Days
Destination
Malta
The Island of Gozo
overview
Gozo may be only 50 miles south of Sicily and just offshore from Malta, but its relaxed pace and quiet trails are worlds away. Here, gentle biking terrain on less-traveled coastal byways makes it easy to slow down and savor the enchanting Mediterranean vistas, perfect picnic spots, and peaceful scenes you’ll encounter again and again. Pedal your way to Xewkija, site of the third-largest domed church in Europe, and the temples of Ggantija in Xaghra, which contain archaeological wonders dating to 3500 BC. Visit Xerri and Ninu’s grottoes, two formation-filled caves that lie inside their owners’ homes, and take the road to Xwejni, lined with pine and white oleander, where the beach is so narrow that its boathouses were cut into adjacent cliffs. In the fertile fields outside San Lawrenz, you’ll encounter the Romanesque Basilica of Ta Pinu before visiting Dwerja Point for spectacular coastal sights like the Inland Sea, Fungus Rock, and the Azure Window, a natural stone arch that frames the infinite blues of sea and sky.
tour includes
- Buffet breakfasts and all 6 dinners (lunches and beverages are not included)
- All accommodations (with private bathrooms) while on tour
- Local transfers as noted in the itinerary
- Luggage transfers between the hotels
- Detailed route notes and maps
- High quality bicycle with 21-speed Shimano gears (helmet not provided), tire repair kit, lock, map/route note holder, and panniers
- Basic travel insurance coverage
- 24-hour emergency service
- The unbeatable and cumulative experience of the CW staff
Details
Special Offers
Free Single Supplement! >Length
7 days, 6 nights
Activity Level
Easy; 5-10 miles daily
Meet and Depart
Malta Luqa Airport, Malta
Itinerary and Accommodations
Day 1
Sannat
Arrival at Ta Cenc
You are met at the Malta International airport and transferred via taxi and ferry (25 minute-crossing) to the exclusive Hotel Ta Cenc.
Hotel Ta’Cenc
Sannat, Island of Gozo, Malta
A five-star hotel, designed to match its natural surroundings of 400 acres on Gozo’s highest point, overlooks the entire island, the sea, and nearby Malta and Comino. Guest rooms are individual stone bungalows, with a terrace or small garden. On the expansive property are a private cove, three swimming pools, a fitness center and spa, tennis courts, and even an archeological site and migratory-bird nesting cliffs! A four-course menu is served, of local and Italian cuisine. A free minibus goes to Victoria four times per day.
Day 2
Xaghra
Ta Cenc to Xaghra; 14km/9mi
A panoramic swoosh takes you to Xewkija, the oldest village on Gozo whose majestic church, La Rotunda, boasts Europe’s third largest dome, from where you can enjoy views of the entire island and beyond. Cycling through gently swaying vineyards you reach Calypso’s Cave with its magnificent views to Sicily; it’s said that the nymph Calypso kept Odysseus captive here for seven years. Maybe descend by foot to the rich red sands of Ramla Bay—the island’s best beach—before pedaling on towards Xaghra and your fabulous farmhouse hotel.
Hotel Cornucopia
Xaghra, Island of Gozo, Malta
A traditional stone farmhouse renovated into a four-star hotel with spacious rooms, with local-style décor of exposed brick and wood accents. Two swimming pools and Jacuzzi are set in extensive terraces and gardens. Meals are served in the convivial dining room, in the evening a three-course menu of local and international cuisine. Located on the edge of the village of Xaghra with its famous prehistoric temple dating to 3600 B.C., as well as a charming main square dominated by a church, an 18th-century windmill, and unique museums.
Day 3
Xaghra
Layover day in Xaghra
There’s plenty to explore in Xaghra’s tangle of butter-colored streets. Perhaps visit the megalithic temples of Ggantija, an archaeological wonder dating back to 3,500 BC, or Xerri and Ninu’s grottoes, two caves full of stalagmites and stalactites strangely located within their owners’ houses! Xaghra’s piazza with its church is at the center of village life—do as the locals do, and relax in one of the cafés and watch the world go by. Or, your hotel has two lovely pools in its geranium-decked courtyard.
