Day trip to Gozo

We had very little time in Malta and I'd heard wonderful things about Gozo, so for ease I booked a day trip tour to explore the island. Big mistake. Sometimes it just all goes wrong.

The transport was an hour late, an hour we were standing by the side of the road with nothing to do and nowhere to sit. However, not to let it ruin the day, we enjoyed the ferry ride over to the island once the chaos of the boarding queue was dealt with. 

On arrival we boarded a bus and first stop was a photo opportunity of the Blue Lagoon and Comino. Then it went pretty much down hill from there. The next stop was not a craft village, but a shop to see how the handcrafts were made and buy them.

 

After way too long, we headed to the Basilica of Ta'Pinu near Gharb. The Virgin Mary spoke to a woman in 1883 and the small chapel replaced with the large church in the 1920's. Important to the locals and religious, but there seemed to me to be many other prettier churches that we passed. 

It was on to the Azur Window that collapsed a few weeks before and Fungus Rock, where the Knights of St John collected medicinal plants. There is also an interesting inland sea in this area, and some sea fossils high up on the clifftop, so it is still an interesting spot to allow a little time to explore. If driving, head to Dwejra Bay.

Then we stopped on the outskirts of Victoria and had a terrible lunch in a restaurant that caters to tours yet was overwhelmed with the number of people. Should you self drive, there are plenty of lovely looking restaurants in the main square, Pjazza Indipendenza.

Il Kastell is stunning and allow plenty of time to explore. Alas we'd spent too long at the horrible lunch and the craft shop so were trying to see all of Victoira in a very short time. The fort is from the 15th century and holds an old prison, a catherdral, many museums and some bunkers from WWII. You could easily spend a couple of hours here, not forty minutes, as we were allowed.

Unfortunately for us, we had to rush off to catch the ferry. Due to chaos at the port, with tours all arriving at once and intersecting in the line, we ended with a lot of yelling and screaming at the gate while my little girl and I were on one side of the barrier and the other 3 in the family not being allowed on. Strangely the guide was trying to get me on the boat and leave them there. Thankfully I refused as I later discovered I had all the money and they had nothing. 

However, after much delay, we made it home unscathed (except the little one who now has a fear of ferries...oh, yay!).

If I could do it over? There is a lot to see in Gozo. I'd make my own way over and hire a car or take our car on the ferry. I regret thinking I'd made it easier, when in fact I ruined a whole day for everyone. Too much time was wasted at bad stops and the good things left unexplored. I will admit this could be just a one off because our tour was an hour late even starting. A tour does, in theory, take the stress out of sightseeing so it pays to do your research and make sure it is suitable.

On the positive, it didn't rain and we did see some lovely things.

Linking with #SharonsSouvenirs
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