Tiny beautiful Gozo top sustainable destination again

Island paradise that local people are really proud of

Tiny Gozo is packed full of environmental beauty, history and culture and now it’s been awarded a big accolade – it has been accredited as one of the world’s Top100 Sustainable Destinations for the third year in a row!

It’s easy to see why – the island is a paradise that local people are really proud of, so they have gone to great lengths to protect and enhance their beautiful legacy of art, culture, stunning environment and hospitality all  supported in the long term by a sustainable economy.

Gozo has both the beaches with a bathing water qualified "Excellent" and heritage sites, such as the Medieval Citadel and the world’s oldest temples of Ggantija recognised as world heritage sites by UNESCO.

On top of all these environmental riches, Gozo has a colourful artistic scene with year-round festivals – there is an amazing kite festival, there is the vibrant Gozo Alive three day cultural festival – even a superb honey festival.

But above all the island delights in music and dance – there are even two competing opera houses – here on Gozo there is more opera per square metre than literally anywhere else in the world. But not just operas, also all of the events around opera too, ranging from wine tastings to pre-opera talks to street opera to specially-created entertainments.

So, if you’re looking for something really special in the Med – Gozo is a perfect place to visit. The beautiful bays, the green hills and the impressive rock formations give the island a unique beauty, coupled with a lifestyle that is rooted deep in tradition.

Anyone who sets foot here, is captured by the raw beauty and the authenticity that places elsewhere have lost.

One of three inhabited islands that are part of Malta’s island group, Gozo is tiny.  But although the island has a surface of just 67 square kilometers, it is packed full of wonders. With its green nature and rustic setting. With its unspoilt nature, cultural and historical sites and numerous annual festivals, it is a fabulous twinkling gem of a destination for visitors.

And there is a vibrant traditional food and wine scene too. For meal breaks why not seek out village bars serving Gozitan tapas. Try zalzett (coriander-flavoured sausage) and bigilla (broad bean paste) with crusty Gozitan hobz sourdough bread. It’s great to just dip in local organic olive oils famed for light acidity and a hint of saltiness from sea breezes. Time your visit for a village festival (festa) and they’ll also be sweet treats like imqaret (date pastries) to help fuel the fun.

And talking about drink – Distinctive Gozitan wines and craft beers add local liquid pleasure to your days here. For the most traditional experience, look for bars serving jugs of wine rather than bottles – filled with fruits of a terroir whose strong sun and cooling sea breezes creates round-bodied, fruity wines with good structure. Tal-Massar Winery has popular tours and tastings. Beer lovers, meanwhile, can sup Gozo’s very own artisan brews courtesy of the Lord Chambray microbrewery, opened in Xewkija in 2014 – they have tasting visits too.

So, great food and wine and festivals, deep history, superb scenery, great hospitality and music – why delay a visit to this authentic Mediterranean island paradise?

Valere Tjolle

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