Self-Guided Walking on Gozo - Calypso's Isle TripNotes
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided, Premium
Adventures
Destinations: Malta
Programmes: Walking & Trekking
Trip Code:
W07GO Leisurely / Moderate
8 Days Land only
Min age: 12
Trip Overview
Blessed with a rugged landscape and spectacular coastline, the island of Gozo is tranquil and verdant. Sleepy towns lay brimming with
baroque architecture, gardens and churches, and only the occasional farmhouse punctuates the countryside. Such is the beauty here,
that Gozo is thought to be the legendary Calypso's Isle of Homer's Odyssey - a peaceful, mystical backwater. From our base at one of
the island’s top hotels, our self-guided walks will unveil the island's charm.
At a Glance
Trip Highlights
7 nights 5-star Hotel Ta'Cenc, all rooms en suite
5 days centre-based walking
Walk as little or as much as you like
Low altitude throughout
Self-guided holiday. Min age 12 yrs
Countries visited: Malta
Unspoilt Mediterranean island, temperate year round climate, perfect for exploring on foot
Secluded 5 star hotel: private rocky cove, swimming pools, tranquil gardens
Current as of: July 12, 2019 - 14:48
Valid for departures: From January 1, 2017 to September 30, 2019
Is This Trip for You?
This holiday offers leisurely walking with occasional short climbs and descents to sea level. The terrain is moderate with some small
hills and the walking is often along ancient roads and old farm tracks. There are some steep descents down to the coast and the
occasional rough, stony section. The walking is suitable for anyone who is reasonably fit and healthy, enjoys the occasional weekend
walk and can walk 2-5 hrs per day.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will
not be organised together. You are provided with route notes for each day, which begin with an overview of the walk and advice on
lunch, followed by detailed instructions. The route notes contain a 24 hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need
it and in emergencies, the hotel is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this
service.
You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference (inquire for details).
Group
Although the minimum age of clients on this trip is 12 years, younger children may also be accepted on request; please enquire for
details and child prices.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader.
Adult min age: 12
Min group size: 2Max group size: 6
Itinerary
Magnificent coastal paths, breathtaking views, colourful fishing villages
Exotic Mediterranean flora: lemons, figs, peaches, poppies
Land Only
Start City: Gozo
End City: Gozo
Land Only Itinerary
Day 1
Start Gozo.
An arrival transfer (including the ferry journey) can be pre-booked (not included, inquire for prices) from Malta Luqa Airport to
the hotel in Gozo. Those who wish to book this transfer will be met at the airport by our taxi and taken to the ferry terminal.
From here the crossing to Gozo is approximately 25 minutes, and from Gozo ferry terminal you will be transferred for the
remaining 10 minute drive to the hotel. The evening is at your leisure to settle in and unpack.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2
Coastal walk from Mgarr port to the narrow creek of Mgarr ix-Xini.
Mgarr is Gozo's port, full of traditional and colourful luzzu fishing boats and dominated by the 18th Century Fort Chambray, built
by the Knights of St John. The path from here hugs the coast as far as the narrow creek of Mgarr ix-Xini, where Turkish raiders
landed in 1551 - the perfect place for a picnic and swim. From here you follow an old mule track up through the hotel's rocky
grounds with fine views across to Malta, stopping to explore the remains of a Copper Age temple and Neolithic dolmen.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance covered: 7 km / 5 miles
Activity (hours): 2.5
Day 3
Walk via Basilica Ta' Pinu, a Baroque church and stunning cliffs of the north coast.
The north-western corner of the island is only accessible on foot, along easy farm tracks. The first stop is the remarkable neo-
Romanesque basilica Ta' Pinu, a huge national shrine built on the site of a miracle in 1923. Your route then leads through unique
ravine-like wieds to Gharb with its stunning Baroque church (1699) and traditional stone houses. The final stretch takes you
along the striking cliffs of the north coast where you are rewarded with fantastic views across Gozo's famous salt pans.
