another place one can visit only be sea is Malta’s Little sister island. Gozo, is another gem that differs greatly from Malta. It is less populated with almost 33,000 people. Villages in Gozo are all set on hill tops with untouched valleys all around.
It is accessible by ferry, one can choose whether to go with a private car or else catch the bus to Cirkewwa, then board the ferry on foot and travel around the island by bus using the local public transport. The transport is very efficient and can take you to every inch of the island.
The inhabitants are very welcoming and will easily put tourists at ease. The old generation might find difficulty understanding English, being traditionally of low literacy, but the rest of the population will have no problem answering any questions you may have. Its people are very friendly and helpful.
Although the island is small there is something to see in every village. The largest town is also Gozo’s capital city, Victoria, or as the locals call it ‘Rabat’. Visitors can find here all the high street brands and international franchises one also finds in Malta. There are shopping malls, restaurants, bars and traditional cafes. Most Gozitans go here for their regular shopping.
As one leaves Victoria however the scenery immediately opens up and one can enjoy the views of the hills and valleys. Gozo, like Comino, was also used as a film set for various epic movies such as Gladiator (the flashback scene near the end of the movie), Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s By the Sea and TV Series like Game of Thrones (Drogo and Daenerys’s Wedding took place in Dwejra).
Important landmarks to visit are the Cittadella in Rabat and Ggantija temples in Xaghra as mentioned in our previous blog. (7000 Years of History). Whilst in Xaghra one can also visit the Kola windmill which is next to the temples and Ninu’s Cave which is an underground cave full of stalactites and stalagmites as well as other unique features.
There are also other places of interest such as the salt pans in Qbajjar, Marsalforn, a natural rocky window in Wied il- Mielah, a traditional crafts village in San Lawrenz and traditional lace making.
If you are feeling hungry we can suggest some mouth-watering options that the locals flock to. These include agriturismo style dining set in decade’s old farmhouses, traditional bakeries that still use wood to bake bread, pizza and also baked sweets. One must definitely try the Maltese traditional Pastizzi which in Gozo are made with sheep’s cheese instead of ricotta.
There are a number of restaurants and bars in the larger villages of Rabat, Nadur, Xaghra and Marsalforn. All kinds of cuisines are catered for, so you are sure to find a restaurant that cooks to your linking. For the energetic and party loving tourists there are also a few clubs where you can enjoy a drink and party all night.
