Rural Gozo

Gozo, the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of life.

For most of us, travel is about escape – an escape from the pressures of day to day existence in the rat race, and the chance to have a peek into a life far removed from our own. Often, the more pressure you feel at home and at work, the more you’ll want your holiday to be about dialling down, and taking it easy. Gozo’s predominantly rural landscape is perfect for this.

The island is dotted with tiny villages where time seems to have stood still, and many locals still live a very traditional lifestyle revolving around their farm work. The islanders know the tourism value of the rural appeal, and so work hard not only to protect it, but to cater for visitors’ needs as best they can.

Typical rural holidays in Gozo include a stay at a converted farmhouse. Often, this type of accommodation will be anywhere from 100 to 400 years old, with bare stone walls, wooden beams and other authentic architectural elements. Being converted, most of these farmhouses will also include creature comforts, such as a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, and the obligatory swimming pool. 

What sets this type of a holiday apart most is the pace of life. You’ll soon find yourself waking up to the sound of the neighbour’s rooster crowing, or the gentle hum of a tractor rolling through the fields.  Your breakfast will often include fresh eggs and artisanal cheeselets (most likely delivered to your door by the landlord), together with Gozo’s famous wood-oven baked bread, and the rest of the day will be spent either exploring the surrounding countryside, or lounging by the pool, depending on the weather. 

But if there’s one thing that will stand out on a rural farmhouse holiday like this, it will be the friendly welcome you’ll receive from the locals themselves. For most Gozitans, the chance to stop and chat with a tourist is a welcome break from the daily routine, and you’ll find that the people that inhabit this island are amongst the most generous you’ll come across.

 

 

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