Two walking options: 3.5hr, distance 12km/7.5mi or 4hr, distance 14km/9mi.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance covered: 14 km / 9 miles
Activity (hours): 4
Day 4
Hike to Xlendi bay.
The cliffs near Sannat are the highest and most dramatic cliffs on Gozo and in late spring they are alive with Mediterranean
shearwaters. The route takes you past breathtaking views towards Comino and Malta and down through tamarisk trees to the
gorgeous Xlendi Bay. Then it's up through the terraced fields, bright with poppies and fields of gladioli cultivated in rows like
Provencal lavender.
Two walking options: 2.5hr, distance 9km/5.5mi or 3hr, distance 10km/6mi.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance covered: 10 km / 6 miles
Activity (hours): 3
Accommodation
Hotel Ta'Cenc - 5 Star
Day 5
Free day; optional visit to Victoria or Ramla Beach.
Today you could perhaps take a ride on one of Gozo's quirky buses to Xaghra to start your morning, as you head towards the
Ggantija Tombs, a massive free-standing temple of 6m-high monoliths, and Calypso's Cave. Lunch on Ramla Bay, undeniably the
best beach on the island, then perhaps head on to the lively capital of Victoria for the afternoon. The bustling market square,
used as a meeting place since Roman times, is dominated by the mediaeval citadel, with spectacular views over the whole
island. But the real charm lies in the maze of tiny back streets clustered around the Basilica, with carved stone balconies, flower-
decked doorways and statuettes of the Madonna in street-corner niches.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6
Punic burial site and the Inland Sea.
The walk today takes you to the west coast and the fascinating Punic burial site at Wardija Point. There's a mythical feeling here,
like being on the edge of the world. Narrow stone-walled lanes lead down to bamboo groves and to Fungus Rock (named after
the 'magic' plant which grew there) and the Inland Sea.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance covered: 13 km / 8 miles
Activity (hours): 4
Day 7
Qala to Nadur via Dahlet Qorrot harbour and the hidden beach at San Blas Bay.
Starting from Qala, it's an easy stroll to Dahlet Qorrot, a tiny harbour with gaily coloured boat houses. Then it's on through
fragrant lemon groves, vineyards and past fig and peach trees to San Blas Bay, a hidden beach with gorgeous ochre-coloured
sand. Your final stop is Nadur, where the spectacular views at the end of the day are a great finale to your week.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance covered: 11 km / 7 miles
Activity (hours): 4.5
Day 8
End Gozo.
The tour ends at our hotel after breakfast, however a departure transfer back to Malta Luqa Airport by road and ferry can be pre-booked (not included, inquire for prices) for those who wish book this.
Meals included: Breakfast
Set in 400 acres of private grounds and built in harmony with the natural surroundings, the Ta'Cenc offers complete tranquillity, a
friendly atmosphere and delicious Maltese cuisine. Guests stay in tastefully furnished, air-conditioned single-storey stone buildings,
each with its own terrace. There are two enormous swimming pools, a hydro-massage Jacuzzi, a fitness centre, tennis courts and a
private (rocky) swimming c ove. Beauty treatments are also available, as well as WiFi in public spaces. All prices are based on 2 persons
sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory single
room supplement for sole occupancy of a twin/double room for the tour duration.
Where a single supplement is available, paying for a single only guarantees a room for single use. It does not always mean a twin or
double room will be provided for sole occupancy.
Single supplement from $434.00 USD
Food & Transport
Eating & Drinking
All buffet breakfasts and 7 dinners are included.
Meals are usually served al fresco on the patio under a 200-year-old carob tree. Breakfast is an enormous hot and cold buffet, and
dinner is a 4-course affair offering a mouth watering selection of Gozitan and Italian specialities.
