Post-lockdown travel: Malta and Gozo, the Med’s unsung beauties

Malta and its little sister island of Gozo have an unhurried charm, a sultry Mediterranean vibe with 300 days of vitamin-D boosting the sunshine. The setting is a tonic itself: a diverse natural charm that instantly energises, inspiring a healthy way of life.

Malta and Gozo are lush and rugged: vineyards, lemon, and olive groves burst with goodness; walking tracks undulate over hills carpeted with wood flowers, cycle paths meander around the coast. Outdoor activities abound with everything from rock climbing, paragliding and abseiling to aquatic pursuits such as windsurfing, kayaking, fishing, sailing, and kite surfing.

And that’s before you dive into the incredible waters around the islands. With the second cleanest seawater in the European Union and excellent visibility, it has been voted the second-best dive destination in the world with calm waters, shallow reefs, labyrinthine caves, and wartime wrecks home to a multicoloured circus of marine life.

Visiting Gozo

Much of the diving can be found on the sleepy island of Gozo, undoubtedly one of Europe’s last hidden gems. Quiet and calm, Gozo enchants all who visit with its step-back-in-time-feel and pace of life that falls somewhere between snail and tortoise.

The countryside is ripe with tomatoes, olives, and figs; vineyards stretch into the distance; narrow roads wind through traditional villages, and the wild undeveloped coastline is dotted with natural harbours and secret coves.

This is a place where you instantly feel at one with nature, a place where life – thanks to the Maltese government’s strong eco stance – is unlikely to change. Gozo is on course to achieve sustainable tourism by 2020, creating the Mediterranean’s very own eco-island.

Superb spas

A stay on either island feels good for the soul, and it comes as no surprise to learn there is a blossoming spa scene to enhance this. The last pamper-count came in at an astounding 40-plus spas and wellness centres — a collection as diverse as any around the world. Take your pick from the fabulous Fortina Spa Resort and Hilton Malta’s heavenly Myoka Five Senses Spa, the superb Carisma Spa & Wellness at InterContinental Malta or the tension-busting massages at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa.

The brand names are significant: the treatments are even better. Never mind comprehensive: this is complete, head-to-toe bliss.

There’s everything from yoga centers, pilates courses, and life-changing spa retreats to tempting, dip-in menus that cover holistic, Ayurvedic, Balinese, Chinese and hot-stone treatments. Even sleepy Gozo has its very own serene spa courtesy of Kempinski and the nature-inspired Hotel Ta-Cenc & Spa.

From the beautiful Baroque city of Valetta to ancient temple complexes; from lively café culture to gourmet feasts; from spas to diving, Malta and Gozo have everything for revitalising your body, mind, and soul.

How to get there

The easiest way to get to Malta is to fly to Rome in Italy and get a short flight from there. There are usually a few flights a day from Rome. Alternatively, you can fly from any of the major airports in London with some great deals on low-cost carriers like easyJet.

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