As winter approaches and the days get shorter and colder, why not treat yourself to a cosy winter break on Gozo?
While winter in northern Europe is mostly grey and cold, Gozo’s winters are mild and sunny, making it the the perfect time to visit. Winter also sees the island celebrate Christmas and Carnival in unique style.
Here are a few suggestions on how to enjoy the winter months on Gozo.
Get active and explore Gozo
If you’re the active sort, then winter is the best time to explore Gozo as temperatures are mild and you’ll get plenty of sunshine. There are plenty of ways to have fun and stay fit on a Gozo holiday.
Baron Holiday Homes is happy to organise rental bikes to be delivered to your door so you can do a cycle tour of the island, or we can book you on a Segway or Quad-Bike tour. Walking and hiking are other good options as you can go at your own pace.
Winter is a great time to cycle around Gozo. Photo credit: visitgozo.com
More adventurous types might want to try a bit of rock climbing or abseiling – a great way to get up close to Gozo’s stunning cliffs.
Christmas on Gozo
Christmas is celebrated in unique style on Gozo, kicking off in early December when the festive street decorations and lights are switched on. You’ll find Christmas fairs, concerts and parades held all over the island too.
The live nativity performed in Ghajnsielem, Gozo. Photo credit: timesofmalta.com
Perhaps the most unusual aspect of Christmas on Gozo is the display of nativity cribs, known as presepju, with hand-crafted figurines called pasturi. These range from the simple and home-made in homes and shops to the ultimate live nativity found in the fields surrounding the village of Għajnsielem.
Carnival
Every February, our island comes alive to the magic of Gozo’s carnival season. Carnival week is traditionally held over five days immediately preceding Lent, ending on Shrove Tuesday.
It’s a time for fun and food and is well worth experiencing as a visitor to the island. In 2018, Gozo’s carnival week begins on Friday 9 February and ends on Tuesday 13 February.
This short video clip of the Gozo Carnival 2017, gives you a taste of the fun, exuberance and colour to be expected on the island…
You’ll find we have two types of carnival on Gozo. There is the traditional, organised event in the capital, Victoria, with colourful costumes and parades. And then there is the famous ‘Spontaneous’ carnival in Nadur, where people wear grotesque masks and anything can happen!
Warming winter food on Gozo
Food is an important part of Gozitan culture and in the winter months you’ll find soups and stews on most menus.
Favourite soups for cooler evenings include minestra (a thick vegetable soup similar to minestrone) and lentil soup with croutons. And if you see it on a menu on Gozo, you must try fenek imtektek, a hearty slow-cooked rabbit stew with olives, garlic & rosemary. Pork stew is another tasty Gozitan dish.
Traditional rabbit stew, Gozo. Photo credit: davidsbeenhere.com
For a small island Gozo is well stocked with bakeries, cafes, bars and restaurants serving delicious food, perfect for a cosy lunch after a bracing walk. This blog post lists six recommended restaurants on Gozo.
Meanwhile, here are some of the Baron Holiday Homes team’s favourites (in no particular order) are:
- Cafe Jubilee, Independence Square, Victoria.
- Patrick’s Tmun, Victoria.
- Ferdies, Għajnsielem.
- Maldonado Bistro, Victoria.
- Oleander, village square, Xaghra.
- Mojos, Victoria.
Of course, to accompany great local food, it’s nice to try some great locally-produced wine and beer. Gozo has two wineries – Ta Mena Estate and Tal-Massar. Both produce a range of wines and also offer tastings and tours.
We also have a boutique brewery called Lord Chambray, which produces a selection of craft ales and lagers. More information on these can be found in our blog post Get a taste for Gozo’s delicious wine and beer.
And for that ultimate, comforting winter treat, we recommend you try a hot chocolate from Vanilla Plus Gelateria Artigianale in Victoria. Yummy at any time of the day.
Creating a ‘home from home’ on Gozo
However you like to spend your day – actively exploring Gozo’s wonderful scenery, ancient heritage, distinctive cuisine, or unique culture – what could be nicer than coming back to your cosy Baron Holiday Home to relax?
Several of our rental properties on Gozo are ideal for a winter break as they feature underfloor heating, jacuzzis, and even heated indoor pools.
Cosy jacuzzi in a Baron Holiday Homes villa, Gozo
Our Hamlet farmhouse properties in Ghasri, in the north of Gozo, make the perfect base for family getaways.
Hamlet 1 has three bedrooms and features underfloor heating. Hamlet 2 and Hamlet 3 with four bedrooms each, feature underfloor heating plus heated indoor pools. While the 7-bedroom Dream by Hamlet villa features underfloor heating, plus a jacuzzi.
Other cosy options include our Djar Ta Menzja properties at Sannat, near Gozo’s southern coast. Menzja 1, Menzja 2, Menzja 3, are all three-bedroom properties, each equipped with AC units for heating and a 6-seater Jacuzzi for a truly pampering experience. Guests staying at any of the Djar Ta Menzja villas also enjoy the use of an adjacent communal gym and sauna.
And if you end up so relaxed that you don’t feel like cooking, then Baron Holiday Homes can help you make the most of your Gozo holiday with our in-house services. These include a private chef who can come to your villa and cook for you using local ingredients. You can also treat yourself to such indulgences as relaxation therapy, massage, and a facials service.
Ask us for help
Baron Holiday Homes is happy to organise car hire, tours of Gozo, and special activities for our guests. Just get in touch and we’ll tell you all you need to know about what’s available.
Posted in Activity, Adventure, Carnival, Cultural activities, Cycling, Fun, Local cuisine, Things to do
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