The population of Gozo mostly engage in agriculture, fishing and tourism and many of the Island’s women sit by their houses making lace, the speed of the bobbins almost too fast for the eye.

This is the legendary island of the goddess Calypso who is said to have lured Ulysses to stay for seven years. It would be just as easy for you to spend as many years on this enchanting island.

The capital Victoria known locally as Rabat lies in the centre of Gozo and is dominated by its ancient Citadel fortification, once the refuge for the inhabitants when Muslim pirates regularly raided the island. Within the Citadel fortification you will find Gozo’s fine Santa Marija Cathedral with its magnificently painted ceiling. In the museums nearby are exhibited archaeological remains, pottery and primitive farming implements recovered from a number of sites on the Island. Today the Citadel fortification is silent and mysterious.

A marked difference from Malta is Gozo’s attractive 3 hills which spring up out of the fertile countryside and end in flat limestone tablelands which are now transformed into the village of Xaghra, Nadur and Zebbug. There are also flat top hills on the island which are Ghammar hill, Gelmus hill and Ta` Dbiegi hill which these are uninhabited.
But the Island’s charms go beyond that Gozo offers picturesque fishing villages, secluded bays and dramatic scenery that is a paradise for every camera enthusiast. It is also renowned for its lace, its winding lanes behind Saint Georges basilica, stone carved balconies, its folklore and numerous summer feasts with horse racing in the streets and coulourful fireworks. No one should go to Gozo and fail to visit the world famous Ggantija Temples in the village of Xaghra which is the work of Neolithic man and the oldest free standing man-made structure in the world – forget Stonehenge – this is the real thing! Also in this village is Calypso’s cave (mentioned earlier), Ta Kola windmill and the Old Toys museum.

But within the Island’s small area of 67 square km there are many sites and scenes to attract the visitor such as San Dimitri Point and Chapel, Ghasri Valley, Xwejni Saltpans. On the West side of the island there are many places to explore where the most flocked area is Ta Pinu Basilica as its visited by many locals and tourists who need a grace from the Lady of Ta Pinu, facing Ta Pinu Basilica there is Ghammar hill which got 14 statues of the holy stations of the rosary and at the top of this hill there is an open air church in the form of a Greek Amphitheatre. From up there you can see Tal-Gordan lighthouse and Gozo at 360 degrees. There is the curiously beautiful Inland Sea with its pebbly crystal clear waters; the huge Azure Window naturally cut in the towering cliffs overlooking the sea. On the side of the Azure Window there is the Fungus Rock and the Dwejra Tower which are of great interest also. On the way to the Azure Window there is Ta Dbiegi crafts village and Gozo Glass workshop where from here you can buy your souvenirs to take back home. On the North side of the island you will find a sandy beach known as Ramla il-Hamra where in the same area there is the Cave of Calypso; apart from this lovely beach there are others to visit which are San Blas Bay, Dahlet Qorrot Bay, Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay and Xatt l-Ahmar which are good from swimming snorkeling and scuba diving. The seaside resorts that we got on the island are Marsalforn Bay and Xlendi Bay. On the way to Marsalforn bay you will see a volcano like hill which is called Salvatur hill as locals placed a stone statue of Christ the Saviour on a wooden cross above the hill to bless the island not to erupt. At Marsalforn bay you will find plenty of restaurants and saltpans. Xlendi Bay is picturesque for the Karolina Cave where it used to be privately owned by the Dominican sisters as they used to swim and relax there but nowadays it is open for the public to explore up the winding stairs and see most of Xlendi bay and Xlendi Tower. Xlendi bay is mostly known for its restaurants, scuba diving schools, Fontana knights wash houses and discos. On the way to the Mgarr harbour which is the only harbour on Gozo to dock yachts and ships you will pass by the Xewkija Dome, Ghajn Sielem gothic church and Fort Chambray. Another village which is worth a visit before visiting the Mgarr harbour for restaurants is Sannat as there are cart ruts, cliffs and Mgarr ix-Xini bay.

While on Gozo the visitor should certainly try the local dish of the rabbit cooked in wine, and of course try out the mouth watering fresh fish. The local wines and local beer are also of an excellent quality to round off a complete meal.. One should also try the peppered cheeselets the juicy prickly pears. There are numerous good restaurants in Gozo which ensure a gastronomic feast for the senses and new fusion cuisine restaurants have recently been opened to complete a larger and more vibrant dining scene.

Swimming, sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving are the natural activities for summer but visitors who come at other times of the year will find that Gozo provides some of the finest walks through peaceful and unusual scenery to be found anywhere in the archipelago, especially in spring when the Island is a riot of wild flowers.

Whatever the visitor does in Gozo, whether he goes sightseeing or enjoys sport, he will certainly have the opportunity to meet the local people most of whom speak English. These are very hospitable and friendly and will always go out of their way to share with you the peace and beauty of their island home.