Detailed Trip Dossier

Walking on Gozo - Calypso’s Isle
$1,120 per person
7 nights from
f
At a glance...
Unspoilt Mediterranean island,
temperate year-round climate, perfect
for exploring on foot
Secluded HHHHH hotel with
swimming pools and tranquil gardens
Magnificent coastal paths, breathtaking
views, colorful fishing villages
Exotic Mediterranean flora, lemons,
figs, peaches and poppies
Lots of walking choices, route notes
give maximum flexibility
Option to extend your stay with
extra nights in Malta
What’s included...
• 7 nights - single centre
• All buffet breakfasts and evening meals
• f+ self-guided walking with route
notes and maps
See pp6-7 &50-51 for details of what the f
symbol means and how our holidays work
• 85% sustainability rating
• 94% customer satisfaction rating
© Tony Lewis
Gozo
Walking-on-Gozo-Calypsos-Isle2016.qxp_Eastern Med 10/30/15 4:56 PM Page 112
Gozo is the second largest of the Maltese islands, yet at only 14km/9mi by 7km/4mi
at its widest point, nowhere in Gozo is too far away, making it the ideal choice for a
walking holiday. The slow pace of life along with the air of tranquillity also makes
Gozo the perfect place to relax. Rich in history and culture you must visit the UNESCO
World Heritage Site of the Ggantija Tombs at Xaghra, the oldest freestanding temples
in the world dating back to 3500BC, and the Ta’ Pinu sanctuary.
The walks guide you around the island’s impressive coastline and through the
cobbled streets of the traditional towns and villages and you’ll have plenty of time
for exploring, swimming and just soaking up Gozo’s tranquil atmosphere. Its rugged
landscape ensures spectacular views including Fungus Rock, a natural stone outcrop
in the centre of Dwejra Bay, and its amazing natural arch, the Azure Window.
Between autumn and late spring, the countryside bursts into life, revealing an
incredible wealth of flora and fauna, with colorful wild flowers and scented herbs.
You stay at the HHHHH Hotel Ta’ Cenc,
wonderfully secluded, set in 400 acres of
private grounds and built on one level to
blend in sensitively with the natural
surroundings. The hotel offers complete
serenity, a friendly atmosphere and a
regular, complimentary shuttle service to
the island’s capital of Victoria. There are
swimming pools, a hydro-massage jacuzzi, a
fitness centre and tennis courts. Guests are
accommodated in individual, tastefully
furnished, air-conditioned stone
bungalows, each with its own terrace.
Breakfast is a delicious hot and cold
buffet, and evening meals offer a
mouth-watering selection of Gozitan
and Italian specialities, served al fresco
on the patio under a 200-year-old
carob tree.
“ Lovely hotel,
beautiful location
and scenery. ”
Mr J Goodall
• Naples
Gharb
Calypso’s Cave
Ta’ Pinu
Azure Window
Xlendi
Xaghra
Victoria
Sannat
Mgarr
Walking-on-Gozo-Calypsos-Isle2016.qxp_Eastern Med 10/30/15 4:56 PM Page 113
© Hotel ta Cenc
Your accommodation
Hotel Ta’ Cenc HHHHH
Sannat
Your itinerary
Treat yourself...
Day 1
Arrive in Malta/Transfer to Gozo
Day 2
Mgarr and the Raiders’ Cove 7km/4.5mi/2.5hr
Our taxi meets you in Malta and takes you to the ferry for the 25 minute trip across to Gozo.
Mgarr is Gozo’s port, full of traditional and colorful luzzu fishing boats, and dominated by the C18 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.
Day 3
Day 4
Xlendi Bay and Layercake Cliffs 9km/6mi/2.5hr or 10km/6.5mi/3hr
Day 5
Free day for independent exploring
The cliffs near Sannat are the highest and most dramatic cliffs on Gozo and in late spring are alive
with Mediterranean shearwaters. The route includes breathtaking views to Comino and Malta as it
winds down through tamarisk trees to the gorgeous Xlendi Bay. Then it’s up through the terraced
fields, bright with poppies and gladioli cultivated in rows like Provençal lavender.
Today you could take a ride on one of Gozo’s quirky buses to Xaghra and head towards the Ggantija
Tombs, a massive freestanding temple of 6m-high monoliths, and Calypso’s Cave. Have lunch on
Ramla Bay, undeniably the best beach on the island, then perhaps head on to the lively capital,
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. However, 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.
Fungus Rock and the Azure Window 13km/8mi/4hr
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 Azure Window, a
stunning stone archway framing the blue sea and sky behind.
Day 7
Bays and Towers Walk 11km/7mi/4.5hr
Day 8
Leave Gozo
Beginning at Qala, it’s an easy stroll to Dahlet Qorrot, a tiny harbor with gaily colored boat houses.
Then it’s on through fragrant lemon groves and vineyards and past fig and peach trees to San Blas
Bay, a hidden beach with gorgeous ochre-colored sand. Your final stop is Nadur where the
spectacular views at the end of the day are a great finale to your week.
Day by Day Walking Guide
450m
300m
150m
0m
Deluxe Trullo Rooms (with own lounge and more space) are
available from $49 Feb-May ‘16 and $36 Sep ‘16-May ‘17.
Prices are per person, per night, based on 2 sharing.
For hotel descriptions visit:
www.breakaway-adventures.com
Ta’ Pinu and Gharb 12km/7.5mi/3.5hr or 14km/9mi/4hr
The north western corner of the island is only accessible on foot, along easy-to-navigate farm tracks.
The first stop is the remarkable neo-Romanesque basilica Ta’ Pinu, a huge national shrine built on the
site of a miracle in 1923. Your route then leads through unique ravine-like wieds (streams) to Gharb
with a stunning Baroque church dating from 1699 and traditional stone houses. The final stretch takes
you along the striking cliffs of the north coast where you are rewarded with fantastic views across
Gozo’s famous salt pans.
Day 6
You can extend your stay at Sannat, and we can also
arrange city break add-ons on Malta at the start,
or end, of your holiday.
Dates and prices (US$)
Departs
selected dates
Tour
Only
2016 Departures
Nov 5, 12, 19, 26, Dec 3, 10
Feb 6, 13
Feb 20, 27, Mar 5, 12, 19
Oct 1, 8, 29, Dec 17
Oct 15, 22
Apr 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14
May 21, 28
Mar 26, Apr 2
Dec 24, 31
Sep 3, 10, 17, 24
$1,120
$1,355
$1,392
$1,425
$1,508
$1,559
$1,576
$1,596
$1,664
$1,680
2017 Departures
Feb 11, 18
Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25
Apr 1, 22, 29, May 6, 13
May 20, 27
Apr 8, 15
$1,304
$1,341
$1,491
$1,511
$1,525
Singles: Add $48 per night Feb-May ‘16, $41 per night
Sep ‘16 - May ‘17 for sole occupancy of a double room.
Children: Please call for details and prices.
Group size: No minimum group size, however airport transfers
are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked on each
departure.
Tour only prices include a 20 minute transfer from/to Malta
Luqa airport, 25 minute ferry crossing and a 10 minute
transfer to/from your hotel. Alternative transfers (for nonstandard time) can be arranged. Prices on request.
Malta Luqa airport 15:35 pick up, then ferry to Gozo
18:00/18:25. Return: Ferry to Malta 12:00/12:25 then Malta
Luqa to Heathrow by 15:00. Hotel transfers (30 minutes each
way) also included.
W07GO
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 6
Day 7
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 to the coast and the occasional rough, stony section. Otherwise the walking is
essentially f level.
For further details visit:www.breakaway-adventures.com