GOZO
Aweekend Gozitan getaway
Despite being a mere 20 minutes away by ferry, Malta’s sister island of Gozo feels like an entire world away. And although it’s just 14km long and 7.2km wide, there’s plenty to see and do on this little gem of an island, particularly at this time of year. Sarah Micallef lists what not to miss.
The Citadel - Photo: viewingmalta.com
Far removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it is sometimes hard to believe that Gozo has managed to retain such an air of simplicity and calm, and any holiday in Malta isn’t complete without a dose of its unique charm. If you can afford it, it’s well worth taking a few days out of your holiday itinerary for a weekend getaway in Gozo – a popular choice among tourists and locals alike. And if you’re heading there at this time of year, here’s what to look out for.
CELEBRATE THE SEASON’S EVENTS This time of year coincides with a number of feasts and festivities, from colourful carnival celebrations and the feast of love on St Valentine’s Day all the way through to Lent and Easter. While there are many ways to join in the fun in Malta, Gozo offers its own experience of these events, starting from carnival, which this year falls between 9th and 13th February. While carnival in Malta centres around Valletta, the Gozitans
(and visiting Maltese) take to the small village of Nadur to celebrate the Gozitan carnival in an entirely different style. Here, the celebrations are more spontaneous, consisting of several street parties with floats and costumes which lean towards a darker, quirkier mood and more risqué themes, including macabre set-ups, crossdressing and political satire. Later on in March, Lent and Easter are celebrated here in much the same way as they are in Malta. ➜ 31