Please be aware that, as Gozo has no rivers, lakes or reservoirs, the majority of drinking water is produced via reverse osmosis –
essentially, the desalination and filtration of sea water. Tap water is perfectly safe and drinkable, although you may notice it has a very
slightly salty aftertaste which can vary between hotels, restaurants and cafes depending whether they have additional filtration
systems in place. If you still have concerns, or are put off by the taste, bottled water is widely available although please consider the
environmental impact of buying and disposing of plastic bottles.
Transportation
The hotel provides a regular shuttle service (complimentary) to the island's capital of Victoria, but nowhere on the island is far to walk.
Weather & Seasonality
Weather Information
Malta and Gozo are blessed with a subtropical Mediterranean climate; summers are generally hot and dry, winters mild, and autumns
warm and sporadically wet. Malta’s average annual temperature of 18-19°C is amongst the highest in Europe, and significant
temperature fluctuations are rare. Being islands however, they can face strong winds coming off the sea, particularly in the springtime,
which can make it feel a little chilly.
Joining Instructions
Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Gozo on the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary. Arrival and departure transfers are not included
in the price of the tour from Malta Luqa Airport to the hotel in Gozo (including the 25 minute ferry journey), and vice versa for the
return. Transfers and ferry journeys can be arranged for you in advance (by prior arrangement only, inquire for details and prices).
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not
receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Arrival Details
Nearest arrival airport: Malta Luqa Airport
Nearest departure airport: Malta Luqa Airport
Location start: Gozo
Location end: Gozo
What to Take
Essential Equipment
Light walking boots (good walking trainers will suffice)
Small daypack for camera, guidebook, etc.
Water bottle to use when walking and sightseeing (2 litres)
Sun cream Hat
Sunglasses
Waterproofs
Warm clothes
Optional Equipment
Walking poles
Swimwear
Weather Charts
Practical Information
Visa
Malta
US passport holders do not need a visa for Malta.
For further travel advice please visit U.S. State Department at https://www.state.gov/travelers/
Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.
Vaccination
Malta
There are no specific health risks.
Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way
to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad.
The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly
recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date
information. Please note: vaccinations that are routinely recommended to residents of North America or Australasia are not considered
to form part of the travel health advice, and you should ensure these are kept up to date where necessary.
For additional information please visit: Centers for Disease Control C.D.C at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Insurance - are you adequately covered?
It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you must be fully insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include
repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services where appropriate). On arriv al in destination for your trip, you will be
asked to present details to your leader or local representative of your policy.
If you are resident of the United States, we recommend the Travelex Travel Select travel insurance policy, this is specifically designed
to cover all activities on your trip. If arranging your own policy please ensure that you are covered for all activities that are part of the
trip, optional activities that you intend to take part in and/or on high altitude itineraries, that you are covered up to the maximum
altitude of the trip.
Local Time
Electricity
Voltage: 240V, Frequency: 50Hz
Money
ATM Availability
Banking facilities on Gozo include the Bank Of Valletta, HSBC, APS Bank, and Bnaif Bank. All of these have ATM machines; opening
hours do vary, and are usually displayed outside. Credit cards are widely accepted, but if you are unsure then just ask. There is a 24
hour, seven days per week service available at Malta International Airport.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
Lunch is not included in the itinerary, please allow some spending money for this. We recommend approximately €5-15 per lunch.
Responsible Tourism
At Breakaway we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.
Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural
understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. T
Important Information
On all guided trips
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely partake in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorize them to take necessary action which, in some
circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
Although rarely enforced, by booking this trip you agree to section 5 of our Booking Conditions which clearly states that our leaders
have the authority to do this. In these circumstances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative
options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
On all trips
In booking this trip you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability you should call the Breakaway office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
In an emergency, please contact our 24 hour out of hours service on +44 (0) 844 326 7041.
Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you
approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier
please contact our office or your travel agent.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure
or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy
them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow
the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will
make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
TRAVEL AWARE –STAY SAFE & HEALTHY ABROAD
The U.S. State Department has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://www.state.gov/travelers/
Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting Centers for Disease Control C.D.C at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Advice can change so check regularly for updates.