There are no recommendations like friends. So when an old school friend told me I had to visit Malta, that’s what I did! And my favorite day in the countryside was a day trip to Gozo on a short boat from mainland Malta.
I visited at the end of summer and the sun was burning as the taxi driver translated the radio announcement to me. “The hottest day in 10 years” He told me. thank god, I thought to myself. So it’s not just me… I’m not just blending into the deep by!
We arrived in the Bay Area of Valletta and before the driver hit the engine and headed for Gozo I threw myself into the most shadowy seat on the boat.
Arrived at Valletta
To attack you first with a barrette is an overwhelming sense of wonder. I’ll accept that.
The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most respectful architectural exhibits. I’ll go until I say it’s one of Europe’s best secrets! The churches, statues and polished marble are just the beginning of this stunning city. But it doesn’t all come at once. The city appears to reveal itself in many layers, like the history it has. Check out the impressive limestone display at Valletta’s magnificent entrance, then pass through the impressive streets walking through the actual time machine.
A day trip to Gozo!
I might have been able to explore Valletta if not weeks, but my job was to visit Gozo. So, a quick look at Valletta, I was on my way. Time was limited so I took a quick boat. There are also ferry options, but since I didn’t have time, I headed to the former. However, if you have time, the ferry is cheaper.
If you choose a ferry, be sure to do some research and plan for future days. The ferry does not depart from Valletta, so you must first take a bus to ċ Akewwa before boarding.
Things to see and do in Gozo
In just one day to explore Gozo myself, I flew on a 4WD tour of the island. This way I was able to pack as much as possible.
From what I can understand (based on purely on research from my extreme conspiracy by Malta), the country has changed its hands throughout history, from the Roman Empire to Byzantium to Arab rule.
Considering the location of the island in between North Africa and Italyit is not surprising that Malta is susceptible to pirate attacks and slavery. This was particularly pronounced throughout Gozo from the late 18th century to the early 19th century.
Napoleon Bonaparte also spent a short-lived reign at Gozo between 1798 and 1800, followed by a short period of autonomy before the British ruled until September 21, 1964, when Malta gained independence in 1800.
It’s no wonder that in such impressive history there are so many historic buildings to see and explore in Gozo, but it was nice to see the heat of the day slapping them in the face and enjoying the wind as there was no window behind the truck.
The salt flat is an interesting area to check out and is very vast if you are looking for a photo shoot!
Blue Lagoon
Like tourists, you can’t come to Gozo and not visit the Blue Lagoon… especially if you’re visiting in the summer or shoulders! Just a few minutes from Gozo, the lagoon will be a pop-up summer party with bars, ice cream boats, water slides and party music. This is a great way to relax in the late afternoon and cool down a day after an adventure.
