Gozo

Gozo has two cruise ports, Mgarr and Xlendi. Ships anchor at the main harbour, Mgarr; at 80-metre deep Xlendi a berthing buoy is available. In both cases, tenders bring passengers to the quay.

Victoria, Gozo's capital, is uphill (3 km), but a bus or taxi gets there in only a few minutes. In Victoria, also called Rabat, you can wander and visit the fortified Cittadella bastion area and Cathedral.

Gozo is an island in the Maltese archipelago of the Mediterranean Sea. Smaller, more remote and less developed than Malta itself, it attracts British and German couples in particular. Its pretty if unspectacular countryside, interesting churches, historic fortifications and megalithic temples make it a good excursion from Malta and an even better relaxed short-break destination.

Gozo is a tranquil destination without Malta's traffic, yet it is well connected by taxi service, excursion and open-topped buses, jeep drives and car hire. It has the same diversity as Malta, but on a smaller scale.

Take a 2 hour hop on hop off tour of Gozo, exploring at leisure on regular buses every 45 minutes. A free harbor cruise from Sliema is included, and buses stop near the tender points.

The ferry runs from Cirkewwa in Malta to Mgarr, Gozo's main harbour, every 45 minutes in summer and almost as frequently in winter. A round trip costs €4.65. Bus stops outside the ferry terminals align with arrivals and departures; the ride to Victoria takes around 20 minutes. On Malta, buses run from Valetta's bus terminus to Cirkewwa in about 75 minutes.

Approximate fares are posted at the boat-dock taxi stand and again at Victoria's bus terminal. Do not accept a price unreasonably above the suggested amount.

Ramla il-Hamra is Gozo's finest beach; its name means red sands, reflecting the sand's attractive reddish colour.

Currency: Euro.

English is widely spoken.

Commercial centers and shops usually open from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 7 p.m., although some, especially supermarkets, stay open all day. Many tourist-area shops remain open until 10.00 p.m. Shops are normally closed on Sundays and