Gozo holidays

Mystical, historic, beautiful... holidays in Gozo have a lot to offer besides days spent lounging in the sun.

Gozo is part of the Maltese archipelago, which sits in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Tunisia. The islands - Malta, Gozo and Comino - have been influenced by many nations and you can feel the touch of Italy, Africa and even Britain during a stay here (you still find red telephone and post boxes on these former islands of the British Empire).

The silver screen is also influencing life on Gozo. Angelina Jolie directed and starred in 'By the Sea' during a lengthy stay on the island, with frequent visits from husband Brad Pitt, while the Azure Window - a limestone arch on the west coast - took a star turn in TV's 'Game of Thrones'. Gozo has starred in many films and TV series over the years, but its most recent performances have raised the profile for Gozo holidays.

To enjoy a Gozo holiday, visitors fly into Malta Airport and then complete the journey by road and sea via fast and frequent ferry services. Consider hiring a car in Malta and bringing a vehicle over on the ferry. Alternatively, hire a car in Gozo for your arrival on the island. The island is small - not even nine miles across - but there is much to explore and having a car makes it easy to see the best of it.

Dozens of churches dot the landscape here, with pre-historic temples claiming even older religious roots. You can see them by hiking one of the island's many trails, or head just offshore for some of the best diving in the Med.

There are a handful of luxury hotels in Gozo, many of which offer swimming pools, spas, and exquisite dining. Some of the bigger hotels occupy rural spots on the island, with little to do in the immediate area (another good reason to book car hire). To be close to local restaurants and bars, stay in more developed resorts such as Xlendi and Marsalforn. The capital Victoria, formerly and still often known as Rabat, is also a great place to base your holiday in Gozo.

If you are hoping for a great-value holiday in the sun, Gozo could be your dream destination. Use TravelSupermarket's search tool to compare holiday deals to Gozo.