I loved pretty EU island with year-round weather hardly anyone visits | Travel News | Travel

When departing for a European location during the colder seasons, holidaymakers cannot anticipate with certainty what weather conditions await them.

Recently, Holly Clarke from the Liverpool Echo decided to take a chance with the climate and embarked on a journey to Malta.

Not only was she fortunate with the conditions, but the Mediterranean island nation proved to be an absolute treasure. From exploring the streets of the silent city of Mdina to experiencing the energy and liveliness of the capital city, Valletta, there genuinely is something for all tastes. This encompasses lively evening entertainment in St Julian’s, the pristine waters of the Blue Lagoon, and sufficient churches across the island for each day of the year.

Holly departed Manchester Airport at 7am and was exploring the beautiful Balluta Bay by 12pm. Flights are also easily accessible from John Lennon Airport and numerous other airports throughout the UK.

The Republic of Malta consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Whilst Malta has the biggest population of the three at approximately 574,000, Gozo has just 39,287 residents, with only two inhabitants on the island of Comino.

Before long, Holly was beginning a ferry crossing to the island of Gozo, which is currently constructing a new £2million airport designed to substantially cut travel times from Malta. For the time being, the ferry service is direct and costs roughly 5 Euros for a return ticket. In just 20 minutes, she arrived on the spectacular, quieter island. The 26-square-mile territory is celebrated for its wild terrain and magnificent vistas, and it absolutely lived up to expectations. It provides everything from mouth-watering seafood and jaw-dropping panoramas to pristine waters ideal for bathing.

Gozo represents heaven for outdoor lovers with its imposing cliffs and plunging valleys. An additional advantage of the island is that it basks in 300 days of sunshine – a detail that sealed the arrangement for Holly!

Numerous visitors choose to remain overnight or longer on the island, but Holly recognised she had merely a day, so there wasn’t a moment to squander. Her selected method of transportation was a tuk-tuk, supplied by Yippee Malta, which she absolutely relished.

Holly was driven around by Joe, a lifelong inhabitant of the island. As she relaxed in the rear of the tuk-tuk, Holly marvelled at the gorgeous hills, which evoked memories of the remarkable countryside back in the UK. The crucial distinction was the vivid blue sky and brilliant yellow sun breaking through the clouds, a vision she hadn’t witnessed for numerous months back in England.

Initial on the itinerary was a trip to a bay called Mgarr ix Xini for a climbing and abseiling adventure, arranged by Gozo Adventures. It presented the ideal chance to embrace a more daring side whilst absorbing the stunning views of the valley. Having never climbed previously, it’s reasonable to say Holly’s legs were trembling somewhat as she gazed up at the summit of the valley she was meant to be ascending.

Nevertheless, after observing Cornil from Gozo Adventures’ thorough demonstration, Holly committed herself entirely and felt brilliant afterwards. Having built up an appetite, it was time for Holly’s preferred element of any journey: the cuisine. She jumped into a vehicle and travelled to a marina restaurant, Il-Kartell. The seafood establishment was the ideal location for lunch, situated on the waterfront, providing views of the glistening Mediterranean waters.

The restaurant takes pride in being « casual dining by the sea », so she selected the Linguini Al Kartell and she wasn’t let down. It will be remembered as one of the most unforgettable pasta dishes she has ever tasted.

It’s evident from just a few brief hours on the island that life there is leisurely. Back home, it’s simple to find yourself collecting a sandwich during your journey to work, or occasionally neglecting to grab anything whatsoever.

In Malta and Gozo, both residents and visitors typically dedicate an hour or two enjoying lunch. Beginning with bread and olive oil, progressing onto a pasta dish, and concluding with a double espresso, it was invigorating to take the opportunity to decelerate and value the world a bit more.

Nevertheless, there was no space for a mid-afternoon lull as there was so much to explore before the ferry journey back to Malta. Next on the schedule were the Qbajjar Salt Pans.

The northern shoreline is distinguished by a grid of rock-cut saltpans that are 350-years-old. They are captivating to observe and are also steeped in history, part of the centuries-old Gozitan tradition of sea-salt production that has been handed down through numerous generations.

On the eastern side of the island lies Għar tal-Mixta. Positioned high above Ramla Bay, the cave provided the most stunning panoramic vistas of the bay and the coastline.

The cave can be accessed via a short 15-minute walk from Ramla Bay beach, and it’s undoubtedly a must-see on a visit to Gozo if you’re able to make the journey. Holly entered the cave through a narrow opening in the rocks, then descended a few steps to one of the most magnificent views she has ever witnessed.

It was rather crowded with other visitors, even for this time of year, so she patiently awaited her turn to capture a photo overlooking the bay.

A visit to Gozo wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the iconic Citadel. Perched on a steep hill, the Citadel is a fortified city that dominates the Gozian skyline, visible from across the island.

Situated in Victoria, also known as Rabat, the capital of Gozo, the Citadel stands as one of the island’s most recognisable landmarks. The Citadel was once a flourishing city before being transformed into a castle during medieval times.

Many of the historic houses and palaces here have been renovated into museums and shops, making it a favourite destination for tourists. Entry is complimentary, and visitors could easily spend hours discovering its fascinating heritage and examining its principal landmarks.

We were captivated by the Cathedral of the Assumption, constructed entirely from indigenous limestone. A leisurely stroll around the Citadel provides sweeping vistas across the whole island of Gozo. For merely 5 Euros, guests can additionally visit the museums and heritage locations available. Regrettably, it was necessary to board the ferry returning to Malta, otherwise she could have effortlessly remained several more hours here.

Had Holly remained overnight, observing the sunset at the Citadel or enjoying an early morning swim in the pristine waters would have been the ideal way to conclude the excursion.

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For more information, visitmalta.com/en .

Holly stayed at the Malta Marriot Resort & Spa, with room rates starting from £147.

Ryanair operates flights from Manchester Airport to Malta starting at £42, and from Liverpool John Lennon starting at £32.

KM Malta Airlines offers flights from Heathrow to Malta starting at £111 and from Gatwick commencing at £86.