Hotel Cornucopia
Xaghra, Island of Gozo, Malta
A traditional stone farmhouse renovated into a four-star hotel with spacious rooms, with local-style décor of exposed brick and wood accents. Two swimming pools and Jacuzzi are set in extensive terraces and gardens. Meals are served in the convivial dining room, in the evening a three-course menu of local and international cuisine. Located on the edge of the village of Xaghra with its famous prehistoric temple dating to 3600 B.C., as well as a charming main square dominated by a church, an 18th-century windmill, and unique museums.
Day 4
San Lawrenz
Xaghra to San Lawrenz; 15km/9mi
Farmers tend their crops in the verdant terraced fields as you descend to Marsalforn, where rugged fishermen mend their nets in the harbor, their brightly painted luzzu boats bobbing lazily in the turquoise waters. A wild and beautiful stretch of coast takes you past a patchwork of salt pans and onto Wied il-Ghasri, a narrow inlet with a beautiful secluded cove—a perfect picnic spot. There is time to visit the remarkable neo-Romanesque basilica at Ta Pinu before reaching your luxurious hotel and indulging in a swim before dinner.
Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz
San Lawrenz, Island of Gozo, Malta
A five-star resort on the edge of the village of San Lawrenz has very spacious tile-floored rooms, with balconies overlooking one of three outdoor swimming pools, and modern décor incorporating local wood paneling. An award-winning spa has a heated indoor pool, fitness facilities, and treatment options. Two restaurants offer a buffet or set menu. On private grounds with a trail network, daily activities such as yoga are offered, as well as a free bus to Victoria. Two nearby villages have local craft shops.
Day 5
San Lawrenz
Layover day in San Lawrenz
Perhaps visit Dwerja Point (there’s a free shuttle from your hotel), where you find spectacular coastal scenery and some of Gozo’s most recognizable sights such as the Inland Sea, the stunning Azure Window (where the blue sea and sky is framed by a honey-colored stone archway), and Fungus Rock. Your hotel has several pools as well as one of Europe’s best spas, so there’s no excuse not to soothe any aching muscles!
Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz
San Lawrenz, Island of Gozo, Malta
A five-star resort on the edge of the village of San Lawrenz has very spacious tile-floored rooms, with balconies overlooking one of three outdoor swimming pools, and modern décor incorporating local wood paneling. An award-winning spa has a heated indoor pool, fitness facilities, and treatment options. Two restaurants offer a buffet or set menu. On private grounds with a trail network, daily activities such as yoga are offered, as well as a free bus to Victoria. Two nearby villages have local craft shops.
Day 6
Sannat
San Lawrenz to Ta Cenc; 9km/5mi or 15km/9mi
You may choose to follow one of the island’s most attractive trails along the western coast, fields bright with tiny yellow flowers and the air fragrant with Mediterranean “garrigue” (aromatic shrubs). Otherwise it’s a gentle pedal towards the northwest, where the cultivated terraces are dotted with Gozo’s succulent tomatoes. Then onto the capital, Victoria, with its maze of flower-scented streets—the medieval citadel boasts spectacular views across the whole island. You can explore Ta Cenc’s archaeological treasures before your final candlelit dinner beneath the ancient carob tree.
Hotel Ta’Cenc
Sannat, Island of Gozo, Malta
A five-star hotel, designed to match its natural surroundings of 400 acres on Gozo’s highest point, overlooks the entire island, the sea, and nearby Malta and Comino. Guest rooms are individual stone bungalows, with a terrace or small garden. On the expansive property are a private cove, three swimming pools, a fitness center and spa, tennis courts, and even an archeological site and migratory-bird nesting cliffs! A four-course menu is served, of local and Italian cuisine. A free minibus goes to Victoria four times per day.
P. Morrison, Illinois, November 2012
The tour was fabulous. I am at a loss for words to adequately describe how special the place is! Truly the attraction is the antiquities and the archaeological sites as well as the topography. An easy destination to get to, very safe, and I loved the non-touristy feeling. It was truly authentic and the routes were very biker-friendly. I recently framed a lace handiwork from Gozo, it is a treasure of local artisans, nice memories!