Secret Hills Walking Holidays

Location:	Gozo
For:	Strolling/ Exploring
From:	2nd October 2010
Days:	8
Nights:	7
Price:	£737

Gozo - the place 

Back in time Gozo - lying off the coast of Malta means joy in Castillian - and indeed it is a joy to walk. It measures 14km by 7 km, only slightly undulating, and in spring covered in beautiful wild flowers. It has a long and proud history as an independent  part of Malta, and over the centuries Phoenicians, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, French and British have shaped its individual culture. This mix of races has also left its mark on the buildings, churches and villages that we visit on our walking tours. The pace of life is slow, but the services provided by our Gozitan hosts is rarely beaten on a Walking and Exploring holiday. We have arranged this holiday to combine lovely    walking with getting to know the history, culture and magical places that make Gozo so special. 

The Strolling

You are never far away from Gozo’s spectacular coastline - with towering cliffs, tiny creeks, sandy bays and hidden beaches of red sand. We stroll through sleepy village streets, over green hills and through picturesque valleys. Usually each day finishes at the crystal clear waters of a quiet cove or lagoon. Walking is easy, but there is much for the discerning walker to discover. Paths are good, but you will need the help of our local guides to navigate, signs and way marks are not much in evidence. But a superb experience - we call it “Walking back in time”

Coastal walking at it's best  As you would expect, Gozo’s coast features large in the walking we organise. But its pretty fine walking, and the sea breezes help keep temperatures at a lovely balmy level. Then there are the views - over Malta, as well as the rest of the island– simply stunning. All this, and magnificent cultural buildings and sites to explore.

The Exploring

You spend half of your holiday exploring the wonderfu historical buildings and features on the island. The magnificent churches alone are worthy of your attention, but add the historic town of Rabat - Victoria -  quant villages and harbours, salt pans, prehistoric cart tracks - as well as exploring Valletta and Mdina on the mainland -  so much culture, so little time.

Your accommodation

The San Andea, located in beautiful Xlendi Bay, is a modern 28 bedroom hotel. Family owned, it provides an intimate, comfortable and friendly atmosphere. All bedrooms have baths and showers, hairdryers, internet connection, direct dial phones, satellite television, and air conditioning Some rooms have balconies looking over the bay (there is a small supplement for this), and are twin bedded. There is a small single supplement for those wishing to have sole use of a twin room. A lovely roof top terrace adds character to the hotels charm.

Breakfast is taken in the hotel’s dining room or on the outside terrace, by the bay. Plenty of choice, buffet style, but a full English can be served at a daily supplement.

Your meals

Dinner - three courses from a table d’hote menu that changes each day. Locally caught fish is a specialty. The starters are filling, and main courses come with vegetables grown on the island. Sweets are scrumptious too. We generally eat inside during the time we are on the island, but if it’s a warm evening then outside eating is highly recommended. All through the day, the hotel serves drinks and snacks, with particularly delicious ice cream.

Flights

There are flights from most major airports to Malta, and you will be transferred to the island by a thirty minutes mini bus ride to the ferry that links Malta and Gozo. A thirty minute ferry journey and twenty minute mini bus ride to Xlendi. Flight time is three hours. We will quote you from the nearest airport to you, but dependent on flight days and times, we may advise different airports at the time of reservation - but the choice is yours. Travel around the island is easy - buses are regular, and our trip to Malta is a major part of our historical exploration. We transport you to the walk start each day and also to the various historical sites we visit.

 Single Supplements

For the sole use of a twin bedded room there is an additional charge of £10 per night.

Gozo’s Climate

Is typically Mediterranean, mild winters and hot summers - too hot for strolling. We organize our holidays in March/April - lovely spring flowers and a green paradise, and October, when it is still lovely and warm, ideal for walking.

Your walk leaders

Ian and Carol are your local walking guides - an English couple settled on Gozo, who know the island ‘s many routes inside out. Walking starts at 9.30am and we walk for three hours, before lunch - either a packed or café lunch. Another two and a half hours in the afternoon, usually finishing with a cuppa or beer. Five days of walking and one free day. Alan Garner and Chris Bland are your tour guides - looking after all other aspects of the holiday for you.

 What you get on a Secret Hills Gozo Holiday

• Flights
• Transfer form airport to Gozo hotel and return, including ferry fare.
• Half board accommodation, including a three course dinner
• Guided walking
• Any transport neede on the walks
• The services of a Secret Hills tour guide
• Individual attention
• Our administration and managent service

Groups arranged for as well.

If you run a walking group, we can cater for your groups needs on Gozo. We will propose a programme to you ,then we agree the activities. We arrange everything for you - flights, accommodation and programme - and we use our buying power to conclude the best deal we can for your groups.

Our partners in Gozo Walking

Secret Hills Walking are pleased to be associated with New Experience Holidays, who organise flights, accommodation and transfers for these holidays and provide you with ATOL security.
All your joining instructions and individual flight arrangements will be made by Paul and Deborah Sawyer. Once you have committed to a holiday, we will forward a New Experience reservation form, and you should pay all deposits and final payments to New Experience Holidays.
Secret Hills Walking is responsible for marketing and selling the holidays and for arranging your itinery when you arrive in Gozo. You will receive individual attention throughout your holiday from us.

ATOL Bonding